Forum

Replies

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  Simon Smith February 1, 2014 at 4:32pm

  they are flippin brilliant!

  On a more contructive note i have a 14 foot and so can comfortably cut hedges up to 18' high with it. so good on mixed ground like in the back of large beds or on slopes where a platform becomes problematic also incredibly light and fast to move compared to a platform. I have one with a single teloscopic rear leg and considered one with all adjustable legs but after having mine for 3 years i have never come across a situation where all adjustable would have been needed.

  Very useful for pruning fruit and other small trees too as you can get right up in the canopy of an open tree.
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  Robert Keetley February 1, 2014 at 5:23pm

  Thanks Simon, not sure what size to get, i'm thinking of the 10ft one would suit me, but the 8ft could stay inside the van.

  Rob
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  Colin Hunt February 1, 2014 at 5:57pm

  We have one - absolutely brilliant, more secure than a 4 leg, with the advantage you can get the forward leg deep into a hedge with no damage to the hedge.
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  Chris Auld February 1, 2014 at 6:15pm

  Hi Rob, I have the 16ft tripod ladder which I think is the biggest one you can get, its great for tall hedges, small trees, etc. Its very light yet very strong, only downside is that its difficult to transport due to its size. In the photo below im using it to carry out a very light crown reduction on a silver birch, if I had used a standard ladder it would have just sank into the tree making it unsafe, it would also damage the tree. Also, climbing isn't an option as the tree is far too spindly and the branches wouldn't be strong enough to support me. This is the sort of job where the tripod ladder comes in most useful!

  
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  chris February 1, 2014 at 7:04pm

  Tell me if you buy an 8foot tripod what height are you standing at as I presume you can't stand on the very top rung ???? Thanks
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  Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt February 1, 2014 at 8:41pm

  I really like the idea of a tripod ladder but have very happily used the henchman platform for years now. Your example where it's beneficial and photo are really helpful. The henchman is fantastic but isn't 100% in every situation.
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  Robert Keetley February 2, 2014 at 2:08pm

  Hi Chris,

  Thanks for your input, i'm having the same problem, ie spindly trees, that don't/can't take the weight to give access to prune them. Came away today leaving 3 branches that i can't safely reach.
  The tripods look like being the answer to a lot of the access problems i have, but which size ?. I think that the 10ft( i will be stood at about 8ft)with size & reach should see me working comfortably out to 13/14ft, & it should be easily van topable, or do i go 12ft ? decisions, decisions...

  Rob
  
  Chris Auld said:

  Hi Rob, I have the 16ft tripod ladder which I think is the biggest one you can get, its great for tall hedges, small trees, etc. Its very light yet very strong, only downside is that its difficult to transport due to its size. In the photo below im using it to carry out a very light crown reduction on a silver birch, if I had used a standard ladder it would have just sank into the tree making it unsafe, it would also damage the tree. Also, climbing isn't an option as the tree is far too spindly and the branches wouldn't be strong enough to support me. This is the sort of job where the tripod ladder comes in most useful!

  
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  Robert Keetley February 2, 2014 at 2:09pm

  What size are you using Colin ?.

  Rob
  
  Colin Hunt said:

  We have one - absolutely brilliant, more secure than a 4 leg, with the advantage you can get the forward leg deep into a hedge with no damage to the hedge.
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  Graham Lawlor February 2, 2014 at 5:42pm

  
  
  I use both a 10ft and 16ft steps, one of the best purchases I ever made, the 10ft I carry with me all the time, lightweight you can carry under one arm, this size will do 90% of your hedges, combined with a long handled hedge cutter, points to bear in mind are adjustable legs, big price difference if you go for adjustable legs, if budget allows go for them. A bit unwise to work on top 2 steps, if on unlevel ground 'definitely not safe while wielding a hedge trimmer' as well. Shop around as well there are more than henchman available.
  chris said:

  Tell me if you buy an 8foot tripod what height are you standing at as I presume you can't stand on the very top rung ???? Thanks
• 

  Paul Doyle February 4, 2014 at 8:37pm

  hi rob,

  Have you ever used the wolf garden telescopic pruner for those last annoying bits? Iv had one for a while now and find them invaluable for the problems yopu mention. you gotta be aware of balance when using it on laddders mind bt a cheap and valuable tool. im also gonna buy a nimaki tripod for this season to see if its better/safer/faster for hedge cutting.

  best of luck

  Paul
  
  Robert Keetley said:

  Hi Chris,

  Thanks for your input, i'm having the same problem, ie spindly trees, that don't/can't take the weight to give access to prune them. Came away today leaving 3 branches that i can't safely reach.
  The tripods look like being the answer to a lot of the access problems i have, but which size ?. I think that the 10ft( i will be stood at about 8ft)with size & reach should see me working comfortably out to 13/14ft, & it should be easily van topable, or do i go 12ft ? decisions, decisions...

  Rob
  
  Chris Auld said:

  Hi Rob, I have the 16ft tripod ladder which I think is the biggest one you can get, its great for tall hedges, small trees, etc. Its very light yet very strong, only downside is that its difficult to transport due to its size. In the photo below im using it to carry out a very light crown reduction on a silver birch, if I had used a standard ladder it would have just sank into the tree making it unsafe, it would also damage the tree. Also, climbing isn't an option as the tree is far too spindly and the branches wouldn't be strong enough to support me. This is the sort of job where the tripod ladder comes in most useful!