Alternative Vacuum Cleaners

« **on:** September 05, 2015, 07:27:59 pm »

What would be a decent alternative to a BS36 I'm open to suggestions

« **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2015, 07:31:52 pm »

Lindhaus or Karcher

« **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2015, 08:08:42 pm »

I prefer a good tub vac with a long hose and stiff brush head, a bit harder on the arms but I think you can do a better job.

I have a big twin motor wet & dry vac which I use with 25ft of hose, I also have a turbo brush which I can connect but it whistles really bad

« **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2015, 09:32:58 pm »

Mike interesting alternative , would one of these be ok for VLM cleaning or would it leave sponges everywhere

jim

« **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2015, 10:15:41 pm »

I think if you don't mind putting a bit of effort into the wand strokes then you will open up the pile better with a tub than an upright, after all the upright only has a small motor turning the brush not enough to push apart the carpet fibres to allow the vacuum to pull the dirt or sponges from the bottom of the pile.

« **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2015, 11:27:02 pm »

Come on guys a good quality upright with a beater bar/ brush will leave any tub vacuum cleaner in the shade.

« **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2015, 11:58:39 pm »

I like this idea: http://www.carpet-cleaning-equipment.co.uk/dry-vacuum-attachment-complete-with-turbo-wand-p-277.html

I have a henry red turbo brush that fits perfectly 1.5 carpet hose cuff. Handy for some hair removal, some rugs etc. With high end porty can not be stoped on most of carpet/rugs.
A bit of diy and you have the same as ashbys one, or just buy one and perfect for most of domestics with a bit of space in your van.

« **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2015, 01:01:37 am »

I really want this! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2tdvt16vwQ Will pretty much beat everything hands down.

Is there something similar in the UK?

Thing is, when the customer see's you vac'ing with a sebo etc they think "I could do that". Same cant be said if you show up with a pile lifter.

Granted, would be a pain in the harris to bring to every job.

« **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2015, 01:08:04 am »

I should be in the state's next month. If I was to buy this and post it to myself, will I avoid paying import duty? Or post part of it and bring the rest back in my suitcase?

« **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2015, 01:26:14 am »

Ya that is a mean upright go for it man.

« **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2015, 02:05:32 am »

Quote from: Carpet Dawg on September 06, 2015, 01:08:04 am

I should be in the state's next month. If I was to buy this and post it to myself, will I avoid paying import duty? Or post part of it and bring the rest back in my suitcase?

Had one , its a heavy heavy thing . Works well on those dense wool carpets like in the vid , but are u doing those every day ?
it will soon slip to the back of the van and find its permanent resting place in your garage

never used the crb with the vac , flexy5? but u might be better off with one of those .
Used kirby with self drive best for domestic imho

« **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2015, 07:35:10 am »

The best Vac I have ever had was the Royal, as good as a kirby but cheaper..... Sadly though it is an American machine which no one seems to stock over here so when mine died it was a sad day couldnt even get parts.
If anyone knows a company in the uk who stock them I would love to know thanks

« **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2015, 07:36:45 am »

Quote from: Tadgh O Shea on September 05, 2015, 11:27:02 pm

Come on guys a good quality upright with a beater bar/ brush will leave any tub vacuum cleaner in the shade.

No it won't, I have 3 uprights both the sb36 twin motor variety and they stay at home for my wife to use (actually that's a lie they used to stay at home now they are in the unit as my wife even prefers a tub vac)

If we are talking about large open office carpets then I would go with a upright as they are far easier to use, but if we are talking about domestics with stair, furniture etc then a good commercial tub vac with pick up better and be easier to use and you will do a better job.

But!!! Like I say you need to put your back into it and use a hard scrubbing action to push the pile open.

I have some good videos of vacuum attachments I will try and find them

« **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2015, 07:39:48 am »

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ylqSLBiqHvA

« **Reply #14 on:** September 06, 2015, 07:45:15 am »

Another.... This shows the actual tool I use with my tub vac although in this case I have it attached to my truckmount

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L4bV1Jn8Xto

« **Reply #15 on:** September 06, 2015, 10:09:20 am »

Carpet Dawg, dont forget you will have to lug around a transformer as the machine you will import will be 110 volts. That is unless they do a 240 volt machine.

« **Reply #16 on:** September 06, 2015, 12:00:12 pm »

Again a good quality upright like a Lindhaus for example will leave any tub vacuum cleaner in the shade, i suppose its horses for courses after that in which type people prefer to use.

« **Reply #17 on:** September 06, 2015, 04:17:14 pm »

Mike whats the tub that you use & where did you get it from

« **Reply #18 on:** September 06, 2015, 04:52:54 pm »

Sorry dustee you have asked at a really bad time as I'm packing to go on holiday tomorrow and the van is parked in the unit so can't tell you the exact make, but one Is a wet & dry vac. I won in a raffle at a ccdo meeting and the other I bought from Arco a local supply company .

« **Reply #19 on:** September 06, 2015, 05:58:52 pm »

Holiday

whats one of those

« **Reply #20 on:** September 06, 2015, 09:03:51 pm »

Quote from: Jonathan Evans on September 06, 2015, 07:35:10 am

The best Vac I have ever had was the Royal, as good as a kirby but cheaper..... Sadly though it is an American machine which no one seems to stock over here so when mine died it was a sad day couldnt even get parts.
If anyone knows a company in the uk who stock them I would love to know thanks

Hi Jonathan

Give this company a call they had some Royals in their store room for sale a little while ago or they might help you on finding the parts...

http://www.vortechforce.co.uk/

« **Reply #21 on:** September 07, 2015, 10:09:00 am »

A Kleenrite Pile LIfter may be what you need.

Crisp & Brite do them.

I have an old Chemspec Pile LIfter which is a great bit of kit.

So are the Nilfisk wide area vacs for commercials if you can find one. They were around £4k list price last time I checked.

The Kleenrite is a tad more sensibly priced but still not a few hundred quid like an upright.

The machine in the vid carpet dawg shared is the same as the Holloway pile brush I remember my dad having as a boy.

In those days we maintained hotel carpets with one of these and some spotter. After a good vac and any problem spots the carpets looked fantastic. We used to do 3 vacuuming visits a year and one deep clean with what was probably a 2 stage vac and 40psi pump portable. All cutting edge in those days.

« **Reply #22 on:** September 07, 2015, 11:37:56 am »

Stop using it all. You are untwisting piles!

« **Reply #23 on:** September 07, 2015, 10:47:14 pm »

Be interested to know what these are like - not heard of them but looks like a well-built machine - ive tried some sebo rip-offs like a BVC and the Nilco commercial is more or less the same machine - the BVC I had was' new' old stock - it blew up after a couple of weeks!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEPA-VACUUM-CLEANER-SUPER-MAGNET-16-RRP-350-COMMERCIAL-STANDARD-/281787542629?hash=item419bd8ac65

« **Reply #24 on:** September 09, 2015, 09:18:38 pm »

The Royal is so good because it has plastic side bolsters on the pile brushes to pinch the pile open. Exactly the same principal as the scrubbing with the tub vac just a lot less elbow grease. I spent two weeks reading up on the efficacy of these vacs for a number of tasks, but predominantly back dusting Persian rugs. I got sick of spending 5-6 hours in plumes of dust whilst rug cleaning.

« **Reply #25 on:** September 10, 2015, 09:16:17 pm »

Quote from: Carpet2Clean on September 06, 2015, 09:03:51 pm

Quote from: Jonathan Evans on September 06, 2015, 07:35:10 am
The best Vac I have ever had was the Royal, as good as a kirby but cheaper..... Sadly though it is an American machine which no one seems to stock over here so when mine died it was a sad day couldnt even get parts.
If anyone knows a company in the uk who stock them I would love to know thanks

Hi Jonathan

Give this company a call they had some Royals in their store room for sale a little while ago or they might help you on finding the parts...

http://www.vortechforce.co.uk/

Cheers thank you I will give them a call.

« **Reply #26 on:** September 10, 2015, 10:22:25 pm »

Quote from: Jonathan Evans on September 10, 2015, 09:16:17 pm

Quote from: Carpet2Clean on September 06, 2015, 09:03:51 pm
Quote from: Jonathan Evans on September 06, 2015, 07:35:10 am
The best Vac I have ever had was the Royal, as good as a kirby but cheaper..... Sadly though it is an American machine which no one seems to stock over here so when mine died it was a sad day couldnt even get parts.
If anyone knows a company in the uk who stock them I would love to know thanks

Hi Jonathan

Give this company a call they had some Royals in their store room for sale a little while ago or they might help you on finding the parts...

http://www.vortechforce.co.uk/

Cheers thank you I will give them a call.

I hope they can help you out. its worth a try.

« **Reply #27 on:** September 11, 2015, 04:06:38 pm »

I know it sounds silly, but I ditched using the SB36's on domestics and went for an unbranded small one out of Argos@ £50. Picks up more than the Sebo and is easier to move around because its lighter. I was only expecting it to last 6 months - its still going after a year!

A bit like what Mike said, but you could alternatively use a henry with a turbocat attachment to pick up even more than a standard head - which is useless (without using a TM). The heads are about £85 but are very very good. Do a search on ebay for them. They have a rotating beater bar, and use the vacuum to drive it.

« **Reply #28 on:** September 11, 2015, 10:11:17 pm »

Quote from: Kev Loomes on September 11, 2015, 04:06:38 pm

I know it sounds silly, but I ditched using the SB36's on domestics and went for an unbranded small one out of Argos@ £50. Picks up more than the Sebo and is easier to move around because its lighter. I was only expecting it to last 6 months - its still going after a year!

A bit like what Mike said, but you could alternatively use a henry with a turbocat attachment to pick up even more than a standard head - which is useless (without using a TM). The heads are about £85 but are very very good. Do a search on ebay for them. They have a rotating beater bar, and use the vacuum to drive it.

Gone the same way as you Kev after our Sebo 36 got broke on a domestic job a few years ago.

Been using a Vax pet bagless upright for £60, Getting this one next week..Argos Value Range Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner only £42.99

« **Reply #29 on:** September 11, 2015, 10:28:31 pm »

I have an Argos ( bag free ) value range , it does a fair job but hell is it noisy

« **Reply #30 on:** September 11, 2015, 10:41:01 pm »

Quote from: dustee on September 11, 2015, 10:28:31 pm

I have an Argos ( bag free ) value range , it does a fair job but hell is it noisy

Is it the latest one ?

« **Reply #31 on:** September 12, 2015, 10:00:16 pm »

No it's the one before it
VUO1E

« **Reply #32 on:** September 12, 2015, 10:16:43 pm »

Quote from: dustee on September 12, 2015, 10:00:16 pm

No it's the one before it
VUO1E

Ok cheers

« **Reply #33 on:** September 13, 2015, 10:35:43 am »

Yes the one I have is blue @ 1800w they also did a yellow one @ 1500w. I think since they changed the law the max is now 1500w - is that right? Not sure which one they do now at Argos now though?

« **Reply #34 on:** September 13, 2015, 12:30:32 pm »

Quote from: dustee on September 06, 2015, 04:17:14 pm

Mike whats the tub that you use & where did you get it from

Just seen this on eBay, this is the tub vac I use.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOTECO-JUNIOR-423-INDUSTRIAL-COMMERCIAL-WET-DRY-TWIN-MOTOR-VACUUM-CLEANER-/271960858325?hash=item3f52215ed5

« **Reply #35 on:** September 13, 2015, 09:06:40 pm »

Cheers Mike

« **Reply #36 on:** September 13, 2015, 09:36:19 pm »

Quote from: Carpet2Clean on September 10, 2015, 10:22:25 pm

Quote from: Jonathan Evans on September 10, 2015, 09:16:17 pm
Quote from: Carpet2Clean on September 06, 2015, 09:03:51 pm
Quote from: Jonathan Evans on September 06, 2015, 07:35:10 am
The best Vac I have ever had was the Royal, as good as a kirby but cheaper..... Sadly though it is an American machine which no one seems to stock over here so when mine died it was a sad day couldnt even get parts.
If anyone knows a company in the uk who stock them I would love to know thanks

Hi Jonathan

Give this company a call they had some Royals in their store room for sale a little while ago or they might help you on finding the parts...

http://www.vortechforce.co.uk/

Cheers thank you I will give them a call.

I hope they can help you out. its worth a try.

I found this one on fleabay the other day: it looks identical (sort of) to the one on the home page of vortechforce - the Wertheim brand used to be very expensive but they have apparently come down in price - these ones are refurbished - the turbo head is still driven by the vacuum but at this price its a good alternative to a tub vac - for me I would not want to go into to any job without some sort of rotating brush head - a revolving brush vibrates the surface of the carpet and bounces the dust and sand particles to the surface - just my take!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wertheim-4435-Household-Vacuum-Cleaner-with-Hard-Floor-Brush-Mini-Turbo-Tool-/262041571156?hash=item3d02e50f54

« **Reply #37 on:** September 14, 2015, 07:58:07 am »

We sell 100's of these to CC's for dry vacuuming and we also sell loads to HF restorers as wet pick ups. They are Soteco with metal lined wands and are fantastic quality. They blow the Henry out of the water

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Soteco-Free-Yes-515-27L-Industrial-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-With-Attachments-Tools-/130744725734?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

£115 delivered to CIU members

« **Reply #38 on:** September 14, 2015, 08:53:34 pm »

Quote from: Carpet2Clean on September 11, 2015, 10:11:17 pm

Quote from: Kev Loomes on September 11, 2015, 04:06:38 pm
I know it sounds silly, but I ditched using the SB36's on domestics and went for an unbranded small one out of Argos@ £50. Picks up more than the Sebo and is easier to move around because its lighter. I was only expecting it to last 6 months - its still going after a year!

A bit like what Mike said, but you could alternatively use a henry with a turbocat attachment to pick up even more than a standard head - which is useless (without using a TM). The heads are about £85 but are very very good. Do a search on ebay for them. They have a rotating beater bar, and use the vacuum to drive it.

Gone the same way as you Kev after our Sebo 36 got broke on a domestic job a few years ago.

Been using a Vax pet bagless upright for £60, Getting this one next week..Argos Value Range Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner only £42.99

Picked up the vac this afternoon. Me & the wife tried it out around the house (rugs/carpets) and it did a great job and the bonus bit it has a swivel head and it was not loud....

The main filter is at the top of the container like the Dyson's which are washable.

Putting it through it paces next week.

« **Reply #39 on:** September 21, 2015, 08:05:42 am »

After this topic appeared 3 CIU members bought these vacs.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Soteco-Free-Yes-515-27L-Industrial-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-With-Attachments-Tools-/130744725734?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

I would be genuinely interested to hear your comments as we need to place another order with Klindex in Italy

« **Reply #40 on:** October 25, 2015, 09:09:21 pm »

Quote from: Carpet2Clean on September 14, 2015, 08:53:34 pm

Quote from: Carpet2Clean on September 11, 2015, 10:11:17 pm
Quote from: Kev Loomes on September 11, 2015, 04:06:38 pm
I know it sounds silly, but I ditched using the SB36's on domestics and went for an unbranded small one out of Argos@ £50. Picks up more than the Sebo and is easier to move around because its lighter. I was only expecting it to last 6 months - its still going after a year!

A bit like what Mike said, but you could alternatively use a henry with a turbocat attachment to pick up even more than a standard head - which is useless (without using a TM). The heads are about £85 but are very very good. Do a search on ebay for them. They have a rotating beater bar, and use the vacuum to drive it.

Gone the same way as you Kev after our Sebo 36 got broke on a domestic job a few years ago.

Been using a Vax pet bagless upright for £60, Getting this one next week..Argos Value Range Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner only £42.99

Picked up the vac this afternoon. Me & the wife tried it out around the house (rugs/carpets) and it did a great job and the bonus bit it has a swivel head and it was not loud....

The main filter is at the top of the container like the Dyson's which are washable.

Putting it through it paces next week.
How you getting on with the vac & is it up to the job ?

« **Reply #41 on:** October 25, 2015, 10:11:33 pm »

Hi Dustee

Update on the newest Argos value vacuum cleaner its a great machine..Been using it on all jobs (domestic & commercial ) very easy to empty and clean out after a days work.

The wife likes it that much she is going to replace our vacuum cleaner at home.

Richard

« **Reply #42 on:** October 26, 2015, 07:50:01 pm »

Doing a school this week.....A bliss under the tables and around units.

« **Reply #43 on:** October 26, 2015, 10:03:11 pm »

Thanks Richard , would be looking to use it on encap / sponge clean ( post vac ) pre vac I have a Sebo

« **Reply #44 on:** October 26, 2015, 10:23:02 pm »

Quote from: dustee on October 26, 2015, 10:03:11 pm

Thanks Richard , would be looking to use it on encap / sponge clean ( post vac ) pre vac I have a Sebo

Thats ok Its looks easy to take apart to clean if you are going to use it after encap.

Richard

« **Reply #45 on:** October 27, 2015, 07:50:19 am »

I like the sound of the Argos vslur one but wouldnt it give out abad impression if you walked into Someone's house with it?
Remember I'm only asking newbie questions,don't mean any offence

« **Reply #46 on:** October 27, 2015, 06:07:31 pm »

Quote from: Raj on October 27, 2015, 07:50:19 am

I like the sound of the Argos vslur one but wouldnt it give out abad impression if you walked into Someone's house with it?
Remember I'm only asking newbie questions,don't mean any offence

Hi Rai

No...We had a Sebo 36 but it got ruined at a customer house ( broken fish tank ) years ago so we ended up using our Dyson.

We had 2 customers already ask about the vacuum cleaner because they were shocked how much we had got out of the carpet even though they vacuum b4 we turned up....One of them thought it was about £300- 400 v/c and the other has already bought 2 one for them self & one for their mum because it's light weight also the vacuum cleaner has no name on it.

Doing a school this week with it

Its worth getting one its only £42.99 and you will find some of the guys on here use vacuum's like these.

Richard

« **Reply #47 on:** October 27, 2015, 07:05:12 pm »

Buy Argos Value Range Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Vacuum cleaners and accessories. - http://www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/4143248.htm

Is this the beast pal??

« **Reply #48 on:** October 27, 2015, 07:15:53 pm »

Quote from: Raj on October 27, 2015, 07:05:12 pm

Buy Argos Value Range Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Vacuum cleaners and accessories. - http://www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/4143248.htm

Is this the beast pal??

Yes that's the one

« **Reply #49 on:** October 27, 2015, 07:23:55 pm »

That ll save me a few quid....might be able to afford Simons manual now(as it looks like he ain't gonna give discounts!!) LOL!
Cheers?!!

« **Reply #50 on:** October 27, 2015, 07:29:59 pm »

Did you sort out a portable ?

« **Reply #51 on:** October 27, 2015, 07:35:44 pm »

Not yet.
I'm attending the cleansmart course in Nottm in Nov,so will see how that fares.
I'm getting as much knowledge before plunging in.
Hopefully have a day with a pro too before going for it

« **Reply #52 on:** October 27, 2015, 07:49:40 pm »

Ok Matt is a nice guy. Lots of machines to test out.

Went down the Prochem route years ago

Still got the Prochem Steempro ( over 10 years old ),but now been upgraded with h/d vac motors by Alltec.

The newest machine we use is from Alltec ( now 2 years old )

Chris and the team offer great customer service

« **Reply #53 on:** October 27, 2015, 08:07:46 pm »

There are SO many options aren't there?
Thought behind the cleansmart(Notti gham) route is its fairly local(I'm in the Premier League part of the East Midlands..Leicester!!) So any support is easily accessible??!

« **Reply #54 on:** October 27, 2015, 09:31:27 pm »

Always best to buy a machine near to you for repairs etc

If you can give Alltec a call...( Chris / Kerry / Karra )

Good luck on your new venture