Recommend me a ladder or platform for hedge cutting.

tired_dad

Got lots of hedging.

Quite a bit of it is very tall (as heigh as the house) for which I call in a pro.

There is some lower level hedging which I like to trim. Height is in the 2-3m range.

I am looking for recommendations for a ladder or platform to assist in general maintenance in the garden.

I have a stihl hedge cutter with one of those extension poles which helps but I need some more height.

Many thanks

Davesnave

We hire a big John Deere tractor fitted with a flail for ours, but that might be seen as a bit extreme in your average garden! :rotfl:

The Japanese tripod ladders look interesting & expensive, but I've no experience there.

http://www.niwaki.com/store/tripod-ladders-and-platforms/

tired_dad

expensive being the operative word. Not v MSE.

I was wondering about a platform such as this
http://www.diy.com/nav/build/ladders/combination-ladders/Abru-5-Way-Combination-Ladder-and-Platform-H-1-87m-10597528

would value comments

Davesnave

tired_dad wrote: »

expensive being the operative word. Not v MSE.

I was wondering about a platform such as this
http://www.diy.com/nav/build/ladders/combination-ladders/Abru-5-Way-Combination-Ladder-and-Platform-H-1-87m-10597528

would value comments

Well, the Abru is more versatile and could feel more secure by being enclosed, but the high ends might get in the way for hedge trimming.

The Niwaki on the other hand has independently adjustable legs, which could be useful on uneven ground like mine. Constantly adjusting the legs might be almost as annoying as getting a normal platform to stop wobbling though!

http://www.niwaki.com/store/adjustable-work-platform/

glasgowdan

I use a henchman podium step for safety when cutting hedges, it's great as you can lean right out if needed, it's stable and can be adjusted to provide stability on all ground surfaces. There is also a bar at your waist to lean on which provides support.

forgotmyname

I have this one, but bought from screwfix for half this price.


http://www.diy.com/nav/build/ladders/combination-ladders/combination_ladders/Abru-Blue-Seal-12-Way-Combination-Ladder-and-Platform-H-99cm-10847667?skuId=11338375

Leif

ScrewFix do this:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/4-way-combination-platform-ladder/18247#

And I also found this:

http://www.midlandladders.com/products/Multi_Purpose_Scaffold_Ladder_System-168-81.html

I have no idea if they are any good, and I have no idea if the second company is reputable or reliable.

gardenman68

Hi

I found a site called ActiveGardeningLadders when I was looking for a ladder for hedgecutting. They do platform ladders and tripod ladders.

They gave me a good deal and have quite a few to choose from.

glasgowdan

I would never use combi ladders as they are simply not built for stability, just to sell to the mass domestic market.

rhiwfield

When I still had a leylandii hedge of 3m high, I used to cross lash an old 6' trellis to the top of a normal extension ladder to create a t shape near the top which would rest against the hedge. The trellis also had a few 6" nails pointing to the hedge. Quite MSE, not so much H&S (!) but it worked fine for years

molerat

You could ask this guy where he got his from
http://desource.uvu.edu/ctc/risk_management/images/unsafe_ladder_use.jpg