Varieties and features of transformer stepladders, tips for choosing

To perform many household and professional jobs at height, a comfortable and reliable ladder is needed. The popularity of the multifunctional transformer step ladder is due to its compactness when folded and its relatively low weight. This design can be unfolded in the form of a conventional ladder, a stepladder or a platform. The choice of a specific product depends on the scope and purpose of its application.

Design features

A transforming folding stepladder consists of four identical ladders connected by 6 hinges (self-locking movable joints).

Using these hinges and clamps, you can form:

• an ordinary ladder;
• L-shaped ladder with bracket;
• L-shaped stepladder;
• scaffolding in the form of the letter P (many manufacturers additionally produce special flooring for them).

At the same time, when folded, the whole structure is placed in the trunk of a car. The frame of each of the sections is made up of two bowstrings from a rectangular tube, most often made of aluminium. The steps are mounted in it in special grooves. The steps of the transformation ladders are narrower than those of ordinary ladders - their size is designed so that they do not interfere with folding.

The steel hinges allow a quick change of the position of the sections in the range of 0° to 180°.Since aluminum and carbon steel are not welded, the hinge to the bowstrings can be bolted or riveted. The first option is more convenient in terms of maintaining the structure, since it allows you to clean the debris that got inside without piercing the rivets. Locking devices are levers that must be rotated sideways to unlock. Therefore, some folding models are equipped with a union device that operates the latches with one hand.

Varieties by material and size

The overwhelming majority of manufacturers use aluminum in the production of transformer ladders. Aluminum products are much lighter than steel, reliable, durable and not subject to corrosion. It is the appearance of rust on structures with metal sides when they are used in a humid environment that quickly destroys them. The most durable models are considered to be anodized aluminum.

For domestic use and standard housing repairs, low products are used:

• for work at a low height, a structure with two steps in each section is sufficient (such transformation ladders are designated by the numbers 4 × 2). With a distance between the steps of about 30 centimeters, their maximum height will not exceed 3.8 meters;
• the length of the transformer stepladder with three steps in the section (4 × 3) when fully unfolded will be about 3 meters;
• for work at height, a transformer ladder with four steps in each section is needed, or a 4 × 4 model. The total height of the ladder-like structure will be 5-6 meters.

The length of transformer ladders for construction, installation work performed on the street can exceed 10 meters, for maintenance of office buildings with high ceilings - 7-9 meters.

Selection tips

When choosing a transformer stepladder, consider the length of the unfolded structure, its working height and its folded dimensions:

• the total length is made up of the sum of the lengths of all the sections;
• working height - a comfortable height for the actions of the user (approximately - at the level of the shoulders of a person standing on the upper step).

Its weight directly depends on the length of the product. The largest home transformation stairs weigh no more than 20 kilograms, and models for 2-4 steps in one section weigh only 10-15 kilograms. The maximum load of the ladder is indicated in the technical documentation. For top-of-the-range 4x4 or 4x5 models (taking into account the steps of the platform), it is 150 kilograms.

When choosing transformer ladders for work at height, safety is the most important factor. It is worth checking the quality of welding, the reliability of rivets or bolted joints, the mobility and strength of the fastening of hinged locks. The surface of the steps should be grooved to prevent the sole from slipping.

On the legs, rubberized caps are needed to ensure reliable adhesion to the surface and prevent the ladder from slipping on it (if it is a tile, laminate).

The quality mark of the product can be considered as the presence of the European standard mark:

• for industrial transformer stepladders - Class I (allows a maximum static vertical load of 175 kilograms);
• for commercial models - Class EN131 (with a load of up to 150 kilograms).

There is also a class III marking for household products that can withstand 125 kilograms of weight, but experts, for reliability and safety, even advise for household or garden work to purchase stairs with a class d at least EN131.

When choosing a stepladder for a transformer, you should also pay attention to the popularity of the brand and the warranty period that the manufacturer gives for its products (for well-known companies it is at least one year) .