Tripod Ladders

[ewanjp]

Can anyone recommend a tripod ladder for cutting hedges? I would guess the hedges are max height of 3m, most a bit lower than that. Would be using it mostly on dirt with a couple of hedges on gravel. Ideally not a 500 quid one...

[JimM169]

What are you using to cut the hedge? Standard trimmer or one on a pole?

Only asking as I'd rather work off a platform rather than a ladder and at 3m height you'd probably get away with it with a pole cutter

[Junglebert]

We’ve got the Niwaki ones, perfect for what you want, but not cheap.

[ewanjp]

JimM169 said:

What are you using to cut the hedge? Standard trimmer or one on a pole?

Only asking as I'd rather work off a platform rather than a ladder and at 3m height you'd probably get away with it with a pole cutter

I've got a pole one and a normal one. But the pole one will probably be the main options for most of it (it's only really he tops I need to do with a ladder) - i'm not looking to sculpt it more butcher the tops off once or twice a year. My garden is long so i've got quite a lot of hedge.

[netherfield]

Have you ever thought of bringing the height down.

I have around 40 metres of Hornbeam, which at 3m high was getting to be a pain, because of the need for ladders and the amount of stuff to shift away afterwards.

A few years ago I took the chainsaw to it and got rid of a metre, two years after that another metre, now I can do it all from a standing height.

And it's easier using a small trimmer instead of the pole which saves my back and shoulders from aching so much.

Edited by netherfield on Tuesday 18th February 15:19

[Danm1les]

Henchman ladders are very good and long lasting.

Edited by Danm1les on Tuesday 18th February 16:29

[ewanjp]

netherfield said:

Have you ever thought of bringing the height down.

I have around 40 metres of Hornbeam, which at 3m high was getting to be a pain, because of the need for ladders and the amount of stuff to shift away afterwards.

A few years ago I took the chainsaw to it and got rid of a metre, two years after that another metre, now I can do it all from a standing height.

And it's easier using a small trimmer instead of the pole which saves my back and shoulders from aching so much.

Edited by netherfield on Tuesday 18th February 15:19

Yeah it's a fair point I guess. I think the wife wouldn't be massively in favour and the neighbour as well - though they are planning on moving. That being said, i'd need a ladder still to do that...

[Mars]

Danm1les said:

Henchman ladders are very goods and long lasting.

Would also be my recommendation

[ewanjp]

Mars said:

Danm1les said:

Henchman ladders are very goods and long lasting.

Would also be my recommendation

Yep look like the job. Pains me to spend that much on a step ladder! Trying to work out what size I need - I guess i want to cut at shoulder height (which for me is 1.6m so I need to gain 1.4m in height. I presumably don't want to be right at the top of the ladder - the henchman website reckons I need a 2.4m tall ladder on this basis. Anyone think that's about right?

[wolfracesonic]

I keep thinking about getting one, probably the Henchman if and when I do, the only EN131 certified ones according to their site.

[Bill]

I went for BPC (as recommended on here) as they're usefully cheaper than Henchman and have no complaints. Either way, tripod ladders are a godsend for hedges and pruning.

[ewanjp]

Bill said:

I went for BPC (as recommended on here) as they're usefully cheaper than Henchman and have no complaints. Either way, tripod ladders are a godsend for hedges and pruning.

Thanks i'd not seen BPC. Seems almost identical spec, 399 (henchman) vs 375 (bpc) for an 8ft one. Henchman seem to have quite a good returns / exchange policy which could be handy should I decide it's too big / small. Hmmmm.

[Panamax]

Mine's the tallest Henchman they make. Includes the rubber feet for use on tarmac/paving. Excellent piece of kit. Recommended.

[Bill]

ewanjp said:

Thanks i'd not seen BPC. Seems almost identical spec, 399 (henchman) vs 375 (bpc) for an 8ft one. Henchman seem to have quite a good returns / exchange policy which could be handy should I decide it's too big / small. Hmmmm.

Hmmm, thought there was more in it when I bought.

[ewanjp]

Looks like BPC is a newer entrant to the market with the fully adjustable one. Maybe that Henchman had to reduce prices - the BPC is also tested (not just built to) the EN standard that henchman go on about. Speculation of course!

[dhutch]

I am fortunarly 6ft2 so can cut a 7ft hedge standing on the ground.

All our hedges are now max 7ft, having topped off or semi-layed a number off them to 5-6ft before allowing them to regrow to a nice bushing top!

[Cheib]

We hand some landscapers in cutting some very difficult to cut hedges. They had a couple of Tripod ladders, one was a Niwaki as mentioned above…it was much better made. Blokes using it much preferred it too.

[Jobbo]

The Niwaki ladders don't seem to have the platform and extra rail extending upwards that the Henchman and BPS do. I've also found Hendon tripod ladders and their fully adjustable ones look very similar to the Niwaki. I've been thinking about getting one since last year but haven't got round to it, so I'll just keep watching this thread in case any of them starts to stand out as better than the others.

[robinh73]

I run a tree surgery and grounds maintenance business and we use the Hendon tripod ladders. The 10ft one is the best of the bunch. Get the version with the extendable legs and you can carry out all sorts of work. Brilliant ladders, lightweight and durable.

[Jobbo]

robinh73 said:

The 10ft one is the best of the bunch.

Is that just because you cut hedges which requires that height, or is there more to choosing the version? A 10ft one is going to be materially more awkward to store in my garage than an 8ft one