Poles - can you have too many?

[cuppa]

I've searched the forums, but am inexperianced in forums so if this topic has been covered before, please feel free to tell me off - sorry in advance.

Just setting up - going through to motions of ordering all my gear - I've watched a few youtube videos on poles etc and have settled on the fact that I'll likely need a longer pole due to a lot of 2 storey town houses in my area.

A couple of videos I have watched, some blokes have anywhere up to 5 poles, all of varied length?

Starting out I wouldn't have money for multiple poles - but I was curious to if this is common amogst season vet's such as you guys? Do you use different poled for different jobs etc?

Sorry if this is a ridiculous question.

Also whilst on the topic, if anyone has any recommendations for a first time pole, please feel free to let me know.

 

[Deleted member 257]

Essentially you want to be using the shortest pole that'll reach whatever you are cleaning to save on weight. Something along the lines of a 22 foot and 35-40 foot, the 22 is a good size for ground, first floor and some second floor. then the 35-40 will reach second and third floor. anything above that is a bit more specialist.

Some might like to have an 18 a 25 and say a 39. it will all depend on your work, my rounds have a lot of dormers and ground floor extensions etc so an 18 would be too short a lot of the time but i would never fully extend the 25. Some might also have a pole dedicated to spraying chemicals to save switching.

 

[Deleted member 7446]

I've searched the forums, but am inexperianced in forums so if this topic has been covered before, please feel free to tell me off - sorry in advance.

Just setting up - going through to motions of ordering all my gear - I've watched a few youtube videos on poles etc and have settled on the fact that I'll likely need a longer pole due to a lot of 2 storey town houses in my area.

A couple of videos I have watched, some blokes have anywhere up to 5 poles, all of varied length?

Starting out I wouldn't have money for multiple poles - but I was curious to if this is common amogst season vet's such as you guys? Do you use different poled for different jobs etc?

Sorry if this is a ridiculous question.

Also whilst on the topic, if anyone has any recommendations for a first time pole, please feel free to let me know.

With those starting out and inexperience you could end up buying numerous poles but pole purchase choice in my opinion is a reflection of your intended customer base and demographic area of work.

I only have 3 poles

1x 6 foot

1x 22 foot

1x 30 foot

Having anymore than that is called poleitous

 

[ched999uk]

I have an clx 18ft and a slx 27ft and I would like a small, say 6ft for bungalows. The 27ft reaches most 2nd floor windows (lots of Victorian buildings around me) but there are a few windows I can't reach like over a large extension or 2nd dormers that are set back a long way. That said I am a noob and my physical strength is lacking so using the 27ft to reach over connys or extensions isn't easy especially when on an angle to the windows. So I would say don't go too large to start with and build strength. 

 

[Deleted member 7446]

I have an clx 18ft and a slx 27ft and I would like a small, say 6ft for bungalows. The 27ft reaches most 2nd floor windows (lots of Victorian buildings around me) but there are a few windows I can't reach like over a large extension or 2nd dormers that are set back a long way. That said I am a noob and my physical strength is lacking so using the 27ft to reach over connys or extensions isn't easy especially when on an angle to the windows. So I would say don't go too large to start with and build strength. 

I picked up a 30 foot pole being sold and undervalued on marketplace.

It had been abused with cracks on the bottom section so I did some measuring and fed it into the chop saw making a single 6 foot pole

A great little lightweight ground floor piece of kit

 

[Pjj]

When starting out I would suggest getting a pole that will do 90% of your work probably a 22-25 will do that , depending on what you intend doing , go for something like an slx they are very good poles and not to expensive 

 

[ched999uk]

Forgot to say the slx27 has been great. It is actually shorter collapsed than a 25ft pole as it has shorter sections but an extra one section although that means it's 250gms heavier than a 25ft. So that helps with transporting it if you are using a car!

You can buy add on sections but that does involve messing around fitting and removing depending on height of job.

 

[spruce]

Forgot to say the slx27 has been great. It is actually shorter collapsed than a 25ft pole as it has shorter sections but an extra one section although that means it's 250gms heavier than a 25ft. So that helps with transporting it if you are using a car!

You can buy add on sections but that does involve messing around fitting and removing depending on height of job.

The first Gardiner poles I purchased was an CLX22 and an SLX40. A couple of years later I upgraded the CLX22 to an SLX22 which is now a spare pole with the CLX22 first section fitted. (The SLX22 was 8 years old when it was put into semi retirement. ?) It has a flocked brush on it. There were a couple of windows I just couldn't reach with the SLX22 so decided after much thought to go with an SLX27. On those few windows I just couldn't reach I had to use the SLX40. Now I don't have to.

I would certainly recommend an SLX22 and an SLX39 as starter poles with a couple of brushes; stiff, normal (there are a number of choices from Gardiners,) and a flocked brush for leaded windows. I would include pencil jets and a set of fan jets.

 

[Jaygti]

I have a 25ft pole, with a 6ft extension if needed .That’s all I have. 

Don’t use anything else. 

Keep it simple.??

Oh, I only use 1 brush for everything too. 

 

[Davy G]

My choice, if I were starting again, knowing what I know now with seven years of experience built up on my round, would be : definitely an SLX 22 as my primary pole. This will do over 99% of our work I reckon. Including soapwashing gutters and end barges on two storey houses and most dormer and many veluxes on same. I wouldn't bother with a longer pole starting out unless it was proven to be absolutely necessary, in which case I'd opt for an SLX of 35~40 ft. I bought and carry an SLX 30. It gets used on one job out of 600 or so that I can think of.

I only use one type of brush as my everyday brush : Gardiner Supreme Dupont Tapertec Hybrid, fitted with 100 degree fan jets and a short swivel (jets are a whole nother very divisive subject with loads of previous discussion posts, for anyone who wants to do the research in the forum archives ). I wouldn't necessarily recommend a swivel when starting. But further along, the swivel, once mastered can be a joy to use and a booster to speed.

 

[cuppa]

Wow, loads of feedback and loads to consider, I've actually managed to source a 9ft, 20ft and 34ft at a reasonable price so will work off that.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[scottish cleaning service]

I would start off with an Xtreme 18 because you will get one later on anyway. Then a Xtreme 25 when the money comes in and extensions later on. I like the new Xtreme sill stiff 35cm brush now.

 

[dazmond]

personally i use an xtreme 25 for most work and an xtreme 47 for anything higher....these are the only 2 poles i need for all my work

i couldnt be arsed with adding sections to my pole every time i need to go above 25ft

i also have a clx 4 which i just use for cleaning the van

my pole "graveyard" however is fairly well stocked....?

2 x 25ft SLXs and a fair few xtreme sections for emergencies...

some of my xtreme (no 4 and 5 sections)will be used with 3 new top xtreme sections when needed as the 4 and 5 sections last 3 times as long as the top 3.....

one day ill drop any work over 25ft and just have a 25 footer in the van