Ladders review 2005

Are they all equal?
 
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  • Updated:8 Jan 2005
 

02.Results

What to buy

  • BUNNINGS Heavy Duty Multipurpose Ladder - $169
  • BRONSON 12 Step Multifold Ladder C3700 - $159
  • GEELONG Aluminium Multifold Ladder MFL 2.6 - $95
  • LOFTY Multi 6DL - $193

These ladders are all worth considering, though none of them were problem-free.

  • The BUNNINGS marginally failed the tread to stile shear test. (See How we tested.) Also, while it passed the single joint lock test, it was severely deformed in the process and was rendered unusable. However, this is a very severe test, so we think the ladder's still worth considering.
  • The BRONSON and GEELONG ladders failed the unlocked joint test, but these ladders are also worth considering provided you always make doubly sure you lock all the joints before use (which you should do anyway, with any multipurpose ladder). The BRONSON is being phased out, but may still be available.
  • The LOFTY passed all tests, but scored poorly for ease of use. You may need to order this ladder through your hardware store.

See profiles and the table below for more details.

What about the rest?

The BRONSON Industrial 12 Step Multifold Ladder C365IND was discontinued in June 2005. It failed the unlocked joint test, but is still worth considering if you can find it.

The LOFTY Multi 6IL failed the stile deflection test, and the PERFORMER KMCFD-6110 failed the stile bending test.

 

 

Results tables

Components of ease of use score
Brand / model (in rank order) Passed standard tests* Overall ease of use score1 (%) Setting-up score (%) Score as straight ladder (%) Score as stepladder (%) Score as work platform (%) Price ($)†
Worth considering
BUNNINGS Heavy Duty Multipurpose Ladder (C) 64 55 80 70 75 169
BRONSON 12 Step Multifold Ladder C3700 (A) (D) 48 35 60 50 80 159 (K)
GEELONG Aluminium Multifold Ladder MFL 2.6 (D) 47 30 70 60 75 95
BRONSON Industrial 12 Step Multifold Ladder C365IND (B) (D) 46 35 65 45 65 299 (K)
LOFTY Multi 6DL • 30 10 45 75 45 193
Not recommended
PERFORMER KMCFD-6110 (E) 38 30 10 60 75 115
LOFTY Multi 6IL (F) 30 10 40 75 45 204

Table notes

* See How we tested for details of each test.
† Price paid in March 2005 unless noted otherwise.
(A) Scaffold model. Being phased out, but may still be found in stores.
(B) Model discontinued as of June 2005.
(C) Marginally failed tread to stile shear test.
(D) Failed unlocked joint test.
(E) Failed stile bending test.
(F) Failed stile deflection test.
(K) Average retail price advised by manufacturer.

1 Overall ease of use score

  • Setting-up score: 55%
  • Score as straight ladder: 15%
  • Score as stepladdder: 15%
  • Score as work platform: 15%



    Specifications
    Brand / model (in rank order) Length as straight ladder (cm) Length as stepladder (cm) Height as work platform (cm) Length as work platform (cm) Available configurations2 Storage dimensions (H x W x D, cm)
    Worth considering
    BUNNINGS Heavy Duty Multipurpose Ladder 369 189 99 146 S, SL, WP, SWP, SOL 103 x 58 x 28
    BRONSON 12 Step Multifold Ladder C3700 (A) 365 187 96 148 S, SL, WP, SWP, SOL 99 x 48 x 29
    GEELONG Aluminium Multifold Ladder MFL 2.6 263 137 75 91 S, SL, WP, SWP, SOL 78 x 49 x 25
    BRONSON Industrial 12 Step Multifold Ladder C365IND (B) 365 187 96 148 S, SL, WP, SWP, SOL 99 x 49 x 29
    LOFTY Multi 6DL 350 178 83 182 (G) S, SL, WP, SOL 91 x 58 x 30
    Not recommended
    PERFORMER KMCFD-6110 311 160 105 91 S, SL, WP, SWP, SOL 101 x 58 x 28
    LOFTY Multi 6IL 354 178 83 182 (G) S, SL, WP, SOL 91 x 58 x 30

    Specifications continued
    Brand / model (in rank order) Weight (kg) Stated duty rating3 Warranty (years) Origin Manufacturer / distributor
    Worth considering
    BUNNINGS Heavy Duty Multipurpose Ladder 12 Industrial 1 Taiwan Bunnings
    BRONSON 12 Step Multifold Ladder C3700 (A) 11.8 (H) Domestic 3 Taiwan Bronson
    GEELONG Aluminium Multifold Ladder MFL 2.6 11.4 Domestic 5 China Geelong Sales Company
    BRONSON Industrial 12 Step Multifold Ladder C365IND (B) 13.3 Industrial 1 Taiwan Bronson
    LOFTY Multi 6DL 10.4 Domestic 1 Australia Geelong Sales Company
    Not recommended
    PERFORMER KMCFD-6110 10.2 (H) Domestic (J) China Kmart
    LOFTY Multi 6IL 10 Industrial 1 Australia Geelong Sales Company

    Table notes

    (A) Scaffold model. Being phased out, but may still be found in stores.
    (B) Model discontinued as of June 2005.
    (G) Needs a special plank because the end rungs are approximately 20 mm below the others. This is neither supplied with the ladder nor available as an extra, so you'd have to make your own.
    (H) Plus approximately 2 kg for planks.
    (J) "You must be completely satisfied with this product's performance, or your money back."

    2 Available configurations
    The ladder can be configured as a straight ladder (S), stepladder (SL), work platform (WP), small work platform (SWP) and/or standoff ladder (SOL).

    3 Stated duty rating

  • Domestic = 100 kg
  • Industrial = 120 kg or more
    •