I am looking into buying some new poles. Any advice on which ones are the best? I am not talking about waterfed poles, just regular poles. I had seen one window cleaner in the area that had poles that were angles at the top or even had two heads on it. I can’t find them but they looked like they’d be good because of the angle. Anyone seen these before or where to get them? Thanks
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I would highly recommend:
I know its a bit pricey, but it will last you forever (if you treat it right) And its the only pole you’ll ever need. You can drop sections to do lower work.
I attached a quick photo I just took of the poles in our window cleaning biz. Its hard to make out but we have 5 of those and all but 1 is signed out today. They get that much use.
In the future you can easily add this:
WCR [URL=“http://windowcleaner.com/vBulletin/autolink.php5?id=192&forumid=12&script=showthread”]WaterFed Pole Conversion Kit
And boom your have a Water Fed Pole.
I use the Garelick 24ft <a href=“http://shopwindowcleaner.com/window-cleaning-tools/extension-poles/garelick-poles/garelick-24-3-section.html?&a_bid=185e0de6” target=“_top”><img src=“http://www.shopwindowcleaner.com/affiliate/accounts/default1/banners/garelick extension pole-4.jpg” alt=“” title=“” /></a><img style=“border:0” src=“http://www.shopwindowcleaner.com/affiliate/scripts/imp.php?&a_bid=185e0de6” width=“1” height=“1” alt=“” /> and the Mr Longarm ProFit in 4-8ft and 6-12 ft lengths. <a href=“http://shopwindowcleaner.com/window-cleaning-tools/extension-poles/mr-long-arm/mr-longarm-4-8-pro-fit-extension-pole.html?&a_bid=a65c9393” target=“_top”><img src=“http://www.shopwindowcleaner.com/affiliate/accounts/default1/banners/mr longarm pro fit extension pole.jpg” alt=“” title=“” /></a><img style=“border:0” src=“http://www.shopwindowcleaner.com/affiliate/scripts/imp.php?&a_bid=a65c9393” width=“1” height=“1” alt=“” />
I like the Garelick 3 section 8 ft pole (what I learned on) for being more compact (great for tighter commercial spaces then the 2 section. Also have used their 12,18 and 24 ft, I like the 24 ft over the 18 ft for it being more stiff/ridged. Also have and use Unger 2 section 8 ft and also the 30 ft. and have the 2 Mr. Longarm pro-fits Tony mentioned above.
Steven
I’ve got [B]way[/B] too many extension poles:
2 each 2’ Unger Henry’s Handles
1 each 1-2’ Unger OptiLoc (DIY)
2 each 2-4’ Unger OptiLoc
4 each 4-8’ Unger OptiLoc
2 each 6.5-13’ Unger UniTec
1 each 5-14’ Unger OptiLoc
1 each 6-18’ Unger OptiLoc
1 each 30’ Unger Tele-Plus
1 each 2-4’ Garelick
1 each 6-12’ Ettore (just received with a Do-It-Right awning order)
I’m obviously an Unger guy…
I use the Garelick 12’ 3 Section.
In the past, the Ettore poles were the most durable. I have not tried the new Unger poles. The old ones were a little light on pole durability but that was a long time ago.
Ettores will eventually tear out the holes where the threaded collar part was held in place. With my old Unger poles, the pole itself would break in half.
My Garelick poles would stop grabbing or get stuck in place. I might be able to keep using them anyway, using a lot of pressure to open and close…might. If they were more durable, they would be a great pole.
Standard store bought poles have weak points also. The collar threads strip and the threaded ends might break in half.
Some poles are simply too heavy. You get worn out working with them.
The weak points are the collar and the threaded ends.
Ettore and Unger sell replacement parts which is good. They will need to be replaced.
I see some new poles in the stores that use holes to hold their position. They seem heavy at this point.
i mainly use those garelick twist lock poles. light weight and i do alot of gutters and there is nothing on the pole that gets caught on the gutter rungs. But i recently got that exact same unger pole from another window cleaner that wanted out. I didnt know it was 120$ i havent tried it out yet but being a big unger fan im sure i will. i like how the tools lock in place.
oh man, super jazzed on this makeshift waterfed pole.
I couldn’t agree with Chris more. I bought a convention kit for WFPing and it works fine. I also carry an Unger 8 ft. pole in 2 pieces and a really small 2 piece 4 footer. The 8 footer is easier to work with than two pieces of the telepole system because it’s shorter.
The reason I asked is because I have two of the gold Ettore poles and I hate them. The one broke right away, when you extend it it won’t lock in place. I think i will try unger next. Thanks for the input.
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That is unusual from my experience. If you screw it down it clamps on the pole. Are the threads stripped? Take the collar off and try to see what the problem is. The threaded part has the elements that clamp down on the pole. What is wrong with it?
What size where they? Ive noticed the shorter ettore poles 4, 8ft are awesome. But I didnt care so much for the larger ones.
I’ve asked Ettore several times to bring back the Interlock poles. They do have those homeowner blue ones but those have horrible tips. If Ettore brought back the old style Interlock w/ the new locking cone. That would be a winner.
Yes, it is a larger one, 18ft.
Yeah I had the real big Ettore one the 27 footer… and it would always slip and then not want to tighten or un tighten. The Unger pole zilla is a dream to work with (the 30 footer)… But our commercial guys really like the 4 and 8 foot Ettore’s.
I have an 18 that clamps down very well. It has the large size collar.
If the collar size is too small for the weight of the pole, it will slip.
Always a good idea to place/store the poles such that all liquid drains out.
I can’t undo the second collar, it won’t unscrew to lengthen the bottom part of the pole. i’m gonna take it apart and see what the problem is
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It must be stuck…over tightened. Have someone hold the other end of the pole while you unscrew it. Once you get it loose, it should be ok.
