Customer Reviews
PK80-2 levelers on a Werner D1228-2 ladder 
2006-06-13
I installed the PK80-2 ladder leveler on my Werner D1228-2 aluminum ladder this weekend in a bit over 2 hours. Instructions were very clear and easy to follow. Just lay all the parts and make sure you understand how they all work before you start! The levelers work very, very nicely. This was a good addition to my ladder.
For "comment search purposes", if you have a D1100 series ladder you will need an additional kit numbered D36-9. The D1500 series ladders need kit 36-14.
The install was basically a matter of drilling 6 holes for each leveler mechanism. In exactly the right place though! Other folks have covered the "how-to" very well so I won't repeat. One hint that I did follow was (after center-punching the holes) to drill a 1/8" pilot hole and then the larger 9/32" hole. That was easier than drilling the 9/32" hole in one step - the bit wandered some.
On an interesting side note, the instructions are to install the levelers on the second rung and to saw off the bottom 15" or so (making the working height of the ladder shorter than when I started). I found that on my ladder (D1228-2) it could be installed on the bottom rung just fine. I wound up cutting off only 4" or so of the side rail which made the working height a few inches MORE than when I started. Your mileage may vary, but it made no sense whatsoever to chop off a perfectly good rung when it could be properly installed on the very bottom rung. I did not have any interfering diagonal "knee braces" and plastic sleeves to move / reinstall, so it made sense to do it this way. Again I say, your mileage may vary!
Wonderful add-on, Takes a lot of time to install! 
2006-04-11
I gave it 4 stars because of the extra KIT 36-14, which needed to be ordered directly from Werner Ladder. Amazon does not carry it.
The Werner PK80-2 Level-Master Automatic Ladder Leveler is a great idea! I now feel safe when setting up an extension ladder on sloped ground. My co-worker, in his mid 20's is also impressed.
I purchased 2 sets and was like many others, leery of cutting off the bottom of my 24' Werner ladder. I now understand the reasoning. It is to allow the feet to run their full travel up and down and allow the ladder to level out on a pretty steep slope prior to raising the extension.
I never would have purchased these things if it weren't for my brother in-law hiring me to build a 2-story addition on the back of his house. If you fall down near the house while standing, you would roll to the bottom of the hill. Setting a ladder on such ground was not going to work for me.
Now that I cut off the bottom of the ladder and installed the levelers, I can't imagine why I would want to ever remove them as a couple of others stated. I consider them a great improvement to a standard ladder. They work great on even the slightest angles. No more rocks and or lumber to build up one leg, and then hope while up at the top, the bottom will stay put!
I agree that the installation of my first unit was complex and time consuming. 2 plus hours (close to 3) and a lot of reading (and skipping pages) to make the installation on my D-1500 series ladder. Also I will agree that the "kit" needed to make the installation should have been included for the price. Very inconvenient to have to call Werner to order the 36-14 kit needed for the D-1500 ladders. Amazon doesn't carry it.
The second unit will go much quicker now that I know the principle of the various steps involved. Like anything else that one does for the first time, AND following directions written in full detail added time but is a necessity. I think the next one will take about an hour, maybe less. I have 4 ladders and eventually all of them will have these levelers.
One other issue that will take some getting used to is not being able to go to the middle of the ladder to carry it. The weight of this unit requires finding the center of gravity a few rungs closer to the bottom, something I'm just not used to doing. Also loading the ladders on my truck requires some getting used to do to the fact the levelers protrude out from the ladder sides. These are little things when you look at the overall picture. I'm sure the old tradesmen gone by felt the same when they started switching over from wood ladders to aluminum!
unsafe 
2006-02-14
i had a mechanic install it, we used it for about 10 minutes and none of my guys are willing to touch it again. this thing is bound to fail. returning it tomorrow.
great product 2005-10-24
I have installed this on a louiseville fiberglass ladder. This product works as well in this ladder as on the werner ladders. The instructions are good once you determine what template to use if you are not modifying a Werner ladder. Takes a couple of hours because you need to make sure that each step is followed closely as if you mess up you will have a $250+ ladder with no feet. But is you do this the product works very well. A little silicon spray when you first use it makes the mechanism work even better.
Werner PK80-2 Review 2005-09-27
They take every bit of 3 hours to install even for an accomplished DIYer. Installation required a few of my lesser used drill bit sizes (9/32), but overall the instructions are straightforward if you read them carefully. It's all worth it the first time you try your ladder on uneven ground. The levelers automatically adjust to the terrain. To me they are worth the price and time involved in installing them. They will be standard equipment on every new extension ladder I purchase.
Werner Level-Master 2007-10-16
A real "life-saver" on unlevel surfaces, but a couple of caveats.
First, download the instruction manual from Werner before ordering. Some models of Werner ladders require an extra installation kit. Secondly, read the instruction manual from front to back (several times), especially when you get to the part on having to cut the bottom rung off of your existing ladder. That's where it gets scary. I've never had good luck with straight cuts with hacksaws and was lucky enough to rig a jig for use with a metal cutting blade on my miter saw. Mine came out perfectly but not without angst. The whole project lasted over the course of two days. Bottom line: it was well worth it and I feel much safer on the second-storey.
Ingenious! Works on my Davidson. 2007-09-09
These work by a square shaft that runs through the bottom rung into pinions riding along a rack inside each foot housing. When one leg is pushed on, the other leg extends, then when it's loaded (just the ladder weight is plenty) they lock! If it's uneven, pick it up level and put it back down. Pretty slick. I feel much safer now than before with my blocks of wood! I looked at the other types of levelers, but you need to bend over each time to set them, for my back these are worth the extra bucks and time to install. (Regarding bucks, these seem very high quality, everything is Al, Chromate or galvanized. The only plastic is a cap atop each leg, though these aren't critical for operation. Regarding install, took me 3 hrs).
I put them on a 24' Davidson Aluminum ladder. Templates are available for all Werner ladders, but not for other brands, so I had to play around a little before drilling. (Make sure you leave enough room to get the nuts on from the inside! I put it all the way against the back so that the upper section of my ladder wouldn't contact the nuts/brackets when lowered, but almost couldn't get my wrench under the ladder sides to tighten them!) Like another reviewer, I couldn't see any reason to cut off the bottom rung, I'm curious why they want you to do that.
The installation instructions are available above (.pdf file), I'd recommend reading first if you are like me and want to put them on a non-Werner ladder.
Why did I wait so long? 2007-06-27
I always seem to be working on uneven ground with my ladder. I would use pieces of wood to try to keep it straight, which by the way can be dangerous. This level master makes it easy to get it straight and secure. I plan on purchasing one for my shorter ladder now
Installed by a non-handyman 2007-02-16
I would not be classified as a handyman. Installing took a good 2+ hours but it was worth it. They do everything they say they do and it made painting my house so much easier and safer.
Installation needs to be done slowly and methodically. I messed up a few holes because of missing direction steps. Take your time and make sure you allocate enough time so you are not rushed.
Biggest thing to remember when installing I found was, when one leg is extended...the other leg is not. May seem elementary but if I had remembered that I would have not had to undo part of the install.
Excellent if not only choice 2006-11-10
The Werner Automatic Ladder Leveler is the only one that I've found that "automatically" levels the ladder legs. All other require manual settings. A little work to install on legs, but worth the effort. I have one on each of the extension ladders that I have and now never worry about how steady the ladder is going to be if there is a slight "slope" where the ladder is placed.
