[John Walker]

Hi

I'm just on 65 and still doing close to full time WFP following redundancy.  I would like to reduce amount of work but despite paying into private pensions since I was 18 my income is stretched at times.

I've worked with trolley and 10 barrels of water for around 8 years. Since redundancy 2 years ago I usually work from 7.30am to 2.00pm 4 to 6 days a week (depending on work load).  Domestic only from mobile homes to large mansions plus conservatories.  Poles/brushes from Gardiners for lightness.  Can't afford to make any major changes to system now.

I thoroughly enjoy the work but getting a bit creaky by the end of each day.

So... if there are any other oldies on here....

How are you getting on? 
Any tips that make your day easier?
How long do you think you can keep going (health permitting)

John

[LWC]

First thing id do if i was you is get a van mount and get rid of trolley!

Tank and reel for around £150 second hand and rip your trolley apart

[groundhog]

First thing id do if i was you is get a van mount and get rid of trolley!

Tank and reel for around £150 second hand and rip your trolley apart

Sound advice!!! 

[wpclean]

I noticed you were made redundant two years ago, if you dont mind me asking what was your job ?

[John Walker]

I noticed you were made redundant two years ago, if you dont mind me asking what was your job ?

Hi,

I was manager of an oil terminal for 25 years.  Started WFPing at weekends as many redundancy scares over the years.  That bought all the gear and paid for holidays etc.  Now it's a major part of my income.

Tried for other jobs but no interest - probably an age thing.  The main point is that I really do enjoy WFPing and meeting my customers - it's only an energy shortage that's starting to creep in.

Cheers
John

[John Walker]

First thing id do if i was you is get a van mount and get rid of trolley!

Tank and reel for around £150 second hand and rip your trolley apart

Would love to go van mount but I work from a Citoen Picasso which is also my private transport. No spare funds to run a separate van.  Also, I would find it difficult to access a lot of my jobs.

If I had started full-time when I was younger it would be a different story but I have to go with what I've got now.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing as they say.

Cheers
John

[Sean Dyer]

Maybe try using your trolley with a longer hose reel? Might avoid an more lifting

Also a trailer could be an option?

[Nathanael Jones]

Perhaps the full on van mount isn't possible,.. but maybe you could rig something up with a small reel & leave the trolley in the car wherever possible?

I started out using a trolley & was amazed at how much less physical labour was involved when I switched to van mount.

Also,.. if you haven't already done it,.. some kind of system for filling the barrels whilst in the car (Auto stop so you don't have to watch them fill, and filling all 8 barrels at once) would reduce the physical work of lugging water to & fro.

[LWC]

John how many seats do you need in there?

I ran a tank out of a ford galaxy for 18 months.

Seans idea is good to of reel off trolley, but im sure youd get a tank in there of some size even with seats up.

[groundhog]

  im sure youd get a tank in there of some size even with seats up.

Definately!! I'm sure a 200ltr tank would fit in there, easy to take out when you don't want it.. and would save a lot of farting about with 25ltr barrels!! 

[wpclean]

Another option might be to employ somone part time, and concentrate on the admin side and finding new work to pay for the wages ?

[colinyates]

Hi John started this when I was 54 (2006) and lasted 2.5 years and was then lucky enough to employ people.  Have the odd day now and then and enjoy the job but doing it full time? forget it 
Have you considered employing a young guy to help?
As the guys said the 200 litre will help a lot

[John Walker]

Wow!!!

Thanks for all the very helpful advice guys.  On reflection, it is the lugging the barrels and lifting my classic 50 litre Omnitrolley in and out that are really getting to me. Plus the extra walking back to the car for refilling etc.   Waving the pole, even at height isn't too much of a problem for me - particularly since buying my SLX and superlight brush.

So.....  Will look at the option of a flat baffled tank.  I also have a spare pump and a good quality reel with 50 mtrs yellow 6mm hose.  Might be able to make up a van mount box etc.

Filling the tank will be a doddle as I have a 300 gph immersable pump in my main storage tank plus a plastic version of the petrol station delivery nozzles.

Much food for thought - the more energy I can save the more hours I can put to earning etc.

Thanks again all - keep it coming 

John

[LWC]

Youll never look back, go out to the car, put the seats up you need etc, take out the ones you dont and measure, all the sizes here of what you could use

http://www.wydaleproducts.co.uk/products/cat/3/wydaletanks/

[John Walker]

Youll never look back, go out to the car, put the seats up you need etc, take out the ones you dont and measure, all the sizes here of what you could use

http://www.wydaleproducts.co.uk/products/cat/3/wydaletanks/

Thanks for the link - that's quite a range so I would hope one will do the job.  Will do some measuring tomorrow.   

John

[LWC]

Defiantly mate, let us know. Let me know if you need any help setting it up.

[Frankybadboy]

speak to trippy cause hes a oap

[dave0123]

what about a trailer?

[richard jagger]

I am not an OAP but am well into my sixties I still do gutter cleaning and do a full day with a trolly with 25 litres barrels. To crown it I am a diabetic so also have a lack of energy at time. What I do is drink a can of blue charge diet from ASDA every day and that give me vavavoooooooooooom to enjoy my work.I still find my work a challenge. I  to was made redundant 3 times in one year, 4 years ago.I enjoy my job and the best is not having to listen to all the ass-holes I worked for.

[Klean07]

I'm in my early 50's so theres hope for me yet especially after reading some of the comments on here.