Tripod Step Ladders – a safe (and cheaper?) alternative - Forum

There’s been a few posts about hedgecutting platforms so I thought I see how many people use tripod steps. I’ve had an eight foot Groundsman tripod (from landsford access ) for years and is the safest most adaptable ladder I’ve ever used, and much cheaper than platforms.Often the problem with hedge cutting is access. The hedgemaster platforms are obviously safe but more often than not you have to deal with awkward access, shrubs, narrow paths, etc etc. The tripods are excellent for shoving the front leg into the hedge, or angling alongside to make most situations easily accessible. Easily move from point to point, they are stable, the wide base allowing a good reach from the top rungs. I’ve always kept mine (8’) strung up on the inside of the van so easy to transport without taking up space. The 8’ and a pole cutter deals with most situations, anything else I swap for maintenance jobs offered to the tree surgeons I link up with.The only difficulty with my model is no adjustable legs, so limited on slopes. However, there are models available with adjustable legs which would enable use on awkward sloping ground. I am thinking about getting one of these – has anyone experienced them?.Have a look at the Niwaki web site http://www.niwaki.com . The ladders are more expensive than the landsford groundsmans http://www.ladders-999.co.uk/ladders_specialist.htm but the topiary blogs are just fantastic! Maybe I should get out more though. Any other suppliers known?

Hi Rubus

I have not experienced the hedgemaster platforms so can not really comment on their versatility. I know they have been praised on here and if I had long lengths of hedges to trim then I can appreciate the benefit would be there right away. Looking at the photographs and write-ups however I have reservations if it would be versatile enough for the the very same reasons you have highlighted.

I often work from a 12 rung step ladder which is really not a good idea and I should know better. I have been thinking about putting some stabilizers on the ladders as I have been unable to find any proprietary step ladders that would serve the purpose and then I think for the sake of safety perhaps I should bite the bullet and purchase a podium step system despite my reservations.

So, now I have just had a look at the web site www.niwaki.com that you mentioned in your post and there they are, the very thing, fully adjustable and light enough and small enough to be moved around in confined spaces. I have looked at many sites and have never seen them before.

I am sorry that I can not offer you an opinion which was the reason for your post but I would like to thank you for pointing me in the direction of a safer alternative than the step ladders that I am using.

Replies

GORDON October 3, 2009 at 6:38pm

Hi Rubus

I have not experienced the hedgemaster platforms so can not really comment on their versatility. I know they have been praised on here and if I had long lengths of hedges to trim then I can appreciate the benefit would be there right away. Looking at the photographs and write-ups however I have reservations if it would be versatile enough for the the very same reasons you have highlighted.

I often work from a 12 rung step ladder which is really not a good idea and I should know better. I have been thinking about putting some stabilizers on the ladders as I have been unable to find any proprietary step ladders that would serve the purpose and then I think for the sake of safety perhaps I should bite the bullet and purchase a podium step system despite my reservations.

So, now I have just had a look at the web site www.niwaki.com that you mentioned in your post and there they are, the very thing, fully adjustable and light enough and small enough to be moved around in confined spaces. I have looked at many sites and have never seen them before.

I am sorry that I can not offer you an opinion which was the reason for your post but I would like to thank you for pointing me in the direction of a safer alternative than the step ladders that I am using.
Nick Mann October 13, 2009 at 9:41am

Sorry - dilatory of me, I should have replied to this post earlier - we sell just one of the Niwaki ladders, the 12 foot one, but have had excellent customer feedback on it. http://www.habitataid.co.uk/acatalog/Tripod_ladder.html
They've just reduced their prices for some products too. I'd suggest giving Jake at Niwaki a call.
CCL Garden Services November 13, 2009 at 7:19pm

Having bought the six foot, eight foot and twelve foot pro model of the Niwaki Tripod Ladders about a month ago, I thought I'd let everyone know how good they are. Light, strong and, to be honest, the only ladders I've ever felt safe on the top of. Easily adjusted rear leg that lets you manoeuvre easily into any position. The feet don't sink in soft ground and when you are stuck in a congested border, they are a doddle to move without working up a sweat and letting rip with a few choise words! The design enables you to almost sit on the top of what you are trying to cut. The laddders, combined with a Kawasaki long reach hedgecutter, appear to be halving the time we are taking to do all our hedgetrimming jobs. Can't praise them enough!
Mark November 13, 2009 at 7:43pm

Sorry that ain't ever going to work for me......I'd like to see someone hanging out as far as they could reach with a long arm from the top of that of soft sloping ground !!!!!
GORDON November 14, 2009 at 1:44pm

Hi

could you please advise if any of the ladders purchased are adjustable on all three legs. The fully adjustable version looks really useful for sloping/uneven ground but they are considerably more expensive.

Just wondered if you had any experience/opinion of them.

cclandscapes said:
Having bought the six foot, eight foot and twelve foot pro model of the Niwaki Tripod Ladders about a month ago, I thought I'd let everyone know how good they are. Light, strong and, to be honest, the only ladders I've ever felt safe on the top of. Easily adjusted rear leg that lets you manoeuvre easily into any position. The feet don't sink in soft ground and when you are stuck in a congested border, they are a doddle to move without working up a sweat and letting rip with a few choise words! The design enables you to almost sit on the top of what you are trying to cut. The laddders, combined with a Kawasaki long reach hedgecutter, appear to be halving the time we are taking to do all our hedgetrimming jobs. Can't praise them enough!
CCL Garden Services November 14, 2009 at 4:21pm

Hello Gordon

We didn't buy the fully adjustable versions because we wanted the three sizes but I would imagine they are even better. Phone Jake at Niwaki and I'm sure he'll do you a very good price.

Steve
Daniel Holman December 7, 2009 at 4:32pm

I agree with all the comments about tripod ladders, after almost 30 years cutting hedges, why has it taken so much time to make my life easier. They are amazingly lightweigh and incredible stable especially for an old man
The only other constructive comment I would make is that I bought my Workware tripod ladders from my local dealer after getting a mailshot from Workware. I see no difference in the style or quality compared to Niwaki but they were at least 30% cheaper. I also just saw on their web site www.workware.co.uk that they have a variety with all 3 legs adjustable coming shortly. I highly recommend them
GORDON December 7, 2009 at 7:09pm

Hi Daniel

I have just established the same information from "Treeworker". Possibly the same supplier. At the moment they are only offering a 12ft and 8ft with adjustable third leg. According to the rep who I have been in contact with their price will be 70% lower than the Japanese version. That sound rather high, but will wait and see

http://www.treeworker.co.uk/acatalog/New_Products.html

Daniel Holman said:
I agree with all the comments about tripod ladders, after almost 30 years cutting hedges, why has it taken so much time to make my life easier. They are amazingly lightweigh and incredible stable especially for an old man
The only other constructive comment I would make is that I bought my Workware tripod ladders from my local dealer after getting a mailshot from Workware. I see no difference in the style or quality compared to Niwaki but they were at least 30% cheaper. I also just saw on their web site www.workware.co.uk that they have a variety with all 3 legs adjustable coming shortly. I highly recommend them
Lawncare-4u.co.uk December 7, 2009 at 11:04pm

3 legged ladders - !! where does health and safety come into that..................................
Daniel Holman December 8, 2009 at 7:01am

I also had concerns about the safery aspect as I believed that ladders used for work had to conform to EN131 (I think) I checked it out with my local HSE office and was informed that there is no standard for 3 legged ladders therefore there is nothing to comply with or conform to. It would also seem that HSE hate anything to do with normal step ladders being used in our trade as they are seldom working on level ground and hence are always unstable and dangerous. Without actually endorsing the tripod style, I was told that anything which improved stability would be likely to reduce the chance of accidents and therefore very welcome