[C-Thru.]

Gardiners Super-Lite Modular snapped.
2nd time now this has happened, 1st time section 5 this time section 3. Both exactly the same occurrence, both time raising off the deck, both sections snapped cleanly around 8-10 inches from the intersection (wide part).
Really really ped off this time!
Has this happened to anyone else? Same breakages, same circumstances, raising off the deck?

[dazmond]

how old is the pole?

ive had 4  xtreme sections snap during normal use on various xtreme poles.ive decided these poles are too brittle for my main day to day pole but ive never snapped any sections on other poles(SLX,CLX,SUPERMAX etc)

[windowswashed]

It's no use trying to lift a super lite modular pole with a heavy brush on from ground level  when extended as it puts too much strain on the sections. I snapped an extreme section last week trying to raise a 45ft extreme from the ground upwards with a 16 inch constructor brush on....got about two feet off the ground when I heard it crack, then snap, should have known better, my own stupid fault. Had I extended it vertically instead of horizontally I would have got away with using it without snapping a section with a constructor brush on as used previously many times. One day I will learn 

[Walter Mitty]

Two questions:
1) Are you using an appropriate lightweight brush?
2) Are the sections slotted into each other as far as they can reasonably go?

[C-Thru.]

Two questions:
1) Are you using an appropriate lightweight brush?
2) Are the sections slotted into each other as far as they can reasonably go?

I’m using the super lite brush that was supplied with the system
And yes all sections fully fitted to full extent and lubed.

[swanson]

Don't be so heavy handed

[mufcglen]

have you contacted gardiner, what did they say?

[C-Thru.]

Had two emails back now from Gardiners and and basically he’s blaming the age of the pole and how I’ve transported and used it, yes the pole was purchased 9 years ago, but as explained to Gardiners it is only used for 4 quarterly jobs per year so that equates to this pole has done 144 days work in its total life!
Now forgive me for arguing over a 9 year old pole but at £1000 for 144 days work I think I have a point!
This is now the second section of this pole that has snapped, both around 8 inches down the tube, both whilst raising the pole to work. A third section frayed itself to bits and also had to be replaced.

Whilst I wouldn’t mind buying a new section if I had caused some sort of damage or if this pole system was worn out, but as I’ve said it’s done around 144 days work and these breakages are not uncommon. My point is they are not manufactured to a strong enough degree where they will accept the tolerances of being raised for very long at all.
I’m truly not surprised that all the Window cleaners are now moving over to the X-Line Nano pole systems. Whilst more expensive they are apparently a lot more sturdy, looking forward to finding out in the new year!

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

At NINE years old and raising from the ground at 40 odd foot with a SL on the end ...... what do you expect? You should raise it shorter and then add sections vertically.
If that was me I would consider it a bargain!

[Walter Mitty]

 You should raise it shorter and then add sections vertically.

Pretty much what I was going to suggest.
Another thing that comes to mind.  Might this be one of the older Superlite 1 poles? These were more prone to snapping. The Superlite 2 was much better.

[robbo333]

So you've bought 2 sections in 9 years at what?...£120 a piece plus VAT. Say £300 in total over 9 years.
As annoying as you may find it, I don't think that's too bad.
Other than that, has it been a good pole?
That's how I would look at it.

[C-Thru.]

I have always used the pole in the same way, as Gardiners promo videos teach you, add sections together and raise.
As for age of pole it’s as good condition today as when it left Gardiners workshops, not a mark on it, after all it’s done nothing compared with your every day pole.  Carbon fibre does not age, it does not deteriorate, yes the outer lacquer coatings may deteriorate over time and allow carbon fibres to fail but this pole is still in  good condition.

I didn’t know there was a Mk2 version? That’s very interesting because I think now this is the Mk.1 because when I had to replace section 5 when it snapped in the an exact same fashion, 8 inches from the top, the replacement I had to buy is certainly a lot stronger and far better manufactured as is the No.2 section that I had to replace after it frayed it’s self to death on both ends.
To me that says they knew these poles were weak and have upgraded them! Very interesting.

[Smudger]

Sl2 great pole - yes did snap section one but someone stood on it (18 stone bloke) mines a good 10 Year’s old but when using more than 6 sections we ‘boost’ it ie one at the butt end and the lifts the brush end and throws it up ihe inertia takes it up to Vertical very easily when I got it sl brushes were the only ones available but now you can the extremes and carbon goosenecks

Darran

[C-Thru.]

So you've bought 2 sections in 9 years at what?...£120 a piece plus VAT. Say £300 in total over 9 years.
As annoying as you may find it, I don't think that's too bad.
Other than that, has it been a good pole?
That's how I would look at it.

I do get your point there if this were my every day pole and gets lots of use, but it’s only used four times a year! For four days at a time.
So to me, your argument over £300 over 9 years isn’t really relevant.
My take on it is it’s now £450 (adding this cost replacement into the equation) over 144 days working, when the pole was £1,000 to start with.
Hope now you can see why I’m so cheesed off!

[Smudger]

Not weak just improved upon like cars have mk1 then a new improved mk2 comes out


Do you use the Ali inserts on each section?

Darran

[C-Thru.]

Sl2 great pole - yes did snap section one but someone stood on it (18 stone bloke) mines a good 10 Year’s old but when using more than 6 sections we ‘boost’ it ie one at the butt end and the lifts the brush end and throws it up ihe inertia takes it up to Vertical very easily when I got it sl brushes were the only ones available but now you can the extremes and carbon goosenecks

Darran

Daz, this has never been abused, never dropped, only out of original bag when in use, so not a mark on it.
I look after all my kit, you have to don’t you mate, we earn our living out of it.

[Alex Gardiner]

I have always used the pole in the same way, as Gardiners promo videos teach you, add sections together and raise.
As for age of pole it’s as good condition today as when it left Gardiners workshops, not a mark on it, after all it’s done nothing compared with your every day pole.  Carbon fibre does not age, it does not deteriorate, yes the outer lacquer coatings may deteriorate over time and allow carbon fibres to fail but this pole is still in  good condition.

I didn’t know there was a Mk2 version? That’s very interesting because I think now this is the Mk.1 because when I had to replace section 5 when it snapped in the an exact same fashion, 8 inches from the top, the replacement I had to buy is certainly a lot stronger and far better manufactured as is the No.2 section that I had to replace after it frayed it’s self to death on both ends.
To me that says they knew these poles were weak and have upgraded them! Very interesting.

Hi Paul

Your pole is a Mk2 Super-Lite Modular pole.

You have had extensive feedback and commentary from me today with many hours of input on this subject. At the end of the day this section has been in use and being stored in the van for 9 years - during which time you have regularly used the pole. Your regular use of the pole should prove not only its suitability for purpose, but what a good value high level pole this has proved to be.

Despite your assurances that you have carefully looked after the section, it still has been around for nearly a  decade and on the photos above you can see a selection of scrapes and bash marks in evidence which you would expect in such an age of pole section.

At such an age it would be almost impossible to assess exactly why the section has now failed at 9 years of age.

9 Years - I just have to accept that I really cannot please all clients 

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

So you've bought 2 sections in 9 years at what?...£120 a piece plus VAT. Say £300 in total over 9 years.
As annoying as you may find it, I don't think that's too bad.
Other than that, has it been a good pole?
That's how I would look at it.

I do get your point there if this were my every day pole and gets lots of use, but it’s only used four times a year! For four days at a time.
So to me, your argument over £300 over 9 years isn’t really relevant.
My take on it is it’s now £450 (adding this cost replacement into the equation) over 144 days working, when the pole was £1,000 to start with.
Hope now you can see why I’m so cheesed off!

You have to appreciate that neither the MKI or MKII Super Lite poles are "every day" poles. I had a MKII SL 55, it was a fantastic pole.... but delicate. Like yours, it only got used so many times per year, it never failed but I never lifted it from the ground at over 40 ft either. I changed to a Xtreme (which was heavier and a tad more whippy) but the pay off in how much more robust and usable it was made it worth it.

[Smudger]

Sorry, I did not intend to suggest you abused it merely our only failure was done outside normal working parameters sl2 has been superior in every way for us but as I said I never lift if off the ground it’s always been 2 men

Darran

[dazmond]

so its been used 144 times on 3 monthly jobs.how much are them jobs worth each time?say its £200 that means you ve earned over 28k with that pole.if its £400 then £56k+.

its a fine balance between weight,rigidity and robustness.the lighter and longer the pole the more delicate they are IME.

poles dont last forever.......or alex would have gone out of business by now!