Photo Credit: Artonic
If your fleet vehicles are equipped with a ladder rack, it’s there for an important reason: to get the job done.
The right ladder rack will make it easy for your operators to do their jobs, and when those jobs are done properly and efficiently, it improves customer satisfaction and, ideally, promotes repeat business.
The wrong ladder rack, however, can slow you down. It can compromise safety. It can affect driver performance. And it can even waste fuel.
Is your ladder rack performing for you? Answer these questions to find out.
Injuries
The Question
Is your ladder rack difficult to raise and lower? If your operators respond with a “yes,” they may be in jeopardy of getting back and shoulder injuries.
Keeping employees safe is always the top priority, but injuries can also hurt your ability to do business. If operators are able to work, an injury will undoubtedly slow them down. Operators may also miss shifts to attend medical appointments. And Workers’ Compensation claims could take them off the road altogether.
The Answer
Find a ladder rack solution that is designed with ergonomics in mind. This will make the ladder easier to raise and lower and will help prevent injuries.
For instance, the new ProLift™ drop-down ladder rack uses Lift-Assist Technology and other mechanical advantages that allow operators to raise and lower ladders with an almost effortless pull.
ProLift’s ergonomic design makes it the safest and easiest drop-down ladder rack system on the market, making it a good solution to reduce back and shoulder injuries.
“When ladder racks stick, are too heavy, or are just plain difficult to deal with, operators are inevitably going to get hurt,” said George Bernwanger, chief engineer, Adrian Steel. “Ergonomically designed roof rack systems can save business owners the time, cost, and hassle that are part and parcel to injuries.”
Operator Fatigue
The Question
Are your operators worn out at the end of the day?
Difficult ladder racks can also increase fatigue in operators, which can affect employee morale and retention. Fatigue also makes drivers susceptible to distracted driving, can affect job performance, and can even affect customer satisfaction.
“Sometimes the ripple effects of driver fatigue aren’t apparent until it leads to a serious problem,” Bernwanger said. “Eliminating the extra work associated with a problematic ladder rack can help, especially over the course of time.”
The Answer
Find a ladder rack solution that is easier for your team to operate. Removing the extra bit of work and annoyance associated with a less-than-desirable ladder rack solution adds up over the course of a day, a week, and a month.
Among comparable drop-down style ladder racks, the new ProLift™ roof rack design is up to 50% easier to operate. The low-force operation is extremely smooth, which can have a big impact on operator fatigue. When operators have more energy on the job, it translates to improved productivity for your business.
Fuel Efficiency
The Question
Is your ladder rack heavy?
A ladder rack may not slow you down, but it can certainly weigh you down. A heavy roof rack system adds unnecessary weight that takes a toll on fuel efficiency. The heavier the ladder rack system, the worse that problem gets. With U.S. gas prices averaging $4.65 and diesel averaging $5.571, a dip in fuel efficiency adds up quickly.
The Answer
Find a lightweight, aerodynamic ladder rack. The best ladder rack solutions are designed with fuel efficiency in mind.
For instance, the new Pro-Lift™ system is designed to reduce wind drag and is low profile and lightweight. Between the aerodynamics and lightweight design, it’s a more fuel-efficient option than comparable ladder racks.
“Our engineers spend a lot of time thinking through every element that can impact a driver, a business, or their customer,” Bernwanger said. “Fuel efficiency is always top of mind for fleets, but it is especially important in today’s environment. Every step a company can take to get more miles per gallon helps them save money and avoid passing price increases onto their customers.”
Is it Time to Upgrade?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, it might be time to look for a new solution.
Operator safety, productivity, and fuel consumption are common problems fleets face, which is why Adrian Steel’s latest ladder rack helps operators work more efficiently, which increases productivity while reducing injuries. That’s what makes the new Adrian Steel Profile™ Roof Rack Series the No. 1 new roof rack series this year.
New to the Profile™ series is the ProLift™ drop-down ladder rack, which is built for performance. It’s simple, sturdy, and its ease-of-use is unmatched. The low-profile, aerodynamic design reduces wind drag, allowing vehicles to operate more efficiently, while having a positive impact on fuel efficiency.
The all-new ProLift™ drop-down ladder rack comes with options to fit your work:
- ProLift™ is available in a Standard-Drop or Max-Drop.
- The Standard-Drop lowers off the vehicle to a single set height.
- The Max-Drop provides a secondary slide that lowers the ladder even further. This allows users to tailor their rack to their preferred drop level.
The ultimate in versatility and capability, the ProLift™ is a multi-use ladder rack that offers secure, safe storage for extension ladders up to 34’, step ladders and A-frame ladders up to 8’. All options are low-profile, lightweight, and built to last.
Start with Adrian Steel First
Adrian Steel’s goal is to make work safer and more efficient for vehicle operators, making it the go-to for fleet upfits.
Adrian Steel offers customized upfits that reduce inefficiencies and risk of injury with ergonomic products and solutions. Built for hard workers, their products are specifically designed to stand the test of time, in all climates, to provide reliable functionality for the life of the vehicle. With less than 1% quality claims annually, Adrian Steel provides fleets the best U.S.-made products on the market and back it with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Click here to learn more.
media brand