Safety Advice Operating the G2000 Ladder Rack

Information and general guidance     

• The G2000 Ladder Rack is renowned throughout the EU market for being a reliable, easy to use safe solution. The main components are made of anodized aluminium alloy and stainless steel, materials that assure an extremely strong whilst lightweight product. Loading and unloading of your ladder to and from the van roof is carried out safely and effectively with the operator on firm ground.

• Each G2000 Ladder Rack is provided with a copy of the present “User Manual”. We recommend that these instructions are read and understood before using the system for the fist time.

• The present user manual is an integral part of the product; therefore if the product is sold to a third party or transferred onto a different vehicle, the user manual must stay with the product. This is to allow the new operator/owner to gather the necessary information to install the product and understand how to use it safely. It is therefore important to keep the user manual clean and tidy for yours and others future reference, we advise keeping it in the vehicle to which the unit is installed.

Product identification plate and main components

Product identification plate: each G2000 Ladder Rack has an identification plate attached during its final quality inspection (see picture 1) and this is located on the outer side of one of its side members. The ID plate shows the product model, the unique serial number, year of manufacture, product weight and the maximum ladder weight that can be loaded to that unit. If you require assistance or spare parts, upon request be ready to supply the data shown in the I.D. plate. 

Picture 1 (I.D. plate photo)

IMPORTANT

To assure product traceability, nobody is permitted to alter and deface the I.D. plate. Under no circumstances alter or cancel the data shown in the I.D. plate. This will render any guarantee invalid and will also affect appropriate spare part replacement. The personnel in charge of the vehicle should check that the data are always readable; if not, ask the manufacturer or the authorised dealer to provide a new I.D. plate.         

Main components

1. Front cross bearer for ladder positioning
2. Side members
3. Hydraulic shock absorber
4. Gas springs
5. Bonnet panel
6. Securing strap belt
7. Rear cross bearer with loop retainers
8. Locking levers
9. Central balance mechanism

Technical data

• The G2000 chassis and the roof rack cross members are made of anodised aluminium alloy offering a strong, lightweight solution.   
• The G2000 is connected to the roof rack cross members via tailored designed stainless steel brackets.
• The G2000 sledge runs on plastic coated SKF bearings.
• The G2000 has a double locking mechanism to lock the sledge in place when the vehicle is in transit.
• The G2000 is provided with a detachable pull down handle for higher vans.
• The ladder is retained by a high strength security strap belt (tested to a load bearing of 1000kg)
• The heaviest G2000 is 38kg, this is dependant on the unit supplied for any particular vehicle
• The maximum carrying weight is 55 Kg.

Safety

Packaging and product installation    

Packaging: the G2000 Ladder Rack is delivered fully assembled to the installer or end user on a pallet coated with further cardboard protection. Inside the box, there is a detachable pull down handle (when needed) and a roof rack (when needed) together with the product user manual.

Installation: the Ladder Rack G2000 has been designed and manufactured to be installed on the majority of commercial vehicles in the market in association with the manufacturers own roof rack systems. We strongly advise not to attach the G2000 to other types of roof bars/racks as all parts supplied by Gentili are bespoke and have been designed and tested to work together as a set for safety. We will not be liable for any accident or injury caused by the installation of a G2000 onto other manufacturers’ roof racks, unless specifically authorised by F.lli Gentili.

Warnings and safety standards
Some high roof vehicles require the G2000 Ladder Rack to have a pull down handle to facilitate the extraction of the sledge during the unloading of the ladder. This will be supplied as standard with your kit on delivery.

All G2000 Ladder Rack types have a securing strap belt to retain the ladder against the G2000 Ladder Rack sledge; this has been tested and rated to secure a load far heavier than our maximum carrying weight of 55kgs.

Every G2000 Ladder Rack has a safety catch (double locking mechanism – see picture 4) that locks the sledge in place when the vehicle is in transit. The components, when locking the sledge, engage against two pins welded on each side of the central balance mechanism (see picture 5). The two catches work independently from each other for added safety and security. It is important to regularly carry out a visual check to ensure that the pins are in place and have properly engaged to the central balance mechanism. If you notice a missing or damaged pin, please urgently contact the manufacturer or the authorised dealer for replacement and rectification.


Picture 4 (Safety catches)


Picture 5 (Catch engaged with the pin)

Maximum load capacity: to ensure the correct functionally of the sledge and that no damage occurs to the G2000 Ladder Rack, the operator has to take care not to over load the system in excess of the stated maximum carrying weight (see the I.D. plate reference in picture 6).


Picture 6

Operative area: to ensure maximum safety to the operator, during the loading and deployment of the ladder, take the necessary steps in order that the area around the vehicle is free from close walls, close vehicles, electrical and telephone lines etc. Ensure that the ground underneath the rear of the van is free from slipping and tripping hazards to avoid user injury.

Danger of staying too close to the G2000 Ladder Rack operative space: during the loading and deployment of the ladder, the operator is advised to ensure that nobody is able to be in close proximity.  (see picture 7). In addition, the operator should refrain from allowing non trained personnel to use the G2000 Ladder Rack.

  
Picture 7

Note: these guidance notes are by no means exhaustive; the operator should always use good practice and common sense to ensure safety.

For more information about ladder racks and other van racking equipment fitted and supplied by Chambers Vehicle Conversions just call 01785 229955.

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