Abstract: A construction vehicle, such as a wheel-type loader, has a ladder assembly mounted on a side thereof for access to an operator's cab mounted on a platform of the vehicle. The ladder assembly comprises a pair of vertically disposed and parallel hand rails releasably attached to the side of the vehicle and a plurality of horizontally disposed and vertically spaced steps secured between the hand rails. Upper flared portions of the hand rails diverge upwardly and outwardly away from each other to form guide means to guide the feet of an operator descending from the platform onto an upper step of the ladder assembly.