The staircase is a simple structure that is indispensable for a number of construction, installation or repair work. Also, gardeners often use this design when collecting fruits from tall trees. And since progress does not stand still, then the usual products, consisting of two boards with crossbars, have been replaced by more comfortable and modern ones, for example, a 8-meter transformer staircase.
Transformer ladders are convenient and multifunctional structures that are unpretentious in operation and easy to store, because they can be folded to small sizes. In this article, we will consider their types and features.
Modern transforming stairs
To date, a fairly large number of different staircase structures are produced, which differ in the folding system, functionality, material of manufacture and dimensions.
Based on the design features, the following types of stairs are distinguished:
- Straight or "traditional" design.
- Ladder.
- Multi-section
- Stem or telescopic.
Advice! If you need the most compact option, then you should consider telescopic structures... If the main emphasis is on functionality, then the best choice would be a multi-section staircase, which can take on various positions.
Types of transformers
The transformer step ladder can be either telescopic or multi-section. Both options have both advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when purchasing.
About the multi-section staircase
Multi-section building ladders transformers consist of several moving parts, thanks to which the structure can take various forms. The most popular are 3x10 (three sections, each of which has ten steps) and 4x4 (four sections of four steps, respectively).
Design features:
- The lower section has a traverse - a transverse bar, which ensures the stability of the product thanks to anti-slip replaceable supports.
- The presence of ties that prevent spontaneous folding.
- Pull-out sections are firmly clamped by steel brackets for increased reliability.
- Most often, such products are made of anodized aluminum, which is a lightweight and durable metal.
About anodizing aluminum
Aluminum itself is a light and soft metal. On the one hand, these are the indisputable advantages of the material, but not in the case when the product is intended to work with a large weight with constant folding / unfolding.
Therefore, in order to give the stairs the necessary rigidity and wear resistance, the metal must be anodized, during which various chemical effects are exerted on it.
As a result, oxide forms on the surface of the material, which is a protective film that significantly increases its strength characteristics. It prevents metal corrosion, increasing resistance to mechanical damage.
Functions of multi-section transformers
Thanks to the features of the folding mechanism, professional ladders transformers have the following functions:
- Three-section. Consider the functions of the Centaure A ladder:
- An ordinary stepladder. This is achieved in this way: the two lower sections are folded together, while the upper is set up as a "house".
- Stepladder with a retractable section. In this case, both lower sections are installed in the form of a stepladder, while the upper one must be pulled up.
Advice! The upper section can be resting against the wall, providing the structure with greater stability and significantly expanding its capabilities.
- An extension ladder with three sections, when all sections are extended to the maximum height. Allows work at very high heights (often over 10 meters).
Advice! If you are planning substantial work at height, then at the top of the structure you can fix a support platform with dimensions of 27 by 27 cm. It is firmly fixed and is very reliable.
- On most models, the last section can be detached to be used as a compact extension piece.
- Four-section ladders.
- Attached.
- Ladder.
- Two separate reversible ladders. When using a building scaffold, you can arrange the structures into a work table or stand.
- Working platform.
- Retractable design.
These are the main functions that 4x3 aluminum ladders have. Some stairs may not be fully functional.
Product selection
Despite the fact that most of the products from renowned manufacturers (for example, Krause transformer stairs) have international certification, nevertheless, you should always check the quality of the purchased inventory.
A small instruction will help you choose:
- Aluminum, both folded and unfolded, must have the correct geometry. This parameter can be well checked visually.
- When buying, first of all, pay attention to the connecting nodes. They should not be loose, since the strength of the structure directly depends on them. Make sure the locking rivets are strong enough.
Advice! A high-quality product will necessarily have steps with a corrugated surface, since the main task of a responsible manufacturer is to manufacture safe structures.
- Unfold the ladder on a flat and smooth surface. You should make sure that the base of the structure fits snugly against the floor without creating gaps with it. With light rocking, the product should stand firmly and not wobble.
- Examine the base. If it is made of durable non-slip material, it will provide a secure fit on any floor covering.
Telescopic ladders
A telescopic design is called a universal design, which consists of tubes of different diameters inserted into one another. This allows the stem to unfold to a height of 7 meters, while maintaining the most compact dimensions when folded.
The advantages of telescopic transformers
Such products are also characterized by a number of positive characteristics:
- Compactness as a result of the original folding system. For example, a 4-meter ladder can fold down to a size of only 70 cm.
- One model is often equipped with several types of steps. This is very convenient when carrying out various types of work. For example, light and narrow steps are ideal for laying the electrical network in the upper parts of the walls. However, if we are talking about preparing a route for a cable, then these works are much more convenient to carry out, having a stable structure under your feet, which are capable of resisting recoil from an electric drill or hammer drill.
- Very light weight, which makes it much easier to transport. Lightweight aluminum alloy allows you to easily carry out various manipulations with assembled or disassembled structures.
- High lifting capacity (up to 150 kg). Strong clips allow you not to worry about the fact that the ladder may not withstand the load and fold at the most inopportune moment for this.
- Multifunctionality thanks to special hinges.
Advice! The functionality of this type of products is significantly lower than that of multi-section ones. Therefore, when buying, you should first of all proceed from what kind of work you plan to carry out on this staircase.
- Reliability. The complexity in production has led to the fact that such products are made only by those manufacturers who have all the necessary equipment for this. It is impossible to make such a staircase with your own hands, without having special machines, therefore, handicraft and clandestine production in this case are excluded.
The difference between professional products and household
The Rigger 101413 professional construction ladder can be purchased from most DIY stores. However, such serious equipment is not always necessary in everyday life, therefore many home craftsmen get by with simpler and cheaper counterparts.
Consider the main differences between household structures and those used by professional builders:
- Maximum permissible stage load. For Vira ladders, this parameter is 150 kg. If we talk about an ordinary step-ladder in comparison with a professional transformer construction, then the maximum load here will be much lower.
- Professional products have full functionality, while non-professional ones may not have any basic folding functions.
- In the professional segment, special models are produced that can take the form of scaffolding, having special fasteners for additional fixation in different positions.
- Working height. Most household structures have a maximum height of up to 3 meters. Professional equipment has a more stable base and uses a more durable alloy, therefore restrictions are introduced here only for safety reasons.
There are specialized models with 10 steps in each section.
- Wear. This parameter is of interest to both professional builders and home craftsmen.
- Of course, household products are not designed for frequent use, therefore materials from a cheaper segment are used in their manufacture. This does not mean a decrease in quality, it is just that the manufacturer sets the benchmarks in the market in this way. The price, accordingly, is also decreasing.
- In the manufacture of professional structures, both difficult operating conditions and a large number of folding / unfolding cycles, as well as transportation are taken into account. Accordingly, the highest requirements are imposed on both the alloy and the moving parts.
Professional designs have forged connecting elements, while household transformers are equipped with stamped moving parts.
Conclusion
It is up to you to buy a professional transforming ladder or an ordinary step-ladder, but the advantages of new technologies are obvious even for an uninitiated person. Such structures are reliable and durable, and most importantly, convenient when carrying out various types of work. In the video presented in this article, you will find additional information on this topic.
