Stairs 101

For newer construction, most stair dimensions are controlled by local building codes. Dimensions for stairs can vary significantly between regions and even within them. Many irregular sets of stairs are allowed to still be in use as "non-conforming" exceptions due to their age and construction pre-dating the current building code regulations.

What you can be assured is that at some point you will encounter irregular, non-uniform, broken, missing, or suspect steps and will be challenged to negotiate them with your hand truck and load. Not all stairs were created equal!

Today, many safety conscious medium to large organizations make a pre-delivery job site inspection part of their normal routine to ensure they are prepared for any eventuality they may have to face. While this is "best practice" and highly recommended, it is not always realistic for everyone, so what do you do?

The "Trick"

With PowerMate® all steps do not have to be there or have a uniform rise and run. This unique ability to expand the machine's frame is a feature found on all PowerMate® stairclimber models. It is also what allows the PowerMate® to be used as a dock leveler, curb jumper, and tailgate lift by treating those moves as "one big step". PowerMate® is 4 machines in 1!

Remember, PowerMate® stair climbers come complete with non-marking wheels and a full-length bottom rubber guard to protect floors and stair constructed out of just about any kind of material. TIP: When your bottom rubber guard begins to show signs of wear, take 5 minutes, remove it from the bottom of the PowerMate® stair climber and reverse it. By using the other side of the guard you are effectively doubling the life of the guard.

Summary of Stair Climbing Tips

1. Review your route and formulate a plan to complete your move safely and efficiently.

2. If a step does not look as if it would hold your weight, it probably won't support your hand truck and load, so plan accordingly.

3. PowerMate® does not require contact with every step. If a step is broken or the tread is suspect or missing, plan to skip it or use a PowerMate® Step Extension. Remember the PowerMate® drive screw mechanism allows the operator to climb any one step up to 48" or 121.9cm.

4. Plan to place the wheels in the safest/most secure position on the stair tread. With PowerMate®, you have the option of anywhere on the stair tread from front to back.

5. PowerMate® shoe style wheel brakes not only reduce operator effort but create a larger surface and spread the weight of the machine and load over a larger area. This is a valuable option, especially when dealing with older steps.

With a little bit of planning, PowerMate® can assist you in safely negotiating just about any reasonable eventuality you may encounter on your job site!

To learn more about the safety advantages of PowerMate® today!

Climbing Slopes and Ramps:

If you have ever used a hand truck of any kind to go up a slope or ramp into a vehicle, then you know first-hand this can require a significant amount of effort and energy for the operator. PowerMate can help!

While this may not be the fastest way to get to the top, you can do it safely, with less effort, and with the operator or operators 100% in control of both the machine and the load. PowerMate trainers endearingly refer to this technique as the PowerMate Crawl.

The second application for this technique can be a real life saver! If you have ever been stuck in snow, mud, or sand with a conventional hand truck you can relate. By using the PowerMate Crawl technique, outlined above, you can get yourself out of just about any "sticky" situation. The repeated opening (making larger) and closing (making smaller) of the PowerMate frame as detailed above will ensure you should never get stuck, despite the terrain.

For the heaviest of loads, you will find the M-Series Wheel Brakes create more stability and further reduce the operator effort by as much as 30%. The Wheel Brakes create a larger surface area; especially helpful when you are bearing down to close the machine going up a grade.

Descending Slopes and Ramps:

This does not require a great deal of explanation. PowerMate offers the option of either hand operated wheel brakes or "shoe" style wheel brakes for all their stair climbers.

The Trick?

What many people are unaware of is: the most common way PowerMate users slow down or stop on a slope or ramp is with the help of the "open" button on the PowerMate! By pressing the open button and making the frame larger, the toe plate will touch the ground and act as a brake, slowing down or stopping the machine on grade. This braking technique works for any PowerMate stair climbing model, with or without wheel brakes, big wheels, and even the retractable dolly in place!

PowerMate stair climbers feature a full length bottom rubber guard. This unique bottom rubber guard not only offer the advantage of protecting flooring surfaces of all kinds, but when descending slopes and ramps, acts as an ideal brake!

Sometimes the simplest solutions can work the best! Keep these "tricks" in mind he next time you are challenged with moving up or down a slope or ramp. PowerMate recommends practising these techniques yourself so that when you need them, you will be confident and proficient in how to use them.

Interested in learning more tips and tricks? Check back to the PowerMate Blog for the next post on the topic, or better yet, to schedule on-site operator training for you and your people. Take advantage of more than 35 years of safety lifting experience and learn all the tips and tricks from a qualified PowerMate factory trained team member!