3 Best Tripod Ladders in 2022 [Updated]

A tripod ladder is a self-supporting, convenient, and portable ladder usually used in landscape and orchard maintenance for fruit harvesting and pruning tasks. This type of ladder is typically not an all-around ladder. 

These ladders are designed and created with a flared and broad base with a tripod pole that gives support while you are on soft and uneven ground. These ladders also do not have any locking mechanism or spreader bars to ensure that the front part is in place or stabilized. 

The ladder’s side rails and tripod pole must penetrate and pierce the ground slightly for the tripod ladder to function and work more effectively and more stable. 

If you are in the market for the right ladder, then read on to learn more about the best tripod ladders in the market today. 

Top 10 Best Tripod Ladders 

When it comes to the grave and laborious task of cutting hedges, the tripod ladder comes in handy. Tripod ladders are great for positioning by a barrier because you can place its front leg into the border itself, or you can even angle it at the side of the hedge. These ladders are very stable, especially when working at a height. 

1. Werner 4-foot Tripod Ladder

The Werner tripod step ladder is made with premium fiberglass material. This 4-foot tripod step ladder will give you a step up against other standard stepladders in the market today. With its single rear leg that can stretch over obstructions and hindrances, this tripod ladder easily beats out the typical step ladders, especially when placed on roughed-in walls. 

This unique ladder can be placed on walls without being turned perpendicular or sideways around your work area. You can use this ladder with ease when working on poles, corners, trees, and other places where you need to be close to your work area. 

The Werner tripod ladder features double-riveted slip-resistant steps, replaceable slip-resistant feet, and a handy and durable Tool-Tra-Top with a paint can holder and a drill pouch. This ladder’s highest standing level is 2 feet from the top. 

Features: 

• Made with high-quality fiberglass material 
• Double-riveted slip-resistant steps 
• The slip-resistant feet are also replaceable 
• It comes with a paint holder and drill pouch for convenience 
• Safer than your typical stepladder 

This product is a must-have for orchard owners because of its premium quality. It works best even on uneven surfaces and terrain. The base gives extra support, so you will feel much safer and more comfortable while using it.  

2. Werner 6-foot Tripod Ladder

The 6-foot tripod ladder is a product perfect for trimming trees and picking fruits. Its stability and durability are dependable even on uneven grounds and surfaces. With its handy and convenient spread handle design, you can set up and transport this tripod ladder with ease. 

It also features a single rear rail, which allows this one-of-a-kind ladder to rest securely even while working in tight spaces. 

This tripod ladder’s molded external rail shield preserve and protects it from rail damage, scratches, and abrasions. This product’s double-riveted comfortable, convenient Traction-Tred steps make this ladder slip-resistant, sturdy, and long-lasting. This ladder weighs 24 pounds but can easily hold a load capacity of up to 300 pounds. 

The Werner tripod ladder is ideal for garage door services and even door installations because it is easy to transport and store in your vehicle. It is lightweight and does not take too much space in your truck and your garage. 

This ladder’s design is perfect for most construction work and even home improvement tasks such as painting and cleaning out your gutters. 

Features: 

• A 6-foot tripod ladder 
• This ladder can hold a load capacity of up to 300 pounds 
• Portable and easy to transport
• Made with durable and long-lasting fiberglass material 
• It comes with a protective shield to protect against abrasions and other damages 
• It comes with Traction-Tred steps for some added safety 

If you enjoy working to improve your home, this tripod ladder will help you lessen the hassle of reaching hard-to-reach spots. This product is known to be safer to use than most typical stepladders in the market today. 

3. Werner 12-foot Tripod Ladder

If you are in the market for a sturdy, stable, and secure 12-foot tripod ladder, then this product is for you. With its premium quality fiberglass material, you are sure that the Werner tripod ladder is heavy-duty and long-lasting. 

This ladder securely holds all your tools at the top of the ladder. You can also conveniently place and wrap your devices around the ladder to keep them near you and close at hand when you need them. 

This 12-foot ladder weighs 51 pounds but can carry a load capacity of up to 300 pounds. Also, its single rear rail lets you rest your ladder where other ladders cannot. This makes working in tight spaces and spots a breeze and much more straightforward. 

It also features a handy and practical spread design to make manageability and set up a piece of cake. While its exterior railing is shielded to help protect your ladder from damages such as scratches, scrapes, and other abrasions. 

The steps are slip-resistant and made-to-last. These steps are double-riveted with comfortable Traction-Tred for your safety and convenience. 

Features: 

• This tripod ladder is 12 feet tall. 
• It is made with high-quality fiberglass material. 
• It can carry up to 300 pounds of weight capacity. 
• You can place your tools comfortably at the top of the ladder. 
• The steps are lined with Traction-Tred for added safety. 
• The railings are shielded to prevent common abrasions. 

If you enjoy working on improving your home or work in the construction industry, the Werner 12-foot tripod ladder is one of the best tripod ladders you can find in the market today. They are full of safety features to ensure that you are safe and secure while you work. 

Tripod Ladder Buying Guide

Although there are not many things you need to consider when choosing the right ladder, you should still keep these factors in mind to get the best one for you. 

• Height: When choosing which tripod ladder you should get, always keep in mind the purpose. If you need to reach very high objects, you will need a safe and secure ladder to support that height and range. 

• Platform: Think of the platform as the ladder’s overall height’s best friend. This is because you will be standing on top of the platform, and it is placed half a meter from the top. 

You need to consider this measurement as a loss of half a meter because it might make it hard for you to get the correct height boost. Also, make sure that the platform is comprehensive enough because it will significantly affect your stability while you are working. 

• Material: Tripod ladders are continually being moved from one place to the next. And because of this, make sure you get a ladder with lightweight materials. The most common material used on tripod ladders is aluminum because it is light but won’t compromise the ladder’s durability and strength. 

• Feet Style: The stability, security, and steadiness of your ladder depend on its feet style. Most tripod ladders have a broad base and feet with claws. These claws are essential because they allow you to plant your ladder firmly on soft ground—this ideal for situations like trimming your hedges in the garden. 

• Leg Versatility: If you have a 4-legged ladder, you already know that it does not provide the best stability, especially on uneven grounds. It is good that tripod ladders come with adjustable legs to help you balance your weight better. 

How to Safely Use Tripod Ladders 

Now and then, workers are injured from using tripod orchard ladders. However, it is good to know that these incidents and accidents are preventable. Workers like landscapers and fruit pickers use tripod ladders regularly. Employers and workers can easily prevent and avert these injuries and tumbles by merely following these safety measures: 

Common Tripod Ladder Injuries and Hazards 

The most common types of ladder injuries are strains and sprains caused by moving, lifting, overreaching, and carrying the ladder. Concussions, fractures, and dislocations are all due to falls resulting from overextension of the tripod ladder’s pole, unstable ladder, slipping, or being hit and struck by a falling ladder. 

Furthermore, poor weather conditions like strong and high winds or even ladders that are too close to electrical wirings have caused some fatalities. Back injuries could also occur from carrying the ladder improperly for long periods and over long distances. 

General Safety Measures 

Before starting any job, hazards and other dangers should be identified and eliminated by the employers. Here are some safety measures employers should implement and include: 

• Mark dangerous and high-risk areas such as electrical lines and trees 
• Always enforce ladder safety rules. 
• Always make sure that there is only one person on each ladder. 
• Always use the right kind of ladder for the job. 

Lifting, Carrying and Moving the Ladder 

Workers lift, carry and move ladders throughout the workday. To prevent and avoid these injuries from lifting, carrying, and rolling ladders, you should train workers to handle one ladder at a time correctly. They should also be trained on the following: 

• Always place the arm through the ladder and balance it correctly on the shoulder. 
• Aways carry the ladder in a horizontal position with its top facing forward and firmly securing its tripod pole to ensure that it does not slip out of its notch. 
• If you are moving it on long distances, the horizontal or side-to-side position is advantageous in carrying these ladders. This could be done by either one or two people. 
• Always watch out and be on alert for other people and nearby trees. 

These proper ladder handling and lifting techniques help protect you and your workers from back injuries and make work easier and simpler. All through the workday, they should be reminded of the proper handling and lifting techniques to ensure their safety. 

Fall Precautions and Preventions 

When working on a ladder, falling is the most common hazard. Most falls happen on the upper part of the ladder rather than in the lower and middle portions. Most falls happen due to unstable ladders, slippery steps, and not maintaining proper contact with the ladder. These tripod ladder fall hazards can easily be prevented by following these safety measures: 

• Always make sure that you place the ladder firmly on the ground to prevent it from slipping, collapsing, falling, or moving. Ensure that your ladder is not placed on top of a soft spot or hole. 
• Ladders that are placed on sloped grounds and surfaces must have the tripod pole set uphill. 
• Regularly check the ladders. 
• Ensure workers how to center themselves between the ladder’s side rails and always use both hands while climbing up and down from the ladder. 
• Always have and wear protective equipment. 
• Wear non-slip shoes with a good-sized heel and stiff holes. 
• Do not overreach beyond the ladder’s side rails. 
• Do not overfill the bags and containers. 
• Never stand or work on the ladder’s top three steps. 
• Never move from a ladder to a tree branch or use an extension to stand on for balance. 

Training

If you have workers who use ladders regularly, you should make sure to train them to recognize and know hazards and the setup process so they can report unsafe and risky conditions. 

Experienced and knowledgeable professionals must conduct ladder safety training. This training must include ladder maintenance and how to store the ladder properly. Appropriately responding to ladder incidents and injuries must also be included in the activity. 

You should train your workers to: 

• Never leave a ladder standing at the end of every workday. 
• Postpone or reschedule work on ladders when there is heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms. 
• Avoid walking and going under or near ladders used by having a barrier or having another coworker be a lookout. 
• Do not use tripod ladders on hard surfaces.
• Always carry and use tools on a ladder safely and securely.  

You may also like: Best Ladders to Clean Windows

How to Climb a Ladder Safely

Other common causes of falls from ladders are: 

• Rushing to finish the job early. 
• Moving quickly
• Ignoring your surroundings
• Wrong footwear
• Your overall condition or health 

When climbing a ladder, always ensure that you have the right and proper posture. Always face the ladder and at least three of your limbs in contact with the ladder. This is called the three points-of-contact rule, and it is known to reduce the risk of falling off a ladder significantly. 

It is worth noting that you won’t be able to follow this rule when you are carrying or holding an object in your hand, and that won’t allow you to grip the ladder firmly. 

FAQ’s

Conclusion 

Choosing the best tripod ladder can be tricky and challenging because it depends entirely on the purpose you plan to use it for. For example, if you are looking for an orchard ladder, you will prioritize your ladder’s ability to remain steady even on uneven grounds and surfaces. 

Nevertheless, remember to pay attention to the ladder’s build quality and the features available to allow for easy decision-making. Do not forget to consider the height, or else you might end up having a ladder that does not perform its core function.