help on truck mount - Carpet Cleaning Issues

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help on truck mount

Posted by DP (DP), 7 February 2004

Hi just looking for some experienced views on truck mounts. Hope I’m not asking the question on here for the 100th time (get this feeling I might be) but I have looked back and done a search with not much coming up.

So with a TM looking imminent, what’s the general consensus on the best at this time ie is it still Prochem, if so which one, I have been on the site and had a look, just wanted a professional opinion.

I have really 2 possibilities at the mo either 1 high end or 2 operator unit, or 2 vans with lower end single user units.

Not really sure of other manufacturer options, so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks
DP

Posted by lee_gundry (lee_gundry), 7 February 2004

quick reply

1 big unit, 1 van, duel wand

i guess prochem are nearest to you so servicing /repair issues are good.good choice would be the everest tm

i have a hydramaster 470 also had a hydramaster 3.2 & a boxxer.

or you could go chemspec 860 3 wand

www.hydramaster.co.uk
www.prochem.co.uk
www.chemspecequipment.com

Lee G

Posted by DP (DP), 8 February 2004

Lee
Many thanks for those links and your advice Wink

cant seem to find anything on the everest tm though.

I must admit the chemspec looks promising with the higher PSI for additional types of work, now just got to find costs.

DP

Posted by lenpg (Len Gribble), 8 February 2004

Hi DP

Buying a T/M are you big enough co to warrant spending megger money on the top of the range T/M duel wand etc, if so you will need a lager vehicle to put it in! That also adds to your cost. Having the most advanced t/m machine say at £20k, which runs three operators look good, but manly used by a single operator is not cost effective

There are few cc that run multi t/m businesses but most are single operators like me, regarding what system is the best, that a question? The t/m I uses is Prochem Blazer Plus van Vito never had a problem with the Blazer which is 3 years old next month but I look after it.

I’m not totally qualified to comment on any other manufacture t/m system but I’ve tried them via colleges, and made my judgement decision.

My recommendation is that you contact other cc t/m users and go out with them, then make your decision.

Remember what is good for you is not necessary good for the sales person!

Len

Posted by squeaky (squeaky), 8 February 2004

Hi DP,

I also use a blazer plus which is 4 years old and has never been a problem once you know how to use it etc.
I always service it myself which once you can source the parts is a much much much cheaper option than going to prochem for the service and is not difficult to do.The only downside of buying Prochem is the parts are very expensive ( which I am sure many of you Prochem users have experienced )
This machine has always been able to do anything that we have wanted it to do and has been a good choice for us, we now use an RX 20 with the blazer (which is not always necessary ) but makes extremely light work of those larger areas and the mingers that we CC sometimes have to put up with.
However do not think that once you have a truckmount that you will never use a portable again , it is not always easy to get close enough or the van is too big to get close enough or you simply cannot park anywhere near the job.Keep your portable and always make sure that you have access.
I am looking at the larger portable options now so that I can fit one in a smaller van i.e. Kangoo/Partner and use it as a TM when needed ( as most large portable machines can run up to 150 foot pipe ) but if needed can be taken out of the van and used as a portable ,
( I will still keep the Blazer )the Cross American Recoil 3 looks a good option at the moment.It might be worth you looking into this before you commit yourself to a full blown TM.

Regards

Mark

Posted by Phil_@_Deep_Clean (Phil_@_Deep_Clean), 8 February 2004

DP,

You really should go on the Sunny Day out in Preston, just about every TM on the planet will be there on show and all being demonstrated.

Cant think of a better place to be if your going big time on a TM plus all experienced users you can talk to.

Phil

Posted by mike_halliday (mike_halliday), 8 February 2004

If you are going to buy Prochem I hear you can get a better deal if you go through one of their distributers Eg Exspress cleaning or Craftex.

This way you'll get the best of both worlds, cheaper price and you can go straight to Chessington if you have a problem

Mike

Posted by Shaun_Ashmore (Shaun_Ashmore), 8 February 2004

Mike have you been demoted to 3rd best looking cc?

Getting back o the question, look at specs and identify which model is for you now and what you will want in the future theres no point of buying for today when you need to upgrade tomorrow it will be expensive!

hydramaster will soon have Barlow handling to do service and repairs to all of their machines and there is one in most towns.

Shaun

Posted by lenpg (Len Gribble), 8 February 2004

Mike is correct

Express Cleaning Supplies they done me a great deal on the Blazer plus the extra hoses ETC. My local Prochem dealers could not match ECS discounts toooo greedy I think but check; sorry don’t know the other co but it’s worth checking. Care should be taken if you order the sub-mount fresh water unit it may not fit you van

Phil
I would love to come to Preston but I would quicker for me to drive to Spain, have a great day there anyway.

(Steve/mark) Sub-mount Len

Len

Posted by woodman (woodman), 9 February 2004

Come and have a look at the Cross American Recoil at Watford on 31st March before you spend fortunes on a truck mount. Wink

Posted by DP (DP), 9 February 2004

Many Many thanks gentlemen for your replies here.

There is some good advice and although I have cleaned carpets for the last 20 years on and off, I have never used a T/M. On the point of mobile units, yup got some Prochem ones which will still be carried.

They are clearly a large investment especially when looking at multiple units so understanding the choices is very important and really only possible by talking to guys like yourselves in the field.

There are a lot of highlighted points here including type of vehicle, volume of work, ease of servicing and cost of parts which are all valid issues.

The concept is to make additional use of the kit in other trades (mainly out of fear) with one being particularly specialised which adds to the problem slightly in respect of pressure and carryable water but maybe solvable with an additional pump and small towed bowser.

So have contacted Prochem today (only 30 mins away) by way of making a start (and spoke about the everest which sounds like a bit of a beast along with the price)

Um embarrassingly "Preston" what’s there and when? Embarassed

If its not too far away then Ill wait, otherwise ill have to get out there and see these other manufacturers wherever they are.

Once again guys Many Thanks.
DP

Ps
Woodman, have sent pm regarding Watford.

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