A custom ladder to meet one’s needs does not always have to be “from the ground up”. Instead, to meet one’s needs, a custom ladder can sometimes be attained with an “off the shelf” ladder with modifications at an extra cost added to an off the shelf ladder. The modifications added route is almost always less than the “from the ground up” custom ladder.
Some of our most popular low-cost modifications are described below.
Tread Type: Most of our standard ladders have perforated tread. This tread is easily recognized by holes that protrude upward providing friction with one’s shoe. Other available tread types are serrated tread, expanded tread and grip tape tread. Serrated tread is the tread with the most shoe friction and is designed for slippery or wet conditions. Expanded tread has diamond shaped holes that prevent buildup of small particles on the treads by allowing them to fall through. Grip tape tread, which is only for use with street shoes, is a solid tread with friction tape applied to it.
Heavy Duty Capacity: Often a ladder may need extra strength. Except for our ladders with a standard 500 lb. capacity, this is ALWAYS the case if more than on person will be on the ladder at the same time. Many of our ladders can be reinforced at a nominal cost to accommodate a 500 lb. capacity.
Deeper Top Platform: If the standard top platform is too small, it can often be lengthened with a relatively small charge. This is usually done in 7” increments. The reason for this is stair treads are usually 7” deep and, in addition to the stairway, the 7” treads are often used for the top platform as well. This is why top platform depths are frequently 14”, 21”, 28” etc. When you see a top platform depth divisible by 7”, increasing the depth by a length divisible by 7” usually will not be an expensive customization.
Top Walk Off Access: When one needs to step from the top platform of a ladder onto a mezzanine, the handrail around the top platform prevents this. Both the back handrail or the siderails can be replaced with a removable chain. Releasing the removable chain on one end allows access to a mezzanine. When the removable chain is in the attached position, it acts like a handrail.
Toe Boards: Toe boards, often called kickplates or toe plates, are vertical plates on the top platform. These vertical plates reduce the likelihood of an item on the top platform from falling and possibly injuring someone below. 4” is a very common toe board height. Toe boards can’t be installed on a ladder with a top walk off access option because this would create a dangerous trip hazard when stepping from the ladder onto a mezzanine and vice versa.
CAL OSHA COMPLIANT: California has stricter handrail requirements when compare to OSHA in other states. Handrails in California have to be 42” high and have to include a 21” mid rail. Most of our ladders can have these special handrails added to them. We can also add them to ladders that are going to states other than California.
Special Paint: Many of our ladders can be painted a different color. Sometimes better ladder visibility is desired. Because of this, yellow is the most popular custom color.
To see ladders that many of these low-cost modifications are available on, please click on the link below: