Below you will find information regarding our product and guidelines for safe use. This is not intended to be a complete guide for safety, but it does contain important information regarding the proper and improper methods of use, as well as other vital product information.

BEFORE YOU BUY IT

• All of our ladders are "Special use" or "Special purpose" ladders designed specifically for orchard use. They have specific limitations and are not intended for every job.
• All points that contact the ground depend on penetration of the turf for stability. Orchard use ladders do not have spreader arms, tethers or rubber feet to prevent slipping or skidding, or on tripods spreading of the third leg.
• Our ladders should never be used on a hard or slick surface such as cement or pavement.
• Proper height selection of the ladder is very important. Ideally the ladder should be tall enough in the open position to allow you to comfortably reach your work area without stepping onto the red step. It is always safer to purchase a ladder on the taller side of your needs and not be forced to climb it as high.

BEFORE YOU USE IT

It is strongly recommended that all users read this prior to their first use. If you have employee's using the ladders they should be required to read this also or if necessary have it read to them. Safety guidelines are useless if the user is not made aware of and encouraged to follow them.

• When you receive the ladder, inspect it for shipping damage and make sure all moving parts are in proper working condition. Never use a damaged, bent, or broken ladder.
• Read safety labeling, Spanish labeling available as an option on every ladder.
• Always check before each use to make sure that all rivets, hardware, and joints are tight. Feet, rungs, rails, and tube should be secure and not showing damage or excessive wear.
• Ladder should be clean and free of grease, oil, mud, or snow. Keep your shoes clean as well during use and never wear leather soles.
• Never use a ladder if any of the above listed concerns are present during your inspection. Never make a temporary or "Field" repair to ladders found to be damaged, missing parts, or otherwise unsafe for use. Ladder should be removed from service until it can be replaced or repaired correctly.
• Do not use orchard ladders if you are physically impaired, afraid of heights, tire easily, prone to fainting or dizziness, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

PROPER SET-UP

• All of our ladders are designed for use on soil for agricultural applications. Never use the ladder on an impenetrable or slippery surface such as cement, pavement, rock, etc.
• Danger! Metal ladders are highly conductive; avoid all contact with any source of electricity. Always check your work area for live wires prior to use. Wires may be concealed by foliage so check carefully. Never use a ladder during an electrical storm.
• Position the ladder to reach your intended work area and open or lean it until the steps are level. Tripods should always have the third leg set in a stable position straight away from the centerline of the ladder. Never manipulate the pole to one side or another.
• If using on sloping ground, always face the third leg pole straight up slope.
• Step up onto the lower step with both feet while at the same time firmly grabbing onto both rails. While remaining on the first step, gently shift your weight side to side as well as slightly forward on tripods toward the pole. This should allow the ladder feet and third leg on tripods to slightly penetrate the soil "SETTING" the ladder into a working position.
• Step back off the ladder and make sure the steps are still level and that all points that contact the ground have slightly and evenly penetrated the turf. If necessary, adjust the ladder slightly and repeat the above step

PROPER USE

• The most important thing you can do to prevent injury to yourself or your employees is use good old fashion common sense. If you are unsure of the safety of your ladder or the job you are using it for STOP, don't do it!
• Always face ladder when climbing up or down, keep your body centered between the side rails at all times.
• Always use a firm grip and a three-point contact when climbing. This would be (two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand), don't hold objects in hands.
• You should always stand in a manner that would allow your body to stay centered between the two side rails of the ladder. If you cannot reach your intended work area using this guideline, get down and move the ladder to where you can reach it safely.
• When carrying the ladder do not hold in an upright position as you may hit a live wire. Always carry the ladder on your shoulder with one end of the ladder facing forward.
• Do not overload the ladder, it is meant for one person.
• Always maintain a safe standing height, it is not recommended that you stand on or above the red step found on all of our ladders as tipping may occur. If you cannot reach your intended working area without climbing too high, get a taller ladder.

SAFE STANDING HEIGHTS ON ORCHARD LADDERS

Orchard ladders are unlike other types of ladders that are used on a hard, stable, and flat surface. As such safe standing heights are very subjective and have many variables such as body make up, slope and condition of the terrain, tools or implements being used, and so on. Our suggested safe standing height is just that, "Suggested" and cannot possibly account for every variable. If at any time the ladder you are on appears to be tippy, even if you are below the red step, climb down and adjust the ladder to a safer stance.

IMPROPER USE

• This one is worth repeating, Danger! Metal ladders are highly conductive; avoid all contact with any source of electricity. Never use a ladder during an electrical storm!
• Never use the ladder improperly. It was not designed to be a bridge, prop, or workbench.
• Never "WALK", "JOG", "HOP" or otherwise move the ladder while standing on it.
• Never use a ladder that has been exposed to extreme heat or strong chemicals as the metal may have been weakened without showing any visible signs of damage. The ladder should be destroyed and disposed of.
• Never use a ladder that is broken, damaged, or excessively worn.
• Never use a ladder that has excessive or unsafe repairs made to it. Although our ladders useful life is often measured in decades, they still need to be replaced from time to time like any tool.
• Never sit or relax on a ladder, take your breaks on the ground!

PROPER STORAGE AND CARE

• To protect small children, never leave a ladder set-up or unattended.
• Store your ladder in a safe, dry, and secure place. Storing your ladder out of the elements when not in use will add years to its useful life.
• If stored outdoors keep ladder clean and free of foreign materials. Do not store near or under trees.
• Clean ladder when necessary to remove dirt, mud, sap, and other harmful materials.
• Never stack materials of any kind on your ladder during storage
• Always properly secure ladders during transport

LIMITED WARRANTY

The manufacturer warrants to the consumer that this ladder is free from defects in material and workmanship. All express and or implied warranties expire 30 days after the date of purchase of the ladder. Repair or replacement will be made at no charge upon return of the ladder within 20 days of the breach of warranty to the manufacturer. All consequential damages which result from the breach of an express or implied warranty are hereby excluded.

LABELS MOST COMMONLY FOUND ON OUR ORCHARD LADDERS

Also available in Spanish as an option - please specify at time of order. All of our labels, both English and Spanish, can be purchased in kits for replacement on our brand ladders only.