New Ladder Recommendations for Focusing

[lcthebeast]

I wasn't positive if this was better off for the facility forum or not.
I am looking to replace my current wooden A-frame ladder with extension. My working height is about 17'-22' and I'm unsure on what is preferred for new ladders. Also are all dollies made custom for their ladder or are there stock dollies that can be purchased with a ladder?

[Footer]

No ladder company is their right mind will sell a ladder with a dolly. I know it is a common practice, but just like pushing a genie with the genie up is not a practice that will help extend your lifespan.

Is their a reason you are not looking for a genie? I know they are expensive, but they are much safer. Call your local contractor rental place, they might have a used one they could sell you for fairly cheap.

You might also want to look at a scaffold tower. You can get them with wheels that you can shove around stage. You do need fall arrest with these.

Otherwise, there are a few places that make a fiberglass A-Frame. I have one on my stage, never use it.... but its there. I would avoid at all costs buying another A-Frame. They are being phased out fairy rapidly.

[Les]

The A-frames are pretty inconvenient to use. We had one in high school and even though it was brand new it was still very shaky. One thing I did notice was that even though dollys are considered unsafe because it encourages unsafe use of the ladder, ours was about 50% more stable on the dolly since it held on to the feet better. I think the most inconvenient thing about it was... Well try to set it up by yourself and you'll see what I mean. Especially if you want to put it on a dolly.

By the way I believe the base came with it and I think Texas Scenic provided it. Not sure though, it's just a wild guess since they provided a lot of the other gear during the school's '01 fine arts renovation.

[lcthebeast]

Thank you for the recommendation. We have scaffolding but our false proscenium makes it incredibly difficult to move out onto our apron and be at an acceptable working height. Only issue i could see with with the genie is how much weight is on our apron which is a series of plugs over our orchestra pit. That is still a much better option though.

[Anvilx]

Originally Posted by lcthebeast

I am looking to replace my current wooden A-frame ladder with extension.

What? but don't you just love the way that the wooden ladders move and sway.
sarcasm

[porkchop]

I hate A-frames. I really really hate A-frames. Genies are easier, more comfortable to focus in, and SAFER!!! Find someone that rents them and try and buy used like was mentioned earlier or if you have a little space in your budget call up whoever in your area sells the things and see if they have a more lightweight one to ease your mind while focusing the apron lights

[lieperjp]

Originally Posted by lcthebeast

Thank you for the recommendation. We have scaffolding but our false proscenium makes it incredibly difficult to move out onto our apron and be at an acceptable working height. Only issue i could see with with the genie is how much weight is on our apron which is a series of plugs over our orchestra pit. That is still a much better option though.

Call the manufacturer/installer and find out the weight limit of the floor if you're worried about it. Use this number when talking to a salesperson.

Afterthought: See if you can get an insurance break if you go with the Genie over the ladder for safety reasons, it might convince the powers that be to go with the more expensive option.

[MikeyHP]

I would love a GENIE compared to our 16 ft Aluminum A frame ladder...

[lcthebeast]

I actually do enjoy the wooden A-Frame for some reason. The scissor lift that we do have is too heavy to use on our stage all the time, and there are so many bad areas to drive on. I'll drop the word in to the theater manager to see what we can do about a genie.

[Clifford]

We're lucky enough to have a SkyJack 4626 (scissor lift). We would never be able to get a new one in our school district, but we found a local equipment rental place that gave a deal. They were nice enough to throw in a full inspection and service before they handed it over. These people are (potentially) your friends.