[brett walker]

Hi everyone

just looking into a new lighter pole at the minute im using the ionics multipole weight 4.95kg which can get a bit heavy after a while looking to replace it

Ergo-Lite Glass Fibre pole 30ft - 6x6' sections approx weight 3.2kgs price 452.95 pounds.  Dont mind spending the extra money as long as its going to be a lot lighter to work with because i mostly do 3 and some 4 storey work.

Has anyone got one of these pole or has anyone used one, the lady at ionics told me that working with this lighter pole throughout the day will make a difference

Maybe i am unfit because at the moment i feel like i have done 5 rounds with Mike Tyson when ive done a full day with the heavier multipole.

regards

Brett

[brett walker]

I take it no-one uses a ergo-lite pole, will i just be wasting my money

regards

Brett

[Archy136]

I dont need to change at the moment but when I do i' m thinking about 8'x4 Ergo lite. Then can be easily upgraded to a 60 footer if ever needed but in the mean time makes a really nice light easy to extend 30 footer. In fact i'm itching to get one but have to get a bit more use out of my beast of glass fibre 30 footer.

[windowcleanomano]

have you had a look at  http://www.cleantech.co.uk/

they stock the Face lift one.

[eddie d]

difficult to decide seems there are pros and cons with all of them.ive been told the ergo lites dont last to long where as the powerpole will last forever but is a bit heavy .
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[brett walker]

Thanks guys

Archy, do you think its worth paying the extra to work with a lighter pole to make work much easier through out the day

I was hoping for some more replys just to see what kind of poles people use, perhaps most people do mainly 2nd storey windows suppose its not too bad with a heavier pole then.  When your doing 3rd storey windows all day it takes it out of you just thinking of long term injuries - repetative strain etc.  Hoping the ergo-lite will be the answer

thanks

Brett

ps. only a few weeks ago Matt was getting bad headaches with looking up all the time
Makes you think

[Archy136]

I wouldn't go for the ergo lite glass fibre. I ve been told they are quite bendy. I'd probably go for the Carbon fibre ergo lite, more rigid. I would also consider the eco lites from Brodex but they werent at Windex so I didnt get to have a go with that one. And there is still the option of tucker and Powerpole.

I haven't fully decided yet.

I do know that if the one I decided upon was a couple of hundred quid more it wouldnt stop me from buying it.

Sometimes you need to look at the bigger picture and if you are comfortable with a certain pole you ll make your money back over time.

As window cleaners we do spend alot more than we used to but still not nearly as much other trades.

[godzilla]

I HAVE A 39 FOOT ERGO-LITE GLASS FIBRE POLE FROM IONICS . HAD IT 4 A WHILE , ITS LITE AND VERY STRONG , DID DROP ITBA COUPLE OF TIMES TO START WITH.
NOT TOO FLEXABLE EITHER.

[brett walker]

Cheers Godzilla

just what i needed to hear i have ordered the 30ft today, i know they are a bit expensive but what sort of price do  you put on your health.  With wfp being reletivly new to residential customers and more people changing over to wfp i think we are yet to see injuries- back and shoulder problems and repetative strains

I maybe wrong but i cant afford to have time off because i have a family to look after

regards

Brett

[Archy136]

Godzilla

Thats interesting what you say about the glass fibre ergo lite. I was definately told at the windex show(by a senior Ionics rep) that the glass fibre ergo-lite was too bendy and they only had a carbon fibre ergo-lite one at the show.

Brett,


What did you end up paying for it? If you dont mind me asking?

[brett walker]

Archy

452 plus vat

What section was the one at the show and height?

Brett

[sair]

the face lift pole looks awsome  , i just thought it may have been cheaper than the ergo light to give it a good run for there  money shame realy !

[Archy136]

I think it was a 35 footer

[brett walker]

the face lift pole looks awsome  , i just thought it may have been cheaper than the ergo light to give it a good run for there  money shame realy !

Sair

the facelift poles seem to be getting more popular also cleantech stock them now, i remember their stand at windex

i keep trying to convince the wife to get a face lift but she says i need one more than her 

Brett

[spotless2000]

Hi Brett

just what i needed to hear i have ordered the 30ft today

I've got to sort something out soon. (approx 35')

What's the verdict?  Are you pleased with it?

Steve

[brett walker]

Hi Steve

to be honest im not impressed, im dissapointed with the weight of the pole its far too heavy , ive took 2 sections off i can just reach to 3rd storey.  When i phones Ionics about the weight of the pole i told them it was just as heavy as my multipole yet it should be about 2 bags of sugar lighter, they told me " i can assure you its lighter ive weighed both multipole and ergo-lite".  He went on to tell me that the weights in the book are only approx weights its a lot of money to pay for approx weights especially when it turns out that a multipole weighs 4.7kg and the apperently lighter ergo-lite pole weighed in at 4kgs.
Although the brush head is good quality it seems top heavy as i have been using one of Gaz H20's brushes and they are much lighter, as most of my work is 3 storey i was just looking for something lighter, ive used it now or i would have sent it back.  Maybe i'll get used to it

Must say Ionics was very helpful

regards

Brett

[craig jwc]

I got a 30foot Glass Fibre pole from Gardinierpole which weighs 4.98kg.

1st time using it it almost killed me, but after a while you will get used to it.

When rincing i just twist the pole which i find easier.

Craig

[spotless2000]

Brett

Sorry to hear it didn't live up to your expectations - that's really annoying when your investing your hard earned cash.  In hindsight, what model would you go for now?

Craig

I currently use a 20' from Gardiner  - It's ok but I was looking for something more rigid / lighter at approx 35'.  I know Gardiner are looking at introducing a new carbon pole soon.

I can't keep my customers waiting for ever (just cleaning 2 storeys on 3 storey properties at the moment).

I've looked at Brodex but still undecided.

Has anyone used the Facelift?  Verdict?

Cheers

Steve

[brett walker]

Hi Steve

really dont know what id go for now, going to make the best of this heard some good reports about facelift

I should have taken more notice of the poles at windex

regards

Brett

[JM123]

Hi Brett, we use a 25ft eco-lite (Brodex) and must say it really is a great pole.  A little bit on the flexible side on the top section but other than that its perfect, very light, alloy base cap, would def have it before the ionics and its half the price.

[Moderator David@stives]

Brett

What you are getting with the Ergolite is a much narrower pole and that in itself should be of benefit.

With a wider pole you are more proned to tennis elbow and all sorts of muscular skeletal problems.

Since i started with wfp i have developed tennis elbow , not nice at all.
Also i have pulled muscles in my back and to top it all i have got pains in my wrists.

The ergolite goes a long way to alleviate these problems.

P.s the 30 'ergolite should weigh 3.2kg are you saying yours is heavier

Dave

[brett walker]

Hi David,

when i spoke to the person at ionicsi got told that the weights in the catalogue are only approximate and that no 2 of the same poles weigh the same. As stated the ergolite pole should have weighed 3.2kg but was no where near,  very dissapointing as we looked into the pole well.

Yes,  it is slightly narrower which makes it better to handle

Yes i know what you mean about the aches and pains being wfp full time now and most of my work being 3 storey  i feel wrecked every morning.
In time your body gets used to it .....i hope

How do you prevent something like tennis elbow?

regards

Brett

[Moderator David@stives]

Brett

To avoid tennis elbow , you have to cup the end of the pole in the palm of your hand then instead of lifting your arms up and down rock with your legs backwards and forwards instead, therefor your body is  doing the work and not your arms, also a narrow pole helps as your palm is not as open which puts pressure on the tendons in your elbow.

Also dont lever sideways over conservatories etc and strain sideways against your elbow, just take your time and work out the way to do it with the least strain.

I have been cleaning for 8 years and attend the gym in spits and spurts and always thought i was as strong as anyone, so i thought i could handle wfp in my stride, but if you are not careful you could fall victim to a strain here and there.

I think wfp in the long term will cause more handling problems than ladders ever would.

If the weights stated are aproxx do they not have to be within certain peramiters,if the catalogue states 3.2 kg and you have weighed it at over 4kg then that is over 30 % heavier than stated, i think you would have some recourse if you wanted ,maybe?

Anyone want to buy a brodex pole only weighs 1 kg   

[Moderator David@stives]

Just to add to this i have just found out my new 40' pole is only 37'

Wheres the extra 3' gone ?

oh i have just noticed at the bottom of the page the pole is measured from the hip!!

Now what use is that to me.

No wonder i have to stand on a crate to reach the top window i bought the pole for which i scientifically measured using a tape measure and the theorum of pythagarus and allowing for the bend in the pole with my arms fully extended above my head.
I personally feel a pole sold as 40' should be 40'
And one that is sold at 3.2 kg weighs 3.2kg

would the pole still be 40' if it was used by a man with no legs or a midget ?

I think not

[Morph]

Now there's an untapped market for you, you poor old aching seagull...

Lightweight poles for legless midgets

[spotless2000]

Just to add to this i have just found out my new 40' pole is only 37'

Wheres the extra 3' gone ?

If it had three feet that would make it a tripod not a pole!

With an inside leg measurement of 29 1/2" (The half is very important) do I qualify as the midget?

Seriously, which new pole did you go for David?

Excluding the missing three feet, would you recommend it?

Steve

[Jeff Brimble]

Heres actual weights of my own poles.
Unger Alu poles approx weight,   X 6ft  Goose neck/elbow 6 oz Brush 13oz (28cm)
                          culmanative
1 sect.     11 oz                      .312kg                                           
2 sect    1lb               1 lb 11 oz     .765kg
3 sect    1 lb 6 oz       3 lb 1oz                 1.39 kg
4 sect    1 lb 12 oz      4 lb 13 oz               2.18 kg                  24ft
5 sect    2 lb               6 lb 13 oz     3.09 kg           30ft
 
6*         2 lb 8 oz  9 lb    5 oz            4.22 kg
7*         2 lb 8 oz    11 lb 13 oZ           5.35 kg
 
6&7 are made up DIY sect consisting of double ended poles. In use the pole becomes unusable about 40ft due to whip
Ergogo lite Carbon fibre  X 8ft approx weight. Without hose or brush.
 
1 sect     1 lb                      .455 kg
2 sect     1 lb 2 oz       2 lb 2 oz                 .964 kg
3 sect     1 lb 5 oz       3 lb 7 oz                   1.56 kg     24ft
4 sect     1 lb 8 oz       4lb 15 oz                2.34 kg
5 sect     1 lb 11 oz     6 lb 10 oz                3kg
6 sect     1 lb 14 oz     8 lb 8 oz                3.86 kg
7 sect     2 lb      10 lb 8 oz                      4.72 kg
8 sect     2 lb 12 oz    13 lb 4 oz                6.01 kg
     
Featherlite Fishing Polepole
 7 sect  29ft  2lb 2oz              http://matts forum  
15sect 60ft   7lb    ( Also makes 2 seperate 12 & 9m poles )

[brett walker]

David

youve raised some very good points there

thanks guys for the replies

Brett