[jo5hm4n]

Okay so i bought my first SLX25 Pole in July 2015.  It was used about 2 days per week until July 2016 it was then used about 4 days per week and since Oct 2017 its been used 5 days per week almost constant use.

All sections have cracked from my employees use not mine.  Hired him Oct 2017.

I had to replace Section 1 and Section 2 of the pole on 16/02/2018 as both cracked badly.

Section 3 Replaced 17/01/2019 as it was cracked.

Section 2 Started to crack on Tuesday this week so i've ordered another backup section for my worker.  He's just phoned me and whilst cleaning on a big block of apartments Section 3 is cracked and he said its totally gone not usable.

So should i replace Section 3 along with Section 2 that has just been purchased, or should i sack both sections off and buy him a new SLX25 Pole?


This will be the first time i have ever had to "replace" a pole.  So far i've just replaced sections and good to go.  Hes a bit rough with the pole so hes not getting anything other than an SLX.

Can i keep replacing sections or am i just wasting time and money and would be better off buying him a new SLX25?

Also is this normal that he seems to be cracking a section on the pole almost once a year on average?  I don't know what is normal and what isn't to regards how long a pole should last.

Thanks


P.S - Some one once gave me a good tip to buy a new pole then after 2 years sell it for 80% of price on ebay and buy yourself a new pole.  Does anyone else do this?  Might replace Section 2 and section 3 then sell the pole on ebay see what i get for it

[P @ F]

I’d get a new worker 

[P @ F]

Or give him CLX’s from now on 

[dazmond]

id buy him a CLX 27......and an xtreme 25 for myself....

[mufcglen]

If I had staff and they abused an slx more than I thought they should be they’d be straight on the clx poles!
£250 for an slx22 isn’t a lot of money really though if you got even a year out of it and usually an slx I’d of stopped least got 2 years minimum out of one however I found if I replaced my old slx poles around the 16-20 month mark I’d still get good money for them and just renew my pole and brush  for little money!
My xtremes I reckon 12-15 months but I’ve kept my last one as a spare now in case I snap any sections

[Smudger]

I think you really need to be talking to your worker - we've only had 3 sections snap in 7+ years of using SLX poles and that's 5 days a week - lost a couple of section 1's and a section 2
Always replaced as sections such as 3 and up  dont get used as much

Time to buy a clx  for him 

Darran

[Ste M]

I don't let the lads use anything other than CLX's. The only time they will use a better pole is the od commercial where they use the S-max for high jobs. I generally buy a new pole a year and then keep hold of the good sections from the oldest pole. Then any breakages I just replace a section.

[KS Cleaning]

Tell your worker to vary where he is clamping on the section, especially when the pole is collapsed, use an area of 3-4 inches so wear is evenly distributed. If the cracking is occurring at the base of the section renew stop tape regularly to prevent over extending.

[Ooooooog]

If the pole has done a years work, it owes you you nothing. Get a new one.

[AuRavelling79]

If the pole has done a years work, it owes you you nothing. Get a new one.

I would be happy if a good worker was using an SLX 25 and it was replaced every two years. I might buy the top three sections at two years and replace the lot every four.

[jonboywalton75]

Okay so i bought my first SLX25 Pole in July 2015.  It was used about 2 days per week until July 2016 it was then used about 4 days per week and since Oct 2017 its been used 5 days per week almost constant use.

All sections have cracked from my employees use not mine.  Hired him Oct 2017.

I had to replace Section 1 and Section 2 of the pole on 16/02/2018 as both cracked badly.

Section 3 Replaced 17/01/2019 as it was cracked.

Section 2 Started to crack on Tuesday this week so i've ordered another backup section for my worker.  He's just phoned me and whilst cleaning on a big block of apartments Section 3 is cracked and he said its totally gone not usable.

So should i replace Section 3 along with Section 2 that has just been purchased, or should i sack both sections off and buy him a new SLX25 Pole?


This will be the first time i have ever had to "replace" a pole.  So far i've just replaced sections and good to go.  Hes a bit rough with the pole so hes not getting anything other than an SLX.

Can i keep replacing sections or am i just wasting time and money and would be better off buying him a new SLX25?

Also is this normal that he seems to be cracking a section on the pole almost once a year on average?  I don't know what is normal and what isn't to regards how long a pole should last.

Thanks


P.S - Some one once gave me a good tip to buy a new pole then after 2 years sell it for 80% of price on ebay and buy yourself a new pole.  Does anyone else do this?  Might replace Section 2 and section 3 then sell the pole on ebay see what i get for it

Hi Josh
I just sold my six year old Supermax 47 for £440.00 on ebay
I usually keep my slx for 2 or 3 years, buy a new one, then sell on ebay and post using the gardiners packaging.
I've done this 3 times already, seems to work every time.
Sounds like your employee is a bit heavy handed.
I work 3 days a week and would expect an slx to be sellable after 4 years reasonably careful use by myself.

[jonboywalton75]

Ebay, its pure madness

[Splash & dash]

Poles are disposable items they ware out ,how much money has that pole made you over the years ?? Ime guessing a lot , I would replace it but keep an eye on what he is doing with it .

[Stoots]

An slx 25 is about 300 quid?

Buying replacement clamps and sections isn't really that economical.

Keep the pole 2 years and buy another, sell the old one for maybe £100 or more on ebay.

It's cost you £100 a year to own a decent pole rather than a cobbled together worn out, taped up contraption. 

Or just get him a clx 22 instead.

[jo5hm4n]

Thanks for all comments guys.  First of all i have used a CLX Pole myself for 2 years and oh my god what a crock of S%@# it was.  After using an SLX Pole i could never use a CLX pole again the difference is absolutely huge.  If i wont use it, theres no way im making my worker use it either.  Hes a good worker and considering hes worked for me for almost 3 years now full time i dont think replacing his pole for £300 is that much of a big deal, but it is interesting to see what you guys would do.

I think i will aim to replace the pole every 2 years and then do what Jon does and chuck it on ebay, or failing that i might keep the pole just for spare sections for emergencies etc...

He is heavy handed but i've seen him clean he isn't that much more aggressive with the pole than i am, maybe he is just over extending the sections too much, ill make sure the stop tape is replaced much more often and the poles are maintained better.  I can admit that i have not looked after the poles enough, sometimes they arent cleaned for yonks and i can feel the grit building up!


Cheers guys.

[G Griffin]

A boss looking after his worker?
Great stuff, jo5hm4n!

[NWH]

Not worth messing about unless the rest of the pole is in really good order,as said look how much a single pole can earn you it’s 1000s and 1000s just 1 pole.

[P @ F]

Why don’t you tape the poles when new , but put the tape a few inches up on each section

[jo5hm4n]

Why don’t you tape the poles when new , but put the tape a few inches up on each section

funnily enough the sections that cracked did not crack at the bottom of the sections.  They actually cracked about 65% up the section of the pole and on the top side of the section not the bottom section where most of the strain comes from.  So i am baffled on this one!  Not a bad idea though maybe doing this will make a difference as not over extending each section will reduce overall strain on the pole i suppose

[MNWC]

Sounds a bit like Triggers broom 
I always replace mine after about 18 Months.... then sell the old  one on ebay .....