Cutting down extension ladder

[Drkuhar]

I have a 32ft aluminum extension ladder. Taller than anything i would ever need (already have a new 24ft fiberglass ladder).
Any issues with cutting it down to a 14-16ft extension ladder or if a kit to make a 10 or 12ft stepladder out of itis available

 

[ItsNemo]

Sell and get what you need?
Buy another ladder of the right height?

Modifying ladders is one of those things that just seems wrong in my mind. It would really depend on where they have put reinforcement in the original design, sometimes at the feet they will use thicker metal or extra braces to keep it from failing.

 

[dnschmidt]

I'm with Nemo. A lot of people would like to have such a ladder. If you mess with it it's value drops to zero. Sell it and use the proceeds to buy what you need.

 

[tarbellb]

Good point Nemo, I was about to say modify it...

But someone NEEDS that length of ladder, and they are not cheap... sell it and buy what you need with the profits

 

[kbuhagiar]

Yeah, you really shouldn't modify that ladder, as it will basically remove or invalidate whatever safety certifications are associated with it.

 

[Drkuhar]

I may just have to throw it behind the shed and try selling it again in a few months. I've had it posted from 200 then down to 150 and all I keep getting are lowballs of 40-50 dollars. That is why I looked at other options for it, its in good shape other than some paint spilled on it. but Im not giving it away for 40 or 50 dollars, that wont even pay for a smaller ladder

 

[metaldad]

it's a 32.
you mention you'd like a 16.
take it apart, and use the bottom section

 

[jmarkwolf]

My 32ft ext ladder had stops to prevent the two halves from coming apart.

If yours is similar it's a simple thing to remove these stops without damaging either half, and you'll have two 16 footers.

 

[The Cobbler]

I had 2 ladders the same length , both 32' , but the second one that was given to me was a lighter duty than the other one.
bandsaw and flapper wheel in grinder made short work of cutting off 4 rungs off the tops of the sections making it a 24' ladder.
would it be approved on a job site? no. is it fine to use around my house? absolutely .
would anyone realize it was cut down? probably not, unless they did a close inspection of the serial number

 

[FlaGman]

Having two 16 ft sections is great to set up painting projects on sawhorses. When I owned a furniture refinishing business that’s how I did cabinet doors or any project with a lot of small parts.

 

[The Cobbler]

actually I have cut down 2 extension ladders . I had another very cheap ladder given to me, I cut it down to use to get into an attic on a job . the hatch was very narrow & this ladder fit into it.

 

[Drkuhar]

thanks for everyones opinions. i may try to sell it one more time but if it doesn't sell then, I will cut it down to 2 8ft sections making an easily moved around small extension ladder (I already have a new fiberglass 24ft) and the other sections can be used as stationary ladders.

 

[mike93lx]

I'd just cut it since you've tried to sell without luck

 

[tjansson]

Are you going to need to move the brackets that keep it together too? iirc the lower section will have feet on one end and the brackets on the other. So, relatively simple to cut down the upper section but the lower will be complicated.

 

[The Cobbler]

any extension ladder I've cut was easy. no brackets or anything to worry about. cut the top rungs off both sections & it was done

 

[Mr_fixit]

I'd modify it. I turned a damaged 6 ' stepladder into a 5' one. A 3 stage extension ladder into 2 stages.

 

[brownbagg]

DONT CUT IT, that be a safety issue and will get you killed

 

[mike93lx]

DONT CUT IT, that be a safety issue and will get you killed

And the world will explode!

 

[545_days]

Place add to trade for a shorter ladder. You get what you want and some guy who needs a longer ladder will be happy as well.

 

[muddman123]

My 32ft ext ladder had stops to prevent the two halves from coming apart.

If yours is similar it's a simple thing to remove these stops without damaging either half, and you'll have two 16 footers.

Hello, How did you remove the stops? I want to split my ladder in half and only use the main section for a ladder. Thanks.

 

[no704]

Go to your local bbs and put for sale ads on a similar item.

 

[Byrdnyrd]

Drk,
These guys are right, it’s a safety issue if you cut the wrong end your ladder—-just make sure that you cut the excess off the TOP of the ladder or it will be 16’ off the ground!

seriously guys—-all alum ladders are extruded aluminum, you can cut it with no adverse affect on structural integrity.

I bet you guys all have tags on your pillows too!!

sheezz

BN

 

[rust in the eye]

DONT CUT IT, that be a safety issue and will get you killed

if cut lengthwise

 

[jmarkwolf]

Hello, How did you remove the stops? I want to split my ladder in half and only use the main section for a ladder. Thanks.

The stops were nothing more that heavy aluminum angle riveted to one of the ladders (can't remember which) with heavy aluminum rivets. It's been a long time but I think I just ground off the rivets. I kept the stops in case "my successors" ever want to put them back on.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I'd post it for trade and see if I could get the ladder I need that way first.

 

[lund]

I do not understand why some think cutting down a ladder makes it unsafe (weaker?). Stresses will be *less* with it shorter and you will not degrade the rating if you do not do the modification stupidly. All you should need to do is set the ladder, measure the level cut points, remove lower feet and then reattach at the cut point. I have done this with some old degraded wood ladders to make much more stable short ladders and it was easy and came out well AND was much more stable. Some people are too fixated on bureaucracy with the certification comments. Take responsibility for your safety. You would know the rating (what it will hold) and use accordingly with any ladder. It does not matter if you are Type IIIa whatever if you do stupid stuff and do not set and use it correctly with reasonable competence.

That being said, long ladders are expensive generally. It might make better sense to sell the long ladder to someone who can use it and buy a shorter ladder that fits your need (with the right strength, weight, materials for the applications).

 

[mike93lx]

I'd post it for trade and see if I could get the ladder I need that way first.

At 2 years later, I hope it got sorted out