Hey guys I bought some sectional ladders about 3 months ago and when I first got them they were very hard to pull apart when sectioned together. Well 3 months latter they are STILL hard to pull apart.
Does anyone know of a way to loosen them up? Anyone else have this type of problem.
I’ve read posts over the years where folks state that they sanded-down surfaces.
A round metal file would probably to the trick.
Great thanks guys I’ll pick up a metal file and some metal sandpaper. And thank you Larry, I’ll stop by WALMART and pick that up.
Paul …not tony
They’re designed to stick together…so when you lift them they won’t come apart !
If you file the rivet head down you void their warranty ! Plus it will cause the life of the rivet to be shorten and also cause the yoke to not be stable in the rail of the ladder.
When you have 4 sections of ladder together @ 6’ each the ladder has a tendency to bow and if your rivets are not secure the yoke can fail and cause the ladder to collapse when your on it !
The way to separate the sections is very, very easy !
When the sections are together, lets say 3, the tip , base, and mid section all you do is grab the first section above the base while the ladder is standing straight up and not against the building…in one movement you lift the ladder and then you hit the bottom rung with your foot and it will come apart and then you let the top 2 section come down to the ground using your hands ,all while everything is perfectly balanced.
If you need to you can bring the base closer to the building and let the tip rest against the building and use that to help balance the ladder ! So you can break it apart ! But you need to use your foot on the bottom rung to knock it off ! Be careful not to mar the building…That’s way as you learn you should do it standing straight up and not against the building !
Still this is one of the harder aspects of the learning curve for sectionals ! I would first teach one to take apart the tip from the base, then let them get the muscle memory then move up to 3 then 4. It’s sort of like learning to juggle it takes a little practice before everything comes together !
So just use 2 section when doing a job for lower levels and use your extension ladder for higher levels until you get the process down !
By filing down the rivet head you risk causing an accident because the ladder has been modified to a lower level of strength !
As time goes by the rivet head will wear down to the point that you’ll need to replace it. If you don’t think what I’m saying isn’t common sense then call the manufacturer of Metallic Ladders and ask them if what I’m saying isn’t correct ! I’m 100% sure they’ll agree that you don’t file down the rivet head !
To file down the rivet head would be like buying brand new tires and the filing down the tread !
You just need to learn how the ladder is suppose to work then you’ll see the sense of what I’m saying ! Sectional ladders are a higher rage of ladder in the learning curve ! With them though it is about life and death ! Try doing what I’m saying with 2 sections then to 3 then to 4. As time and experince gets under your belt things will happen much easier and safer for you !
Personally I can stack 5 6’ section and unstack them with no problem but things can happen so knowing how to drive is important before you get behind the wheel of a car !
I read about guys stacking 6 and 7 section but the Metallic is designed for only 26 feet and no more…To do more is putting the ladder and yourself at risk. To do more use an extension ladder.
[SIZE=“3”]Don’t file down the rivet ![/SIZE]
Dange showing you the Range
Dange, his name is Paul. He was just quoting Tony Robbins the self help guru.
Thanks Tony…
Dave
No problem Dave.
Yea I’ve got another set of sectional ladders and I know how to take them apart all day long and twice on Sunday. And there’s been no problem taking them apart from day one.
With the new ones I bought three months ago it’s only an issue when we are inside someones home. It’s getting them apart. I respect your concern and will probably just use the ones that come apart easier inside and keep the stubborn ones outside for awhile longer. They will probably loosen up eventually. I love the stacks never thought I would until I owned my first pair last year.
I’ve gotten real good at breaking them down and stacking them together. Just kept running into this problem with the news ones lately
Have you knocked the base off with your foot? Try it if you haven’t it works great ! It’s the way to go !
I didn’t know you’ve been using one and when I hear some say to do something that risks ones life and limb
I really feel I need to speak up !
At least the newbies and guest will be able to read the right process !
Dave
When I first bought my sectionals I had one piece that was so tight it would take my entire body wait to secure it enough to get the pins in. It was the 3rd piece up which make it’s assembly quite challenging. On that section I filed just enough to be able to get the pins in without sh*&ting myself. It took very little filing to get the proper fit but even though I feel completely safe on my ladder maybe I was wrong to reccomend this method. I completely agree you want a tight fit with sectionals.
Paul do you have a set of these 2 accessories ?
They really boost the potential for you sectionals…
Dave
Yo Streaker…
I get your point and I’m in no way knocking you ! Sectional ladders should be bought in a batch made together. So if you buy 3 sections then a year later you buy another section they might be to tight or to loose so you should always buy the full set at the same time. With a tip, 2 mids and a base that is 6’ , if you want a 6’ base and 5’ base they should all be bought at the same time !
Years ago I called Metallic about the section being tight and I bought two base at different times .They said to take a rubber mallet and hit the section that holds the yoke …At the bottom you hit it out and at the top you hit it in if is tight or vis-versa if your to loose. Even though this can help minimally. You must very aware when you do this as to not over do it. Experience is the name of the game so work at it slowly until one get the full muscle memory !
Dange
I think that was exactly the case with batch. I bought three initially, then added on. It was one of the new pieces I had a problem with.
I don’t think that buying a set at the same time means that the set was manufactured at the same time. Inventory doesn’t move that way…
It’s 21’ max these days.
That’s correct so thats why sometimes they don’t fit together…Still this is what they told me when I called them and ask what to do to rectify the problem !
It doesn’t happen all the time but it does happen ! So when I buy them today I make sure they fit properly… If you get them shipped to you then you should be sure to ask the shipping people to be sure the set fits together right, and not to tight or to loose !
One good way to gain knowledge is to hear what one with experience says or as I did to educate myself was to call the manufacturer and ask them !
Dangerous Dave
That’s what their site says ! Go with it, any thing over that should be taken care of by an extension ladders anyway !
I have 4 6’ sections so I’m not over 21’. I do have a 4’ base besides my 6’ base !
Dave
Ok Dange,
I have the leg levelers and I agree a sectional would not be the same without them. What is the first accessory though? Is it a standoff??? If so that would be sweet!
Yeah Nate they’re a stand off and they really enhance the sectional ! I use it and it really helps ! I’d say I use it 50 % of the time and or what window dictates !
Dange
