Many of us have heard stories from friends and family about taking falls from ladders or roofs, and maybe some of you have experienced it yourselves. It’s a scary thing that you never think is going to happen to you until you find yourself falling through the air. This is exactly what happened to Minnesota farm owner Craig Blair.

Last summer, Craig was up on a step ladder with his chainsaw trimming branches from a tree, when all of a sudden the branch he was cutting swung down and knocked the bottom of the ladder out from under him, sending him to the ground. Falling with a live chainsaw is no joke, but Craig had the presence of mind to focus on keeping the saw away from his body to avoid contact with the blade. He landed on the ladder and the fallen branch, breaking 2 ribs.

About the accident he said: "Not only was it very painful but it also cost a lot for an emergency room visit, x-rays, medications, clinic visits, etc."

A split-second accident turned into a painful healing process and a large medical bill.

Telehandler Work Platforms

Craig’s accident prompted him to invest in a telehandler work platform. This attachment allows him to reach everything a ladder would and more, but without the risk of another injury, and it conveniently attaches to and runs off of his telehandler. Having the platform not only relieves Craig of unsafe activities but also opens up a wide variety of applications including maintenance of shop buildings, checking grain bins, trimming trees, accessing tall equipment for repairs, and whatever else he can think of.

Those who work on a farm or in an industrial setting understand the importance of safety and that keeping our loved ones from harm is of utmost importance. Craig has an only son who works with him on the farm during the summer and on breaks from school, who will also be using the telehandler platform.

Craig: "I have done a lot of things in my life that can be somewhat risky, but the last thing I want to do is take a chance on my son getting hurt like I did or possibly worse. Having the telehandler platform is peace of mind that both my son and I are just a little bit safer when working around the farm, and that is good peace of mind."

Ladder Fall and Telehandler Work Platforms

Long story short: Ladders are stone-age technology that are often used in a risky way. In today’s world, better tools are available and often necessary to do jobs efficiently and SAFELY. Don’t wait for something bad to happen to prompt you to buy a telehandler work platform.

Plus, look at the thing. What kind of ladder gets you up 28 feet in the air AND on a stable platform with all your tools right at hand?

This attachment will make your life easier. Featuring a simple machine connection with universal quick attach, our telehandler work platforms are compatible with a wide range of telehandlers. These platforms are designed to be operated by just one person, making previously dangerous solo jobs a walk in the park and providing peace of mind for spouses and loved ones.

Applications Include:

• Construction
• Roofing and gutter installation/maintenance
• Tree trimming
• Power line maintenance
• Warehouse work
• Window washing
• Overhead photography
• Bird watching

The list could go on for days.

The makers of telehandler work platforms designed these attachments as the solution to a serious problem—the safety and well-being of real, working people. Don’t worry, ladders will never go away. But for many of us, they’re simply not an adequate tool. For those who need to reach high places, telehandler work platforms will never let you down. They get the job done the right way: safely.

All our telehandler work platform products are available at Skid Steer Solutions. Check out options like the Safety Work Platform by Star Industries, Industrial Work Platform by Star Industries, and Telehandler Work Platform by Haugen. These versatile attachments are compatible with many different machines, so explore our offerings and find the one that’s right for you.