A few months ago the company I work for made a bid on 5 really large condo buildings. They got the call back a few days ago to go ahead and set up a date to go forward.
Problem is, the 25 foot Tucker aluminum ASH pole that I use is not going to reach the top-- I fully extended and I am about 10 or so feet short from having good contact for cleaning. I had measured with our pole a few months ago and we were just waiting to order the pole when we landed the job. So I have a good understanding on what I will need, and that is 40 feet reach.
Now, I have pretty much only used a Tucker ASH aluminum pole for the last 15 years. I am comfortable with using it, obviously. I do some research on here and find the NEW tucker poles do NOT come with the larger hose diameter and brush screw tips. I am pretty sure the older Tucker poles use 1/4th inch tubing or so-- I have gotten used to flowing 1.60 gallons or so a minute (It took 2:49 to fill up a 5 gallon bucket)-- What is the flow rate from these new Tucker poles and Xero?
I was asked to look for a good pole. I feel a Tucker aluminum at 40 feet will be too much flex and really difficult to maneuver (the 25 foot is okay but fully extended it is a noodle)-- I began looking at the Xero Basic CF 40 foot pole-- Price IS an issue and would like to stay under 900-1,000 dollars . I have used a Ionic Grafter 32 for a couple years, and I will be frank I felt it was a piece of junk. I have also used my buddy’s Unger Hi-Mod CF pole 21foot when I help him with his window cleaning business-- so I enjoy the lighter feel but am not used to all the rinse bars and Alphas brushes-- I have used the classic Tucker since 2006-- to me it is the BEST brush.
So, I ask you-- do you like your Xero Basic CF 40ft pole? What about any 40+ foot Tucker users, are you out here? Would love to hear what you think of it-- I am looking at 3 story buildings no higher than 40 feet reach (Unless my eyes are deceiving me when I looked at the job).
Spring for the 3k if at all possible. The basic is a solid pole, but you will want the extra stiffness. If the buildings are multi thousand dollar jobs then you will make more off the time savings of the stiffer pole than it cost likely on the first job. The below picture is a basic with the first section retracted and a 3k extension.
it gets much stiffer with the first section retracted. If you need to go with the basic it’s still a great pole, and both options are likely the best option at their price point on the market in my opinion. You can get stiffer, but you have to shell out a ton.
I designed the XERO Pro basic to be the most affordable water fed pole possible at 30 actual feet. It is full carbon fiber and actually 40 feet extended.
Take note some of our competitors sell a “30 foot version” that competes price wise but isnt actually a full 30 feet. Its really 25 feet long but they call it a 30 and claim “reach”.
Our 3k pole is actually High Mod and quite a bit stiffer.
Going to go with the Xero Pro Basic 40ft. Thanks guys, we will see if this is any good. I know she won’t flow like my old Tucker (I think the screw holes are 1/4 inch-- she gushes water and after 15 years using it, I love it…) we will see.
Hey guys, I received my pole and used it today. It feels like a very sturdy pole. Quality. I went with the guy I work with to the job needed to measure-- and 40 feet was perfect length to be able to tackle this job that the 25 foot Tucker ASH Model couldn’t. Extending it fully is no problem. Even fully extended, there is not much flex-- it is night and day from the aluminum Tucker at that height (I still love the Tucker pole though, proven workhorse).
Some issues, personally I do not like the teeny, tiny pencil jets. Even when I turn the ball valve to about 90 percent closed, it is shooting water out a solid 5-6 feet in front of glass-- Way too much pressure (due to smaller holes)-- I am so used to the 1/4inch Tucker flow-screws that omit a ton of water but only like a water fountain would. So my friend let me borrow his Alpha brush with nylon and rinse bar---- now it is a perfect brush-- hands down, there is no comparison…finished home I did with the rinse bar with zero issues compared to the high pressure spraying of the original brush and pencil jets— (Don’t get me wrong guys, they still CLEANED fine, I used both on the home-- but the brush when equipped with the rinse bar (and looks like a longer gooseneck) outperformed it in all aspects. So I will make sure I buy a nice rinse bar and will enjoy this great product and pole.
For the price paid, you really can’t go wrong. This is a quality piece of equipment and look forward to many years of use.
I had a buddie lend me his Rinse bar and we plumbed it so it has jets AND rinse bar-- this is the perfect brush for what I need.
I used this pole Tue-Friday working on that job we bought the pole for. I used it for about 20-25 hours this week and I have to say…this is a QUALITY pole. I am very happy with using it. I have “XERO” complaints! Easy to adjust, even FULLY extended I have NO problem carrying it straight up to the next set of windows on the other side of the building. I was using this pole in 20-25mph winds and no problems with the pole getting away from me.
I just have to regain muscle memory in using a rinse bar, as I was using a regular Tucker nylon brush with 1/4 jet screws for 15+ years. Another day or so and I and know exactly how to perfect the WFP method with a rinse bar and smaller jets.
All in all, I will answer my own question on my post-- The Xero is a great pole and if you are on the fence, GET IT. You can work at 40 feet, one job will pay for the cost of the pole…this is a legit workhorse. I really like the Tucker hybrid brush-- the boar’s hair in the middle does a GREAT job scrubbing and the nylon corners fray out to get a good, pure clean. You can extend to full length in no time at all, and the flex is minimal (compared to an aluminum tucker pole) and very manageable.
I finished the last building yesterday that I bought the pole for. This pole has exceeded my expectations, and if I am being repetitive in posts it’s because I am very happy with what was bought.
Another huge job under my belt. Right down the road from the community we service. This was what I see when I drive home…(the job!). 5 buildings, a building a day. Xero pole came through and couldn’t be happier
