Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Jeff Brimble on January 21, 2008, 08:20:29 pm

Title: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 21, 2008, 08:20:29 pm
Over the weekend I did a 2 day job for a client ( Mick G-clean) (http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc114/JeffBrimble/2008_0120Sheffield0003.jpg)
What a challengly hard and high job.    and Cherry pickers etc banned so that only left the new light carbon fibre poles. I brought with me a redesigned Ultralite pole, courtesey of Alan at Hamilton

Mick paid hard cash for my services, but with a verified, witnessed building height of 83ft 2" and as a one man un-assisted record, I successfully used an a www.emporiumpoles.co.uk wfp of 88' 2" -weight to follow.
I wish Mick well and hope he benefits from the techniques he paid hard cash for.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: easy on January 21, 2008, 08:24:02 pm
Well done....thats very high.... :D
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: wightsurf on January 21, 2008, 08:30:05 pm
If cherry pickers are banned whats that yellow thing next to you? Or have i got it wrong ???
Sorry could'nt help it  ;D
You have done a good task there i find half that hard going  :P
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: MNWC on January 21, 2008, 08:31:10 pm
Your the man, Nice work fella, did you clean all the windows ???

Marcus
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Majestic on January 21, 2008, 08:38:22 pm
Great picture for a web site
What was it like moving it from window to window
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Alex Gardiner on January 21, 2008, 08:40:37 pm
Serious respect Jeff.

I'm used to regularly working at 45 ft but that takes the biscuit.

Was there much of a breeze?
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Pj on January 21, 2008, 08:47:57 pm
I was going to remark about no safety signs, but they're probably 3 blocks down way out of the picture where you'd need them! ;D

Getting it up there is one thing........getting it down again? :o :o :o
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: tartan cleaning on January 21, 2008, 08:53:19 pm
wow amazing height!!  and just had a look at the web site prices not bad either. ;D
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: LWC on January 21, 2008, 08:55:02 pm
that is amazing, my mouth was actually like this  :o
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Wayne Thomas on January 21, 2008, 08:56:38 pm
Got my respect Jeff, I've only been to 63ft, that was bad enough. I prefer 45ft and under.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: JSMC on January 21, 2008, 09:07:42 pm
fek me that looks hard work matey
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: jeff1 on January 21, 2008, 09:09:22 pm
WoW! Jeff thats amazing, we have to stick that photo on the other side, then it will be there for all to see in the future, You have my Total respect, well done.

You should contact the guinness book of records for that one, I bet Turbo Terry won't want to take you on ;D
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Wayne Thomas on January 21, 2008, 09:12:54 pm
Jeff

Was you struggling on that one, I bet you was 100% wide awake and full of awareness with response from the pole's movements. :)
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: ronnie paton on January 21, 2008, 09:17:23 pm
jeff what about the results??

i just struggle to understand how you can clean without rinsing unless you cleaned the brush very regular which would be a areal pain at that height!

im proberly wrong has you come accross has knowing what your doing ;)
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Tim Rose on January 21, 2008, 09:20:39 pm
That is ridiculously hardcore window cleaning, no doubt about it.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Ian Rochester on January 21, 2008, 09:25:51 pm
Jeff,

Very very interesting post, we have a job that we do on a 3 monthly basis, it's harness work and 97ft off the ground, it takes about two hours to get the permit to work signed off before we even go out there, the actual job only takes about 40 minutes using a pro-curve pole but it pays really well.

I have thought about using a L-O-N-G carbon pole but ours only goes to 60ft.

If you have any more info on these poles then please email me at ian@lionheartcleaning.co.uk

Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: steve m on January 21, 2008, 09:32:12 pm
I AM SPEECHLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: cvdewsbury on January 21, 2008, 09:39:27 pm
looks good but with the safety aspect to how many times out of 100 could a cleaner pull that off??

Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: brett walker on January 21, 2008, 09:49:42 pm
WOW" jeff  8)

well done mate


brett
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Sir Squeaky on January 21, 2008, 10:07:25 pm
That's beyond belief. :o

Wonder what H&S would make of it though?
There's got to more chance of that going over in the wind than someone falling off a ladder.

I reckon that could kill a few people if it went over. ;D

Nice one though!
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 21, 2008, 10:09:03 pm
Weights,
Base Pole only 7 sections       38ft 1373gm 3Lb 4 oz
Each extension section 5ft 5" 305gm 10.75oz  x 9

so thats err.... ummm ... errr    4.12kg/9.3Lb  - I think  !

More later....busy few days.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Dean Aspects on January 21, 2008, 10:09:10 pm
Extreme window cleaning!!!
That has to be the picture of the year and we are only in january!!

Dean
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Andy@w.c.s on January 21, 2008, 10:28:51 pm
Well done Jeff

you should have got the local tv on that job ,you could have really shown the skeptics a thing or too
As they say the sky's the limit :o
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: m.b.s. on January 21, 2008, 11:02:00 pm
well done jeff thats  :o :o :o :o can i print this picture off and show it to another cleaner ask u first before i did thats bl88dy amazing m8 bet your arms are like popeye
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: NWH on January 21, 2008, 11:05:42 pm
Well done Jeff but i wouldn`t trust that pole at that height i`m afraid.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: SPEEDLINER on January 21, 2008, 11:14:00 pm
You must have arms like POPEYE mate....... :o

Rather you than me, 60ft-65ft is hard enough with an ergo-lite,

you must be very confident or seriously in need of The Yellow Van.   ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 21, 2008, 11:20:30 pm
Jeff, bring it round my house next week, we will lean it against the mountain!!!! Thats brilliant Jeff! In what way is the pole redesigned? is it a Hamilton all the way? Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: NWH on January 21, 2008, 11:24:03 pm
The height you can go with these poles is endless,all your doing is adding no 7 sections to it all the time to increase the height.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 21, 2008, 11:30:04 pm
I would use my Super-lite 2 to 70 odd ft but not anymore. I've held Jeffs Ultra-lite and it isnt as strong as the Super-lite 2 so that is risky but Jeff is good at using these modulars and as the inventor of modular/fishing style poles for window cleaning deserves to be the highest pole user!!! Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: NWH on January 21, 2008, 11:32:17 pm
I can`t ever see the modulars being given the BSI mark.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 21, 2008, 11:36:26 pm
Quote
I reckon that could kill a few people if it went over.

And as regards to it killing somebody if it fell over - I don't believe it would. Because of terminal velocity it would reach its optimum speed at even 45ft and it weighs just over 4kg, if it broke exactly half way then that would be 2kg spread across 44ft, for it to kill somebody I think it would have to be a freak accident where it landed on their head perfectly vertical with the entire 2kg at terminal velocity. Its more likely to fall at an angle where if it did hit somebody it wouldnt have all the weight behind it and it would just be a bad headache, Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Wayne Thomas on January 21, 2008, 11:38:18 pm
Another thing to remember is to check how high your insurance will cover you using WFP as well because some specify no more than 45ft. Insurance companies are getting wise to WFP now and realise there are risks when going higher.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 21, 2008, 11:45:32 pm
That really is nothing though compared to this job I did last week, 8 Canada Square ( HSBC ) Canary Wharf, 590ft pole ( 180m to top window ) using a modified Super-lite 2 kindly provided by Gardiners!!

(http://lh3.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R5UuZZiYdbI/AAAAAAAAAoY/Tflu7eauc54/big%20big%20wfp.JPG?imgmax=512)

Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Wayne Thomas on January 21, 2008, 11:55:57 pm
That really is nothing though compared to this job I did last week, 8 Canada Square ( HSBC ) Canary Wharf, 590ft pole ( 180m to top window ) using a modified Super-lite 2 kindly provided by Gardiners!!

(http://lh3.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R5UuZZiYdbI/AAAAAAAAAoY/Tflu7eauc54/big%20big%20wfp.JPG?imgmax=512)



Luke

Is that with a bentley or rolls royce brush ;D
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: rhys11 on January 22, 2008, 01:29:01 am
lol
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 05:48:04 am
The pole was a redisigned and stiffened Ultralite the pole "roller brush" supplied, is good for rolling it up and down the wall. Believe me I do have all the H & Safety issues covered but I aint telling anyone  ;) , note two of the the signs are there - 4 off pic.
The pole technical drawings and design are  for an achievable 100ft with my specialised 6.5oz brush (not in pic) and again I have all the angles covered for that one, but I keep running out of buildings  ???
The pic is not paticulary good but anyone can use it, the keen amongst you will notice I am stretching a bit and the brush aint to the top- we had to fit a 9th section. Mick took the later pics in fading light available on the original DIY forum topic.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: philboy on January 22, 2008, 07:09:07 am
Thats a serious bit of kit! You're a brave man to do that on your own, I use a 60ft by myself but If I can get help with it I'm grateful, total respect!
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: windowwashers on January 22, 2008, 08:01:25 am
Over the weekend I did a 2 day job for a client ( Mick G-clean) (http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc114/JeffBrimble/2008_0120Sheffield0003.jpg)
What a challengly hard and high job.    and Cherry pickers etc banned so that only left the new light carbon fibre poles. I brought with me a redesigned Ultralite pole, courtesey of Alan at Hamilton

Mick paid hard cash for my services, but with a verified, witnessed building height of 83ft 2" and as a one man un-assisted record, I successfully used an a www.emporiumpoles.co.uk wfp of 88' 2" -weight to follow.
I wish Mick well and hope he benefits from the techniques he paid hard cash for.

Respect, where respect it due ;).

did your arms ache the next day?

Ian
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on January 22, 2008, 08:15:06 am
WOW thats impressive.  So did you rinse brush on or off then?  ;D


Simon.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 10:56:50 am
Just looked at the DIY forum pictures Jeff and it looks like you've got the f16 pushed into the Ultra-lite, is that right? Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 01:02:23 pm
Well spotted young Jedi,  nobody else did although we had nothing to hide, so 3  stars and a diploma for most observant.
 Yes we ordered 8 sections to cover it but  to make things comfortable instead of standing on a box, we where about 3ft short so in absence of another section simplynused modular of a different make. Did the same job, next time will order enough  ::) the secret of the strength needs to be in the top not the base.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 01:07:06 pm
So did Alan modify the top tapered sections and keep the extensions the same? so was that 6 tapered sections and 8 extensions and 1 f16 ? Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 01:09:30 pm
oh yeah and did you tape the joints to stop sticking? or has Alan done something different with the extensions? Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 01:17:34 pm
Critique.
Ian, everything ached, you dont work for two days non stop dawn to dusk with virtually no more than 10 min food breaks, at height without a penalty. I am 57.
Sherwood you rinse brush on, in fact everything you ever new about brushes and angles, changes at extreme heights.
Window washers, nope it wasnt my arms the pole weights are OK but,   my ankles after standing constantly  :'(
Wayne, could you explain more about what your insurance company is saying.
NWH it does the job whether or boyt its got a kite mark.
Luke, what experience are you saying "it isnt as strong as an S2", there are different methods and criteria of measuring strength. ie a sprinter may not be as strong as a shot putter but he goes distances faster.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 01:21:28 pm
Luke, yes no matter what manuf. claim you have to tape the upper part of the base joint to stop the upper pole compressing itself onto the lower part and locking. Its the weight, gravity a constant flexing that does it. Fishermen use sprays but they only use horizontal working.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 01:28:00 pm
When you brought the Ultra-lite to my house I was very impressed but after feeling it and looking at it, it didnt quite feel strong as the Super-lite 2, but strength isnt everything  :) I have heard of the Ultra-lite breaking but no reports of the S2 breaking. I think it is great that there are a few people making modulars from your idea Jeff!! Its great!!! I love the plastic protectors on the bases, they are a brilliant idea, I don't wish to compete the poles against each other though, perhaps it came out wrong. I don't think that the Ultra-lite is a worse pole in use, as I would equally like to use a Ultra-lite after seeing and holding it but from all the evidence I have from other members and holding it the S2 did feel stronger, but your more experienced with these modulars Jeff, so maybe I'm wrong  :-[ So in what way was the Ultra-lite modified? Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 01:42:49 pm
Technically ? no idea, ask Alan.
But it never entered my head that it would break or snap, I felt totally confident using it .
Its difficult to imagine the height never mind try to take a pic, so I will get back with my ideas of a  totally staged downscaled version of the pic, if I ever get some free time  :)
Oh by tyhe way Luke, its been developed since you saw it at your house.

If anyone wants to see it, I still have it for a couple of days more.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 01:45:42 pm
Anyway, it looked like really good fun!! What did you do safety wise to prevent it falling, somebody or something from the roof? Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 01:47:59 pm
Yes Luke it was fantastically exhilerating.
If you want to pick my brains its £500 day rate plus travel.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 01:56:26 pm
well you have to keep some things secret I suppose !! But the secret is either you used it as it is in the picture, which I doubt  ??? or you did something. Judging from the picture of the brush head it was possible to have somebody with some sort of rope. Another thing you mentioned was you used the roller Emporium brush but the picture shows your one, Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 03:03:24 pm
Heres just one of the 5 different brushes (including the new 6.50z one) we experimented with. Oh and for the pic only  I took the yellow hard hat off ! Notice that the whole strip of windows is in a recess just like an A ladder and the pole cannot move sideways.
 (http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc114/JeffBrimble/2008_01190025.jpg)
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 03:06:09 pm
Thats the Addis, I hope to jet mine up eventually either like in the picture or with car jets, Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 03:08:08 pm
And for anybody that doesnt understand ounces ( like me! ) thats 155.922 grams! Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 03:08:20 pm
No, look again, that one swivels, you wont have seen it( I dont think many have)
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 03:10:11 pm
You did show it to me though when you came round a few weeks back, I remember it but dont know what make it is,  Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Majestic on January 22, 2008, 05:01:27 pm
Quote
Reply #4 on: Yesterday at 08:38:22pm »     
Great picture for a web site
What was it like moving it from window to window

Well
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: bluez on January 22, 2008, 05:23:52 pm
What about the results Jeff, how did it come out at that height.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: alanwilson on January 22, 2008, 06:56:25 pm
Jeff

did you honestly feel totally confident that the pole wouldn't break?  I've tried using a fishing pole myself but broke 2 sections very quickly and just thought I'd better leave it!
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 06:57:34 pm
Alan, this isnt a fishing pole, its made for wc'ing. The strength comes from the carbon fibre weave, Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: williamx on January 22, 2008, 07:10:14 pm
Heres just one of the 5 different brushes (including the new 6.50z one) we experimented with. Oh and for the pic only  I took the yellow hard hat off ! Notice that the whole strip of windows is in a recess just like an A ladder and the pole cannot move sideways.
 (http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc114/JeffBrimble/2008_01190025.jpg)

Jeff

Do yoy have problems with dirt and water coming down from above the window, with the way your jets are located on the brush head.

I set mine up with the jets on the top of the brush, but found to many problems with streaking, so I moved the jets to the botton of the brush head and this sorted the problem.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Stevie G on January 22, 2008, 07:44:58 pm
Jeff

It's excellent for you to be able to reach up to that height and you should be commended for it.  I'm sure you're the first person to have cleaned at such dizzying heights.

But what did you say in the opening post about cherry pickers being banned?  There seems to be a CP in the picture.  Do you mean, the height that was reached by yourself cannot be replicated by a cherry picker, in this particular instance or generally speaking?
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Nick_Thompson on January 22, 2008, 08:13:59 pm
Jeff

Are you still able to clean at that height using only half a litre a min? What’s the technique?

Nick
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: dai on January 22, 2008, 08:14:19 pm
Well done Jeff, you have certainly given the so called big manufacturers something to think about.
Unger, Brodex etc should be employing you to do their R&D. dAI
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Mo on January 22, 2008, 08:21:53 pm
 :o :o :o :o Well done

Mo 8)
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 09:24:32 pm
Quote
But what did you say in the opening post about cherry pickers being banned?  There seems to be a CP in the picture.

Think I can answer this one for Jeff, the CP'ers were doing low level maintenance.

Quote
Do you mean, the height that was reached by yourself cannot be replicated by a cherry picker, in this particular instance or generally speaking?

Jeff never said that, the reason he used a big pole wasnt to prove a point to Cherry Picker users but to get the job done quickly without a CP because they werent allowed at heights, Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: zeusjazmin on January 22, 2008, 09:37:19 pm
how did you manage to get the pole up to its hight?
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 09:41:52 pm
I think it was something like this, Jeff can correct me if I'm wrong:

6 tapered sections

9 exensions incl the f16 section

so thats 15 sections, 14 from an Ultra-lite and the last from a f16 fishing pole, Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Captain Scarlet on January 22, 2008, 09:44:21 pm
And I would guess that to assemble it to that height he did it his usual way by adding extensions from the ground while sending the pole higher and higher, I suppose he may have needed help but Jeffs very confident assembling modulars, Luke
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 09:52:28 pm
Sorry for delay, I am flat out trying to reply multi forum, email and phone, its hectic.
CPs are allowed to be used by the contractors but not by subcontractors (us) they used one that smashed a load of paving that cost the ££ to replace so stipulated no CPs craddles etc.  Could it be done by pole so we said we would try, not realising the heights properly. The some internal courtyard sections where a 75ft x 5mx5m width and breadth , vertical challenging initial builders clean that was covered in building/traffic wax and needed doing 4 times, pain.  That again Cps could not get near- I dont know where these architechts are born !! Thanks for explaining Luke. The CP in the pic was doing low level maintainance and I thought it made an interesting pic with it in, we could have just as easily excluded it.
Nick it was an initial clean so I upped the water flow to about 1L/min Mick did most of the external only of  the balconies from the balconies with  my Backpack, because of other safety considerations. Although some of the windows are able to open in they (all the contractors) couldnt even put an arm out to clean the small fixed pane below or they were off the job. Another reason for the poles. V.V.V. Safety concious.
Alan Yes totally confident it wouldnt break-honestly. I have used fishing poles for 2 years 5 months.
Bluez, results are the same at any level.
John, oh boy yes moving it from side to side is hairy at that height- I took of a few extensions to bring it down a bit then moved it along the wall.

  
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 09:57:12 pm
No didnt have help assembling, as you say I am used to it. But I did have the odd occasion that the young lad in the yellow lid handed me the extensions, when he wasnt Micks assistant. He wants Mick to get him one instead of the glass fibre one they currently use.
No tricks I am being as honest with you as I can. Someone mentioned getting it in the Guiness, but to be honest I much prefer the opinion of you guys.
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: jonah on January 22, 2008, 10:00:41 pm
As Jim royle once or actually several said " 88 feet my *a**e !
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 10:02:47 pm
 :)
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: pjulk on January 22, 2008, 10:06:30 pm
Christ to high for me i would worry in case it started tipping sideways how would you stop it.


Now wonder how high you could clean with a backpack

Paul
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Wayne Thomas on January 22, 2008, 10:25:33 pm
Jeff

would you do it again?

If someone else, (experienced of course), offered to swap places with you and become the person holding the WF pole, would you choose to be the person watching and assisting with the pole assembly or the person using the pole again?
Title: Re: 88ft WFP
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 22, 2008, 10:35:44 pm
Good question ! If I was paid enough, yes !  or if I had to break the record again. I wouldnt take that paticular job again, but it was the challenge that made me drive from Wales to Sheffield twice, once started I had to finish and had to go back for the second full day. We didnt realise the height, Mick told me it was  78ft  ::) I only saw a few pics.
When I get a bit older than my 57 years say 70,  I may have to take on a young lad. Once you get these polesin your hands they seem to take you over as a slave, but wow they are exciting and easy to use when treated with total respect.