[cherubs cleaning]

luke sorry to hear mum



but how do u no i paid 3 times u


because u dont no how much i paid


look at your pics it is bending (no wind)



my 60foot does not bend like that





jerry

[LWC]

looks good luke! would like to see that

maybe you could come down to mine soon?

[Jeff Brimble]

Like you Cherubs I had to make do as a single opp maybe 1 hour at a time was enough for me but Ionics do sell it as a 2 man pole.

[Wayne Thomas]

A superlite is safer at taller heights too as it is easier to handle than your average big pole, luke

NOT on a windy day!!!!!

I had a superlite and swapped it because it would get blown around too much working on tall buildings along the coast.

I use an Ionics or Facelift at heights because on windy days these poles won't be blown around by the wind like the superlite poles which are as lite as some kites.

[macmac]

looks good luke! would like to see that

maybe you could come down to mine soon?

He doesn't clean windows with it, he's just it's legal guardian!

tony

[Captain Scarlet]

Actually even though it was sunny it was still quite windy and I could feel thermals up in the air. I would prefer to be holding a light pole in the wind rather than a heavy one. Luke

[Captain Scarlet]

Matt, do you ever come this way? I have some jobs over in Llangynog, luke

[Wayne Thomas]

Actually even though it was sunny it was still quite windy and I could feel thermals up in the air. I would prefer to be holding a light pole in the wind rather than a heavy one. Luke

Ask a traditional window cleaner if they would rather be up a heavy ladder on a qusty day than up a featherlight ladder!

[Captain Scarlet]

yeah but there is risk with a big pole that you could lose grip and it could drop ( injure or kill somebody ) if the pole is ligh then there is less strain on the body so you are less likely to lose grip, if it falls it also has less risk of killing somebody, Luke

[stevekennedy]

I would always recommend that above 45ft the pole is leaned against the building and then extra sections added as required.

Working at 45ft is comparatively easy but anything over this height, it progressively becomes more difficult to work with any type of pole. We sell the pole in packages up to 56ft (60ft reach) as we feel that this is a practical and usable maximum height. Any pole is going to have some degree of flexibility and when this is happening 60ft up, it can get interesting.

These poles have been tested up to 72ft but this was more for our interest than as a recommendation. What would you need to do to get to this height? Buy a 56ft S2 and then buy 2 extra extension sections (£54 each) to get a reach of 70ft. This would be your own personal undertaking and we would not advise that you do this although it is possible. (please note that it would also invalidate the warranty on the S2).

Hi ALex

Thanks for the reply. Do you recommend using the building because the pole will break if you extend it to 56ft then raise it? or just a handling issue?

We normally extend the ergo to 48ft along the ground. We leave the last section in. Then we raise it against the building using 2 people. Then you have to extend the last 2 sections by pulling the pole back so you can reach and extend. Then you can put your foot on the hose and behind the base and lift it slowly away from the wall until it is near vertical. Once you get the balance you can move in closer to the building turning the brush as you go. Pretty hairy stuff! We use 2 people because one of us stands by to make sure the operator doesn't trip over the hose but only one person is actually using the pole.

Why would you void the warranty above 56ft? Again, is this a handling issue or is the integrity of the pole in doubt?

If it's a handling issue, I am fairly confident I can work around it as the ergo at 60 ft is a challenge. If it is an integrity issue then maybe best to stick to 56ft.

Jeff, you seem pretty confident about using it at the extra height. What is your opinion?

[LWC]

Matt, do you ever come this way? I have some jobs over in Llangynog, luke

ahhh llangynog, just round the corner from me 

[Alex Gardiner]

I would always recommend that above 45ft the pole is leaned against the building and then extra sections added as required.

Working at 45ft is comparatively easy but anything over this height, it progressively becomes more difficult to work with any type of pole. We sell the pole in packages up to 56ft (60ft reach) as we feel that this is a practical and usable maximum height. Any pole is going to have some degree of flexibility and when this is happening 60ft up, it can get interesting.

These poles have been tested up to 72ft but this was more for our interest than as a recommendation. What would you need to do to get to this height? Buy a 56ft S2 and then buy 2 extra extension sections (£54 each) to get a reach of 70ft. This would be your own personal undertaking and we would not advise that you do this although it is possible. (please note that it would also invalidate the warranty on the S2).

Hi ALex

Thanks for the reply. Do you recommend using the building because the pole will break if you extend it to 56ft then raise it? or just a handling issue?

We normally extend the ergo to 48ft along the ground. We leave the last section in. Then we raise it against the building using 2 people. Then you have to extend the last 2 sections by pulling the pole back so you can reach and extend. Then you can put your foot on the hose and behind the base and lift it slowly away from the wall until it is near vertical. Once you get the balance you can move in closer to the building turning the brush as you go. Pretty hairy stuff! We use 2 people because one of us stands by to make sure the operator doesn't trip over the hose but only one person is actually using the pole.

Why would you void the warranty above 56ft? Again, is this a handling issue or is the integrity of the pole in doubt?

If it's a handling issue, I am fairly confident I can work around it as the ergo at 60 ft is a challenge. If it is an integrity issue then maybe best to stick to 56ft.

Jeff, you seem pretty confident about using it at the extra height. What is your opinion?

From experience, it is far easier to extend the pole to 45 ft on the ground, simply lift it up and then add sections.  It takes most of the strain off of the user and the pole.

Working above 60 ft - this is mainly a handling issue and the fact that we as manufacturer/retailers have a duty of care to our customers to provide a product that is guaranteed to operate well within its performance parameters. 

Whilst the product has been worked with at 72 ft, it has not had a detailed analysis of it's capabilities at these heights, hence we would not at this time want to warranty the product (and the implications that this puts on us) at these heights.  It would be up to the individual to assess the risks on a personal basis.

[Alex Gardiner]

the GT85 from DHCYCLESPORT on Ebay? I wont use it until you tell me if it's any good, Luke

Luke having done some research now on GT85, it really is not the right product for the job and would actually hinder the use of the pole. It is basically a wet lubricant with some PTFE in it.

You have however prompted me to further my research with some of our suppliers and we have found one of our current suppliers who can get the correct PTFE spray in 400ml cans. This will not be as cheap as the GT85 on Ebay but it will still be pretty good value. We will have this available on our website shortly.

[Captain Scarlet]

oh good, how much will it cost? luke

Cherubs, from ionics catalogue:

Universal Carbon fibre 60ft pole weighs 11.10KG.

Ionics Ergo-lite 60ft Carbon Fibre weighs 7.5KG.

And here is the Super-lite 2 weight.

Super-lite 2 60ft weighs 2.5KG

Thats 5KG less than the Ergo-lite and 8.6KG lighter than the Universal. I rest my case, it's not often I like to battle things out but I think these facts really do make it plain and simple.

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi Luke

Don't know yet - I've got to work out a deal with the supplier!

[Captain Scarlet]

make sure you get us a good price!!!!

[Captain Scarlet]

Alex, I have some questions regarding the way the poles should be stored in their holdall. Ok so sections 1-4 go into 6, then 5 and the other two extension sections are alone. But should I put the rubber base caps over the tips where the PTFE is sprayed or just at the other end and keep the ptfe ends in the little pockets? I was worried that the rubber caps will rub off the PTFE because rubber creates alot of grip/friction, Luke

Oh and me and my dad think that the holdall looks like a riffle bag!!!!

[Alex Gardiner]

Alex, I have some questions regarding the way the poles should be stored in their holdall. Ok so sections 1-4 go into 6, then 5 and the other two extension sections are alone. But should I put the rubber base caps over the tips where the PTFE is sprayed or just at the other end and keep the ptfe ends in the little pockets? I was worried that the rubber caps will rub off the PTFE because rubber creates alot of grip/friction, Luke

Oh and me and my dad think that the holdall looks like a riffle bag!!!!

There are many ways of storing these poles.

One of the easiest ways is to have a long tray which the sections can be dropped into. I do this with some of my Super-Lite poles, I leave all the sections loose in the tray and assemble the pole by the vehicle. This is probably the quickest way of storing the pole, this way you do not need to worry about end caps or storing inside of each other. Disadvantage is that it is harder to take the pole to another spot and assemble.


Another method I use is to store the pole in the holdall. I tend to fit the bottom caps and leave the top caps off , but as you suggested put these ends in the little pockets in the bottom of the holdall. The disadvantage of this method is that it takes slightly more time to put away. The advantages are that it is easy to carry the complete kit to another spot and also it does take up less space in the vehicle.

Another method (that I do not use) that many modular pole users find works is to have mounted on the side of their van a rack of 2"-4" drain tube with caps on one end and some padding in the end. To use they simply slide each section into it's appropriate tube holder. Advantage very neat and quick, disadvantage the fact that you have to build the rack of tubes.

To all those telescopic pole users (of which I am also one) who thinks that all they have to do is to plonk their pole in the van and drive off and that this sounds like a bit of a hassle- you are right it is a little bit of a hassle! This is nearly always more than made up for though in greatly reduced work time on the job when compared with the competitions telescopic poles. We always work more quickly and easily with the Super-Lites than we do when we switch back to telescopic poles.

Recently we demonstrated these poles at a very large commercial premises at which about 6 different firms of window cleaners were working on. After a day trying out the pole one of the long-term professionals (who then went and ordered one) complained that now almost anyone could do the type of work that he had been specialising in (high level commercial) for so many years. One of the workers (55 year old chap of average height and build and who usually never works over 30ft)) was able to clean the highest section of the contract on his own with a 51ft Super-Lite, previously this had taken two operators using a 60ft telescopic pole and had taken them much longer to do.

Spending a little more time setting up is certainly rewarded with less time and effort on the hard bit - cleaning windows.

[Davew]

Wrap several turns of tape around the base of each section - stops them chipping if you drop them, prevents them sliding in too far into each other when stored and if the tapes not too wide they will probably still fit in the holdall when stored inside each other (fine with 35')

[stevekennedy]

From experience, it is far easier to extend the pole to 45 ft on the ground, simply lift it up and then add sections.  It takes most of the strain off of the user and the pole.

Working above 60 ft - this is mainly a handling issue and the fact that we as manufacturer/retailers have a duty of care to our customers to provide a product that is guaranteed to operate well within its performance parameters. 

Whilst the product has been worked with at 72 ft, it has not had a detailed analysis of it's capabilities at these heights, hence we would not at this time want to warranty the product (and the implications that this puts on us) at these heights.  It would be up to the individual to assess the risks on a personal basis.

Hi Alex

IYO If I can handle a 64ft ergolite will I be able to handle the superlite 52ft with two extra sections fitted and multipole brush?