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The newest tool in my toolbox

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(@stephen-ward)
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A bad week of jobs with tall fences culminated with a lot in a subdivision where the entire rear line was fenced with a 6 foot tall privacy fence (not a single gate). I made a stop at the big orange box store on the way home and came out with this.

It collapses to about 3.5 feet tall and when fully extended in the step ladder setup will allow me to cross a 7 foot tall fence. It can also be configured as a 14 foot extension ladder for access to the top of those tall detention pond structures.

I've considered adding a ladder to the truck for years but avoided it because I didn't need it very often. The proliferation of tall gate-less fences in the McMansion subdivisions over the past few years convinced me that I can't afford not to have one on board.

I hit this job about a week after buying the ladder. The lot is 200 feet wide by 400 feet deep the rear 300 feet of which is surrounded by this 6 foot fence. The adjoining lots to either side are vine infested thickets and the rear is adjoined by two lots separated by another tall fence which intersects with the chainlink. Really glad I had a ladder on board.B-)

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 7:15 am
(@steve-corley)
Posts: 792
 

I have a ladder like that. It is very sturdy and stable. but heavy. I would hate to have to carry that thing around all day.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 7:35 am
(@jim-frame)
Posts: 7277
 

You just have to hope that the ill-tempered Rottweiler on the other side isn't too good at climbing ladders.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 7:38 am
(@dougie)
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I carry an old extention ladder I found on the freeway, a couple years ago, most of the time. Take it apart and lay 1 section across a patch of blackberries, carry the other section out with you and lay it down too. Keep doing that until you reach your destination. Also works good on getting that shot on the fence line that's over-grown.

I also carry a couple old moving blankets, for when the fence has barbed wire.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 7:54 am
(@stephen-ward)
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One problem at a time.:-P

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 8:16 am
(@c-billingsley)
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That's the best idea I've seen in a long time!

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 8:29 am
(@stephen-ward)
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That's why I didn't buy the taller version. This one is still on the heavy side, but for me it's a good compromise between height, weight, and transport size.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 8:37 am
(@bruce-small)
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I once carried a ladder and the rover and miscellaneous equipment a quarter mile across a field, and upon arriving noticed (1) the gate was unlocked and (2) there was a dirt road on the other side so I could have driven there. I was not pleased.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 10:01 am
(@norman-oklahoma)
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> I once carried a ladder and the rover and miscellaneous equipment a quarter mile across a field, and upon arriving noticed (1) the gate was unlocked and (2) there was a dirt road on the other side so I could have driven there. I was not pleased.
At least you didn't have to carry it all back.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 10:08 am
(@surveyltd)
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Hijack - Bruce - Arizon weather

Hey Bruce, visited some relatives in Phoenix, and I don't care if they say it's a "dry heat", it's still darn hot -- how do you manage to work in the heat ? I would guess out at the crack of dawn and back by noon ? Am I anywhere close ?

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 10:09 am
(@geoff-ashworth)
Posts: 173
 

We bought one like that for getting over fences on an Interstate project. It was one of the best things we did for that project.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 10:47 am
(@bruce-small)
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Hijack - Bruce - Arizon weather

I vividly recall a 2006 survey in Casa Grande in the monsoon season, meaning high around 116F and high humidity. It was 8 am and I was already worn out, muttering to myself that I would never make it. I had two 44 ounce ThirstBusters from Circle K and that kept me going. They are refreshing.

Up at 4 am, frequent water breaks, Gatorade, lathered on sunscreen, broad brimmed hat, an iron will, and the knowledge that I get to deposit the client's check instead of an hourly wage.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 11:38 am
(@stephen-johnson)
Posts: 2342
 

Hijack - Bruce - Arizon weather

> I vividly recall a 2006 survey in Casa Grande in the monsoon season, meaning high around 116F and high humidity. It was 8 am and I was already worn out, muttering to myself that I would never make it. I had two 44 ounce ThirstBusters from Circle K and that kept me going. They are refreshing.
>
> Up at 4 am, frequent water breaks, Gatorade, lathered on sunscreen, broad brimmed hat, an iron will, and the knowledge that I get to deposit the client's check instead of an hourly wage.

I didn't know Arizona had a monsoon season. The last time I was there in 96 (At Tucson) it was just hot and dry. Of course it being April, the summer heat hadn't yet hit. It was only about 95 during the hot part of the day.
B-)

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 11:42 am
(@randy-hambright)
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Hijack - Bruce - Arizon weather

Too bad most Texas game fences are 8 foot tall or taller or I would be heading to the store right now.

Randy

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 1:06 pm
(@pdop-10)
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Its a different story here, most walls have spikes built into them , or eina ivy ( steel barbs hidden behind fake plastic ivy leaves ) , then behind the wall is an electrified fence or sometimes attached to the top of the wall, that will knock you flat on your back if you touch it.

And then infra red beams so that if you do make it over, the alarm will trip and the armed response will arrive with the rottweillers..

The only way to survey the positions of these structures is to shoot them reflectorless, i have shorted the pole with gps and prism several times on these fences, not pleasant, your arm keeps twitching for a few days after the zap.

Some beacons are impossible to measure because of this security.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 2:09 pm
(@marc-anderson)
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That's why you carry a box of dog biscuits in the truck. Food bribes.....

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 2:10 pm
(@stephen-ward)
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Hijack - Bruce - Arizon weather

It's made by Werner and they make a 22' and a 26' version but I think it would take more than one man to carry them very far and certainly to get it over the fence.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 3:46 pm
(@bryan-newsome)
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I used to carry dog biscuits in the hub bag...

till I set it down too long in one spot and ended up with a bag full of fire ants.
I leave them in a box in the truck now, and only take them out when I know there is a dog around.

 
Posted : June 17, 2013 5:06 pm