An Extension Ladder on A Sloped Floor

[rgsparber]

Occasionally I must set my extension ladder on a floor with a slope of 1” drop in a 48” run. With its legs in contact with the floor, it is unsafe to climb the ladder.

My solution was to make a tapered wedge to go under the downhill leg.

I started with a 1” thick hockey puck and used my horizontal/vertical bandsaw to cut it into two 1/2” pucks. For a 20” spacing of the ladder’s legs, I need a thickness of about 0.5”.



I used a drill press vise set at 90° from the saw’s vise to hold the puck on edge. In this way, my hands are far from the cutting action. I knew the saw cut would not be perfect but that was my goal. Using a 3” wide belt sander, I smoothed the cut surfaces.

I marked the thinner side of the puck. It will be on the uphill side.

To use, place the ladder on the sloped floor with the puck under the down hill leg. Periodically check that this leg is canyon the puck.

[Mook]

Sloping and uneven ground is a real pain. A few years ago I made a pair of leg extenders, one fixed and one adjustable. The adjustment is by removing the quick release pin and popping it into one of the holes. I think they are 3mm offsets. Bolts protrude through into the hole in the rung prevent from falling off and to swap them over.

[DIYer]

Thanks rgsparber! We've added your Sloped Floor Ladder Wedges to our Safety category,
as well as to your builder page: rgsparber's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Sloped Floor Ladder Wedges by rgsparber

tags: wedge, ladder

[DIYer]

Thanks Mook! We've added your Adjustable Ladder Extenders to our Safety category,
as well as to your builder page: Mook's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Adjustable Ladder Extenders by Mook

tags: safety, ladder

[Improvised DIY]

Great idea! Nothing worse than a wobbling ladder.