This video is a proper, real-world day on the job covering tight-access chimney work in Nottinghamshire, a full-outreach chimney liner installation in Derby, and some overdue cherry picker maintenance back at base.
The day starts with what should be a simple task: fitting chimney cowls. But access quickly becomes the real challenge. I need to squeeze the spider lift through a narrow alleyway, remove the basket, narrow the machine down, and carefully choose a safe setup including avoiding outrigger loads over a hidden attenuation tank beneath a patio. This is where experience and planning really matter, and I explain why small margins make all the difference.
Next, I head over to Derby to work alongside stove installers on a chimney liner installation. With overhead power cables, long outreach, and very limited clearance, it’s a job that leaves no room for error. We also use a smoke bomb test to confirm the correct flue before dropping the liner a simple step that removes guesswork and prevents costly mistakes.
During the job, I also address a few topics that have caused plenty of debate online:
- Why I generally avoid vermiculite backfilling around steel chimney liners
- Why you don’t need to be HETAS registered just to drop a liner and fit a cowl
- How modern cowls are designed to allow airflow and reduce condensation
- The worrying condition of chimneys you only ever see once you’re up there
Back at base, I finally tackle a problem that’s easy to ignore when you’re busy: hydraulic hose wear on the cherry picker. I explain why chafing hoses are a serious issue, share advice from the On The Boom community, and fit protective hose covers to reduce the risk of failure because burst hydraulic pipes are bad news for everyone.
I also take a quick, honest look at a portable work light that I’ve actually ended up using regularly. No hype just whether it’s worth having on the truck.
👉 Related video mentioned in this episode:
https://youtu.be/2wWSZ0Ftem0
👉 Join the “On The Boom” Facebook group (operators, engineers & owners):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2014583115751720/
👉 Letour Lamp featured in the video:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DJR9MZP6
If you’re interested in chimney work, cherry pickers, tight access problem-solving, and real-world lessons from the job, this one’s for you.
👍 Enjoyed the video?
If this was useful, please give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and subscribe for more real-world access work, chimney jobs, and honest insights from life on the machine.
Follow Me Online:
- 🌐 Website: https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/
- 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dan_cherrypicker_man
- 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dan_cherrypicker_man
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dan_cherrypicker_man/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancherrypickerman
- ✖️ X: https://x.com/Dan_Picker_Man
- 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-iwanejko-18574265/
- 📍 Google Business Listing: https://share.google/qIIEsiPzauZxfepNd
- 🛠️ Amazon Shop: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/danthecherrypickerman?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_ZC955R0FD1Q8D1FCJASP
👕 Workwear Sponsor
All of my workwear is sponsored by Granite Workwear.
You can find everything I’m wearing here 👉 www.graniteworkwear.com?afid=danny
