There seems to be many options now-a-days in waterfed pole selection and I was just wondering what do we consider when we buy our next pole.
Do you like a compact pole with more sections? Or would you prefer a something a little longer per section without the fussing? Is pole storage space and maneuverability important?
Price? Brand Loyalty? Flex? Ideal Length (Open & Closed)/Weight? Clamp style (flip vs twist)? Does the pole require any tools, ever? Hose Placement (Inside vs. Outside of pole)?
Is the European Thread nice? or do you wish you could do more with a different tip and more adapter options?
It seems like there are a lot of guys with ideas out there, making their modifications: what would you like to see? Let our voices be heard!
There are a couple other considerations - will you be using it or will it be mainly used by employees? I’d love to combine the durability that is attributed to the Simpole with the rigidity and light weight of the Gardiner. The pole would have to be under 7ft when closed, Gardiner clamps, 50ft+ reach, and come standard w/ a Reach Around, AquaDapter, and Flip Fast.
I have a five section pole that stands 6’2" when closed, 30’+ reach. Size doesn’t bother me because I’m tall enough to lean it and extend it and I have a 10’ tube atop my van that lets me hold long poles. It’s actually a 10 section, 60’ pole that I separated at 5 sections and most every job fits in that range. Twice have I needed to add one 6’ section to get at 40’.
I prefer the flip clip because you know when it’s open, and it takes a fraction of a second with one hand to close.
I don’t like the screw idea because things loosen and twist making the head sit on the adapter weird. I put an Ettore tip at the end and replaced the euro-thread with an Ettore brass handle with screws to match to get it to sit on the tip snugly. - no gooseneck here.
As somebody with very little experience with WFPs, whats important to me is Weight, flex, durability and simplicity–in that order. As far as storage length, I don’t really care, though i do want it short enough when its fully collapsed to be able to use easily as is. And I do prefer it to be telescopic, though admittedly I have not tried the other style.
As far as size goes. Thats tough because of course you want the most you can get(60ft would be nice) but would you be able to use that same pole easily on a two story house? Or would be easier to buy a shorter pole for that kind of work?
I wonder what size pole is the most popular? And if we could only choose one size pole to have for our business, what size would it be?
I’m thinking maybe 45ft seems like a sweet spot, but maybe I’m wrong. I’m curious what others think!
I have 25, 35 and 45 foot tucker pole. I’ve played with a 55 foot tucker but far too heavy. 25 footer gets the most use, followed by the 35. The 45 is once or twice a year right now. I would use the new to market water fed poles if I was doing 800 or 900 field hours a year since I’m guessing they are particularly lighter and more resilient than tucker. I’m probably scratching 200 field hours a year with my current set of three. After ten to fifteen years tucker sections can and will break down or bow. Replacements are easy to order and replace.
Well I bought a 27ft pole but it’s lighter than a Tucker. Do you prefer The 25ft because it’s the lightest or is it because that’s what most if your jobs require?
If you had a 45ft pole that weighed 5lbs would you use it for everything instead?
I would say it’s what most of my jobs require in terms of length: 25 ft. Although I could see why one 45 ft lightweight pole could cover all tasks. I’m kinda noahs arc though from time to time, carry two of everything in case parts or poles fail.
Lol, yeah I’m the same way about having things in 2’s. I have all my standard poles in 2’s as well.
I guess I’m just wondering if the 27ft pole I bought will cover me on most jobs or would I have been better off buying a bigger pole that would cover more buildings but maybe be more of a pain to use cause it’s bigger.
Without having much experience with WFP’s I have to wonder where that sweet spot in pole size is if price and weight aren’t an issue, but rather what pole size would you want if the pole was carbon fiber (light) and inexpensive or free. In other words, would people still choose shorter poles or move up to bigger ones if price and weight removed from the equation?
Part of me thinks that a 45ft carbon fiber pole would have been the perfect all around pole to have bought (though having never used one, maybe I’m wrong).
Maybe I should make a poll and ask what pole size is the best all around size.
remember having 2 of everything? A 30’ and a 50’-60’. The initial investment sucks but opens you up to many opportunities. Great thing about having the 30’ is you don’t need to bull around the heavier pole doing lower windows. I will have 3 poles total after the new gardiner slx extreme lite comes out. That one 48’-53’(+ additional extensions), gardiner slx 30’, and a facelift flip lock II 3’-12’. All carbon fiber, lite, durable, sporting aquadapters, reach arounds, rhg dual trim nylon dual jet brushes and ready to handle the day’s work. I love my job!
Well I do actually have two poles, a Unger 9’ High Flow and a Gardiner CLX 27’ with a Flip Fast, Reach Around, RHG dual trim double jetted 12" nylon brush and soon a AquaDapter as well ;), but maybe I should be more like you and get a third pole… Preferably a SLX or that new SLX extreme lite. The video I saw of that was awesome, it was like the guy was never gonna stop pulling out extensions when he was opening it all the way out.
I have a 35’ SLX and love it. If (when) I get another pole it will be somewhere in the 45’-60’ range and be telescoping as well. I’m not overly concerned with ease of doing lower panels with a pole since I could just as easily do it the old-fashioned way.
I think that if a house is so big that my 30ft SL-X pole can’t reach the top windows someone else can have the job. Really!
I have a 24ft sectional ladder and turn away really big houses on a regular basis because I think really high work is a pain. Same holds true for WFP work. At 40ft can you guys even see what you’re doing up there? Is the window really clean or not?
My answer.
The 30ft Gardiner SL-X is the bomb. I can use it to clean EVERY single window on every house I do with pure water. It’s the only WFP pole I carry on my truck.
Well since I do not have one My idea one would be my very first. I am still debating on the type but until i have my full WFP system then I can be picky on the pole. As long as it cleans the windows. I wold like something thought pretty durable and lite.
