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Rotary line that lasts!

29 replies

Amithatbad1 · 17/08/2022 12:15

Help please!
My third rotary drier has broke in nearly as many years!
Each time it's at the same place, the upright pole, usually quite close to the base.
We're a large family so looking for a 50m 4 arm one ideally but one that is sturdy and won't bend with 4 loads of washing on!
I'm looking online but reviews are a bit of a mixed batch.
Has anyone bought a large rotary drier that can handle lots of washing and doesn't bend after a year or so?
All recommendations gratefully received!


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OP posts:
Itsnotthesameasitwas · 17/08/2022 12:31

I’m wondering what the issue is/how it’s installed tbh.

We left our last one at our previous house but it was still going strong after 12 years. We’ve had this one 6 years + a few months. We have never looked for a particular brand. I’m assuming, as Homebase is our local DIY store, we just got them there.

What sort of ground are they sunk into? Is it into an airer ground spike or a bit of piping? Is it cemented in? Just trying to figure out what the issue could be.

ShowOfHands · 17/08/2022 12:35

We just bought a basic one from the local shop and it's going strong 6yrs later. We occasionally put three loads on it and usually, two. Like a pp, our last one lasted us for years and we left it for the next home owners. We cement ours in.

I wonder if there's a common issue across yours?

ItsSnowJokes · 17/08/2022 12:36

Brabantia ones are the best I have found. I can fit 5 loads of washing on it, and it is solid. They need cementing in to the ground but they last and last.

Amithatbad1 · 17/08/2022 12:39

My first rotary line lasted at least 10 years!
Same installation, ground spike in lawn.
It seems like the poles can't take the weight of the washing.
I look out of the window and the washing line is on the floor, the pole bent just above the ground spike as if it's too top heavy?
Maybe I'm putting too much washing on? I use alternate lines to help air flow so it's not as if I'm using every bit of line space.
One was aluminium and wasn't sure of its strength to begin with but gave it a go and it lasted 6 months. The last one I bought 2nd hand, but it looked in great condition 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Dougieowner · 17/08/2022 12:42

Would be interesting to see a photo showing exactly how it has broken as there must be an issue here.
We have only ever had three rotary dryers as they last about 10years. Normally it is items like the rivets holding the arms on falling out with age / use.
Another vote for Brabantia, have a large one and it has been faultless.

TheFairyCaravan · 17/08/2022 12:42

I’ve got this one from Wilkos. I’m pretty sure it’s at least 8 years old. There’s no sign of wear on it either.

Sprig1 · 17/08/2022 12:45

Do you absolutely have to have a rotary. We have line across our garden and washing dries much faster

hedgehoglurker · 17/08/2022 13:02

Do you try to balance the weight of the laundry? Put heavier things like jeans, towels nearer the pole, and spread fairly evenly between the different sides? Or do you perhaps put a heavy load on one side so it is weighed down whilst other sides are either empty or just have lightweight items?

amyboo · 17/08/2022 13:40

I have a Brabantia 4 arm aluminium one that we've had for 10 years! It used to be cemented into the ground but we had to move it and DH just did it with the ground spike. That was 2 years ago and still no problems. FWIW, we are a family of 5 and I regularly put 3-4 (big) lods of washing on it.

itsthesoundofthepolice · 17/08/2022 13:51

My Brabantia one is 7yrs old and still going strong, my cheaper one snapped at the bottom. This one is really chunky and huge, so it's perfect for bedding

I noticed the other day that only one of my other neighbours have a whirly....everyone else that I could see has a retractable line.

Lonecatwithkitten · 17/08/2022 13:53

Ground spikes seem to be much less resilient than concreted in.
I love my Brabantia and my husband who is an engineer is very impressed by it.

Thunderpunt · 17/08/2022 14:02

Another vote for Brabantia, we have a 4 arm one DH got on FB marketplace at short notice for 20 quid when my old one gave up the ghost. I love it! Recently moved so had to get a new spike, and they are larger than most rotary lines. Ordered one on Amazon for £10 based on pole diameter- when it arrived it was also Brabantia (I hadn't even checked when I ordered)

mommybear1 · 17/08/2022 14:04

I have a Brabantia one and have had for over 10 years - my washing loads have increased due to DC what I find helps now is tying very strong rope type string to each of the four corners and tying it to our wall posts/ballastrade. It fell over once and the arm bent but it still works fine.

MinnieGirl · 17/08/2022 14:52

Sprig1 · 17/08/2022 12:45

Do you absolutely have to have a rotary. We have line across our garden and washing dries much faster

Same here.
The wind dries the washing beautifully. I would hate a rotary line..
Having said that, I have a tiny garden and a rotary line would swamp it

JadeSeahorse · 17/08/2022 14:53

Can't beat Brabantia IMO.

Yes they are more expensive - can't believe I am saying this as I am most definitely NOT a Miele/Waitrose type buyer 😂 - but worth the extra.

Had mine years now! Came with a 10 year guarantee but no problems at all with it and it's not even cemented in as the ground spike is so robust.

Aria20 · 17/08/2022 14:57

Yes Brabantia - def worth the money! We are a family of 5 and ours is used daily often with bed sheets/towels plus normal washing! Very sturdy and strong.

Amithatbad1 · 17/08/2022 15:10

Yes, I always try to make sure the washing is evenly spread across the lines. Looking like Brabantia is the way to go!
Thank you everyone for recommendations

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 17/08/2022 15:35

Mine is a wall mounted Brabantia. Neat and tidy when not in use and four arms for big loads. It’s coped with a soggy super king sized duvet that I foolishly washed in the bath. A cover goes over it when not in use.

Choccyp1g · 17/08/2022 15:37

My brabantia is 25 years old and still fine.

LoversLane · 17/08/2022 15:40

Watching this with interest. We are moving soon and will be leaving our great washing line behind - attached at four points across the side return of our terraced house and it's excellent. It will be hard to have the same set up in the new house. MIL suggested a rotary but I'm not convinced (kids want to play football in the garden!). Can a rotary be removed when not in use?
How does a wall mounted Brabantia work?

dementedpixie · 17/08/2022 15:46

Don't know what ours is but it's been there since we moved in 22 years ago! Think it says homebase. Seems to be cemented in place and I've never tried ro move it

Topseyt123 · 17/08/2022 15:52

ItsSnowJokes · 17/08/2022 12:36

Brabantia ones are the best I have found. I can fit 5 loads of washing on it, and it is solid. They need cementing in to the ground but they last and last.

I was just coming on here to say Brabantia too. Ours is 8 years old and still going strong, with a family of 5 living here for most of those years.

It can hold several loads easily, and has weathered many storms without bending. I have it cemented into the ground. It is great. I've had other cheaper rotary driers before this one but all of them broke within a couple of years.

stopringingme · 17/08/2022 15:52

Our last Brabantia finally broke after 19 years, one of the rivets at the top went and I have replaced it with another one I have the Lift-O-Matic 4 arm version which is 50metres of drying space, got it from Amazon, we cemented the spike in. They do a 60 metre version too.

@LoversLane yes they can be lifted out, we usually take it out to cut the grass.

Topseyt123 · 17/08/2022 15:54

LoversLane · 17/08/2022 15:40

Watching this with interest. We are moving soon and will be leaving our great washing line behind - attached at four points across the side return of our terraced house and it's excellent. It will be hard to have the same set up in the new house. MIL suggested a rotary but I'm not convinced (kids want to play football in the garden!). Can a rotary be removed when not in use?
How does a wall mounted Brabantia work?

Yes, they can be collapsed and removed if you want to when not in use. I don't bother though as I no longer have young children living here and wanting to play. It is an option if you need to.

abovedecknotbelow · 17/08/2022 16:01

I've got one from Homebase that we got when we moved in14 years ago, no issues at all. What are you doing to them?!

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