Little Giant ladder systems
Most ladders are based on fundamental designs that haven’t significantly changed, said H. Arthur Wing, president of Little Giant (www.littlegiantladders.com). The focus of some big manufacturers, he added, has been on commoditization—cutting costs and lowering prices—while there are others who target innovation.

Improvements he cited on Little Giant ladders include new alloys and fiberglass resin compounds to decrease weight without affecting strength, specialized rail “truss” technology that decreases extension ladder weight as much as 25 percent without affecting strength, leveling outriggers for extension ladders that increase side-tip stability up to 500 percent, and an integrated standing platform/spreader system with handrail that allows users to stand comfortably on the top recommended step of the new Select Step adaptive stepladder.

“Nonconductive fiberglass ladders are a must for electricians,” Wing said. “Most electricians use traditional Type IAA or Type IA fiberglass stepladders and extension ladders. In stepladders, the 6- and 8-foot fiberglass models are the most popular. For extension ladders, 28- and 24-foot fiberglass models are used most."

Cable and wire spool bars, conduit clamps, tool or utility trays, and leg-leveling devices are the most popular accessories electricians order.

Wing cited Little Giant’s patented SumoStance extension ladder leveling outrigger system that more than triples the width of the ladder’s base and includes 9-inch vertical leveling adjustment on each leg. MicroBurst stepladders with StableLock spreader design locks securely in place to reduce unwanted shifting or walking. The spreader system is the strongest component of the ladder, constructed of high-strength steel alloy and locks in place to prevent accidental collapse, Wing said.