Two Days in the Life of the Cherry Picker Man
If you’ve ever wondered what a “quiet day” looks like when you work at height, here’s a peek behind the scenes. In this episode I split the action over two days, swapping out tired gutters in Oxton, a pit stop to collect brand-new sponsored workwear (buzzing about this!), a head-scratchy callout to overflowing gutters at a Southwell garage, and then a full-on chimney rescue featuring rebedding, re-flaunching, and a ridge tile rehack. It’s equal parts problem-solving, practical tips, and a few classic mishaps. Watch the full video to see it all play out in real time.
Day 1: Gutter Replacement in Oxton (and a Track Tantrum)
The plan: replace a long run of knackered gutters that previously kept getting pushed back by high winds and a lack of access. With tight roof lines and awkward angles, this is 100% a cherry picker job, ladders or a tower wouldn’t cut it here.
The snag: I miscalculated by a metre after removing an extra length from the ticket (typical!). Cue a detour back to Rainworth to grab more, plus a comedy of errors when the cherry picker track slipped off the ramp. If your machine’s sprockets are tired, it will let you know at the worst time.
The fix: strip out the old guttering first, load the basket with fresh lengths and fittings, then install and test. Simple, neat, watertight, job done.
👉 Curious how we set up safely in tight access spots and why a tracked spider lift beats scaffolding for jobs like this? Watch the full video for the full workflow and test run.
The Granite Workwear Sponsorship: Why It Matters
This bit is huge for me. I’ve worked with Granite Workwear for years, and I’ve been living in DASSY kit because it lasts, fits well, and handles UK weather like a champ. I put a proposal together to create content that genuinely shows how the gear performs on real rooftops and chimneys, and they said yes.
What you’ll see going forward:
- A year’s worth of workwear supplied by Granite.
- Real-world testing in the rain, dust, and mortar.
- Honest feedback as I put DASSY kit through the wringer, like that brand-new coat getting a baptism in a Nottinghamshire downpour on Day 2.
Callout: Overflowing Gutters at MJC Motors, Southwell
At MJC Motors (Crew Lane, Southwell) the lads were battling overflowing gutters. First guess is always “blockage,” but a quick inspection showed them clear, just sagging and likely undersized for heavy rain.
What I did on the day:
- Cleared what needed clearing.
- Re-seated where possible.
- Documented issues for the customer.
Next step: quote for industrial-size gutters and a renewal. Sometimes the right answer isn’t a clean-out; it’s sizing and falls. When the system can’t cope, upgrading capacity is the only sensible fix.
Day 2: Chimney Rescue—Re-flaunching, Rebedding & Ridge Repair
The brief near Southwell, a wonky chimney pot, cracked flaunching, and a ridge tile threatening to make a bid for freedom. Classic signs of weathering and failed fixings.
Diagnosis at the pot: the original metal strap had rusted to nothing, leaving the pot teetering. Because the flue’s not in use, I set slate bridges across the opening, rebedded the pot on slate, and flaunch-sealed with a solid mortar system. That avoids metal-on-weather exposure and removes the rust risk entirely.
Flaunching & brickwork:
- Removed loose, failed material without destabilising sound areas.
- Lime mortar for sensitive re-bedding and titivation around the top courses.
- SBR bonding to tie new work to old where appropriate, then a clean, water-shedding flaunch.
Ridge tile: cracked across the centre but still serviceable. Lifted, bedded, and pointed properly to restore integrity and keep water out.
Result: a tidier, safer chimney head, a resecured ridge, and a roofline that will shed water the way it should.
Practical Takeaways (For Homeowners & Facility Managers)
- Access dictates success. Tight valleys, internal courtyards, and long runs are precisely where a spider cherry picker excels.
- Overflowing gutters aren’t always blocked. If they’re sagging or undersized, you’re chasing symptoms, not the cause.
- Chimney pots need more than luck. If you’re not using the flue, a slate platform + proper flaunching outlasts rusty straps.
- Bond right, last longer. Using SBR as a bridge between old and new makes repairs more durable and water-resistant.
Enjoy this kind of thing? Come behind the scenes.
I keep the tone honest, little wins, little fails, and real fixes that actually solve problems. If you’re thinking about gutter upgrades, a chimney repair, or how on earth to access that awkward bit of roof, watch the full video and see the process start to finish. And if you’ve got a similar issue, drop a comment, I read them all.
Call to Action
- Watch the full video to see the gutter swap, the sponsorship pickup, the Southwell inspection, and the chimney rescue in action.
- Follow me online to catch new episodes, tips, and the occasional tool test in questionable weather.
Conclusion
Two days, three sites, and one very timely waterproof coat later, we’ve got fresh gutters in Oxton, a clear plan for MJC Motors, and a chimney that’s solid, straight, and weather-tight. Big thanks to Granite Workwear for backing the craft and letting me put great kit through real work. Got a tricky access problem or a chimney that’s doing the tango? Tell me about it, I might feature it next time.
Follow Me Online:
• 🌐 Website: www.dji-uk.co.ukhttps://www.tiktok.com/@dan_cherrypicker_man
• 🎥 YouTube: @dan_cherrypicker_man
• 🎵 TikTok: @dan_cherrypicker_man
• 📸 Instagram: @dan_cherrypicker_man
• 👍 Facebook: Dan the Cherry Picker Man
• ⭐ Google Business Page: dji high access services – Google Search
• 🛒 Amazon Shop: Dannys Shop
My workwear is sponsored by Granite Workwear, and all of the clothing I’m wearing in the video can be purchased on their website: https://www.graniteworkwear.com/
