Install panel drums (Part 7) on both sides of fi nished opening as shown in FIG 4, making sure centerline of each
drum is 30” from the header and that the small tab on the drum mounting bracket sits on top of the attic fl oor. Positioned
correctly, the top of the drum will be above the attic fl oor. Secure each with four #10 x 1” P.H. screws. (NOTE: Parts desig-
nated left or right is from a position facing the front of the lowered ladder.)
Install the stringer drum (Part 8) on the left side of the fi nished opening with the centerline of the drum 5” from
the header with the short angle of the bracket resting on the attic fl oor. Secure with four #10 x 1” P.H. screws.
Remove wringers and handrail from long carton. Put the handrail aside for the time being. Lay the stringers on
edge on the fl oor or on saw horses opposite each other with the tread gains or slots toward the inside. Starting at the bot-
tom, insert the treads and ladder rods in all slots except the top three, which will be inserted later. Further secure treads
with two #10 x 1” P.H. screws. (You may want to drill a pilot hole to assist in driving screws.) Make certain the treads are
seated at the bottom of the gains, as the treads have been cut to 16-1/16” length and act as a spacer for the proper width
of the ladder, which will be 17-1/16” wide to the outside upon completion. The three top treads will be installed in Step 9.
Install panel bracket (Part 10) to the ladder by bending stringers inward at the top where the three treads have
been left out and insert slide bars into the grooves at the outside back edge of the ladder as shown in FIG 5. When install-
ing be certain that the pin that extends from side of panel bracket is on the left side of ladder and let panel bracket slide to
bottom of ladder for now. (Important: Flex stringers inward to install panel bracket and guide frame to prevent changing of
slide bar dimensions which have been pre-set at the factory to 16-5/8” +/- 1/32”.) With one person in the attic to guide lad-
der into the guide frame (Part 5) so that the top stops are above the slide bars on the guide frame, again fl ex the top of the
stringers inward to engage guide frame slide bars into grooves.
Slide ladder upward and install remaining treads and tighten all ladder rods. (NOTE: While standard treads have
grooves cut in the surface and are made from 1” x 4”, the top tread has a fl at surface and is made from 1” x 6” .) Pull the
ladder all the way down until top tread is level with the attic fl oor and the top stops are engaged with the fl at bar on the
guide frame. The top stops engaging this part of the guide frame is important as this provides the load bearing capability
of the top portion of the ladder.
Swing door panel to ladder and slide panel bracket up to meet pre-drilled holes in door braces. Secure panel
bracket with six #10 x 1” P.H. screws.
Install cable holder (Part 14) on ladder with 1/4” x 20 x 1-1/4” R.H. stove bolt through pre-drilled hole at second
tread from the bottom of left stringer.
Assemble and install handrail (Part 3) and brackets (Part 4) using #10 x 3/4” P.H. screws. Install as shown in
FIG 1 on either side of the ladder with the top bracket about 6” below the top tread. (The handrail can be installed further
down on the stringer or even shortened if space is not available for normal installation.)
Attach panel drum cables by removing tape that is around one of the drums and discard. (Important: Be Certain
All Cable Is Wound Tightly Around Drum Before Continuing.) Firmly grasp the end of cable, allowing the drum to rotate,
pull the cable down to the panel bracket and hook into the slot on appropriate side. Same procedure for opposite side.
(NOTE: Only minimum tension is needed on these drums.)
Attach stringer drum cable by removing tape that is around drum and discard. Take the end of the cable in
one hand and pull off enough cable to cause the spring drum to rotate three turns. Firmly grasp the drum with your other
the three turns of cable onto the drum, and at this point, pull the end of the cable down the side of left
stringer and place knot into slot on cable holder.
If it is necessary to adjust tension on any of the drums, unhook cable, and allow
it to wind up slowly on the drum, and without losing the initial tension, add or remove
a wrap of cable as required and replace cable to holder. Keep tension on both sides of
panel drums as equal as possible. Repeat if necessary, being careful not to let the cable
slip from hand as this may break or backwind the spring.
Lubricate spring drum axles and slide grooves on lad-
der annually or as needed. Replace cables is they become frayed.
PLEASE KEEP THIS FOLDER AS IT CONTAINS A PARTS LIST:
parts, give Model No. of stair, name and number of part needed, and state whether for
left or right side of stair. Send inquiries to Bessler Stairway Co., 3807 Lamar Ave., Mem-
phis, TN 38118. Phone (901) 795-1253
1 7’7” to 7’10” 4’9” 4’2” 3’9” 2’ x 4’
2 7’11” to 8’4” 5’2” 4’7” 3’11” 2’ x 4’
3 8’5” to 8’10” 5’8” 5’1” 4’2” 2’ x 4’
4 8’11” to 9’4” 6’2” 5’7” 4’5” 2’ x 4’
