Equipment I'm going to buy...I think!!

« **on:** October 10, 2003, 07:56:42 pm »

I think I'm making the right decision in buying the following equipment:

Ashby Ninja 400

2x3stage vaccum motors

135psi induction motor pressure pump with full flow control
Adjustable(0-70c) 3kw internal heater

Hot recirculating solvent adaption, stainless steel curtain tool, 25ft recirculation solvent solution hose, 25ft exhaust hose, 25ft solvent tolerant vacuum hose, solvent uplift tube, 5lt container cage, large hose bag

Kleenrite upholstery tool

2x25ft wire reinforced solution hose and heavy duty vacuum hose

stainless steel wand & hand tool

Portable V2 steamMate

1.5hp hurricane pro air mover

I've done my research and I think this is a really good machine, what do you think?

« **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2003, 08:29:28 pm »

Hi Alex

you won't go too far wrong with that little lot

seems like a good package to me the Ninja is a very good machine.

How much is it costing you.

« **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2003, 08:37:35 pm »

The package is around the £4k mark but it includes a load of cleaning solutions and 3 days training course. It has the chewing gum removal tool aswell but I have a couple of machine which do this anyway.

« **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2003, 08:43:29 pm »

I agree a good choice. but i know a few carpet cleaners who have bought the same package and never used the dry cleaning bits, I'd forget about the dry cleaning and use the the money you save to buy an extra turbo-dryer.

i find using 2 turbo dryers you can tell the customer when you clean thier suite it will be dry before you leave, a big selling piont.

Also a rotory is a good piece of kit to have, look out for a second hand one.

mike

« **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2003, 08:45:30 pm »

Thats about standard I guess,most companies now include training in their packages for health and safety reasons.

I hope your VAT registered so you can claim the tax back .

« **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2003, 09:02:37 pm »

Not to sure what to do now Mike, the dry cleaning is £695 + VAT and the blower is £260 + VAT. Do you recommend dropping it and using the money towards a total of 3 blower or is 2 ok?

Thankfully Woodman I am VAT reg - Phew!!!

« **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2003, 09:35:48 pm »

Before you buy any Turbo Dryers or Air Movers check what Dri-Eaz has to offer.

They have a new compact airmover out thats just 30cms wide and weighs just 4kg but still returns about the same amount of power, it's quiet too.

« **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2003, 10:22:39 pm »

Hi Alex

I have to agree with Mike AAGGHH!!!

Never thought I would say that

The dry cleaning attachment will hardly ever be used and there are other ways of dry cleaning if it's necessary.

I am sure that you can find something more worthwhile to spend the cash you are saving on.

Regards
Derek

« **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2003, 11:56:23 pm »

Alex,

How about drop the dry cleaning bits and swap the kleenrite handtool for the more expensive CFR hand tool. This hand tool (with interchangeable jets) will allow you to wet clean many dry clean only fabrics as well as clean more normal wet cleanable fabrics. I think this would be an inprovement to your package of goodies and it would still leave some spare cash.

Nigel

P.S. Mike , before you say it - the Ashby's plastic tool is not similiar to the CFR tool

« **Reply #9 on:** October 11, 2003, 12:02:32 am »

Alex,

Also buy a Spraymaster or Hydroforce sprayer for applying pre-sprays and protectors. Cost about £100 and worth every penny. I think www.worldofclean.co.uk have the handtool and the sprayers.

Nigel

« **Reply #10 on:** October 11, 2003, 12:33:37 am »

Alex

Sounds like you've done some good research and come up with a good package. I'd go along with Mike and Derek about the occasional use of the solvent add on. I paid a LOT less than that for my last blower, admitedley about 18 months ago. I paid £149 from Broughtons of Redditch on 01527 597567 or try Cool Customers Ltd on 0800 731 2425. I think they're from Derby way. Does your package include the new silencer? or hoses to exhaust outside? And if you like to leave your machine outside, Ashby's do a rain cover for the Ninja to keep it safe and dry. As for Mikes advice about a rotary, it's probably THE most versatile and valuable pieces of equipment you could own. I presume that you have a good quality twin motor upright vacuum cleaner.

« **Reply #11 on:** October 11, 2003, 01:11:29 am »

Alex i carry 3 blowers on the van and never leave a suite wet, it really goes down well with customers.

how about buying a rotory and 8 bonnets, then you could also start offering fast-drying, low moisture cleaning.

The stainless steel pump up sprayer is also a good buy, they last for ever.

Mike

« **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2003, 10:13:34 am »

Hi Guys

You now know there is another meaning to the phrase a 'Windy Halliday' aka the turbo kid

Using a turbo dryer... BEWARE Pictures, chimneys, pot pourai containers, christmas/birthday cards, ladies wearing dresses

.... that's with one dryer let alone Mike's three

The CFR handtool is an excellent piece of kit ..I will go along with that suggestion. Superb for stains on carpets and filtration marks too.

Using this tool with the Ninja will empty your solution tank very quickly but its a small price to pay for the results.

Regards
Derek

« **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2003, 11:22:14 am »

Derek,

Why do you say the cfr tool will empty your waste tank quick? If you use the cfr with the conversion kit it does not dump any water (recirculate)? In fact if you use it with the red tip it takes a lifetime to empty the clean tank. It should use the water at the same rate as the kleenrite tool.

If you really want to empty your clean tank quick try the hydramaster drimaster tool!

Nigel

« **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2003, 12:08:02 pm »

I would also agree with mike about the dry cleaning kit.
I'v had my Ninja 3 years and never used dry cleaning, also ads much weight to the machine, save your back!
Definatly get the silencer, Iv just bought one and cuts the noise by a huge amount.

« **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2003, 02:51:43 pm »

Wow

I bet you wished you never asked now

No but seriously do check out Dri-Eaz (0800 542 9609) their blowers are more superior in my opinion to anything mentioned on here and at reasonable price. The compact does look a great bit of kit I'm getting one so I will let you know.

I can't imagine using a hurricane blower in a domestic situation to dry a sofa, it's a bit like breaking a window on an aircraft at 30,000 ft the client would be hanging onto the curtains.

Not sure about the dry clean option on the machine I do clean a lot of curtains so it might suit someone like me but does sound a tad expensive but if you are going to market for curtain/dry cleaning could be worth it.

« **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2003, 05:55:20 pm »

Hi Guys

The CFR tool operating at a pressure of around 200psi used with a conventional HWE machine does use more water from the solution tank...I can assure you.

Mr W ...I tend to use a turbo dryer when cleaning furniture a) to assist in drying... b) to keep the operator cool...that's me

Cheers
Derek

« **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2003, 03:45:34 pm »

Hi Alex

Just an update on the Dri-Eaze compact

I have been to see them and it really is amazing you could almost clip it to your key ring it's so small.

Ideal when drying furniture and in flood situations where it's tight for space ie corners,bathrooms,kitchens etc

They will be available Mid November and will cost around £99+VAT

« **Reply #18 on:** October 14, 2003, 09:50:53 pm »

Hi Mr W..

Sounds fantastic ...how many will Mike Halliday be able to get in his van?

He will have his own on-site wind farm.

Seriously at that price and if they perform well then they sound like a good buy... you don't happen to know how many CFM (Cubic Feet of air per Minute) they move do you?... My Dri-eze does 3500cfm

Cheers
Derek

« **Reply #19 on:** October 14, 2003, 11:52:48 pm »

A great machine but forget the Dry cleaning system, I’ve only used it twice it drinks 5lts quicker then I can drink ½ pint of water (beer really) also the weight it’s ok if you don’t have to carry it up flights of stairs.

The money, which you will save, you can buy the following. Here are few tools & chemicals, which I have used on numinous occasions iron, steam gun (£50 @ homebase I paid £100 similar system), hairdryer, ammonia, and white vinegar and have course the terry towels. I forgot one blotting paper white of course.

Air movers are very good in the right environment but care should be taken! (Hope you have good insurance when using them in a confined space)

Len

« **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2003, 12:21:58 am »

Alex you need to stop procrastinating and get some equipment bought, otherwise you're going to end up missing the busy Xmas season,

this is the time of year we all love being a carpet cleaner, because we earn the big bucks

you don't want to start in Jan because you starve

mike