If you ever want to test your confidence in machinery, timing, and life choices, try dragging a spider cherry picker across a frozen lawn in the snow.
That’s exactly how this afternoon started. It was cold, it was slippery, and I’d decided to record the whole thing so you might as well come along for the ride. What followed was a proper winter’s mix of bird problems, frozen gutters, improvised fixes, and one slightly unfortunate GoPro incident.
(You’ll definitely want to watch the full video for this one — there are some moments that are far better seen than explained.)
Getting the Spider Lift In (Without Redesigning the Garden)
The spider lift went into its narrow configuration straight away. Earlier in the day, it had already squeezed through a garden gate that was never designed with machinery in mind and now it was time to track gently across snow-covered grass.
The aim here is always the same: do the job properly without leaving behind what looks like a failed landscaping project. Slow, steady tracking, following the same tram lines in and out, and hoping I don’t get shouted at about the lawn later.
Once in position, the outriggers go down and everything looks calm, organised, and under control. Historically, that feeling doesn’t last very long.
This kind of access is exactly why I rely so heavily on access using a cherry picker rather than scaffolding or endless ladder work especially on awkward sites like this. It allows me to work efficiently while keeping disruption to a minimum. (If you’re curious, this is the sort of setup I use for my cherry picker hire and access work across Nottinghamshire.)
Stopping Jackdaws Turning a Chimney Into a Penthouse
The first job was dealing with jackdaws nesting in the chimney and they’d already been busy. When I got up there, I found an old bird guard shoved down inside the pot.
Here’s the problem:
- The chimney pot is rectangular
- The bird guard was round
Instead of stopping birds, it had basically become a luxury penthouse foundation for jackdaws.
Because of the pot shape, a standard chimney cowl wasn’t going to work. So I improvised using leftover mesh from a previous solar panel bird-proofing job. Cut to shape, wrapped neatly over the top, and secured properly with stainless steel wire.
Sometimes the best solution really is the one you already have in the van.
The second chimney, thankfully, was much more cooperative — round pot, standard size. On went a multi-fuel cowl. I hadn’t priced for it, but I had one in the truck from a previous chimney liner job. This pot needed it, so it got it. Call it recycling.
This is exactly the kind of practical chimney maintenance work that prevents bigger problems later on, whether that’s nesting birds, blockages, or long-term damage to the flue. (It’s something I deal with regularly as part of my chimney maintenance and repair services.)
Frozen Gutters, Ice, and Improvised Tools
Next up: gutter clearing. Everything was frozen solid.
Cast iron gutters. Ice. Leaves. Not the easiest combination.
Luckily, I still had my snips in my pocket from fixing the mesh, so they became my very technical ice-breaking tool. Nothing fancy just getting the job done.
One of the gutter joints was leaking. First step: dry it out. Out came the blowtorch, followed by a hybrid polymer sealant and adhesive. Not glamorous, but very effective.
Then it was time to replace a missing cast iron downpipe feeding into the hopper. Swan neck offered up, pipe lifted into place, holes drilled, rawl plugs in, and everything fixed neatly. One of those jobs that only looks simple once it’s finished.
This sort of frozen-weather cleanup is exactly why regular gutter clearance and maintenance matters — small issues quickly turn into leaks, damp patches, and internal damage if they’re ignored. (It’s a common call-out for me during winter, alongside general gutter clearance services.)
Packing Down, Narrow Gates, and a Very Long Driveway
With the back garden finished, it was time to pack everything down and get the machine out. Basket off first, then carefully tracking back along the same lines I’d made earlier again, because I enjoy not being shouted at.
The 800mm garden gate? No problem. Machine narrowed, slipped through nicely, gate refitted like nothing ever happened. That’s always the goal.
From there, it was a long walk or rather, a long track down the driveway to the other side of the building. If the machine had feet, my fitness app would’ve been very impressed.
Valleys Full of Leaves & Gutters Hanging Off
Once set up again, I was back in the basket and heading up for the next task: clearing roof valleys absolutely packed with leaves and debris.
This is the point in the job where dignity takes a short break. On hands and knees, scooping everything into a big yellow bucket in the basket.
Then I spotted it a gutter hanging off.
Out came the screwdriver, a couple of screws went in, panic over. Job’s a fish.
While I was up there, I cleared the rest of the gutters too. It would’ve been rude not to.
Apparently, there was still dripping on the far side of the building, in an awkward spot. So I took the machine up and over the roof to investigate properly.
That’s when the real issue became obvious: a missing stop end.
Which would definitely explain the leak.
The only problem? I didn’t have a spare.
Improvising a Fix (Again)
Time to improvise. I relocated a stop end from a section the customer could deal with later and installed it where it actually mattered the bit they couldn’t easily access.
Problem solved, leak stopped, and no more water running where it shouldn’t.
With everything sorted, the machine was packed away, back onto the trailer, and that was the cherry picker done for the day.
Remembering Why I Bought a Cherry Picker
The final section of the job wasn’t accessible with the cherry picker, so out came the ladders.
I remembered very quickly why I bought a cherry picker in the first place.
Up and down. Up and down. Clear the gutters. Repeat.
It’s basically a stair workout nobody asked for.
Eventually, everything was finished, ladders back on the truck, machine strapped down and then it was time to reverse down the long driveway.
I’d carefully placed my GoPro where it definitely couldn’t get hit.
Definitely.
(If you haven’t already, go and watch the full video — the ending alone is worth it.)
Final Thoughts
Jobs like this are a good reminder of why experience, preparation, and a bit of problem-solving matter so much in this trade. Snow, birds, frozen gutters, missing parts none of it is unusual. The difference is knowing how to adapt and still leave the job neat, safe, and properly finished.
If you enjoy seeing real-world access work, problem-solving at height, and the occasional moment where things don’t quite go to plan, make sure you follow along and keep an eye on the channel.
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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/?afid=danny
