How far should you extend an Extention Ladder

[zzvyb6]

I'd rather be safe than called stupid or silly, but how far do you think you would extend an extension ladder to avoid it bendling or buckling ?

The general rule is 3' of overlap for ladders under 36' and 4' for ladders over 40'.

The Werner site indicates that a 40' ladder can be extended to 35'. That's a 5' overlap. That leaves 'only' 5' or so rung distance spaces doubled up.

I have and often use 22' alumnum ladder in good shape, but if I extend it with 4' of overlap, it becomes a carnival ride (mostly lateral movement). I also have a 40' aluminum ladder that I want to now get up to a 35' hand reach (not my feet location). But I'm wondering whether that will also be too shaky. Yes, I'm taking into consideration the 1:4 rule for distance out from the wall vs. distance up. I won't be carrying anything other than a tool belt.

Are fiberglass or wood ladders less springy? Even raising a 40' ladder by yourself is a project.

 

[EddieWalker]

I can't imagine using a 40 ft ladder. My tallest is 24 and when I have it maxed out, it bounces so much that I'm almost frozen with fear. I hate heights more then snakes!!!!

Eddie

 

[Fawken]

At 40' a fiberglass ladder will be A LOT more rigid and safe. A wooden ladder that length will be almost unmanageable due to weight. If there is any power around avoid aluminum. Lash the ladder and if you are using it to get onto a roof there needs to be three rungs extended above eave. Fall protection (body harness) is required by OSHA and I highly recommend it.

 

[Billrog]

I have an alum. ladder that reaches 32' but I don't know how long it is. It's as solid as a rock but so heavy I struggle to stand it so it can be extended. I'd be inclined to rent a scissor lift or some other type of lift for 40'.

 

[WM75Guy]

At 40' a fiberglass ladder will be A LOT more rigid and safe. A wooden ladder that length will be almost unmanageable due to weight. If there is any power around avoid aluminum. Lash the ladder and if you are using it to get onto a roof there needs to be three rungs extended above eave. Fall protection (body harness) is required by OSHA and I highly recommend it.

If it is designed for it you should be OK. When I went to work for the FD we had a 40' wooden bangor ladder. It has poles attached to the tip of the bed section. Takes 6 persons to carry and set it up. Part of the fire academy was to attach 4 ropes to the tip of the fly section to steady it, raise it straight up, and have trainees climb to the tip, step over to the other side, and climb down. It did move a little when you climbed it, even set on a building.

Here is a video of how of a 45' being raised and lowered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3QnB0Oqar0

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I would follow the manufacturers recommendations for extension length. Fiberglass will be stiffer than aluminum for the same weight rating.

I had a Werner D7140-2, 40' fiberglass for a while. It was much stiffer than aluminum ladders I have seen. BUT, it weighed ~120 lbs and was a nightmare to work with.

 

[ajmaxham]

Fiberglass or aluminum Type 1A are good ladders. A 40 ft Type 1A Fiberglass ladder (88 pounds) -- Aluminum ladder (89 pounds) should not be raised and lowered by one person.

What type is your 22 ft ladder and 40 ft ladder?

 

[bcp]

I've only worked with a dozen or so household grade extension ladders over the years, and some smaller vol. fire dept. ladders, but all could not be extended beyond the mfg's recommendation due to built-in stops. Are modern top-grade commercial ladders different that way?

Bruce

 

[zzvyb6]

Fiberglass or aluminum Type 1A are good ladders. A 40 ft Type 1A Fiberglass ladder (88 pounds) -- Aluminum ladder (89 pounds) should not be raised and lowered by one person.

What type is your 22 ft ladder and 40 ft ladder?

That's a good question. I'll have to go look at the 40'er. The 22' is an older base model Werner. The 40' was bought from a home builder who retired. I have used the 40' on the barn and raised it into position using my tractor's front loader. Now I want to get up to the windmill tops for oiling and maintenance. I also have a JLG T350 towable boomlift that supposedly gos up to a working height of 40'. HOWEVER, as Eddie stated, when the boom is fully elevated and the jib is out, I get more nervous than a mouse in a gay bar, even though the rig was just re-certified by the local dealer.

 

[Woody65]

I'd rather be safe than called stupid or silly, but how far do you think you would extend an extension ladder to avoid it bendling or buckling ? The general rule is 3' of overlap for ladders under 36' and 4' for ladders over 40'. The Werner site indicates that a 40' ladder can be extended to 35'. That's a 5' overlap. That leaves 'only' 5' or so rung distance spaces doubled up. I have and often use 22' alumnum ladder in good shape, but if I extend it with 4' of overlap, it becomes a carnival ride (mostly lateral movement). I also have a 40' aluminum ladder that I want to now get up to a 35' hand reach (not my feet location). But I'm wondering whether that will also be too shaky. Yes, I'm taking into consideration the 1:4 rule for distance out from the wall vs. distance up. I won't be carrying anything other than a tool belt. Are fiberglass or wood ladders less springy? Even raising a 40' ladder by yourself is a project.

Extending a 40' ladder to 35' means a 2.5' overlap. If you overlapped it 5' that would only extend the ladder to 30'. The ladder is two 20' sections so 2.5' overlap would equal 5' total and a 35' reach.
I have been working off ladders from 20' to 48'. Wood, aluminum and fiberglass. If they are commercial good quality ladders, extend them until the dogs hit the stoppers and head up the rungs.