What load capacity should a ladder have for A/Cs?

JRscooby wrote:
Can I expand a little?
What about the roof? Will it handle the weight of you and the AC concentrated in the small area of your feet?
I used a couple of pieces of Styrofoam, set AC on to slide from side to hole. Step ladder in back of pickup to get it on roof, with line around it. Up another step ladder to pull across near hole. Then a stepstool inside to lift and guide it into the hole.
Another idea. To me, holding the inside part up, aligning and starting the longdonkey bolts was a PITA. Cut 2 pieces of all-thread little longer than bolts, screwed into holes. But the plate up, EZ to guide AT thru holes, start nuts. Then nuts hold in place while you start the bolts in other holes. Double-nut the all-thread to remove, last 2 bolts.

Typically the roof will support you and the AC as it has to support the A/C all the time anyway.

I've personally changed out several A/C units and have never needed any allthread to do it. Bolts went in easy. If not, the A/C is not located correctly.

whatinZamzoo wrote:
A average sized women would be on it & I would be pulling from the top.

This plan has "disaster" written all over it.

If you hire a teenager to help and he/she is injured you can then hire a lawyer.

Can I expand a little?
What about the roof? Will it handle the weight of you and the AC concentrated in the small area of your feet?
I used a couple of pieces of Styrofoam, set AC on to slide from side to hole. Step ladder in back of pickup to get it on roof, with line around it. Up another step ladder to pull across near hole. Then a stepstool inside to lift and guide it into the hole.
Another idea. To me, holding the inside part up, aligning and starting the longdonkey bolts was a PITA. Cut 2 pieces of all-thread little longer than bolts, screwed into holes. But the plate up, EZ to guide AT thru holes, start nuts. Then nuts hold in place while you start the bolts in other holes. Double-nut the all-thread to remove, last 2 bolts.

I would suggest reconsidering using a ladder to haul the A/C up/down, just too many things that can go wrong.

I used a short step ladder secured to a pick truck bed and it was a real challenge to lift and control 80+ lbs worth of A/C.

That was before I had a tractor with a front loader, now that I have a front loader, I would never consider attempting the ladder trick ever again.

I would suggest seeing if you can find a neighbor/friend/relative that may have access to some sort of lifting device like a tractor with front loader with enough height.. Might wish to even ask a few contractors (dirt type contractors) if they might be able to help lift with one of their equipment for a small fee..

Baring that, there are very nice manual lifts by the brand of Genie Lifts which can reach 10' heights which you should be able to rent at most rental stores for a day or two for a reasonable cost..

Looks like this..



Downside to the manual lifts like the small Genie lifts is you need to operate them on level pavement for safety reasons.. I borrowed a Genie lift from my workplace once when I needed to set a 25' I beam in place. Worked like a champ.

IMO, the extension ladder would be better choice. I don't see a weight problem, as the AC wt will just be sliding up, being lifted mostly by you, not direct wt to ladder.

I'd put a protecting mat/rug on roof edge, if ladder is resting against rubber roof.

Jerry

You'll end up hating the first ladder. The rungs are really uncomfortable. Just borrow an extension ladder from a neighbor. And, find a teenager to help haul the old one down and the new one up. You really don't want the wife to start hating RVing.