RIDGID RL-FGE40 Fiberglass Slide Ladder (76742) 40 ft., rated for 25,000 volts.

Fiberglass extension ladder RIDGID RL-FGE40 (76742) Size 40 ft., high-voltage resistant up to 25,000 V
The RIDGID RL-FGE40 Fiberglass Extension Ladder, Catalog Number 76742, is the longest ladder in this series. It is ideal for jobs that require extreme reach heights and the highest electrical insulation properties. Made from high-quality non-conductive fiberglass, this ladder is the safest choice for electricians, telecom technicians, or anyone working near high-voltage power lines or large structures. It is engineered with exceptional strength to support heavy-duty use and provide maximum stability. It features comfortable D-rungs and a pulley-and-rope system that ensures smooth, safe extension and retraction—even for a ladder of this large size and substantial weight.

Features
- High-Quality Fiberglass Material: Non-conductive, weather-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and dent-resistant. Ideal for use in challenging environments, both indoors and outdoors.
- Electrical Insulation Properties: Withstands electric currents up to 25,000 volts per inch (25,000V/in), a key feature that maximizes safety when working near electrical sources.
- D-Shaped Rungs (D-Rung): Designed to provide a wider, flatter standing surface than round rungs, ensuring stable and comfortable footing while reducing fatigue during prolonged work.
- Anti-Slip Ladder Feet (Steel Swivel Safety Shoes): Made of high-quality materials, reinforced with thick rubber pads, and capable of swiveling to adapt angles for superior grip on a variety of surfaces and to prevent slipping.
- Pulley and Rope System: Comes with a heavy-duty pulley and weather-resistant polypropylene rope, making ladder extension and retraction smooth and easy to control even on a long ladder.
- Robust and Easy-to-Use Locking Mechanism (Cast Aluminum Rung Locks): Features latch locks designed for easy one-handed release, providing speed and safety when adjusting the length.
- Reinforced Structure: Features heavy-duty rivets and braces on every rung rail for maximum durability and enhanced stability during use at great heights.
- Rail End Caps (Mar-resistant rail end caps): Help protect the tips of the ladder rails from wear and reduce damage when leaning against various surfaces.
- Certified Standards: Certified to Type IA Heavy-Duty (300 LBS.) standards by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to ensure top quality and safety.

Applications
- Large-Scale Electrical and Telecom Work: An essential and the safest piece of equipment for electricians and telecom technicians working on cables and very high structures, such as high-voltage power poles, antennas, or communication towers.
- Maintenance of Very High Buildings and Structures: Ideal for extra-tall buildings, large industrial plants, or warehouses requiring the highest reach for maintenance and repairs.
- Installation and Repair of Large Structures: Such as giant billboards, towers, or high-elevation industrial structures.
- Utility Work: For maintaining overhead cable systems and extremely high public street lighting systems.
- Large-Scale Construction: For accessing the highest points on structural construction projects that demand utmost stability and safety.

Points to Consider
- Highest Price: The 40-foot fiberglass ladder is the highest-priced model in the extension ladder category, representing a relatively premium investment.
- Heaviest Weight: Weighing approximately 45-50 kg, it is the heaviest ladder; moving, extending, or retracting it always requires at least 2-3 people, along with a truck or large transport vehicle with sufficient space.
- Very Large Storage Dimensions: Even when fully retracted, it measures 20 feet (over 6 meters) in length, requiring substantial storage and transport space and making it unsuitable for confined areas.
- Sunlight Degradation: Fiberglass can degrade when exposed to direct sunlight over long periods. Failure to store it in the shade or maintain it with UV-protective coatings may affect long-term strength and service life.
- Ladder Flex: When extended to its maximum height (36-37 feet), users may feel some flex in the ladder, which is a normal characteristic of fiberglass and engineered to absorb applied loads while remaining well within specified safety limits.
- Complex handling: Due to its substantial size and length, setting up, deploying, and storing require significantly more care and skill than typical smaller ladders.