Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: the bfg on October 24, 2010, 11:24:32 am
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There are now several companies who have trolley systems on the market but which in your opinions are the best ?
Has anyone used more than one trolley or tried different companies models ?
when you bought your trolley what did you base you purchase on ? i.e. price, compatability, storage, fixed or removable water tanks
would be interested in users replies and if they have van systems do they now use their trolley everyday or just for awkward jobs.
P.S.
I don't mean Trolley systems that also produce water just one that already have water supply
I have heard nothing but good things about the Pure Freedom Trolley but what about other ones out there ?
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I have a pure freedom 25l and has more than paid for itself within the 6 months Ive had it.
Great trolley ... totally reliable and great lads at purefreedom.
Went for p/f cos as you say heard nowt but good about them :)
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Ian does the pure freedom trolley fold up ?
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Ian does the pure freedom trolley fold up ?
yes mate.
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pure freedom trolley 50L.
GREAT BIT OF KIT!im glad i got the bigger version as im not changing barrels as often!highly recommended if you have a compact domestic round with parking issues! ;) ;D ;D
dazmond
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Yep it is good kit BFG. If you don't need to take it on/off the van for some houses you could just get some extension hose and run from the van if you don't have a van mount :)
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mm...I can't offer advice on which pro trolley comes out best, although I converted from trad to WFP about 7 years ago via a trolley system from Peter Fogwill.
But I do augment my van mount system with my own version of a WCW backpack that's been converted to a sack truck trolley system! :-\
Not a lot of good to you if you are looking to go for a decent trolley system; however, if it is a case of adding a trolley system to an existing van mount system it is at least worth me outlining my method of doing so.
For me the backpack was for those occasions when lugging out 100m of hose either through a house or around terraced houses was unviable, the backpack gave me that viability.
But I very quickly realised that strapped onto cheap, lightweight sack truck [from Homebase] it really added to my versatility, my partner worked alongside me, and on residential work, one of us would take the converted backpack and go around the back, and the other would work the front...we worked very, very efficiently as a result...
A full pro trolley system = ££££ compared to £80 for the backpack and £25 for the sack truck...backpack battery soon got dumped and a small car battery replaced it.
Not forgetting a decent submersible transfer pump in the van tank of course to quickly fill the backpack....
Ian
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Yep it is good kit BFG. If you don't need to take it on/off the van for some houses you could just get some extension hose and run from the van if you don't have a van mount :)
Mike.
I do have a 650 Ltr van mount but just getting fed up trailing hose around the back of lots of swkward buildings, especially those with the chelsea flower show round the back if you know what I mean :D
the more I think about it the more I know that a decent trolley would speed up my day, was wondering what people with fixed water barrells on their trolleys get on with them.
Ian.
I did actually look into going down the backpack route but to be honest Ive read lots of posts on this and other forums about them packing up, although from what you say you have made some good modifications to yours, its just that I do seem sold on the trolley idea and as I have a hot water system feel I could really benefit from it as the hot water wont wove to travel 50-100 metres of hose before it hits the glass.
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I will let you know about mine tomorrow when i use it for the first time.
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I have the Pure Freedon 25L trolley, started with in in my trusty escort van and have now changed up to a Movano with a 500l tank, the good thing with this trolley is that i can connect it to the tank with a couple of Hozelock connections and im set! this way i can still remove it from the van if i want to, i know another cleaner with a omnitrolley? and he has to keep filling the trolley container, sounds like a pain.
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Richard.
do you use more than one 25L container with your trolley ?
also is the omnitrolly a fixed container ? which like the Ionics one you cant fold up or can you ?
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Mike.
I do have a 650 Ltr van mount but just getting fed up trailing hose around the back of lots of swkward buildings, especially those with the chelsea flower show round the back if you know what I mean :D
the more I think about it the more I know that a decent trolley would speed up my day, was wondering what people with fixed water barrells on their trolleys get on with them.
I also have a van mount and prefer to use my trolley system as the said reasons above...ive had the trolley for 4 yrs now still on the same pump and had no problems as well .ps its a 50 ltr omnitrolley
Theres another set of lads that do the same estate as me they too have a van mount but also use two trolleys don,t know the make of them but their capacity is 100ltrs
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thanks for that Trevor, now go and change you bill grundies mate but have a bath first ;D ;D ;D
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Richard.
do you use more than one 25L container with your trolley ?
also is the omnitrolly a fixed container ? which like the Ionics one you cant fold up or can you ?
The other cleaners container is fixed and does look very much like the ionics one, i would use one container at a time, i used to carry about 15 in the van, i stopped in the end tho as it used to kill my back taking it in and out, so used to draw the water from 2 containers through a splitter and leave it in the van with a hose running out, now i use it as a van mount i probably take it out maybe 5 times a week, if you already have a van system the good thing with the p/f for you is that if you ever had a problem with your pump or controller you could plug your tank into the trolley and still go to work!! thats what i will do eventually and keep the trolley charged up and ready to go.
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Surely you need to buy the trolley that suits your needs. If you use it all the time, buy one with removable containers.I'm not intending to use mine on all jobs, only which are a pain to run a hose around the back or land lock houses.
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bfg
has we spoke many atime on this issue,i feel that been able to remove the water container has to be the biggest benefit with a trolley,swap one container for another job done.and not wait to fill up or try and pour more water into fix ones.
if the container broke on the fixed one then you have problems.
i feel that also with the p/freedom one being able to fold it down,means it nice and easy to store in the van.
fixed container are also a problem when you want to put back in van and still have half a barrel of water in one,you try and lift that back in.
agood trolley is worth it weight in gold.
me my self i watch this post with intest,cause iam in the same boat as you. ;)
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Hi BFG and Frank.
I bought a trolley from The Cleaning warehouse near birmingham. Carries 25l containers has a digital variflo, 100psi pump, big capacity battery and looks nice in red. It was only £500 inc vat delivered. The handle drops down inside its tubes for loading. The pipes are run through the framework etc. I bought another one second hand for £330 with 10 containers,poles, di , etc. It was their package for about £800 and the guy had only used it 5 times. Nice spare unit incase any issues with the main one. Fitted a maplins remote that saves water for me. I looked at the PF trolley but for £150 more it has exactly the same spec. Can't fault this one and its build quality.
If you want to have a look Frank you're welcome to pop over.
Andy
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was the second hand one andy brought from bristol off ebay.????
any links andy for that one...
will do mate on rainny day or friday afternoon.lol
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I have to admit I'm looking at the ones with removeable containers as pointed out you have them ready to swap over and if a fixed tank springs a leak then your donald ducked.
also with the shorter days coming in I really need to gain time and not trailing hoses around backs especially in the dog poo season cos its too cold for the owners to take em out then the trolley sounds the perfect answer.
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Hi Frank.
No not Bristol. It was one off the buy/sell on here about 6 months ago. I met the lad at Cardiff and he was from swansea way. I checked out his story with Jo at the cleaning warehouse where i bought mine and he remembered selling him it. It was like brand new.
I think this link should work.
http://www.thecleaningwarehouse.co.uk/pro-window-cleaning-trolley-for-water-fed-pole-1411-p.asp
I also fitted the maplins single channel remote. It was £30 and works great. The remote has one large button, is quite waterproof and hangs round my neck. With fan jets I can get 2 to 3 big semis from one container.
I'm not too techy but if it doesn't then just type in the first part and look under trolleys.
How's things with you. Are you a full time 2 man set up yet? I have a guy doing some canvassing and my heating work has gone crazy. My custies are screaming , I think I will need to take someone on to do the cleaning. It's amazing how many heating customers want me to clean their windows. I thought it might have a negative impact but quite the opposite. I suppose if they trust me not to flood their homes, doing their windows is fine.
You are more then welcome to borrow the spare and some containers to see how you get on with it.
Andy
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Just filled mine up with 20Lt's fits nicely in to the rear of the van in the corner by the back door. Not to heavy lifting in. That enough for the two jobs i intend to use it on and i probably won't use it now till Thursday. The thing is your trolley is only half price so why pay more and buy a different one?
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as stated I would prefer one with changable containers so I can fill a couple of soare containers up with hot water as I feel I'm gonna use it a lot when I get one.
besides that Ive yet to read any feedback on the Ionics one but have read dozens and dozens of great feedback and the PF one.
the one that they offered me was a faulty return and although cheap how many times will I be back there getting it put right again ?
after all they charged me £500 for not fixing my hot system thats why
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andy
thanks for the offer could take you up on that offer,
went on me own again for a while couldnt keep up with it,so now found a nice lad who works 2/3days aweek.
been getting the flyers out,but to be honest we could have to go further a field. :(
but over all things are ok.
as with the removeable contrainers if you have the option for making water at home indoors,then when winter hits us you could still be working.fill barrel indoors and be able to keep working
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Nice to know you're busy. I found that when I tried to get bigger on the heating side it would have needed 3 or 4 guys as good and quick as me to make it worthwhile. I had 1 full time and another part time and only just cleared more than on my own for alot more hassle. Thats why I started the cleaning again to keep me busy and choose which heating jobs to do. Problem is its busier than it ever was before the credit crunch. So many people I know want me to clean their windows I'm scared to go into some cul de sacs because I get mobbed and don't have the time. I think the heating will go quiet in the new year when the big job cuts really kick in. I will still have the monthly cleaning this year though.
As for the containers, my plan is to hang a combi boiler in the garage and run my pure water through that and fill the containers. Cost about £700 all done but that will soon come back to me if I can work on frosty days. Just changed my transit so need to work like hell and get the money back in. Bought a vw transporter kombi. It's so clean in the back I am scared to get a water stain on the rubber mat.
BFG
I presume you can run your hot system and simply fill up containers instead of feeding the brush. Is the flow rate about 5 l/min? If so 5 min to fill a container is no problem.
Andy
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BFG
I presume you can run your hot system and simply fill up containers instead of feeding the brush. Is the flow rate about 5 l/min? If so 5 min to fill a container is no problem.
Andy
thats exactly what I wanna do mate, does that sound like a good idea to you mate ?
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BFG
I only use containers as I need to use the van for heating one day and cleaning the next so can't have a fixed tank in there. All my cleaning is on my doorstep so no problem to nip home and fill up. Saying that I can easily get 10 containers in.
How many properties a day do you need to use a trolley for? Seeing as you have your water stored on the van would a backpack not be a better option. What you could do is connect an outlet to your hose supplying the van mount reel and fill the bacpack in minutes with hot. Then carry the backpack. I have some houses where the trolley has to go through the house as I don't like to use metres of hose. I am considering getting a backpack for these but for me that would then involve tipping the 25l containers into the backpack. I have considered standing the backpack on the floor and leaving the container in the van and siphoning it, but that seems like hard work. If you only do say 4 or 5 backs a day that you would need atrolley for I would say use a backpack about 16 to 20 litres. If it's more than that then go with the trolley. I put a link up for the one I have. I think they have the price just right and I prefer the way their handle drops into the chassis.
Andy
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hi mate.
I do a lot of large houses £35- £850 so I know a trolley would serve me well, only thing that puts me off a backpack is that I read some many posts about them breaking.
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£850.. :o
A trolley would serve you well. It would be paid for on the first job.
Also you have a complete back up that would work all day long if you had a problem with your van mount.
Go for it. I would recommend a remote or tap though to save water and refilling. The trolley i have has a digital controller with a dead end detection and pressure switch so a tap would be ok. if you want help on wiring a remote let me know if you go that way.
Andy
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well the £850 is a monthly job but internal/external which takes a day and a half and I sub the internal out as its a big private country estate and they only allow 2 days for the work.
shame as I am doing it this wed/thurs so could have done with a trolley for it then
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You could borrow my spare and see if it works for you. Only cause you're Frankys lover of course. I'm about 10 mins from the m4 m5 interchange at bristol. might be a bit far for you to travel. If you order one tmw then you could have it in time. i collected mine and bought some poles / brushes etc as well. They are only west midlands.
Anyway i'm off to bed now.
Andy
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thanks andy
did you have to tell the world we didnt want mr oakley finding out, ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Sorry Franky. I'll not mention it again :-X. Thought it was public knowledge. With you and BFG looking for trolleys will that make you his " Trolley blow up Dolly" then.
Have a good day
Andy
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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ive used both trollies and backpacks and backpack
wins everytime.
but if you want to waste your money on a trolley
anything that you can swop barrels over is okay
i had the old pure freedom good piece of equip
and you can always use it as a spare van mount
if your ironics breaks down :)
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PUREFREEDOM TROLLEY WILL LAST FOR YEARS TOP QUALITY
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if your gonna get a PURE FREEDOM trolley you might as well get the 50L version IMO as the 25L will soon run out of water.with 50 L itll last you best part of an hour before you need to change barrels.
get 30m of 5mm extension hose as well.great combination!! ;) ;D ;D ;D
dazmond
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Used my new ionic trolley system for the first time to day on two jobs. Nice and easy to move around i recon i saved about 10 Min's per job, as on the jobs in question it was a bit tricky moving the hose through the garden with lots of ornaments and very large pots. The second job without using the trolley i would have had to use two hose's. Pleased so far.
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I have went from trolley to van mount to van mount + backpack. and to me van mount plus back wins, yes the electrics dont stand up to constant use my ex lad was using it daily, but the repair I did is just fine and will be fine for me working on my own for occasional use.
I suppose if I had a bigger van with a higher payload I might prefer a trolley ??? but not convinced
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Stu.
thats the only thing that puts off backpacks is the fact I read lots of posts on various forums about them going wrong and breaking down.
in fact my ols mate Kirky seems to get through more backpacks in a year than wayne rooney gets through I'm sorry coleen cards ;D ;D ;D
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ia m sure dazmond knows thourgh daily use but i would find lifting 50ltr trolley a heavy and awkward lift