This ladder still OK?

[Denray]

Hardly ever have my LG ladder out and fully extended anymore. I know, it's sad. But I did have it extended the other day and it sure looked tweaked. Been over a year since I used it professionally and I just don't remember it having this much of a hyper back joint bend to it. Is this just the way they are and no big deal?

[Jim Katen]

I've never owned a Little Giant, but neither of my Werners hyperextends like that. I'd stress test it and see whether or not that center joint is moving. 

[Erby]

I'd think that, as long as the pins are properly locked in their holes, it isn't going anywhere.

 

[Matthew Jardine]

Both of my Werner ladders hyperextend like this. One of them is less than 6 months old and the other is 7+ years old. Never had an issue from either

[Denray]

Thx guys!!

[TimK]

I'm in agreement with Jardine. My Werner does this to about that same extent.

[Chad Fabry]

My ladders aren't like that and it would bother me if they were.  I have an aversion to falling because my equipment failed.  I see a lot of guys who don't set their ladders up at the correct angles- they're way too horizontally. 

Aluminum doesn't like being bent and, for the ladder to be over extended at it's center pivot, something got bent.

It doesn't matter what we say- send the photos to Little Giant and ask for their opinion. I'm sure they've tested dozens of ladders to failure.   

[Denray]

LG boy said it was fine?
I'll set it up when it quits raining and check it out a little more thoroughly, like Jim mentioned.

 

[John Kogel]

Denny, wear a helmet. The rest of you Werners users, get a Jaws ladder. 

Seriously, I bought a Jaws from a retiring inspector, and it will never over extend like that. Also, the top section can easily be removed, making the ladder light and strong.

[Denray]

Here's the cause. Holes and or pins get worn out.
Even though they have a lifetime warranty the LG rep said they are fine. 

[Jim Katen]

12 hours ago, John Kogel said:

Denny, wear a helmet. The rest of you Werners users, get a Jaws ladder. 

Seriously, I bought a Jaws from a retiring inspector, and it will never over extend like that. Also, the top section can easily be removed, making the ladder light and strong.

As far as I know, we can't buy Jaws ladders south of the border. I'd have to drive up to BC to pick one up. 

[Les]

Denny, I would not use it.  But I am old and, like Chad, have an aversion to falling.  Biggest field issue I have with inspectors is their use of ladders.  Always too horizontal. 

[Tom Raymond]

I would tell the rep to climb it first.

[Marc]

18 hours ago, Denray said:

Here's the cause. Holes and or pins get worn out.
Even though they have a lifetime warranty the LG rep said they are fine. 

I'd be concerned with that much wear, regardless of what the manufacturer said.  It's me that's climbing up the thing.  What Tom said.

Edited January 8, 2019 by Marc

[John Kogel]

21 hours ago, Jim Katen said:

As far as I know, we can't buy Jaws ladders south of the border. I'd have to drive up to BC to pick one up. 

You're welcome to visit us anytime, Jim, but I found a US website here:

https://www.idealproductusa.com/Catalog-of-products/Jaws-Ladders.shtml

The knuckle joint locks into position with tapered teeth and two big wingnuts hold the jaws tight.

The picture show a gal with her ladder angle way off. She could use a hand. 😎

 

 

[Jim Katen]

They don't carry the 13-footer, which is my favorite length. They also don't take online orders. 

For now, I'm fine with my Werners. But if I ever need another, I'll definitely give them a call. 

Look at the gal in the picture again. She's using it in an unequal step ladder mode. 

[Jim Katen]

One of the problems with that much wear in the joint is that the fully extended ladder wants to rock back & forth across its range of movement. Several years ago, someone posted a video of a guy who fell for exactly that reason. He had the ladder sticking up several feet above the edge of the roof and as he climbed it, he pushed forward on the top of the ladder, which caused the top to rock forward, the middle to rock out, and the bottom to pop out from under him. 

[Tom Raymond]

Everyone in the inspector groups on Facebook always recommended the 17' little giant or Werner. I find that size hard to handle. It's too big when I  need a small ladder and too short when I need a big one. I carry 300# rated Werner folders, 15' and 22'. If I need to make more than one trip or plan to spend more than a few minutes at height I grab a real extension ladder. They are far more comfortable to hang out on, and easier to set up. 

I wouldn't be worried about Denny's ladder as a step, but I wouldn't be comfortable on it fully extended.

[Tom Breslawski]

I wouldn't use that thing as an extension ladder.  Too worn out.  Just replace it for a couple hundred bucks and save yourself the broken back/leg/hip.

I use a 13' Werner and 22' Werner and wouldn't use them if they were worn like that.

[John Dirks Jr]

I have the LG 26’.  I’ve never seen any slop in the center joint.  The mechanism on mine looks different than Denny’s.   I believe mine is a newer improved design. 

[Hubert Miles]

I've owned a Little Giant for 12 years and use it daily. I've never had this problem but based on the photos you have I don't think I'd use it. Maybe time to get a new one.