Telescopic Ladder

[AndyP]

Hi
Does anyone have any experience of this type of telescopic ladder?
I would use it for cleaning out gutters, wiping facias etc.
Cheers.

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/p/62m-portable-heavy-duty-aluminium-telescopic-ladder-extendable~p61934550/

 

[Spectric]

Yes they are good and so much more managable than the ladders of old, just ensure you keep the fingers clear when releasing the latches to close the sections down and the one you linked to is also a EN131 spec so meets a good standard.

 

[GerryT]

I’d read the reviews before buying this, especially the one that say it is extremely flexible and bends when extended.
There is also a review that says that it isn’t EN131.

 

[Sideways]

Likewise.
Not stiff. Doesn't insipre confidence.
Little Giant black folding fibreglass thing is absolutely the opposite.
It folds small enough to go inside a medium hatchback, makes a big A frame or extends into a decent length straight ladder.
Very stable, but also heavy.

 

[robgul]

This might be useful . . . .

 

[jetsetwilly]

I've got a 4m version, probably my favourite ladder as it's so convenient, goes in the boot of the car, is easy to carry upstairs or onto a flat roof etc. Got mine from screwfix for quite a bit of money; would be a little wary of cheapo versions esp at 6m - could be fine but I'd want to see one.

 

[Hypnotic Chimera]

One thing I definitely wouldn't buy "cheap" would be a long ladder. Particularly a collapsible one...

Even a proper 2-piece aluminium extruded ladder gives me the willies when I'm up at the height of the eaves cutting back wisteria.

 

[Vulcan]

I bought a Youngman 3.3M telescopic ladder about ten years ago, it’s been absolutely brilliant. Very stable and easy to collapse after use. I use it every year for cleaning the gutters etc.

 

[Orraloon]

6.2m is a long ways up. I would hope to be on something sturdy. Gravity never takes time off.
Regards
John

 

[Stanleymonkey]

I've used a short one for a couple of years now. So convenient to transport.

They are still quite (reassuringly) weighty - it can be a surprise when you come to move it whilst extended.

I would check the weight of a longer one against the standard ladders of that size. It's not always practical to collapse the ladder and extend the ladder if you need to keep moving it along. I would imagine there's a lot of leverage in a heavier longer ladder.

 

[AndyP]

Thanks all.
It was how flexible it would be that was my concern.
Sounds like 6 metres may be a stretch too far.

 

[Ozi]

Used these a lot when inspecting lifting equipment, they flex which can be unnerving but I have never heard of one breaking, just remember if it flexes it gets slightly shorter as it does.

In my opinion much safer than some of the alternatives.

 

[Doug B]

I use a 3.6m one an awful lot & really like it, that said one thing I learned the hard way is to ensure you have locked out every section before you start your assent.
At 3.6m there is a considerable amount of flex & if Im quite honest I wouldn’t fancy climbing a telescopic set that was 6.2m high.

 

[MikeJhn]

For cleaning gutters I have a Karcher extending lance gutter cleaning kit, I don't have to leave the ground, much safer, put an access point on the down pipes and block below that point to remove the debris, I use a half round piece of gutter/downpipe.

 

[Dabop]

For cleaning gutters I have a Karcher extending lance gutter cleaning kit, I don't have to leave the ground, much safer, put an access point on the down pipes and block below that point to remove the debris, I use a half round piece of gutter/downpipe.

Seconded for the extending water sprayer, plugs straight onto the hose and in my case, I just put a cover on the leaf diverters (I'm on rainwater tanks for my drinking water here lol- no town water and likely never will be in rural Queensland!!! so clean gutters is a good thing, and mine are 5m up in the air at their lowest point!!!)

Much easier than climbing ladders and they are quite cheap to buy (or even make yourself- mine is just a 5m length of PVC electrical conduit I cable tied a hose nozzle to lol), I've seen some fancy ones that even have a small video camera on the end that streams to your phone so you can see what you are doing!!!

My 'homemade' one I use here- just screw the hose on, turn it to 'high pressure jet' on the nozzle and away you go...

(the same trick can be used with a shop vac too for 'dry' leaf removal- a long length of PVC tubing high enough to reach the gutters that fits your vac hose inlet- just vacuum the leaves away...
(this one has the video camera on it lol)

A small 'streaming' video IP camera makes it a lot easier, and can be bought for under $10Au online...

So much easier (and safer) than climbing ladders...

 

[Bumble]

I purchased a five metre ladder a few years ago, after checking the weight. What I did not realize was how this weight distributes when extended; the maximum I can use it is about three metres. The flex is a bit scary at first when you're not used to it but otherwise okay. Now it's mainly shed decoration. Be very careful when collapsing; mine came with recommendation of two persons needed.

 

[Inspector]

I have a 2.6m one I keep in the RV trailer (caravan) so I can get up high enough to sweep the top of the bump-out off of leaves before retracting it. A 3.5m or 4m one would let me get on the roof easier. Around the house I use a 24'/7.3m extension ladder for that sort of work. I don't have to worry about leaves at home since there are no trees that tall for half or more kilometres of us.

Pete

 

[Dabop]

I have a 2.6m one I keep in the RV trailer (caravan) so I can get up high enough to sweep the top of the bump-out off of leaves before retracting it. A 3.5m or 4m one would let me get on the roof easier. Around the house I use a 24'/7.3m extension ladder for that sort of work. I don't have to worry about leaves at home since there are no trees that tall for half or more kilometres of us.

Pete

I'm surprised at the number of gumleafs that collect in my gutters- as due to the bushfire regs here, I need to have the nearest at least 20m away from my place- yet my gutters regularly have them overflowing with them after a strong wind...

 

[Sachakins]

Seems to cheap for that size.
I have a Werner trade one from screwfix, its 3.8m, very secure, minimum flex. BUT, its not light weight at all. But great piece of kit.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/werner-3-8m-telescopic-ladder/955ha?ref=SFAppShare

 

[frankederveen]

I’ve had a 2.9m Werner telescopic ladder to get on the loft occasionally. Last year it collapsed and I had a nasty fall. Probably one of the extensions had not locked properly. It is quite difficult to extend and see if it is locked okay or not.
Now every time I use it I am scared it will happen again.
Nice idea but I don’t think it works well enough.