Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Lee Burbidge on September 04, 2013, 09:17:57 pm

Title: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: Lee Burbidge on September 04, 2013, 09:17:57 pm
Somebody asked me today which pole I thought was the best pole at 50ft. Instead of offering my opinion I thought I would ask our Facebook Group with some very surprising results thus far. So, I thought I would try the same here.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: PoleKing on September 04, 2013, 09:40:07 pm
lol-you put brodex in there.
Fine at 18 but at 50 it'd look like a rainbow!
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: Michael Peterson on September 05, 2013, 07:17:46 am
if you could lift it up without 2 of you
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: MATT BATEMAN (OWC) on September 05, 2013, 08:38:50 am
I think that would be described as decisive.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: formb on September 05, 2013, 09:04:20 am
I dunno, I've only used a Facelift (and an Omnipole back in the day, ouch) at 50+ ft. There can't be that many window cleaners that have tried them ALL at 50+ ft surely?  Also they all seem to have at least 2 options with wildly different prices.

There is no point in forking out £1000+ for a pole that does 1 job a month is there? If you use it every day then it's worth spending the extra. I would say that I'd probably go for a cheaper, slightly heavier, less durable pole but that's because we are mainly residential so it would be sat doing nowt 95% of the time. Not going to be the 'best pole' but it would be the pole I'd go for. It will be a different story for many others.

The question is far too subjective.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: Mitchellmoxo on September 09, 2013, 10:47:28 am
I dunno, I've only used a Facelift (and an Omnipole back in the day, ouch) at 50+ ft. There can't be that many window cleaners that have tried them ALL at 50+ ft surely?  Also they all seem to have at least 2 options with wildly different prices.

There is no point in forking out £1000+ for a pole that does 1 job a month is there? If you use it every day then it's worth spending the extra. I would say that I'd probably go for a cheaper, slightly heavier, less durable pole but that's because we are mainly residential so it would be sat doing nowt 95% of the time. Not going to be the 'best pole' but it would be the pole I'd go for. It will be a different story for many others.

The question is far too subjective.


so what 50ft would you recommend based on that? As I need one for 1 specific job?

Thanks
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: sunshine windows on September 09, 2013, 11:46:09 am
Soupy, the choice to spend over £1000 on a pole with minimal use is justified, if you want to pursue bigger jobs in the future.

I spent around £650 on a pole 3-4 years ago, using it only for 1 job every 3 months (£200 per clean). I now use it on a regular basis because I can take on the work to suit that height of pole. It's been a great long term investment.

I personally would go for a Gardiners pole
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: formb on September 09, 2013, 12:09:15 pm
Quote from: sunshine windows
Soupy, the choice to spend over £1000 on a pole with minimal use is justified, if you want to pursue bigger jobs in the future.

True, but I don't. Been there, done that, thank you very much. I'm sure there are plenty cleaners who want to go for the big contracts with high windows (I was one, a few years back), equally I'm sure there are plenty out there like me, who are happy plugging away doing 3 bed semis, more money less hassle.

Quote from: Mitchellmoxo
so what 50ft would you recommend based on that? As I need one for 1 specific job?

Thanks

Sorry, I can't really help you with that. Like I said I have only used a couple of 50ft poles, both were bought over 5 years ago and the market has moved on since then. I bought my 50ft poles thinking I would pursue big contracts, if that is what you intend to do I'd advise buying the best you can afford. If you are like me and you're not really bothered about chasing after this kind of work then go for the cheapest.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: PoleKing on September 09, 2013, 06:23:21 pm
I dunno, I've only used a Facelift (and an Omnipole back in the day, ouch) at 50+ ft. There can't be that many window cleaners that have tried them ALL at 50+ ft surely?  Also they all seem to have at least 2 options with wildly different prices.

There is no point in forking out £1000+ for a pole that does 1 job a month is there? If you use it every day then it's worth spending the extra. I would say that I'd probably go for a cheaper, slightly heavier, less durable pole but that's because we are mainly residential so it would be sat doing nowt 95% of the time. Not going to be the 'best pole' but it would be the pole I'd go for. It will be a different story for many others.

The question is far too subjective.


so what 50ft would you recommend based on that? As I need one for 1 specific job?

Thanks

Is it definitely only 50ft?
If you're buying a pole for a specific job you want to make sure it'll reach-you'll be gutted if you turn up to find its 53ft or something.
I'm not being negative-just realistic (you're quite new aren't you?) could you measure it for definite?
Or get a mate to use their pole to check?
Even better (perhaps) if you're on a budget, sub out the stuff you can't reach and do the job together.
A bloke I know only goes to 50ft, he subs another bloke to do 50-70ft (takes a couple of hours) and he himself does 50 down, takes him the rest of the day.
You just need to trust whoever you use and either take the hit on his money or add it to the job price.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: Mitchellmoxo on September 09, 2013, 09:15:09 pm
I dunno, I've only used a Facelift (and an Omnipole back in the day, ouch) at 50+ ft. There can't be that many window cleaners that have tried them ALL at 50+ ft surely?  Also they all seem to have at least 2 options with wildly different prices.

There is no point in forking out £1000+ for a pole that does 1 job a month is there? If you use it every day then it's worth spending the extra. I would say that I'd probably go for a cheaper, slightly heavier, less durable pole but that's because we are mainly residential so it would be sat doing nowt 95% of the time. Not going to be the 'best pole' but it would be the pole I'd go for. It will be a different story for many others.

The question is far too subjective.


so what 50ft would you recommend based on that? As I need one for 1 specific job?

Thanks

Is it definitely only 50ft?
If you're buying a pole for a specific job you want to make sure it'll reach-you'll be gutted if you turn up to find its 53ft or something.
I'm not being negative-just realistic (you're quite new aren't you?) could you measure it for definite?
Or get a mate to use their pole to check?
Even better (perhaps) if you're on a budget, sub out the stuff you can't reach and do the job together.
A bloke I know only goes to 50ft, he subs another bloke to do 50-70ft (takes a couple of hours) and he himself does 50 down, takes him the rest of the day.
You just need to trust whoever you use and either take the hit on his money or add it to the job price.


Its definately under 50ft i am going over and above by getting a 50ft just to make sure. My 22ft pole upright went over half way but i may aswell get a pole bigger than i need if im going to spend the money in the first place and it will enable me to go for bigger jobs in the future. I appreciate the help mate but 50ft deffo big enough!

Could you reccomend one yourself?

Thanks
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: gavinb on September 09, 2013, 09:44:18 pm
I want brodex to win .
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: Dani J on September 09, 2013, 09:51:34 pm
Gardiner all the way  :) i have had my super light 65ft for past 4 years and still works a treat.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: PoleKing on September 09, 2013, 10:21:42 pm
I dunno, I've only used a Facelift (and an Omnipole back in the day, ouch) at 50+ ft. There can't be that many window cleaners that have tried them ALL at 50+ ft surely?  Also they all seem to have at least 2 options with wildly different prices.

There is no point in forking out £1000+ for a pole that does 1 job a month is there? If you use it every day then it's worth spending the extra. I would say that I'd probably go for a cheaper, slightly heavier, less durable pole but that's because we are mainly residential so it would be sat doing nowt 95% of the time. Not going to be the 'best pole' but it would be the pole I'd go for. It will be a different story for many others.

The question is far too subjective.


so what 50ft would you recommend based on that? As I need one for 1 specific job?

Thanks

Is it definitely only 50ft?
If you're buying a pole for a specific job you want to make sure it'll reach-you'll be gutted if you turn up to find its 53ft or something.
I'm not being negative-just realistic (you're quite new aren't you?) could you measure it for definite?
Or get a mate to use their pole to check?
Even better (perhaps) if you're on a budget, sub out the stuff you can't reach and do the job together.
A bloke I know only goes to 50ft, he subs another bloke to do 50-70ft (takes a couple of hours) and he himself does 50 down, takes him the rest of the day.
You just need to trust whoever you use and either take the hit on his money or add it to the job price.


Its definately under 50ft i am going over and above by getting a 50ft just to make sure. My 22ft pole upright went over half way but i may aswell get a pole bigger than i need if im going to spend the money in the first place and it will enable me to go for bigger jobs in the future. I appreciate the help mate but 50ft deffo big enough!

Could you reccomend one yourself?

Thanks

I used a 45ft Swift for years (perhaps since they came out) and loved it.
12 hours on the glass was no problem.
I've just sold that, and it's in great condition (they buyer is on here, he may be able to verify) and bought an Extreme 47.
Also a very good pole but i've not had it long enough to really pass judgement.
Marginally lighter but doesn't seem as robust (first impressions really, only time will tell obviously)

If you're only ever going to 50ft isn, I'd go for the swift.
If, in time, you intend to go higher i'd get the extreme as you can add sections whereas with the swift you'll have to buy a new pole.

I think i'd buy a 2nd hand Swift if you could find a good'n unless you've got cash on the hip. £1k can seem a lot to a new starter.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: Mitchellmoxo on September 09, 2013, 10:42:12 pm
Yep 1k is a definate no no lol will have a look at the swift poles though cheers mate
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: PoleKing on September 09, 2013, 10:50:26 pm
Where are you Mitch?
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: PoleKing on September 09, 2013, 10:51:29 pm
Not as 'in your living room'
Where in the country?
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: Mitchellmoxo on September 10, 2013, 08:53:31 am
Not as 'in your living room'
Where in the country?

Sorry mate im in milton keynes

Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: Archer on September 10, 2013, 08:58:10 am

Have used Ionics when I first started at those heights and above, but now buy poles over them heights from my uncle who designed and manufactured his own.

He never took it further after becoming very ill, but at least I managed to get one which is ideal for certain jobs we have, which enables us to go a lot higher than 50ft.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: Mitchellmoxo on September 10, 2013, 09:45:02 am

Have used Ionics when I first started at those heights and above, but now buy poles over them heights from my uncle who designed and manufactured his own.

He never took it further after becoming very ill, but at least I managed to get one which is ideal for certain jobs we have, which enables us to go a lot higher than 50ft.

Just looked at the swift which i think is an ionics pole? And its about 1,400 i think and i could get the supermax 50 for about £750 all in. Dont want to spend it but looks like one of the cheapest ive seen.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: PoleKing on September 10, 2013, 06:22:14 pm
Text me Mitch please.
Details in my profile/website.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: dazmond on September 10, 2013, 06:41:12 pm
my extreme 47 was £850 all in, in the sale.i dont know whether gardiners have got any left though.itll be a lot easier on the body than the supermax at 50ft.
Title: Re: 50ft water fed pole POLL
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on September 11, 2013, 01:20:13 am
Gardiners all the way although I'm
Most annoyed with them at the min
Used my sl 40 the other week and managed
To jam section 3-4 , hours and hours
Trying to free eventually rang Gardiners
No return phone call rang Jeff Brimble
Had interesting talk with him involving
Lots of heat which worried me immensely
Eventually I decided to cut the larger section
As I'm quite intolerant to waiting etc
Regretted it straight away but a lesson learned