Aluminum stepladder for 4 and 5 steps: instructions for use (photo and video)

Aluminum stepladders are inherently indispensable for various jobs at low heights. Many of us use them in everyday life (it will come in handy even to replace the same light bulb), as well as to perform a variety of production tasks.

In general, all known ladders can be safely attributed to two subgroups - professional and household.

Let's start with household ones - this type of aluminum stepladders is most often bought for repairs. With their help, you can easily glue the wallpaper, hang or remove the curtains, get your favorite book from the shelf from the library built into the wall - in other words, with such a "assistant" you will not need to fear for your health.

In most cases, such aluminum ladders and stepladders are used only for occasional use, so when buying, you just need to choose a one-sided modification that is suitable in height, which is compact and light in weight.

Attention! In modern apartments with low ceilings, you can get by with a staircase of 4 steps. In the event that you live in a private house with a high ceiling, then you will need a stepladder of at least 5 steps.

If we talk about professional models, then these products differ, first of all, in their size. For example, a 2 m high step ladder would be ideal for garden maintenance.

Well, in the case of large-scale construction, it is better for you to purchase a transformer step-ladder with an adjustable height, and consisting of 2 (and more often 3 or 4) sections that follow each other. The length of such a staircase can reach 20 m, where each "knee" will include from 6 to 24 steps.

Shapes (shapes)

If you have carefully studied the range of ladders, then you probably came across models of the A-shaped, L-shaped and L-shaped. The most practical and convenient option is considered to be A-shaped - such ladders have special work platforms, on which you can easily put a basket of fruits, a bucket of paint or a box of nails.

As for the L-shaped models, they can be equipped with an additional working platform.

L-shaped designs are intended mainly for professionals. It turns out that the short side of the "letter" rests against a vertical surface (wall), thereby serving as a support and platform for tools at the same time.

Many of the above mentioned models are equipped with special rollers for more comfortable movement. And finally, there are universal transformer step-ladders that can be assembled into a working platform ("goats"), into a ladder with different-sized supports or into an extension ladder with a console.

Transformer stepladder - easily turns into "goats"

Attention! When buying a new ladder, choose one with high safety rails. With them, you will feel much better at height, and it will be much easier for you to keep your balance.

Weight

Another important parameter that you should pay attention to when buying a step-ladder is the maximum load that it can withstand and not break (see also the article Wooden ladders: self-manufacturing).

Attention! You should immediately make a reservation that the stepladder is selected for the weight of the heaviest member of your family.

Also, to the resulting mass, you should add a possible load that rises with the user of the ladder (puncher, bucket of paint, box with nails, etc.).

Stepladders made of aluminum alloys able to withstand weight up to 300 kg;
Steel ladders designed for a weight not exceeding 150 kg;
Wooden stepladder (handmade) - no more than 100 kg.

In order to ensure the greatest stability of the ladder, manufacturers "shoe" its legs in special "shoes" made of plastic, rubber or a combination of these materials. These shoes are attached to the ladder with screws - this step is simply necessary so that in case of loss or breakage of the shoe, you can always change the old one to the new one.

Attention! When unfolded, the steps of the ladder should be parallel to the floor, and at the same time should have a grooved surface in order to avoid slipping of the legs. The distance between the steps must not exceed 30 cm!

When buying, you should pay attention to such a fact as the way of fixing the steps to the rungs. High-quality professional equipment has steps that go deep into the horizontal grooves, which in turn are made of rectangular pipes. These will definitely not bend or break.

It is not worth buying stepladders whose steps are welded or bolted to the profile. Quite often, steps are riveted on household ladders - be careful, they should be riveted in at least four places on each side.

Small briefing

Before working on a ladder, you must familiarize yourself with the safety precautions:

Before using the ladder, you should check its working condition: connection with the racks, the mobility of the steps and the stability of the supports;
On the last step, you should only work with belay (if the ladder does not have a handrail);
Standing on the stairs, you should not make sudden movements, shift the center of gravity and avoid side-to-side movements;
All movements on the stairs only face the steps;
Do not push the sections beyond the limiter;
Only one person should work on a one-way ladder.

Fixtures and accessories

Do not think that a stepladder is the simplest device for auxiliary work at height. In addition to steps and guides, it also has a number of auxiliary equipment.

Suspended working platform

It is mainly attached to the ladder with hooks. It is customary to use it as a platform for supporting legs, or as a shelf for a tool.

Tray

This device can be both conventional and multi-section. Made of metal or wood.

Attached in much the same way as an additional work platform - with hooks. It is customary to be used as a small container for improvised tools and tools (also learn how to make a ladder from metal with your own hands).

Hooks

Sharp, curved tips for hanging buckets, tools and various cords.

Handpieces

They are used as additional support - they are screwed to the "heels" of the ladder and create a stronger grip and support in the ground, soft floor surfaces.

Attention! The country of origin can be easily identified by the color of the product. Green ladders are produced in Belarus, orange ones - in Finland and Holland, red ones - in Germany, and blue ones - in Italy.