Hey guys. I’m looking to purchase the Gardiner CLX 26’ as well as the RHG backpack electric sprayer. (Why don’t I see it in the WCR shop anymore?) I don’t do much work that justifies using a WFP so I figured the backpack sprayer would make more economic sense. Those of you with backpack experience, can you give me some advice on how well the system works? Thanks.
I have 2 back packs. The RHG Shurflow and the Hudson Never Pump. They are a great way to start or expand your use of pure water technology. Here’s video of me using one w/ on my monthly houses -
Since that video I’ve upgraded to the Gardiner CL-X. A great pole at a great price.
An electric backpack sprayer is a great way to start with WFP for small jobs. If you don’t need to use pure water very often then you could likely skip the need for a RO system and just get a DI pressure vessel for use with mixed bed resin.
I used the Surflo backpack sprayer mounted on a trolley frame. The switch is underneath so it keeps the electronics out of the water and saves you carrying it on your back.
Picture link didn’t work above…here it is:
Hey Mark
I like your photo. What pole is that you have against the building?
I have used a backpack since my introduction 3 years ago on Peter Fogwells forum. It works great for pure water cleaning. You can clean carry 5 gal containers in your car, truck, van etc and do a full days work. It can also be used as a van mount along with a larger water tank. The real nice part is you can move around a house without the hassle of hoses getting stuck on bushes etc.
At this time WCR does not carry the backpack but I am working with Chris on getting a new line for the store. If you need one now you can get it from Shawn Gavin or Northern Tools or Harbor Freight.
Mark
My mistake, that is not a pole in your picture. I need to put on my glasses
I started with a hand pump backpack sprayer from Home Depot so that’s what I’m use to. Pump, pump, scrub, pump pump and rinse. Uses less water than an electric sprayer in my opinion. I use a Gardiner brush with small European pencil jets. No hoses to trip me up, that’s good. I can do a big house 60 windows with 15 gallons.
That’s the big plus in favor of backpacks - the no dragging of hoses. There are times when dragging hoses isn’t a good idea, eg. inner courtyards of buildings where you would need to drag a hose through the building, we’re looking at a job which is a glass structure on top of a high building. We’ll just take the backback up there.
If WCR can get them in stock I’m sure they would do very well with them. Many window cleaners use them in the UK.
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]<O:p</O:p[/FONT][/SIZE][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]No shut off valve needed with a hand pump unit. I only need to pump three or four times with my left hand when I need more water.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]<O:p</O:p[/FONT][/SIZE][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]I took the harness that came with the sprayer off and replaced it with a mountain climbing harness I took off an old backpack I no longer use. It’s very comfortable. I could wear it for hours. You’ve got to have a strap that goes around your hips and another one that goes across your chest to be comfortable. That tank is strapped on tight so it’s part of me. Most of the weight is carried on my hips not my shoulders. When I collapse my pole down the extra hose gets stuffed in my belt so it’s off the ground and out of the way.<O:p</O:p[/FONT][/SIZE]
Some people just load their van up with 9 or 10 backpacks - you’ll always have a backup!
Mr premier you can find the clx s here:
CLX, water fed pole, waterfed, wfp | Buy Window Cleaning Supplies, Tools, Equipment, Products
And we hope to get some back packs back in soon. A lot of folks have been getting the hudson packs from amazon. Then you can get any fittings you need for the pole to the pack from us. Get in touch if you have any questions.
I’d also highly recommend getting the Aqua-Dapter which will save you time and water when using a back pack.
with your back pack unit have you ever tackled two and three story homes?
cheers
I do several monthly homes and a few of them are 3 stories on the back. The back pack works great. I’ve even demoed it on a 4 story building w/ no issues.
That’s all I use these days - they are so convenient. I never wear them on my back though.
Can I buy a B Pack sprayer anywhere, or do you guy’s use one made for pure water ? My local hardware store has a nice 4 gall one, but I don’t know if it’s what i need. It’s made by Solo.
Here’s one I use - Amazon.com: Hudson 13854 NeverPump Bak-Pak 4 Gallon Battery Operated Sprayer: Home Improvement
I love it.
Based on Mr Squeegee’s recommendations, I too bought the Hudson Neverpump for WFP work a while back. I tell you, last week that thing was brilliant! I had a WFP job for a 3 story inner-city property, on a busy public sidewalk, and not a single hose-bib for at least 200ft. Not a problem! I arrived with my backpack and backup containers already filled with water, strapped myself in, and off I went. I was completely mobile, with the only area needing to be “taped off” being the small space between me and the building’s wall. One traffic cone took care of that.
Not only did the job go very smoothly, but I also looked [B]awesome [/B]doing it! At times I even drew a small crowd. 
Thanks Tony, and thank you all at WCR for yet another brilliant idea!
I’m becoming quite intrigued by the backpack versions. I had looked for them on WCR but didn’t see any (although I thought I had before, … now confirmed). And the price in the thousands for full size WFP is unattainable not to mention room in my vehicle (Pontiac Vibe). But the backpack, … hmmmmm.
I wouldn’t use it that often I don’t believe but seems like it would open some opportunities and make some existing jobs much easier . So, could anyone ballpark a potential range in price for one?? I don’t know all what I would need and of course this isn’t WFP season, but thinking of Spring…(since it’s snowing right now)
So what do I need to get started in the WFP gig and how much would it cost on a budget?? Also where do you get water for these contraptions if they don’t use a filter/RO system?? Do you just refill 5 gal jugs at Walmart or something?? thanks
It was a system started in the UK as you don’t use client water. So taking water with you whether you went became the norm. There is nothing to stop you making water into a container while you use your backpack pre-filled with water. That way you can refill on the job just utilizing a gravity hose. Or if you carry a tank - make product water straight to your truck.
