WA062414X – Ballymore 5 ft Steel Weight-Actuated Auto-Lock Rolling Ladder
Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.
The Ballymore WA062414X is an industrial-grade, 14-step unassembled steel rolling ladder engineered for high-frequency access in aviation hangars, parts depots, and maintenance facilities. With a 5-foot platform height and a robust 24-inch wide by 49-inch deep footprint, this ladder provides a stable elevated work surface for technicians performing inspections, inventory management, or light maintenance on airframe components. The WA062414X features Ballymore’s proprietary "Weight-Actuated Auto-Lock" system, a critical safety mechanism that automatically retracts the casters and engages solid rubber-tipped feet when a user steps onto the first tread, ensuring the ladder remains immobilized during use.
Constructed from heavy-duty tubular steel and finished with a high-durability powder coating, the WA062414X is built to withstand the rigorous mechanical stresses of a professional aviation environment. The design prioritizes ergonomic safety and structural rigidity, utilizing a 50-degree climb angle and integrated handrails that extend 30 inches above the platform. For procurement specialists and facility managers, the unassembled (knock-down) shipping configuration of the WA062414X offers a significant reduction in freight costs while maintaining the same structural integrity as all-welded models once properly torqued.
Key Features
Weight-Actuated Auto-Lock System: Utilizes a spring-loaded caster housing that automatically locks the ladder to the floor upon weight application, preventing uncommanded rolling.
Heavy-Duty Steel Construction: Fabricated from high-tensile tubular steel for maximum torsional rigidity and a 300 lb load capacity.
Grip Strut Treads: Features aggressive, slip-resistant serrated grating on all steps to ensure secure footing in environments where hydraulic fluids or lubricants may be present.
High-Clarity Powder Coat Finish: Finished in safety orange for high visibility and superior resistance to chipping, scratching, and chemical corrosion.
30-Inch Integrated Handrails: Provides continuous three-point contact support during ascent and descent, meeting stringent OSHA and ANSI safety standards.
Technical Specifications
Part Number: WA062414X
Manufacturer: Ballymore Company
Platform Height: 60 inches (5 ft)
Step Width: 24 inches
Base Dimensions: 24" W x 49" D
Number of Steps: 14 (Including top platform)
Material: Heavy-Gauge Steel
Locking Mechanism: Weight-Actuated (Spring-Loaded Casters)
Load Capacity: 300 lbs
Shipping Status: Unassembled (X-Model / Knock-Down)
Governing Standards: OSHA 1910.29 and ANSI A14.73
Aircraft Compatibility
General Aviation (GA) Maintenance: Ideal for reaching the wing surfaces of Cessna, Piper, and Beechcraft piston aircraft.
Corporate Jet Support: Provides efficient access to baggage compartments and engine nacelles on light to mid-size jets.
Hangar Logistics: Essential for high-shelf parts retrieval in FAA Part 145 repair stations and FBOs.
Note: While this ladder is a vital support tool, ensure the platform height is appropriate for the specific airframe task to prevent overreaching or contact with sensitive control surfaces.
Applications
The WA062414X is utilized as Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Its primary application is to provide safe, mobile, and temporary elevation for personnel. It is particularly effective for high-frequency tasks where a technician must frequently relocate the ladder, as the weight-actuated system eliminates the need for manual foot-pedal locks.
Why Choose WA062414X?
Choosing the Ballymore WA062414X ensures your facility is equipped with a tool that prioritizes the "Human Factors" of safety. In a fast-paced hangar, manual locks are often forgotten; the auto-lock feature of the WA062414X removes this variable, significantly reducing the risk of slip-and-fall accidents. By opting for the unassembled steel model, you benefit from lower initial acquisition costs and the ability to easily replace individual components if they sustain mechanical damage, ensuring a longer service life compared to aluminum or non-modular alternatives.
The WA062414X operates on a mechanical-impedance principle via its weight-actuated caster system. When a vertical force ($F_z$) is applied to the first tread, the internal helical compression springs are overcome, transitioning the ladder from a low-friction rolling state to a statically determinate grounded state. This design leverages a high-coefficient-of-friction rubber bumper interface to ensure lateral stability ($F_x, F_y$). From a structural engineering perspective, the ladder utilizes a truss-frame architecture to distribute loads efficiently through the vertical stiles, minimizing flexural deflection when the user is at the 60-inch platform height. The Grip Strut treads are a form of open-architecture grating that allows for the "shedding" of fluids, preventing the formation of a hydrodynamic film between the technician's footwear and the step surface, which is critical in maintenance environments involving MIL-PRF-5606 or Jet-A.
Note: This equipment must be assembled and inspected in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to the specified values before use. Inspect rubber feet for wear and springs for proper tension during monthly safety audits. Never move the ladder while a person is on it. Use on level surfaces only.