Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: concept on July 26, 2013, 10:41:11 am
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What are your most extreme jobs? Ones where you know, you simply can't get any closer to the glass, or a MEWP refusues to move you that extra 2" as it would unbalance it?
We have recently completed a job which tested us and a spider lift to the limits.
Firstly, access into the building for a machine was through standard double doors, approx 2m high, straight away we were restricted to what machines could get through there, and get us up 20m, through a 2m recess...
So after much umming and ahhing, and measuring and surveying, we managed to find a machine that on paper, looked capable of getting us in the building and up.
Getting the machine through these doors took approximately 30 minutes of milimetre precise movements so not to damage the door frame and surrounding walls.
Once we were through, we then had to get the spider legs as close to the walls as possible, otherwise we were no way getting elevated as there was a ceiling leading to the void we were accessing, again, milimetres needed or we were putting a wall through. Very time consuming and nerve wracking.
Once positioned, we then had again, the smallest of margins for error on the way up, as swinging arms needed monitoring, as did the basket. Any movements could have catastrophic results.
You can see in the pictures just how close it was, and at a height of 20m, the operator and the machine were really on their limits.
The whole job required so much attention and time, and we were close to the edge on so many occasions, with this machine swaying perilously close to walls and beams, at 23m, with one of your men in there, it's a scary time.
So many movements and calculations needed to get the machine in, and then into place it was unreal, the window cleaning was the easy bit!!!
Anyone else go any examples of extreme cleans? Would be great to see some more!
Only half way up, but check the room for movement:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/h20ruf/DSC_1964.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/h20ruf/media/DSC_1964.jpg.html)
20m up, and the machine swaying:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/h20ruf/DSC_1968.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/h20ruf/media/DSC_1968.jpg.html)
More room, but equal number of problems:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/h20ruf/DSC_1938.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/h20ruf/media/DSC_1938.jpg.html)
Massive, massive respect to my operator for getting up there, and can hugely recommend www.elavation.net for their efforts in making this job possible. Been using them for years and always happy to help get the correct machine for the job.
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brave going up there,
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With the windows near the balcony couldn't you do them with a
trad pole?
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Too much risk of runs onto pristine white walls, and a bill for repainting.
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Dizzy just looking at that!
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all that for a tenner a month ;D
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Hi,
A Hinowa 20.10 we've got one of those if anyone gets stuck, really good machines, the only down side is that you can't jack the legs out in variable positions which is often needed.
If you needed any more upright reach you could of tried a Teupen Leo 23GT or a CTE 230, both can also narrow jack and would give you an extra 3m reach should you need it. We've can also supply these too!
Nothing worse than dripping on those atrium walls!
Kind Regards,
Huw
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We needed a 23 in the end Huw, simply down to the fact the 20 wouldn't narrow jack.
Took 1.5 days getting the machines in and out.
Have to say, an absolutely fantastic bit of kit, super versatile.
We had a void with a stairwell in it, and being able to independently lower the legs, and still maneouvre it was the only way it would fit in.
We tried it twice before working out a way to get it in.
The transport wouldve ruled you out Huw, but drop me an email with what you have available at simon@conceptclean.co.uk as there may be some jobs we could use you on.
Cheers
Si
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Hi,
Yeah, no probs, as you say transport would of probably ruled us out, although we're pretty good on prices for one day with operator as we deliver the machines ourselves.
I'll post a picture of a pretty big atrium we cleaned the other day later.
Cheers,
Huw
(http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w644/seers2/2013-06-02110946_zps032d7dbd.jpg) (http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/seers2/media/2013-06-02110946_zps032d7dbd.jpg.html)
(http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w644/seers2/2013-06-08101742_zpse2c2d436.jpg) (http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/seers2/media/2013-06-08101742_zpse2c2d436.jpg.html)
(http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w644/seers2/2013-06-08162720_zpsa74156f5.jpg) (http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/seers2/media/2013-06-08162720_zpsa74156f5.jpg.html)
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nice job concept
was it 1.5 days to complete all windows
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i would have got that of a ladder
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Nice job Mate, I lived in Mk on Crownhill and in Bradville after moving out of London.
Looks like you MK boys have decent amount commercial work, I'm on a IPAF course soon, hope its worth it.
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Very nice Huw, looks a good bit of kit that one.
Amazing what you can actually reach sometimes.
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Any other examples fom anyone?
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Hi,
I've got a load more we're out every month doing these! It gets quicker when you're using the machines more regularly.
The first time even getting them through doorways etc is worrying but you soon get used to it.
Although, we have had a client put the leg of a machine through a wall on a new build and another put a leg through a tiled floor and almost through a glass staircase!
Cheers,
Huw
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We do work regularly off MEWP's, but this was just a joke!
The stress of having my guy up there pushing the machine to its limits and trying not to damage anything while manoeuvring was immense, but such a great challenge, after many many people walked way from it.
I'm going to fire you off an email in a bit, need to pick your brain...
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Great pictures and an interesting read.
Must be a great sense of achievement when the jobs done.
Thanks for posting all the above.
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I recently used Huw and his Tuepen Leo 23
He drove it straight through a double door in minutes - tight space inside the atrium due to a model ship and receptionists desk
We will definately use them on our next visit
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Hi Darran,
Cheers for the recommendation!
I was just trying to find a decent picture of that job, that was really tight between that 20ft model ship and the balcony landings, I will bring a smaller spiderlift next time.
I found a pic...
(http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w644/seers2/2013-05-25075925_zpsfae31216.jpg) (http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/seers2/media/2013-05-25075925_zpsfae31216.jpg.html)
Cheers,
Huw
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loving all the machinery and stuff, but see the first few pics, I am sure they can be cleaned from inside the offices, they shuffle usually, allowing you reach out and clean
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Seers is that computacentre in hatfield?
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loving all the machinery and stuff, but see the first few pics, I am sure they can be cleaned from inside the offices, they shuffle usually, allowing you reach out and clean
Wish they did! They are fixed sealed units, I even suggested they might be cheaper get alternate tilt and turns fitted instead of paying to get the cleaned this way...
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Well done to you for going to the effort to clean these windows.
I think I'd have been in the walk away crowd, too much hassle for my liking.
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loving all the machinery and stuff, but see the first few pics, I am sure they can be cleaned from inside the offices, they shuffle usually, allowing you reach out and clean
Building regs in Scotland are different. All windows above a certain height should swivel. I'm not saying that this is the case on all new builds up here but technically it should be.