How to Use a Ladder Hoist or Conveyor to Lift Roofing Materials
Set it up on a secure ladder, respect the load limit, control the landing and keep everyone clear. A hoist saves backs, but a dropped bundle is a hazard.
- Intermediate
- 30 minutes to set up
- Updated
The short answer
A ladder hoist lifts shingle bundles and other materials up to the roof with a motor or engine, running on a ladder or a rail system. Set the ladder at the right angle on firm footing and tie it off, mount the hoist following the manual, stay within the load rating, load bundles evenly, keep people out of the zone below, and control the landing at the top.
A single square of asphalt shingles weighs in the order of 200 to 250 pounds. A typical house takes thirty or more squares of shingles, and every bundle has to get from the truck to the roof. Carrying them up a ladder on your shoulder is slow, hard on backs and one of the most common ways roofers are hurt. A ladder hoist, also called a roofing conveyor or material lift, does the carrying with a motor or engine and a carriage that runs up a ladder or rail.
The equipment is straightforward, but it is powerful and it lifts heavy loads over the heads of anyone below. Safe use depends on a secure ladder, a known load limit, a controlled landing and a clear drop zone. This guide covers setting up, loading, running the hoist and taking it down. For the ladder, see how to set up an extension ladder. For how materials are ordered and staged, see how to load shingle bundles and how to order shingles.
Tools
- Ladder hoist or roofing conveyor with its ladder
- Extension ladder set to the correct angle
- Tie-off rope or strap
- Power supply or fuel
- Two-way radio or agreed signals
- Gloves and eye protection
- Cones or tape for the zone below
Materials
- Shingle bundles or other materials within the load rating
- Plywood or mat for soft ground
- Tarps to protect the landing area
- Spare straps or ties
Safety first
- Never stand or walk beneath a loaded hoist. A falling bundle is heavy enough to cause serious injury, and there is no warning. Mark the zone below and keep it clear.
- Never exceed the load rating stated by the hoist manufacturer, and never ride the hoist or carry a person on it unless it is specifically designed to.
- Check the ladder and hoist for damage before use, and set up well clear of power lines, see working near power lines.
- Keep hands, loose clothing and hair clear of the chain, rollers and moving parts.
Step by Step
Step 1: Read the manual and check the load rating
Ratings are stated in pounds and usually depend on the ladder angle and length. Some hoists need a specific ladder or rail. Check cables, chains, rollers, brackets and the motor for wear, cracks or loose parts. Do not use a hoist with a damaged component.
Step 2: Choose the location and prepare the ground
The hoist will work hard against the ground, so soft or sloping earth is a problem. On wet Fraser Valley lawns, use boards under the ladder feet. Keep it away from driveways and areas where others will walk. Look up for wires, see how to work safely near power lines.
Step 3: Set the ladder at the correct angle and tie it off
The hoist puts extra load on the ladder, and a slipping ladder with a load is very dangerous. Follow how to set up an extension ladder, use levellers on uneven ground and use a stabilizer or standoff so the ladder does not crush the gutter. Make sure the top rests on a solid part of the roof edge.
Step 4: Mount the hoist and connect power
Follow the mounting instructions exactly, since an incorrectly mounted carriage can jam or drop. Run the hoist up and down empty, checking that it moves smoothly, the stops work and the controls respond. Keep cords and fuel lines clear of the ladder and the work area.
Step 5: Mark and control the zone below
No one should be under the hoist while it is carrying a load. Choose the loading position so you are clear of the path, and make sure the person at the top and the person at the bottom can see or hear each other. A two-way radio helps, or simple agreed hand signals.
Step 6: Load evenly and within the limit
Count the bundles and work out the weight. Asphalt shingle bundles typically weigh on the order of 60 to 80 pounds each, but check the wrapper. A load that is off-centre or leaning can tip or slip off. Use straps where the design calls for them. Do not stack above the top of the carriage.
Step 7: Run the hoist and control the landing
Run the hoist at a steady speed and do not overshoot the stop. At the top, the receiver should be tied off and standing where they will not be hit by the load. Unload the bundles onto the roof and stack them flat, spread across rafters, not in one heap, so the weight does not overload the roof. See how to load shingle bundles.
Watch out: Never ride the hoist, and never stand on the carriage or the ladder with a load running.
Step 8: Shut down, take it down and store it
Do not leave a hoist on a ladder overnight where it can be tampered with, blown over or damaged. Check the chain, rollers and bolts, clean off grit and follow the maintenance schedule in the manual. Wipe the ladder and check it for damage.
Weight on the Roof
Bundles stacked on the roof put a load on the framing, and stacking too many in one place on a thin deck can cause damage. Spread them across the roof, above the rafters where possible, and near the ridge if you must stack them, not at the eave. Do not leave large stacks on an old or damaged deck. On a tear-off, never store materials on an open, unsupported section.
Alternatives
On smaller jobs, a telehandler or a boom truck placing shingles on the roof is an alternative that many suppliers offer. A supplier's delivery can often be arranged to place bundles right on the roof, which can be cheaper than doing it by hand. Ask when you order, see how to order shingles.
Common Mistakes
- Standing under a loaded hoist. A dropped bundle can cause serious injury.
- Exceeding the load limit. Overloading cuts safety margins and damages the hoist.
- An untied or badly set ladder. The ladder can shift under the load.
- Stacking bundles in one heap on the roof.
- Riding the hoist. It is not designed for people.
- Setting up near power lines. A ladder and a hoist are conductive and tall.
When to Call a Professional
If you need to lift materials to a second storey, over a steep roof or on difficult ground, a supplier delivery to the roof or a professional crew with a hoist is safer than doing it yourself. Rental hoists also need a competent operator who has read the manual.
If you cannot set the ladder at a safe angle, or the ground is too soft or sloped, use another method.
Fraser Roofing does free roof inspections across the Fraser Valley, from Hope to Abbotsford. See our Roof Replacement service or the towns we cover.
How to Use a Ladder Hoist to Lift Materials: Questions
What is a ladder hoist used for?
A ladder hoist, or roofing conveyor, lifts heavy materials such as shingle bundles up to the roof using a motor or engine that drives a carriage along a ladder or rail. It avoids carrying bundles on your shoulder up a ladder, which is slow and a common cause of back injuries and falls.
How much weight can a ladder hoist carry?
It depends on the model and the ladder angle, so check the manufacturer's rating and do not exceed it. Hoists for roofing are typically designed for a number of shingle bundles at a time. Count the bundles, estimate the weight from the wrapper and stay under the stated limit.
Is it safe to stand under a ladder hoist?
No. A load can slip, a strap can break or a bundle can fall, and the impact from a roof height is enough to cause serious injury. Mark the area below and beside the hoist with cones or tape and keep everyone clear while it is carrying a load.
What angle should the ladder be for a hoist?
The standard 4 to 1 angle, with the base one foot out for every four feet of height, which is about 75 degrees. Some hoists specify a range. The ladder should be on firm level ground, tied off at the top and extended above the roof edge as the manual directs.
How do I get shingles onto the roof without a hoist?
Many suppliers can place bundles on the roof with a boom truck or telehandler when they deliver, which is often the easiest way. Otherwise use a hoist, or carry bundles up one at a time on an extension ladder with a hoist rope. Do not carry multiple bundles on a ladder.
Related Guides
All Roofing Tools guides|The full How-To Library
This guide is general education. Always follow the product manufacturer's installation instructions, the BC Building Code and WorkSafeBC requirements, which take priority over anything written here.
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