BEFORE YOU BUY IT
- This is a “SPECIAL PURPOSE” ladder intended for orchard use or landscape maintenance. It has specific limitations and may not be suitable for other jobs.
- This ladder does not have rubber feet, spreader arms, or a tether to prevent slipping or skidding on a hard surface, or on tripods opening of the third leg.
- It should never be used on a hard, slippery, or impenetrable surface.
- It should never be used indoors.
- Metal ladders conduct electricity. It should never be used during an electrical storm, near live wires, or a conductive source of any kind.
- It should never be used by those that tire easily, are fearful of heights, are subject to fainting spells, are under the influence medicine, drugs, or alcohol, or those that are physically handicapped.
- Misuse of this product or failure to read and follow warnings and guidelines may cause serious injury or death.
BEFORE YOU USE IT
- Read all safety and use labeling prior to use.
- Proper height selection for the job at hand is vital. The ladder should be tall enough to safely reach the intended work area without climbing beyond the listed safest standing height. Avoiding using an oversized ladder is also important as this adds unnecessary weight the user has to carry. Also, on straight ladders, a small tree may not provide adequate support to an oversized ladder.
- Inspect upon receipt and prior to each use; never use a damaged, bent, or broken ladder. Never use a ladder showing excessive wear or that has loose or missing parts. Never use a ladder with a temporary or “Field repair”. All parts must be in good working order.
- Ladder should be clean and free of sap, grease, oil, mud, or snow.
- Keep your shoes clean during use, never wear leather soles.
- Do not use orchard ladders if you are physically impaired, afraid of heights, tire easily, are prone to fainting or dizziness, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Inspect your work area carefully for any potential hazards prior to use. Hazards could include uneven terrain, rocky or impenetrable surfaces such as cement or pavement, or a conductive source of any kind to name a few.
- 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.
PROPER SET-UP
- Orchard ladders are meant to be used on dirt or turf and require penetration of the soil for safe use. When possible position the ladder on a level spot. Never use on a hard or slippery surface.
- Position the ladder into the tree near your intended work area.
- Tripods should have the third leg set in a stable position straight away from the centerline of the ladder into the tree. Once positioned it should be level left to right and squared to the intended work area with both feet and the third leg contacting the ground.
- Straight ladders should be leaned into a stable part of the tree. Once positioned it should be level left to right and squared to the intended work area with both feet contacting the ground.
- On tripods never manipulate the pole to one side or another. If you need to move the pole, move the ladder as well.
- If using on sloping ground, position the ladder up slope, steps level.
- Never position a ladder directly toward a cross slope.
- Once ladder is properly placed, 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 slightly forward and then, side to side.
- This should allow the ladder feet, and on tripods the third leg, 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
- Inspect your work area carefully prior to starting for any hazards. Hazards could include uneven terrain, rocky or impenetrable surfaces such as cement or pavement, or a conductive source such as live wires to name a few.
- Always face ladder when climbing up or down, keep your body centered between the sides rails at all times.
- Always position the ladder so that the steps are level, both fronts to back and side to side.
- 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.
- 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.
- You should always stand in a manner that would allow your body to stay centered between the two side rails of the ladder as you work. If you cannot reach your intended work area using this guideline, get down and move the ladder to where you can reach it safely.
- Always position the ladder to avoid any hazards or other persons in your work area.
- Avoid muddy soil when placing the ladder as this may allow uneven penetration of the legs and cause the ladder to become unstable.
- When carrying or repositioning the ladder never hold in an upright position as you may hit a live wire.
- Never carry the ladder positioned over your neck or in any other unsafe manner which may cause yourself or those around you injury. It is recommended the ladder be carried with one end facing forward, slung over one shoulder or to your side.
- Do not overload the ladder, it is meant for one person. When calculating maximum load always count the user + any materials they may be carrying.
- Always maintain a safe standing height, do not stand on or above the third step from the top as tipping can occur. If you cannot reach your intended working area without climbing too high, or the ladder feeling tippy, get a taller ladder.
IMPROPER USE
- Danger! Metal ladders are highly conductive; avoid all contact with any source of electricity. Never use a ladder during an electrical storm!
- Never attempt to climb on or off the ladder from the side or while climbing. Never climb off the ladder onto a tree.
- 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. Ladders, no matter how well built or maintained, still require replacement from time to time like any tool.
- Never sit or relax on a ladder, take your breaks on the ground!
- Never use a ladder without reading the safety and use guidelines.
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 sit or stack tools or materials on your ladder. Always properly secure ladders during transport.
HOW TO READ OUR PRODUCT SPECIFIC LABELS
Each new Strathmore Ladder comes with a **NOTICE** label specific for that unit. The label will indicate ladder model, ladder height, ladder type, the manufacturer, date of manufacture, place of manufacture, highest safe standing level, and max weight load capacity. See below for more definition on the information provided and how to use it.
WHAT IS A SPECIAL PURPOSE LADDER?
A special use or “special purpose ladder” is a portable ladder which represents a modification or combination of design or construction features of more commonly used types of ladders. The purpose of which is to adapt the ladder to special or specific uses which in our case would be orchard/landscape use. All ladders manufactured by Strathmore Ladder are considered to be a “special purpose” product and are intended for orchard/landscape use only.
SAFE STANDING HEIGHTS ON OUR 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 heights are just that, “Suggested” and cannot possibly account for every variable. If at any time the ladder you are on appears to be unstable, even if you are below the suggested safe standing height, climb down and adjust the ladder to a safer stance. Never continue to use a ladder that is unstable.
MAX LOAD RATINGS
Our max load ratings assume the ladder is in good working order, has not been modified, have excessive wear, or unsafe repairs. It is also assumed ladder is being used as intended, set-up correctly, at the proper angle, and on an appropriate surface. When calculating the max load always remember to count the weight of the user + anything the user will be carrying such as tools or a harvesting bag full of fruit. USER + MATERIALS = LOAD. Never overload a ladder, our ladders are meant for a single user only.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF OUR PRODUCT PLEASE CONTACT US PRIOR TO USE AT: info@strathmoreladder.com or 559-568-1115
STOP – THINK – USE COMMON SENSE
For additional product and use information including specifications for specific models please download the Product Safety & Use Manual from the below link.