Drove past the old grain elevator in Decatur last week and it totally changed my mind about using fiberglass ladders

I always said I'd never use fiberglass for big boiler work. Too heavy, too clunky. But I saw a crew out there scaling that 120 foot elevator with fiberglass sticks and they were moving faster than I ever could on aluminum. One guy told me the weight keeps you stable when you're running tubes near steam lines. I still hate carrying them up stairs but I'm starting to wonder if I've been wrong this whole time. Any of you guys made the switch?

3 comments

3 Comments

jesse_fisher1mo ago

Man I bet that crew was sweating bullets before they realized fiberglass doesnt turn into a giant lightning rod halfway up. Still seems like a pain to lug around but I guess if it keeps you from getting zapped or wobbling like a drunk uncle its probably worth the extra grunt work. Guess I gotta admit aluminum might not be the king of everything after all.

milestaylor1mo ago

You really think a crew of experienced linemen is that spooked by a little lightning? If they were that worried, they wouldn't be climbing poles in the first place, fiberglass or not. Aluminum's fine for most folks, but maybe @jesse_fisher needs to see what happens when a tall metal stick actually gets hit.

rileynelson10d ago

Buddy of mine dropped an aluminum extension ladder on a live wire once. Enough said.