[Yukoner777]

Hi All
I got myself a two-section 24' extension ladder and fitted it with the Ankalad stabilizers, Level-Lock leg levellers, and a pair of standoffs.  The ladder itself is not lightweight, being contractor grade, but with the additional bits it's a real bear. 

I'm wondering if you guys who do second or third storey gutter/window work raise your ladders by yourself or do you have a helper.  And if you do it yourself, what particular method(s) do you use.

[Nick Day]

I am not sure about the add ons, but to lift a heavy long ladder, put the base against a wall. lift the other end above your head and "walk" it up as you walk towards the wall (ladder base)
When you reach the wall, the ladder will be vertical pull the base out to the angle needed.
To raise the ladder if there are no ropes or wheels, push it up the wall, if you need to go higher, climb the ladder and bounce it up the wall.

[Smurf]

I have 2 sets of 3 section ladders with ankalads fitted that I can use for roofline work if I must and found the one with a wide stabaliser bar at the bottom much easier to raise & lower from the standing position as it doesn't tend to want to twist or become unstable unlike the other one.

[Smurf]

In the ideal world yes the correct way is to put the base of the extended ladder against the wall and walk it up into a vertical position. Then bring the base of the ladder back to set it correctly at the right angle. However in the real world this method is not practicle in most cases when obsticals get in the way trying to lay it out extended like for example in this pic.   

[Smurf]

The simple answer is to try and do away with ladders altogether and invest in a guttevac and wfp kit 

[Yukoner777]

Thanks for the replies.  I guess I was hoping for some magically easier way to extend the ladder.     Some places here have soffits that are a couple feet deep, so I'll have to pull the base of the ladder a couple of feet away from the wall of the house.  I guess I'll be bracing the ladder vertical with my leg and keep it balanced while I extend it with the rope, hand over hand, until the standoffs are above roof height.  Then flip the ladder around to rest the standoffs on the roof.  I'll maybe get a helper the first time just to have a hand up in case it gets away from me.

[Smurf]

What you mean soffits something like this?

If you have a class 1 industrial ladders with pulleys and ropes then best you have a helper as are heavy beasts to manage on your own.

The  ladder in the pic is a BPS 12 rung triple combi ladder but unless you only need as normal 3 section ladder then this would do  http://www.laddersandscaffoldtowers.co.uk/acatalog/3-Section-Extension-Ladders.html

Like I mentioned before the wide stabaliser bar fitted as standard at the bottom of the ladder makes it a lot easier to extend and collapes whilst in the standing postition when working on your own.