Equipment

« **on:** February 29, 2012, 09:34:03 am »

I'm looking at investing in some gear for my carpet (and soon to be hard floor) setup.

I'm currently running:
A truckmount
A rotary (Nilfisk SD-2 If I remember rightly) - 190rpm and 32kgwith a few different colour pads
SEVERAL Rotowash CRBs (Various sizes)
Vacuum Cleaner

Mops & Buckets

Now, my aim it to increase the amount of hard floors, whilst also improving my commercial carpet cleaning capabilities (I'm thinking possibly encap cleaning).

I need help trying to decide between, and prioritise some of the following:

Hard floor wand for truckmount
Cimex or OP Machine (Heavy duty, not Oreck/Floormac) - Which would be best?
Floor spinner
Gekko Tool with various heads

If someone could offer some words of advice I'd be very grateful. Particularly about Cimex vs Oscillating Pad - what are your feelings with these re: Hard floor cleaning/restoration?

Many thanks,

Ash

« **Reply #1 on:** February 29, 2012, 03:21:03 pm »

Which Cimex are you looking at?

« **Reply #2 on:** February 29, 2012, 03:24:54 pm »

Whatever comes up used, but probably a CR48 ideally.

« **Reply #3 on:** February 29, 2012, 05:39:25 pm »

I wouldn't bother with a hard floor wand if you're getting a spinner

Maybe get a wet vac pick up for when you can't use the truckmount

« **Reply #4 on:** February 29, 2012, 05:40:49 pm »

CR48 is a great machine and very versatile, can be used for encapping carpets and cleaning rugs

« **Reply #5 on:** February 29, 2012, 05:55:09 pm »

I know they're great for encap, I was wondering how they are for hard floors?

« **Reply #6 on:** February 29, 2012, 06:04:10 pm »

I can convert a Cimex into a Planetary Grinder for you.

We have built 2 ourselves from used machines and Truvox's parts bins.

The new US built CR48s actually have locators for weight kits not available to UK market but I can source them.

We use our cimex machines for encap, rugs, stone.

I own 5 of em in various flavours.

« **Reply #7 on:** February 29, 2012, 06:09:51 pm »

I'm on the Alltec SMT course next week through TACCA, I don't think I'll be massively into restoration - but I do have some good leads into local car showrooms so I want a unit suitable for that sort of thing and the occasional bit of heavier duty use. Woyld the standard brushes available for the cimex be OK?

Whaats your take on OP Machines for hard floors Jamie?

« **Reply #8 on:** February 29, 2012, 06:26:35 pm »

In all honesty I have never tried them.

Every other grinding/polishing machine on the planet is planetary so there must be a good reason.

I would love to be able to justify a HOS Orbot for carpet works but at the moment i have 100+ machines.

For cleaning of car showrooms I would look at a Truvox Multiwash. A good CRB and a spinner tool/hard floor wand on a TM you will be flying.

Yellow Cimex Brushes are best for floors IMO.

« **Reply #9 on:** February 29, 2012, 10:02:39 pm »

I disagree about the multiwash, if it was for a light maintenece clean, fine!! But i find its not heavy duty enough, i would lean more towards the karcher BR400,

Just my opinion of course!

« **Reply #10 on:** February 29, 2012, 10:12:06 pm »

Yeah that's my worry - but I could get a set of firmer brushes for the Rotowash?

I couldn't get in the Jester Bill, so I've booked the Coach House instead. Its only 2 miles from Alltec, but I bet there's feck all else round there!

« **Reply #11 on:** February 29, 2012, 10:17:49 pm »

your right, there is feck all else around!!!! hahaha

its sat in the middle of nowhere!!!

« **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2012, 09:17:49 am »

Quote from: Billy Russell on February 29, 2012, 10:02:39 pm

I disagree about the multiwash, if it was for a light maintenece clean, fine!! But i find its not heavy duty enough, i would lean more towards the karcher BR400,

Just my opinion of course!

We run ours with the Blue Brushes and no waste tank so it drops solution back onto floor for added dwell.

The tanks arent big enough for restoration cleaning. We just use it for scrubbing.

BR400 is a good bit of kit. Just dont fill both tanks up to increase the weight. Our rep (at the time) did that when he demo'd the machine to us and blew it up. Why do these things always happens on demos.

« **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2012, 07:03:44 pm »

I've got an OP and it's bloody brilliant on hard floor it's so fast, I usually use a rotary and keep going over and over bits but the OP does it in one go.

Shaun

« **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2012, 07:06:21 pm »

I know Shaun, I'm interested in yours still, but can't quite justify the £ at the moment.

What sort of work have you done with it Shaun? Just T&G cleaning, or something more industrial?

« **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2012, 07:21:12 pm »

I've done a few T and G's I like it because it gets more into the grout which saves my knees loads and also plenty of Altro etc floors I should push it more because it is easy money but I have a large carpet cleaning database the hard floors are just for something different.

Shaun

« **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2012, 07:31:39 pm »

If you sell it Shaun, what'll it come with?

« **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2012, 07:46:04 pm »

Machine comes with drive pad fixed you then add hard floor brush it's on velcro and some carpet floaters which are put under the pad for carpet cleaning if you are using cotton bonnets if like me you prefer 'proper' bonnets then they aren't needed.

Shaun

« **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2012, 08:10:11 pm »

Whats your definition of 'proper' bonnets? Do you mean the firmer type as opposed to the towel type? What size do you use?

For hard floors, is it possible to use coloured pads at all?

Just watching the video on the website, do you have the different types of gliders?

Sorry for all the questions, but i have 0 experience with OP machines

« **Reply #19 on:** March 01, 2012, 09:36:40 pm »

I use dry fusion bonnets because I like them, you can use any pad or scotchbrite pad 15" but 17" are better IMO, there are 3 gliders but I don't think they are any good anyway.

Shaun

« **Reply #20 on:** March 01, 2012, 09:42:11 pm »

Thanks for the info Shaun, much appreciated.

Will you accept £600 for it? If so, I can do it now.

« **Reply #21 on:** March 01, 2012, 10:17:27 pm »

Yep but not sure how the logistics of me to you will work???

Shaun

« **Reply #22 on:** March 01, 2012, 10:20:12 pm »

If you can package it in as small a box as possible, with a load of protection, I'll get it collected?

« **Reply #23 on:** March 01, 2012, 10:29:56 pm »

Okay I'll box it over the weekend and I'll let you know regards pick up.

Shaun

« **Reply #24 on:** March 01, 2012, 10:34:03 pm »

No rush, I'm on a course Sun-Wed anyway, so don't really want it til I get back. Let me know what you want to do re: payment

« **Reply #25 on:** March 01, 2012, 10:49:52 pm »

I'll get it courier ready, send me a text with your name and address 07902 874683 on thursday I'll send you my bank details and arrange pick up.

Shaun

« **Reply #26 on:** March 01, 2012, 11:04:44 pm »

Sounds good. Do you want me to paypal you a deposit til then?

« **Reply #27 on:** March 01, 2012, 11:13:48 pm »

Payment will be fine when you arrange pick up.

Shaun

« **Reply #28 on:** March 01, 2012, 11:14:39 pm »

OK I'll drop you a text next week.

Thanks