What is on my Pool Service Truck in 2019

In this Podcast, I go over some of the equipment that I carry on my pool truck week to week.  I do a lot of product testing, so I carry more stuff than most and more stuff than I need each day. Let me run down the equipment for you here in a list form so you get some idea of what essential equipment for your service route would be.

Poles

Primate Pole: this is a 3-piece pole that is made of carbon fiber and weighs just 2 lbs. I am testing the durability and use of this pole and so far, it is great. The price point is high due to the carbon fiber material, but you can’t beat the lightness of this pole. It uses a lever lock which is convenient for sliding out the pole and makes it very fast to adjust.

Skimlite Pole: I have been using the Skimlite Dually Tri-pole since I started in the business. This is a very versatile pole that expands to 18 ft. It is very durable and long lasting, and it is my go-to pole. It is easy to lock into place and the extra length is great for those deeper pools. You can also vacuum an entire pool just from one side.

Pirahna Power Pole: this is a 2-piece pole that has a unique clip in place mechanism that I really like. It is shorter than the Skimlite pole but very strong and a solid choice for a pole. It can be a bit loud, but the quick lock is really a great feature.

Leaf Rakes

I use the Red Baron Rag Bag leaf rake pretty much exclusively now. I like the Rag Bag material because it makes for very easy dumping of the debris. The net is a good size and it is very strong and durable, and you can also easily skim coins and rocks off of the bottom of the pool. For finer debris, I use a fine mesh bag also from Purity pools. But for day t day use the Red Baron is always on my pole.

Vacuum

For me, the Pentair Pro Vac is the best vacuum head. It is heavy and has bearing wheels and is extremely well made. I like the swivel for the handle and the way it just glides over the pool surface. The weights keep it flat on the pool surface and also allows you to vacuum up the walls to the tile line if needed. For the hose, I like the Smooth Bor brand which is extremely durable and reliable. It won’t kink or break on you and last for years. I also like using the Pentair Leaf Trap as my In-line canister.

Portable Filter

I don’t take this all the time on my truck but when needed I use the PORTAVAC by Advantage Manufacturing for cleanups and very dirty pools. The PORTAVAC is a portable filtration system on a dolly that hitches to the back of my truck. It has a 1.5 hp pump and a 150 sq. ft cartridge filter. It is basically pool equipment on wheels. Good to have for sure and something I recommend you purchase as a tool for clean-ups.

Brush

I am pretty much hooked on the Sweep Ease brushes. Ever since I started using them, I haven’t really picked up my A&B Brushes. I will probably be testing some other brushes this year but if you are looking for a great brush the Sweep Ease brushes are the best. Designed to create more force as you brush, you can really feel the difference between these brushes and a regular brush.

Vacuum System

I am a big fan of the Power Vac but I have been using two Vacuum Systems on my route as a way of testing them. The Power Vac is a well-proven machine and they have bee around now for over 15 years. So, I have been using the riptide Vacuum and the Bottom Feeder Vacuum. The Riptide is very user-friendly and does a great job with large leaf debris. The customer service over a t Riptide is top of the line. The Bottom Feeder is a unique vacuum system that is compact and weighs just 12 lbs., including the battery. It is not quite as powerful as a full vacuum system, but the size makes it convenient. Both are exceptional products.

Water Tech

I carry 3 of the Water Tech cleaners on my truck. They are all portable re-chargeable battery operated cleaners. The Precision 2.0, the Volt FX-8 and a smaller vacuum that I use for spas -currently the Volt. The Precision 2.0 is great for spot vacuuming pools and water features and each battery last for 1 hour (it comes with 2 batteries). The Volt is great for vacuuming out pools also and it is a good started vacuum. The Pulse is great for spas and I use it on all of my above ground spas.  

Test Kits

I use a combination of the Taylor K-2005, LaMotte Color Q Pro 7 and test strips on my route. The Taylor kit is great for everyday testing and the Color Q Pro 7 is perfect for those monthly test factors. Test strips are a good way to verify the readings and a great way to spot check the chemistry on your route. I also like the HACH digital Salinity Meter and use this on all of my saltwater pools.

So that is a quick look at some of the essential equipment that I carry on my truck day in and day out.

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.