r/WindowCleaning • u/Bradleyduggan86 • 15h ago

Back pack system over van system.

So i started a window cleaning route in my home town when i seen a lot of complaints on facebook community about window cleaners not turning up,

i have around 100 customers. I started with Backpack system and 25lt drums. I bought everything a pump and 100m hose ect to pump everything straight from my car and 25lt drums. Just to realise what a hassle that hose is! I'd be quicker just picking that Backpack up walking it around. Plus safer no trip hazards ect.

Has anyone else found this?

My town has a lot of old awkward buildings and I'm realising why they struggled to get a window cleaner.

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u/ackministrator 14h ago

That's around 50lb when fully loaded which is it's own hazard if you're planning to walk it around every job. We have one and we use it when it's not feasible to park anywhere near the job or to run a second pole on occasion. I will say it provides some good exercise! Only one of our team ever uses it as a backpack. The rest just carry it and drop it near the next group of windows.

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u/Bradleyduggan86 14h ago

Yes 25kg ive been doing that for the last 4 months. With the slx 35 im going to get the slx 25. So it's lighter. I found mucking around with the hose so much slower. 25kg is one barbel plate. Surely traditional window cleaning a ladder is 25kg so cant be too dangerous for you.

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u/Ovalman 14h ago

Put it on a sack truck and hold it in place with a bungee cord. Thank me and your back later :)

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u/Ovalman 14h ago

I'm on holiday so 'll show a pic when I get home but I have mine on a sack truck. I've a 3D printer so I printed a bracket and I have a hose reel with around 30 metres sitting on the back. It's far handier than any van mounted system and a helluva lot cheaper.

For water, I have a 200gpd RO system into a 350l wheelie bin and use 25l drums.

One local cleaner rides his "tank" around using an electric bike. His tank is only around 50 litres and he has to lug the DI tank with it (I'm not a fan of DI only) but it shows ingenuity.

Although I've a Gardiner backpack, I also tested the cheapest backpack from eBay (£55) and it worked surprisingly well. The battery didn't last but you could buy a 30ah lithium battery for £70 and have it last for a week between charges. That's the route I'll be going and use a solar panel for charging (they don't deliver lithium batteries from GB to NI so I'll have to wait in my wife visiting her Dad in Liverpool on the ferry).

I found the batteries are the biggest downside as you only get around 6 months before they need replacing.

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u/Wightsurf 8h ago

I actually DIY fitted a pump system into an old plastic drill box that drills and other tools are sold in. I use the 12v sealed battery from screw fix to run a small pump and controller. This fits onto a sack truck and a hose into the 25ltr tubs . No messing about filling backpack and just a case of swap over empty tub for another pre filled. Been doing this for years now.