I'm trying to figure out best options for roof access. I have limited roofing experience, I always fell into the carrying shingles up the laadder category. What are the devices called where you pry up some shingles, hook a plate over some roofing nails, and attach a toeboard? Does a chicken ladder with a hook work better? How about setting up by yourself? Iwould like to hear some pros and cons? And of course, any particular brand or type that is better.

Are you roofing in conjunction with your ADC biz?

Just trying to get to places like dormer soffit returns on steep roofs.

You're thinking of roof jacks. Roof safety should have plenty of achieved threads.

yupp, roof jacks. Im not ADC but have done more roofing in my time than i wish to admit.Be careful messing with shingles in the winter. Cold shingles = brittle shingles. Start prying and bending and you will end up with cracks and leaks.

Fixed it for you, and he's right.

Have been doing research in archives and elswhere, seems like chicken ladder with hook and wheel is the best way. Gives you flexibility in terms of temperature. Question is Arco, or lynnladder? Thanks to youtube I realize now that I had never seen roof jacks used correctly. Imagine, all those holes are supposed to have nails in them , and it takes more than two per eight foot board!

Yes, the ladder with hooks is the way to go. However, first and formost is BE CAREFULL when you are getting that thing up on the roof. Usually you wil be on a ladder yourself, pulling the chicken ladder up with you, then trying to get it up on the roof, rolling up to the peak, then flipping it over and "hooking" it on the peak. This will have a tendency to cause you to lean back, and you can very easily lose your balance, especially on a two story job.
The other thing to keep in mind is, how far is it from the eave to the peak? If you have, say, a 24' ladder with the hooks on the end, and it's 18' to the peak, you will have to extend the ladder (each section is only 12'). While extending an extention ladder that is supported on the ground, this works fine (how they are designed to work), this does not work being secured from the top! You will have to secure the rungs with rope, tying a couple rungs together, and that's risky buisiness.

Ask what you need to do on the roof first, then look for the proper tool to accomplish it.

Chicken ladders, ridge hooks, roof jacks, pump jacks, ladder jacks and stabilizers all work, but they may not be the best tool for the task nor the only safety/access gear required for the job. You may still need to be hooked up with fall protection or positioning gear along with using a combination of ladders and jacks to get the job done.

The other tools you need to consider that are not even mentioned are scaffolds and aerial lifts. Again, remember to define what you need to do first, then choose the proper tools for the job to get it done.

nail 2x4 to the roof,,,,,,,,,lift shingle tabs and seal under with elastameric (sp) sealant when removed.............