40 Foot Ladder Mover FEL Attachment?

[J_J]

PBinWA

Your most stable position is on the ground. Ladder pockets with clamps, and you are set to go. Stable as a heavy rock.

I can almost see a tilt-able pocket assembly that tilts off the top of the bucket about 3 ft long, made of metal channel. Line the channel with rubber or padding to protect the ladder. To carry the ladder, raise the bucket, and slide the feet of the ladder in the pockets, secure to the other end to the ROPS. When you are ready to set up the ladder, tilt the bucket to lock the bottom of the pockets to the bottom of the bucket. Now, you are ready to tilt the bucket and ladder together, to the vertical position, then extend if you want to.

I may have to get a patent on this.

 

[ragkar]

That's why I suggested brackets holding the lower legs to the 3ph platform.
But suppose you put wheels on your ladder. Maybe a pair of clamp on wheels that don't interfere with normal operation. To move the ladder just lift the other end and roll it into place.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I moved a 38' television tower with my loader. I used the manlift on the forks and chained the tower to the bottom and the top ( 4' high ) railing. It worked well shifting about 3" which was straightened when bolted in place. Sure beat alot of ropes and confusion.

 

[newbury]

I have a 40 foot ladder that I need to use for projects around my house. Anyone that has used a 40 ft ladder knows how hard they are to move. I typically have to ask a neighbor to help me move it and set it up.

I've been thinking of making an attachment for my skid steer compatible FEL that would lift and stabilize the ladder for me.

I'm thinking of making a frame with a "pocket" for the ladder to lift and lower it. I would plan on lowering the ladder to 20ft when moving it around. I'm also thinking that the attachment would be a good way to stabilize the base when I'm up the ladder.

Anyone ever thought of this? I'm thinking a 6 Foot pocket for the ladder made out of some C Channel steel would be strong enough and high enough to hold things but I'm not entirely sure (I'm not an engineer).

Suggestions?

Interesting problem.
First of all I'm ASSuming yours weighs about 100-120lbs.
Made me go out and lift my 32', (16' collapsed) AL ladder and stare at my tractor.
Depending on your FEL and ROPS geometry BUT:
Put one of those U shaped ladder hanger brackets high up on one side of the ROPS
Either drape the foot of the ladder over your bucket or put one of those U shaped ladder hanger brackets on the side
Hang the ladder so it does not slide.
This should give you the angle to assist in standing it up.
Now I've got to go get one of those U brackets to make my tractor more useful.

 

[ACHINBAC]

PB - Have done it and have been meaning to post fab pics. My set up is free standing & will have a small platform built for the top when I can find more quality Monster Garage time - today we're off to Sandy Neck in Barnstable harbor - first decent Saturday in a while - has been a pretty weak summer for getting on the water this year. Couple pics in the meantime to tide you guys over . . . .

 

[ACHINBAC]

Couple more pics then gotta load the boat. Ladder is very stable but bucket needs to be to be planted hard, and dead level - I use two wedges cut from a 16" 4x4 under the bucket lip to accomodate grade. Will be mounting a small level on the ladder in the future. I put the outriggers down 1st to square up the tractor. Can lift the bucket up 7' and fold the entire assembly horizontally back over the sunshade for transit - though wouldn't attempt any crazy grades with it . .

Dave

 

[PBinWA]

ACHINBAC - that is some interesting engineering. I like how it looks like you don't need to lean against anything to climb the ladder. I'm not sure I trust my fabrication skills that much. I'm a little jealous of your cool idea now!

It would be interesting to see some close-ups of all the joints and "hinges" as well as a video of it in action.

It certainly gives me something to think about and that was what I was hoping to get from this thread.

 

[PBinWA]

Interesting problem.
First of all I'm ASSuming yours weighs about 100-120lbs.
Made me go out and lift my 32', (16' collapsed) AL ladder and stare at my tractor.
Depending on your FEL and ROPS geometry BUT:
Put one of those U shaped ladder hanger brackets high up on one side of the ROPS
Either drape the foot of the ladder over your bucket or put one of those U shaped ladder hanger brackets on the side
Hang the ladder so it does not slide.
This should give you the angle to assist in standing it up.
Now I've got to go get one of those U brackets to make my tractor more useful.

Yes it's at least 120 lbs. I can handle the weight but once you raise that thing up it is no longer a one man job. The last time I used it we had three people and it was much easier.

I have levelers on the bottom and the big stabilizer for the top. I'm hoping to keep and utilize the levelers in my design as the ground won't be flat where I am working. The house is on a grade so it is always sloping.

One thing to clarify is that this attachment isn't so much for "moving" the ladder around the property. I can actually carry it myself. This attachment is more for lifting the ladder vertically so I can raise it up and then lowering it to the house. That is the 2-3 man part. If I can use the FEL and Tractor as an extra stabilizing feature then that is gravy.

 

[whateg0]

The thing that would scare me about something that left the ladder permanently vertical is that if you are moving it around and "forget" about the top, it could clip some power lines, or something else. I remember reading an article in Reader's Digest probably 20 years ago about a guy running a cotton picker through a field and forgot about the height and ran it into some high voltage lines. Coulda died that day. I like the idea of transporting in the horizontal position.

Just be careful.

Dave

 

[two_bit_score]

I have a 40 foot ladder that I need to use for projects around my house. Anyone that has used a 40 ft ladder knows how hard they are to move. I typically have to ask a neighbor to help me move it and set it up.

I've been thinking of making an attachment for my skid steer compatible FEL that would lift and stabilize the ladder for me.

I'm thinking of making a frame with a "pocket" for the ladder to lift and lower it. I would plan on lowering the ladder to 20ft when moving it around. I'm also thinking that the attachment would be a good way to stabilize the base when I'm up the ladder.

Anyone ever thought of this? I'm thinking a 6 Foot pocket for the ladder made out of some C Channel steel would be strong enough and high enough to hold things but I'm not entirely sure (I'm not an engineer).

Suggestions?

"You'll shoot your eye out."

Good idea. Good luck and good pics.