Hey, is anybody using a Gardiner Super-Max 61’, and if so how do you like it? What other 50’+ size WFP’s have you used to compare it with? I’ve heard that it’s not good for using on ground-level work because it’s over 7’ long. Have any of you Super-Max 61’ owner/users found this to be true, or is it not really a problem? I’m sure it’s not the only WFP that’s over 7’ long either, so does that mean everyone who has a longer WFP also uses a shorter one for ground-level work and only use their longer poles for higher work? Any problems with durability? I read earlier posts about problems with the clamps breaking on many of the SLX poles (not necessarily the Super-Max) but later saw that RHG got some new clamps. Did that fix the issue any of you may have had?
Also, a question for Chris, Alex, or anybody else who has info on the WCR store: Is the Super-Max 61’ the pole that’s for sale described as Gardiner SLX 60’? Or do you not carry the Super-Max 61’?
So Larry, have you had any issues with not being able to reach high enough windows with your SL-56? I just recently bid on a 5-story medical building only to take my Super-Lite 56’ over there and find out it’s a good 5 feet short to reaching the tops of the windows. I know some guys add extra Super-Lite extension sections, but Gardiner says they definitely don’t recommend or warranty that.
So you agree that if I were to get a Super-Max 61’ it should only be used for higher windows and a shorter WFP would be needed for lower work?
i have the Super Max 61’. I have very impressed with its ability to apply pressure at its max height. Been very happy with it but i also don’t have experience with alot of other poles. For 25’ and lower we are using a home made water fed unger reach pole with a custom made boars hair brush head that works great.
Ok, cool. Thanks for the insight, Mr. Insight!
Good to know you can put a good amount of pressure on it when extended. Anybody else out there actually have and use the Super-Max 61’???
Hey Shawn,
I have one and love it. I wouldn’t buy anything else but a Gardiner. The thing is, the longer poles should only be used when its needed.
It would be like using a 6 foot pole on your scrubber on a door in front of you. Sure you could do it, but its really not the right tool for the job right?
It will be more efficient if you used a 4 or 12 foot pole for that. Its going to be so much easier to handle and you won’t scratch up your expensive new pole.
At full height, its easy to work with, stiff and light.
However,
If you are looking at some serious top of the line, poles at that height…check out the newest Gardiner Extreme. The sections are shorter making it easier to use and instead of only using it for super high work, it can also be your workhorse at 48 feet.
I appreciate the post Tory. And congratulations on the new SDSU accounts, looks like your Super Max will be getting a good work out soon.
Yeah, the length of the sections is what worried me about the Super Max 61’. I would agree the Super Lite Extreme is probably a better purchase as far as equipment goes, but to reach 60’ it’ll cost $5,000. The Super Max 61’ is $2,000 less. That’s a lot of windows I got to clean to afford 60’ of Extreme!:eek:
I have the SLX with the adjustable metal lever clamps (same as Larry, i think), right before they went to plastic. No problems except having to re-glue them a few times. Would I buy another Gardiner, most likely, but I am not a fan of the plastic clamps people are having problems with. I would not spend 3k on a pole, unless the clamp issues are gone.
The Plastic clamps (Thermoplastic Fibre-Glass Reinforced Nylon) have actually proved to be far more reliable and easier to use in the long term than the original metal clamps - they also help to prolong pole life. I used the SLX range like yourself with the metal clamps and was very happy to upgrade to the new Nylon clamps. A very cheap DIY upgrade is available from ourselves if you want to upgrade your current pole to these clamps.
Fortunately for our clients the clamp gluing issues have only affected about 2-3% of any poles sold. We still think that this is too high a frequency though so we recently have instigated a complete overhaul of the gluing process which has reduced this incidence rate down again. We anticipate this failure rate will drop below the 0.25% rate very soon. The vast majority of our clients never have a single issue with the clamps - which is how we like it.
Thanks for the response. I would love to find some sort of glue that would hold these clamps on for more than 6 months at a time. That is really the only issues I have with the SLX. As for the nylon clamps I have had a couple people I know have issues with them, which to me was to many, since my only issue was the glue. But, glad to hear they are working for you.
I take it that the problems you are having are with the older metal clamps. As the pole ages you will find that the carbon flexes more which puts the glue under greater strain. In our workshops we use a commercial flexible black epoxy which would work very well in this type of situation. Drop me an email on [email protected] if you would like to pursue this further. An upgrade to nylon clamps would probably solve all of your issues as correctly glued on they last and work very well.
