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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 22, 2010, 06:35:36 pm

Title: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 22, 2010, 06:35:36 pm
hi mates
just been looking at new poles which are lighter then the unger jobbey iv got seems there are loads of them about thinking of going for the xtel pole any good or advice on any poles i need rigid and reach
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: s.w.c on January 22, 2010, 06:48:24 pm
i would say a slx myself, i have two a 35ft an a 22ft i use the 22 most of the time its light stiff, before that i use to use a cut down hybrid it was not as stiff as it could be or as light, so what ever you choose stick to carbon
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: R W C™ on January 22, 2010, 06:57:26 pm
What size you looking at, I got the 18ft and 24ft slx, wouldnt use anything else
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 22, 2010, 07:06:16 pm
a unger 24 ft its a bugger to use to heavy
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: R W C™ on January 22, 2010, 07:09:12 pm
Ihad the 17ft 24ft 30ft unger and they where horrible to use, get rid and buy a slx about 25ft so you can do town houses.

what area you in.
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 22, 2010, 07:17:54 pm
wolverhampton west midlands mate
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: outdoor restore on January 22, 2010, 07:58:56 pm
wolverhampton west midlands mate
Do you ever get over to Shrewsbury? If so I use Xtel hybrid 24 and 35ft and xtel glass fibre 24ft you would be welcome to have a play.
Neil
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 22, 2010, 08:11:37 pm
dont get that way very much  tend to keep wolves ares and stafford cheers for the invite do you do well with the poles you have xtel any good then 
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: outdoor restore on January 22, 2010, 08:16:25 pm
Find the hybrid a good day to day pole at 24ft stiff enough for over cons etc. Have had one hybrid 2.5years and wearing quite well. The 35ft is a little heavy and flexible at full extend but for the times I use it it's fine. Not used any other makes so can't compare.
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: MoemGorod on January 22, 2010, 08:17:06 pm
Hi Neil,

Are you from Shrewsbury? I used to studied at Severnvale Academy in 2000 and my son was there last summer.

Very nice city.

regards,

Vadim
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: matt on January 22, 2010, 08:19:23 pm
go from 1 extreme the Unger

to the other

a converted fishing pole

have a search on here about them, the lightness is outstanding
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: outdoor restore on January 22, 2010, 08:23:56 pm
Hi Neil,

Are you from Shrewsbury? I used to studied at Severnvale Academy in 2000 and my son was there last summer.

Very nice city.

regards,

Vadim

Yes now live about 4 miles North. Glad you liked our little town, looks like we may have some flooding if the rain continues.  Anymore of your family due to study there?
regards

Neil 
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 22, 2010, 08:26:13 pm
cheers mates
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: matt on January 22, 2010, 08:26:38 pm
Hi Neil,

Are you from Shrewsbury? I used to studied at Severnvale Academy in 2000 and my son was there last summer.

Very nice city.

regards,

Vadim

Yes now live about 4 miles North. Glad you liked our little town, looks like we may have some flooding if the rain continues.  Anymore of your family due to study there?
regards

Neil 

does the football ground still flood loads of times a year ? ? ?
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: outdoor restore on January 22, 2010, 08:48:27 pm
No, we've got a new one, (hasn't improved the standard of play) they are hoping to develop the old site for flats!!
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: Tim82 on January 22, 2010, 09:46:43 pm
I use xtel poles from wintecs - http://www.wintecs.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1095 pretty light
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: matt on January 23, 2010, 12:10:14 am
No, we've got a new one, (hasn't improved the standard of play) they are hoping to develop the old site for flats!!

so gay meadow is no more :(

i remember many cardiff games at the old place, good times and a lively bunch

Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: wire1078 on January 23, 2010, 08:38:44 am
xtel poles are good,got mine from wintecs.
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: outdoor restore on January 23, 2010, 07:57:23 pm
No, we've got a new one, (hasn't improved the standard of play) they are hoping to develop the old site for flats!!

so gay meadow is no more :(

i remember many cardiff games at the old place, good times and a lively bunch

Had to be a lively bunch with a home ground called gay meadow!! New one is "Prostar stadium"


Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 23, 2010, 08:11:54 pm
whats the ridgability on the xtel the stronger the better
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: mileslake on January 23, 2010, 08:34:47 pm
Try fishing poles. Great.
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: Blue Frog Systems on January 23, 2010, 08:43:20 pm
I'm doing a fishing pole conversion at the moment.

I'm waiting for the glue to set at the moment and will be posting a thread up about it soon
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: Tim82 on January 23, 2010, 08:46:46 pm
whats the ridgability on the xtel the stronger the better

Quite strong and flexeble but will crack at the bottom eventually if you let the butt get really worn (by standing it on the ground). I only need to change a section every few months and they're not that expensive. (I do a lot of 3-storey windows by the way).
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: outdoor restore on January 23, 2010, 09:05:25 pm
whats the ridgability on the xtel the stronger the better

Fibreglass xtel very flexible at full reach (24ft); Hybrid much stiffer and lighter.
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: steve a on January 23, 2010, 09:31:00 pm
Got the 34ft extel hybrid and thought it was the bees knees till i got the slx and the sl2, now I hardly ever get the extel out (only for jobs of less than a dozen windows coz its a pain getting the sl2 out for less).
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: AuRavelling79 on January 23, 2010, 11:10:35 pm
I went from Unger telescopic (which clamps hurt my hands and was very whippy) to fishing pole rigid but fragile) and then to SLX. (Which I run as a 20ft jobbie with three extra sections on hand for when I need them to go to 25/30/35ft)

Fishing pole was light but modular (obviously) and suffered from occasional snapping/sticking issues.

For me the lightness of my SLX which combines the lightness of a fishing pole with being telescopic makes me an extra £30 a day.
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on January 23, 2010, 11:56:38 pm
I would recommend the slx at the required size.  I have had xtel gf and hybrid and although they are good for the money they do not compare to the slx.  You will work faster and have more energy with the lighter stiffer pole.

Simon.
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: Mike #1 on January 24, 2010, 09:57:45 am
i have been using brodex hydra 18ft for a few weeks now find it better than x-tel hybrid my 24ft wore so much in 12 months it impossible to use on downstairs windows as if i collaspe pole fully it spins if i extend each section so it does'nt the pole is about 7ft no good so far can't fault hydra 3yr warranty as well i have the 24ft hydra as well do not use that often as i have found i can manage 95% of my work with 18ft pole
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: matt on January 24, 2010, 10:17:28 am
I went from Unger telescopic (which clamps hurt my hands and was very whippy) to fishing pole rigid but fragile) and then to SLX. (Which I run as a 20ft jobbie with three extra sections on hand for when I need them to go to 25/30/35ft)

Fishing pole was light but modular (obviously) and suffered from occasional snapping/sticking issues.

For me the lightness of my SLX which combines the lightness of a fishing pole with being telescopic makes me an extra £30 a day.

interesting

as i have used the slx and i found it a fair bit heavier that my zenflex, yes its lighter that the fibreglass X-tels and ali poles, but it didnt come close to the zenflex
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: outdoor restore on January 24, 2010, 05:30:52 pm
i have been using brodex hydra 18ft for a few weeks now find it better than x-tel hybrid my 24ft wore so much in 12 months it impossible to use on downstairs windows as if i collaspe pole fully it spins if i extend each section so it does'nt the pole is about 7ft no good so far can't fault hydra 3yr warranty as well i have the 24ft hydra as well do not use that often as i have found i can manage 95% of my work with 18ft pole
Have this problem with one section on one of my hybrids, but it only makes a difference of about an inch when closed, pity you can't buy the xtel clamp bodies to cut the pole and replace the clamp body an inch down. Have tried to build up the affected area with araldite and sand but didn't have much success.  But to be honest the problem is only a minor pain
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: Mike #1 on January 24, 2010, 05:34:20 pm
problem is that 3 sections have worn down so over a period of time the clamping point on each section changes hence the problem with worn sections and usage
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: matt on January 24, 2010, 07:39:12 pm
There’s not that great a difference though matt, do you know the actual weight difference between the two?

no, i have no idea of the difference

but i felt it, it was a few months after i returned to work after my hernia op, and with my pole i didnt feel it, with the slx i felt the are of my hernia pulling like hell

i couldnt use it to be honest

the fishing pole is so light i guess i have been spoilt
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: matt on January 24, 2010, 07:49:58 pm
About 500-600 grams or the weight difference of a typical Vikan brush.

well my Vikan is super super light ( though i guess its on par with the superlight brush )

the difference was noticeable though
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: suds window service on January 24, 2010, 08:12:12 pm
go from 1 extreme the Unger

to the other

a converted fishing pole

have a search on here about them, the lightness is outstanding
i have been using my gangster for the last week and its been FANTASTIC
done everything that my xtels or harris could do,but so much lighter
from tomorrow it will be joined by my newly converted zenoflex its defo gave me a new Leese of life as i was pretty exhausted by the end of the day,now feel so much better!

so i will be saving me pennies for an f16 type pole next. i would not go back to heavy fibre glass poles again.
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: AuRavelling79 on January 24, 2010, 08:47:50 pm
There’s not that great a difference though matt, do you know the actual weight difference between the two?

no, i have no idea of the difference

but i felt it, it was a few months after i returned to work after my hernia op, and with my pole i didnt feel it, with the slx i felt the are of my hernia pulling like hell

i couldnt use it to be honest

the fishing pole is so light i guess i have been spoilt

Matt - I agree that the SLX is heavier than a fishing pole - but at 20ft you are using the lighter sections of the SLX only and so the difference for me is unnoticeable - but I agree that at 30 or 35 ft there is a noticeable weight difference.
Title: Re: need advice on a lighter pole
Post by: matt on January 24, 2010, 08:52:37 pm
There’s not that great a difference though matt, do you know the actual weight difference between the two?

no, i have no idea of the difference

but i felt it, it was a few months after i returned to work after my hernia op, and with my pole i didnt feel it, with the slx i felt the are of my hernia pulling like hell

i couldnt use it to be honest

the fishing pole is so light i guess i have been spoilt

Matt - I agree that the SLX is heavier than a fishing pole - but at 20ft you are using the lighter sections of the SLX only and so the difference for me is unnoticeable - but I agree that at 30 or 35 ft there is a noticeable weight difference.

the pole i used had a few sections un extended at the base, i guess that was the problem