Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: borg on February 12, 2006, 03:06:23 pm
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i am thinking of bying a freedom trol systom and would like 2 know how good it is i do a lot of 3 ter ladder work would it be good for that work cold any 1 useing 1 let me know thanx .
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Hi Borg
I know I am the seller of the Freedom trolley but I can answer your question re height. Yes it will easilly do work at that height. In fact because we use the Shurflo 100 PSI pump it will power with ease the longest poles you can get.
I know it does the job very well. In fact it was designed initially just for my window cleaning business. I found it to be such an asset that we decided to have a look at what the market thought about it. The rest is history.
Heres a few posts posts you could look at from other users.
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=16375.0
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=16339.0
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=15859.0
Personally I think its great for the job :)
All the best
Andrew
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Hi Borg,
I have one of Andrew's Freedom Trolley's. I have tried and used a couple of other makes in the past, and I can honestly say the Freedom Trolley is brilliant and would not like to be with out it now!
It looks professional, and is a professional bit of kit. It's easy and quick to load in van or car. 100psi pump, 80amp battery and variflow make it good enough for any job.
We use it every day all day and yet it only needs charging once a week and even then it is not completly flat.
We have also had a sign written board added to it which has also generated quite a few new customers.
Check out their website and Andrew is a great guy to do business with.
All the best
Steve G
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GET ONE GET ONE GET ONE
THIS TROLLEY IS THE NUTS IT GOES IN THE CAR VAN SO EASY IT IS SO WELL MADE MUCH BETTER THAN I EXPECTED PLUS ANDREW MCCANN THE BRAINS BEHIND THE SYSTEM IS A STAR HE IS SO HELPFUL I MUST HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE OVER 6 HOURS TALKING ABOUT THE TROLLEY AND LOAD OF OTHER STUFF
PLUS ANY PROBS AND HE IS SORTING THEM OUT BEFORE HE PUT THE PHONE DOWN (HE HE ANDREW) ALL I CAN SAY IS JUST GET YOUR MONEY OUT THE BANK AND GET ON NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 ;)
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thanx peep's i will get 1 soon.
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hi borg
freedom trolly 8) 8) 8)
brilliant ;)
brett
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Freedom Trolley - brilliant!!!
The pump and Varistream exactly the same as on my Trailer system and so could use as a back up in case of systems failure.
Filllllll
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Lets all come and bow down at the Freedom Trolley Alter.
Nel. :o
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Andrew won't be happy with this post (sorry Andrew) unless you 'happy purchasers' can fight his corner.
But to provide a bit of independant balance, what is the advantage of a Freedom trolley over a Shurflo-Back pack?
Apart from the fact it costs - and weighs - a whole load more?
You might be able to squeeze in five to ten more litres of water (depending on your barrel size), but is that worth the extra £400 plus for the whole set-up?
The 32kg dry weight of the Freedom trolley puts me off, especially when I can lift my backpack over walls, gates, fences or half/quarter fill it and use it as a 'grab and go'.
Go on, sell it to me. Summer's comming and I'm considering purchasing a second back-pack for Wor Lass.
Why should I pay the extra for a Freedom Trolley?
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TOSH How do you see Wor Las using a backpack, I am interested because I am thinking about getting my wor las to use one. She currently uses a Mclaren pushchair for the bucket and bobs. I have tried at least 5 different sets of wheels and always come back to bpac power. Mainly cause I hate hoses dragging in dog do etc.
I know Phil hanson made something for his wor las and Lewis Doubtfire has a belt pac.
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No problem at all with your post Tosh.
I am dog tired having been on the phone almost constantly all night dealing with customers and enquiries etc. It comes with the territory if you want to offer a complete package and not just sell something and forget the customer.
Anyway to your point.
Those who have dealt with me I am sure will agree that I try to be as unbiased as possible. I always ask about the type of work that someone has before making any suggestions. Maybe you won't believe me but from what you have stated before about the access problems re gates..fences you have to get over etc on your round I would suggest that you buy another Shurflo backpack. It does the job it is supposed to do very well. I reckon its all about the right tool for the job and from the markets reaction to the Freedom trolley it does the job it was intended to do very well indeed. IE the type of work I have which after all is why it came into existence.
I would be a fool not to listen to people and knowingly sell them a freedom trolley when deep down I know it wont do the job for them. Accordingly I have in the recent past advised people to get other equipment because it suits their needs better. The backpack I reckon suits your needs better so stick with it.
Cheers
Andrew
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Andrew.
10 out of 10 for your reply to tosh.
You are a rare breed indeed, A businessman and a gentlemen to boot.
I have a lot of Respect for someone like yourself who must be very busy, but allways finds the time to offer helpfull advice to others on this Forum without an hidden agenda of trying to make money for yourself.
Your a Star.
Nel.
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So what is the advantage of a Freedom Trolley over a backpack, apart from 5 to 10 litres and a lot of weight?
I can think of two.
A. I have to charge my backpack battery each evening, which isn't a trauma. With the Freedom, I believe your battery lasts for around three days.
B. A handy pole-holder - which the Freedom Trolley has - would be convenient; but not essential as I have two hands.
Okay, I admit the Freedom trolley does look smarter too, but I've only lost one customer due to using my WFP, (she reckoned it would damage her wooden frames); none due to shoddy work-manship or because my shurflo looked naff.
But the weight puts me off. My backpack on a trolley must weigh around 6kg dry. Not 32kg dry, as the Freedom does. The backpack truly gives you 'freedom', as you can take it absolutely anywhere. You can even carry it through houses to get to the rear, and there's no wheel marks left on the kitchen floor. You can easily take it up hills or steps and I've even carried up ladders and onto flat roofs.
Fill the freedom full of water and you've got around 57 kg of weight on two wheels. My (long-time-ago) boxing weight was 71 kg (light-middleweight - around 11 stone), so I reckon you're carting a bantam weight boxer about with you; about 9 stone.
'Straw-weight' is heavy enough for me. I'm not sure I'd want to upgrade!
So, given that the difference in water carrying capacity is around 5 to 10 litres (depending on your barrel size) what are the advantages of a Freedom trolley over a backpack?
(Andrew doesn't have to reply; I'd prefer users; I may even purchase one if I can see the benefit!).
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One downside to the Freedom Trolley over the Backpack is You wont get anyone singing, whistling, humming or shouting GHOSTBUSTERS.
It makes me smile everytime I here it.
Nel.
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One downside to the Freedom Trolley over the Backpack is You wont get anyone singing, whistling, humming or shouting GHOSTBUSTERS.
It makes me smile everytime I here it.
Nel.
One thing you can guarantee about this great forum is that you will always get a laugh or two.. No Tosh I am not laughing at the backpack BTW. :)
Thanks for the very kind words above Nel. :)
From where I have come from it's a real pleasure to deal with "mostly" down to earth genuine people such as to be found in window cleaning. I HAVE to make a living like anyone else but honestly for the first time in my (way too long) working life. Window cleaning and cleaners make it a pleasure to do so. Believe me when I say that if it changed I would walk away from it without a second thought.
Cheers
Andrew
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Tosh, I have read how fit your wife is, but, do not subject her to carrying a backpack!! Either full or empty. If she ever reaches her 50s you'll be glad she can still walk!
I use a backpack and I'm happy with it. It serves my immediate needs (next 12months). But I have it on a sack barrow, a very light one. My backpack is Metabi. I can fill it to almost 20litres. That's good enough. If I put that on my back, I would break my neck, at least! I carry 4 x 25litre containers too. But I have a vanmount too.
I looked into Andrew's freedom trolley, and his new innovation. Very well thought out and built. It has to fit your work though. It doesn't fit mine right now. The new trolley...50litres + trolley is very heavy to drag around. You need work that is suited, so you can place it at a fixed point.
I think Andrew should change his photo. He's always got his back to us, running away, dragging. Let's see you skipping along with 50litres Andrew 8)
(Just blown my chances of a discount)
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Oh My Gawddddd.... DISCOUNT!!!!!!!!!!
Shudderrrrrrrrrrrr but... but ...but I have 15 kids 72 grandkids and a wife wat likes to go and spend Munney :(
Just to clear up 1 lil point. The EXTRA 25 ltr container can be carried just by popping on a attachment... takes around 5 secs to put it on. You wont be skippin around with it on but it is usefull on the bigger places with good access etc. We hardly ever use it but for what it costs its well worth getting.
AND I am up for it.!!!!
Announcement:
FOR THE BRAVE ONLY: Coming soon.. a pic of me skippin along wiv me Freedom Trolley.. Taken from the front :)
Discount!!! Bahhhh humbug!!!!
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Having used both backpack and Freedom trolley they are both excellent for wfp.
I started out with the backpack and found i was wasting quite a bit of water tipping it in but thst just might be ne being cacky handed. Also time consuming filling it up as it doesnt hold much water, i still use it for some hard to access areas plus it needs charging every night and it is much noisier than the Freedom trolley ( not that this is an issue). Ladders make noise ::)
What i find i like about the freedom trolley is you can take your 25ltr container straight out the car on the trolley and away you go. No wasted water and no time filling up, does not need to be charged up every day the pole holder gives you somewhere secure to hold your pole to save laying it on the dirty ground plus when pulling it along it gives you a free hand.
I find the construction of it has been designed for ease of monuvre, going up and down steps is as easy as taking the backpack.
I am awaiting delivery of the add-on to carry another 25lts of water this will ideal on big jobs.
I personally think its worth paying the extra money for the freedom trolley as i think it will last for years.
The time and detail that gone into designing the trolley have obviously paid off, the end product is " brilliant"
The main thing is its helping me earn more money safely and eficently.
At the end of the day its down to personal preference and affordability
Your choice the backpack, Freedom trolley or Matts diy site or big companies and pay the extra. I looked into it, did the research and ive heard nothing but good comments since so it looks like ive made the right choice for me . ;)
Brett.
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No im not on commission from Andrew but i am quite partial to a bottle of brandy now and then ;)
I would suggest a backpack would be ideal for someone who isnt sure about wfp such as Rog- squeeky clean, then if you dont like it you havent spent much money and you can give it to Tosh for wor lass
I use one of those fold up trolleys for my backpack its got gaps in the bottom which makes it easier to operate the settings. i normally have it on number 2
Brett
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it would be good for the jobs i intend useing it for. and why would i want 2 carry something on my back i want an easy life not a hard 1.
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Hi Guys,
I use the Freedom Trolley, its a good bit of kit.
Good price.
I would advise on buying one, its a good starter into wfp.
Only thing im not keen on is the weight, its pretty heavy to drag out the back of my van.
Andys a sound bloke to deal with, no bull, very willing to give sound advise when needed.
Regards
Simon (Leicester)
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Having bought 2 backpacks which have both been made redundent i have not used them in over 2 months ,may as well sell them on e-bay. Even if i mounted them on a trolley they would still be no use.
Trolleys and backpacks are ok for those with limited space.
I have 2 van mounts one in the van and a 250l in the car.
Now tell me how a trolley/backpack would be of use to me. ?
I have over 200 metres of go anywhere hose and getr brilliant pressure. The most hose i use twice a month is 150metres and that beats going back to the van to change barrels or filling backpacks.
You guys havent lived until you get a van mount ;D
Saying that i am thinking of getting a 125litre trolley. So i can leave a worker on site while i drive to another job. ???
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Dave how much you selling your backpaks for?,Gaz
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Eyup Dave as they say in these northern parts :)
I have a van mount as well... so there :P
It gets used on big stuff where access is good and loads of water is needed. It beats the trolley hands down on that type of work. BUT.. for the usual mixed bag of work on a domestic round its the other way around. Again it's horses for courses. We tried the van mount on our domestic stuff which is everything from small terraced stuff to large detached. On everything but the very large detatched the trolley won the day big time over the van mount.
A lot of van mount users have bought the Freedom trolley to use on awkward stuff with bad access etc.
This isn't a dig at van mounts at all. They are GREAT for certain types of work.
As I say I reckon it's all about the right tool for the job.
Nice to see you are still alive and kicking Simon. Hope you got sorted out with the pole thing. Sorry I coudn't help mate.
Cheers
Andrew
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i will need a van mount later on when i get more comm work but the trolly syst will do fine foe now and it will save me time i hope on the flats i do witch r 3 stor
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Andrew
I am sorry but i have to make you work for your dough
;D
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i will need a van mount later on when i get more comm work but the trolly syst will do fine foe now and it will save me time i hope on the flats i do witch r 3 stor
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No doubt about it saving you time on your 3 storey work. And when you need a big tank in a van all you will need is the tank because you can just leave the trolley folded down in the van and plug it into your tank and it will power the whole thing for you and then when you need to get to the awkward windows etc just unplug it, pop a container on and away you go. The best of both worlds. :)
TOUCHE Dave me ole sparrin partner 8) 8) :-* :-*
(Who's number I have lost) :-[
Give us a call on my home number if you stilll have it Dave mate :)
Andrew
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Looks very interesting, How much they cost? are they very exthingyve to run and maintain?
Sorry if these are silly questions?
Do the windows come up nice?
Thanks
Richard
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Hi Richard.
I take it that you have decided to go for it then. Good on ya :)
Waterfed pole window cleaning is the way forward.
Like any other tool of the trade if used badly you get bad results. Used well and the results are very good.
Cards on the table I supply the Freedom Trolley system but if you would like any advice.. info etc I am happy to give it to you with no agenda.
I have used the system for my window cleaning business now for around a year and its the best move I have made in window cleaning.
Pop me an email or go to www.freedomwfp.co.uk and email or call me there.
Cheers
Andrew
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I have e-mailed you. Thank you
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very annoying theres no price on web site >:(
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price £995.00 thats a point why is there no price on the site andrew
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The simple answer is that the site was set up a few months ago really just as somewhere that would give us an identity and inform folks about the system and what it does. We were really just testing the market at the time.
We are doing a lot of work on the site now and it will have prices on it soon. There will be many more products on offer there as well. We are also going to set up a secure facility for online payment. This does involve a lot of work and planning in the background and it doesn't happen overnight.
At the moment we are flat out coping with demand for the Trolley System but are taking steps to be able to increase production rates and streamline the whole operation. It is a priority but just not the number one priority at the moment.
Cheers
Andrew
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thats cleared that up then thank you andrew.
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Trolleys and backpacks are ok for those with limited space.
I have 2 van mounts one in the van and a 250l in the car.
Now tell me how a trolley/backpack would be of use to me. ?
With a 100psi pump and varistream I was looking to buy one as a trolley and use it mounted in the van connected to a bigger tank. Thats what I love about this idea of the freedom trolley it's very diversive. On some work you can use it as a trolley on other work a van mount. Am I right Andrew?
I haven't any wfp at the moment but the first thing I am considering is a freedom trolley if it can do both jobs. Why splash out for a van mount and then buy a trolley for trolley work when you can just buy the trolley and use it as a van mount as well? ???
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Trolleys and backpacks are ok for those with limited space.
I have 2 van mounts one in the van and a 250l in the car.
Now tell me how a trolley/backpack would be of use to me. ?
With a 100psi pump and varistream I was looking to buy one as a trolley and use it mounted in the van connected to a bigger tank. Thats what I love about this idea of the freedom trolley it's very diversive. On some work you can use it as a trolley on other work a van mount. Am I right Andrew?
I haven't any wfp at the moment but the first thing I am considering is a freedom trolley if it can do both jobs. Why splash out for a van mount and then buy a trolley for trolley work when you can just buy the trolley and use it as a van mount as well? ???
That is a good advantage of a freedom trolley just swap the hoses over to your van tank and that is as good as anything.
Everything is basically the same ie the pump and controller and connections.
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Maybe there isn't much between the two products in terms of application, although personally I am very happy with my Sureflow back pack. I put this on an Argos shopping trolley initially, but even this I find cumbersome & unnecessary. It's just on a strap accross the top these days. I reposition it when I can no longer reach the next window. I find this minimises snagging of the hose.
My question is more to do with what people were buying twelve momtns ago. Are those 50 or 70 litre trolleys that they were all trying to sell back then obsolete?. MY company have two Omnitrolleys gathering dust. It's only now that I realise what a waiste of money they were.
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Simon, I agee with your post, however would you rather trail round nine-stone of dead weight, or four-stone of dead weight?
The only thing that puts me off a Freedom is the dry weight of it.
I've also got a 50 litre system, which must weigh just as much as the Freedom, only loaded with 25 litres, but my 50 litre system holds double the water capacity and is capable of carrying 30 meters of hose; at least.
Given it's weight, water carrying capacity and versitility, I don't think you can go far wrong with a backpack. Sometimes I put it on a trolley; other times I use it as a grab-and-go.
If you want to get into WFP and you're on a budget; I think the backpack is the 'nuts'.
This year I'm hoping to get a van-mounted system, once I pay off my tax and council tax arears! ;)
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I don't need a trolley system but I feel left out so I think I'll buy one :)
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I thought W/Cleaners were a hardy Breed.
REAL MEN.
I cannot belive the posts I have read Were you are finding the backpack too heavy.
I know their is a wee bit of weight with it if you fill it up to the top. But nothing that should worry anybody.
I fill mine to the brim every time I use it. I have had used it 6 times today with no problem. You will think that its Heavy the first time you use it, but if you stick with it the body adaptes.
I am 48 yrs old and it does not bother me one bit.(HONEST) Mind you I was into Backpacking in a big way when I was a Teenager. At 15 I was going over 3000' Mountains fully loaded with kit that weighed a lot more then a Backpack.
The only Tip I could give is allways wear the waist belt. Have the shoulder straps fitted really tight on the shoulders so the weight is not pulling you back. I have taken an old hip belt off an old rucksack, It is padded and I wear that. If you really tighten the waist belt tight you will find it transfers the weight off your shoulders onto your hips.
I have walked hundreds of miles with a very very heavy rucksack, The Backpack is EASY.
I suppose the Backpack sorts out the Men from the Boys.
Nel.
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Nel,
You're right.
I should stop making life easier for myself and just start lugging the backpack around on my back.
I'll bin my trolley tomorrow.
I just thought that I was 'using my head and saving my feet for dancing'.
I'm obviously a big softie!
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Thats The Spirit Tosh.
Stiff upper lip and all that.
Nel.
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I think we should find another term for the back pack. Mine's never been near my back. To me it's a 16 litre all in one, doesn't even need wheels, goes everywhere marvel. It needs limited hose, so undoing it when it gets snagged is only ever feet away, I place it where I want it without dragging it through who knows what, & all for the cheapest price possible to go water fed poling. I have eight operatives. You can get a back pack in any vehicle. Four jerry cans & anyone can earn themselves £60/£70 & still be home for lunch. DON'T BUY WHAT YOU DON'T NEED.
I should say, I'm talking about here there & everywhere domestic work. If you've got office blocks & the like, or big easy access detatched houses then fine, spend your money so you look the part, but at the end of the day, all we are doing is spraying water on glass & moving it around a bit. I think some people want to make it look like more than it is as they are embarrassed by how simple it truely is.
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Good pont Simon.
I have gone mainly van mount, But I would not be without my Backpack. My Son his buying a car this week and I have told him if he wants to start to get some of his own customers, all he needs to do his get a couple of jerry cans. Take a pole and backpack = £££££££££££ with no risk of falling.
Nel.
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dont think so im x army i have done that been there why would i want 2 do it again.
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one question:
Can we use extended hose, say 20 metres in a freedom trolley system?
may be pressure in trolley can't handle long hoses?! ???
thanks
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one question:
Can we use extended hose, say 20 metres in a freedom trolley system?
may be pressure in trolley can't handle long hoses?! ???
thanks
If you look at
http://www.freedomwfp.co.uk/spec.html
you will see that the trolley comes with a 100 PSI pump. I don't have a freedom trolley but I do have a 100 PSI pump on a van mount. I have used this to pump water through two hosereels daisy chained together (100 metres) plus up to a height of about 20 feet at the end of it. It was throwing the water out so I've no idea how far it would have to pump before it started struggling but I imagine it would be quite a long way.
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one question:
Can we use extended hose, say 20 metres in a freedom trolley system?
may be pressure in trolley can't handle long hoses?! ???
thanks
It would handle that distance with no problems at all. I have had 100 meters of hose and a 40ft pole on it with no pressure/flow rate loss. The Varistream will sense the load on the pump and adjust it accordingly. I honestly dont know the absolute max length of hose it will work with but I do know at that 100 meters of hose at full stretch it will easilly cope with even the longest poles.
Cheers
Andrew
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I have had 150 metres of microbore on my pump and still an excellent flow rate.
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I thought W/Cleaners were a hardy Breed.
REAL MEN.
I cannot belive the posts I have read Were you are finding the backpack too heavy.
I know their is a wee bit of weight with it if you fill it up to the top. But nothing that should worry anybody.
Trouble is, not all of us window cleaners are real men, some of us are of the women variety.
So those of us who are a little over 5 foot and around the 8 stone mark find that we are having to either drag our bodyweight or carry half of it.