Cosco Ladders - A Look At Your Options + A Few Ladder Safety Tips

With the right ladder you can accomplish any task above ground level. However, choosing any ladder is not the right answer. There are so many safety and usage concerns to consider before purchasing and using one. However, Cosco offers an answer to most any needs with their Cosco ladders. The following will give you all the tools you need to purchase and utilize your new ladder, as well as, several options to consider.

The Basic Ladder

Normally, there are three types of basic portable ladders, based on the amount of weight they can support (The ANSI offers extended weight types.):

• Industrial (Type I)

  • These are heavy duty ladders with a load capacity no more than 250 pounds.

• Commercial (Type II)

  • Sometimes called medium-duty, these ladders will not hold more than 225 pounds.

• Household (Type III)

  • The load capacity on these are less than 200 pounds.

There are many different types of ladders and many variations of the above mentioned ladders. All of these are single person ladders and meant to be carried from job/chore to job/chore depending on the amount of weight that will be on the ladder. One should also consider the height of the ladder, as you would not use a small step-ladder to paint the top your window shutters. Remember that the highest you should safely go on the ladder is the fourth rung of an extension ladder or second if it is a simple step-ladder.

With that said, it is important to know what options you have available to you outside this very basic list. Luckily Cosco offers many types of ladder. The following list of Cosco ladders is not an exhaustive list of all ladders on every market

• Cosco Signature Series Ladders

  • Offered in 4, 5, and 6 foot sizes, with the 6 foot offering two extra options, this is a great example of the better step-ladders.

    • 4, 5, 6 foot Signature Series ladder Basic Models

      • This model series offers Cosco ladders patented aluminum box frame design.

      • It offers two project trays to hold your supplies.

    • Cosco 6 foot Signature Series Ladder Type 1A

      • The difference is a larger work space with a larger platform top step.

    • Cosco Four Step 6 foot Lite Solutions Folding Ladder

      • This is an featherweight design with one lest workspace tray.

• Other Smaller Cosco Stools/Ladders

  • Cosco Molded Tech Step Step Stool & Cosco Small Molded One Step Stool

    • Made with convenience in mind this small single step stool will offer a little boost for that top-shelf reach. Plus it offers slip-resistant treads for extra safety.

  • Cosco One Step Basics Folding Step Stool

    • The basic sell on this is that it folds up when not in use, otherwise it is your basic stool with grip and slip-resistant platform.

  • Cosco 2, 3, & 4 Step Household Folding Step Stool

    • In either aluminum or Rockford wood

• New Models of Cosco Ladders

  • Cosco White Retro Counter Chair/Step Stool Designs

    • Lift-up Seat Model

    • Pull-out Steps Model

The previous listings were the basic models provided for household and small business use. These are not intended to be work platforms or professional grade ladders. Luckily, the model types are not limited to household/small business use. They also offer Cosco ladders made for the larger business/commercial and industrial use.

Cosco places their larger ladders into two different groups; the work platform and professional grade.

• Work Platforms

  • Cosco Worlds Greatest Step Stool Three Step Aluminum Work Platform

    • This ladder is labelled a work platform by Cosco, but by no means does it limit what uses the ladder be utilized for. In fact, it can actually be used for many different large or small household chores. On top of that it is more durable than any ladder ever made by Cosco.

  • Cosco Three Step Max Steel Work Platform

    • This is an extra durable form of the tri-step work platform.

  • Cosco Tri Step Plus Work Platform

    • Building of your basic models, this adds an extra step for those extra hard to reach corners of your home.

  • Cosco Two Step Contour Steel Work Platform

    • This is your basic platform, for basic household chores. You can use it anywher you need a boost of a couple feet.

• Professional Grade

  • Professional Series Cosco Ladders

    • 10 foot

      • Composed of aircraft-grade aluminum, this professional grade ladder offers a tool tray and falls into the Industrial (Type I) duty rating.

    • 12 foot

      • With an extra two feet than the one above, it is also composed of aircraft-grade aluminum, this professional grade ladder offers a tool tray and falls into the Industrial (Type I) duty rating.

  • Multi-Position Ladders

    • 13 foot

      • This is one of Cosco's 5-in-1 ladders. The label, 5-in-1 means that it has five possible positions to be adjusted into; 3 as a stairway ladder, 2 heights as a scaffold, and 2 heights as a wall ladder. This ladder meets ANSI Type 1A Extra Heavy Duty Industrial Work Load of 300 pound rating.

    • 17 foot

      • Another Cosco's 5-in-1 ladders; 5 positions as step ladder, 10 heights as extension ladder, 10 positions as stairway ladder, 3 heights as scaffold, and 4 heights as wall ladder. This ladder meets ANSI Type 1A Extra Heavy Duty Industrial Work Load of 300 pound rating.

    • 21 foot

      • One of the largest of Cosco's 5-in-1 ladders; 5 positions as step ladder, 10 heights as extension ladder, 9 positions as stairway ladder, 3 heights as scaffold, and 4 heights as wall ladder. This ladder meets ANSI Type 1A Extra Heavy Duty Industrial Work Load of 300 pound rating.

Cosco Ladders Safety

Now that you have an idea of your options, it is important to consider ways to remain safe when using Cosco ladders. The following list are just a few safety precautions to consider when using your new ladder.

• Make sure the ladder you are using fits the job you plan to use it for.

• Before using a ladder, no matter the age or storage conditions, check for cracks deformities, and broken joints or supports.

• Always place your ladder on a stable and evenly flat surface.

• Never put your ladder on another object that is easily movable.

• Remember the 1:4 ration to ensure stability.

  • 1:4 means to place the ladder one away from what it leans on, for every 4 feet of where ladder meets what it is leaning against.

• If climbing from the ladder to another surface, make sure the ladder extends three feet above the object.

• Always secure ladders over twice your own height.

• Never climb above the second rung of the ladder.

• Used wood or fiberglass ladders when working with or near electricity.

• Never leave the ladder unattended.

As far as the amount you should plan to spend, it can vary. You can be a thrifty shopper and spend as little as $40 on a basic step-ladder. If the budget is unlimited then you can spend as much as $400 on the top of the line, Worlds Greatest Ladder. All the rest fall in between, leaving you many options to choose from. This will also leave you room to purchase accessories like locks, stabilizers, and extra racks.

With all that information, it may seem like choosing a ladder would be a difficult choice. It is not. You have done the right thing by educating yourself on your options and safety tips. Always, keep in mind what you need it for, the weight, and height you will need to utilize. Cosco ladders give you unlimited options for any task at hand.