Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Graeme@Access on March 12, 2011, 07:41:50 pm

Title: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Graeme@Access on March 12, 2011, 07:41:50 pm
Hi,

I bought an old a rather tatty looking pile lifter at a decent price and was wondering if any of you knew what make it was.
Any other details like a manual, source of parts etc would also be much appreciated.

Any help is always much appreciated as i know bags and carbon brushes can be made etc, the belts kind of worry me though and also the roller brush.

Many Thanks

Graeme
Access Cleaning Solutions
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on March 12, 2011, 08:20:52 pm
It's a Holloway and they are now out of business, the bags could easily be made as they are just cloth and had no paper inserts, they were British made so I would think that the carbon brushes could be identified and bought.

Shaun
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: clinton on March 12, 2011, 08:29:30 pm
its about 20 years old that i think..

Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: jmiller on March 12, 2011, 08:45:33 pm
As Shaun says its a Holloway used to use them about 15-20 years ago.
Bag was an absolute nightmare to empty, always ended up covered in dust and fluff.
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Graeme@Access on March 12, 2011, 09:10:02 pm
Hi,

Thanks for replies and i did think it was a holloway, anyone got a manual or a source of parts for them?


Many Thanks

Graeme
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: garry22 on March 13, 2011, 10:35:45 am
Graeme,

I've got one that is donkeys' years old.

Von Schrader used to do brushes but I'm not sure if they do now.

Replacement brushes were a problem but I found a company in Halesowen that makes custom sized brushes. It has so far lasted eight years (as opposed to about 12 months with "official" ones).

The cost then was £120 + VAT.

I think the name was Industrial Brush Co (I'll try and find an invoice). They make stuff for people like Pilkington (laminated windscreen manufacture) and Prince Charles (Highgrove House stuff). The guy's name is Horace and he is a genius. You would not believe how someone could make brushes into a fascinating subject.

I hope this helps.

Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Graeme@Access on March 13, 2011, 03:52:50 pm
Hi,

Thanks Garry, i have 2 roller brushes at the moment, or did you mean the carbon brushes?

Any ideas on belts?

Graeme
Access Cleaning Solutions
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Simon@arenaclean on March 13, 2011, 04:03:40 pm
I dusted mine off this weekend to remove an absolute mass of dog hairs. Forgot how good these machines really are. Agree about the bag it is a pig to clean but on the plus side I did find this place in the US who still supply new machines. http://www.cleanfreak.com/Qstore/p001187.htm (http://www.cleanfreak.com/Qstore/p001187.htm) Could really do with a new bag but it's holding so far, the new ones look really nice, rather makes mine in need of coat of paint!
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Graeme@Access on March 13, 2011, 06:07:40 pm
Haha,

Mines getting stripped and painted all over, there's no way i would show up with it looking like it does....

I have tried it on a hammered (no one there carpet) and its unbelievable what it gets out compared to a host then vac.

Shame engineering isn't as good as it used to be.

Graeme
Access Cleaning Solutions
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: garry22 on March 13, 2011, 07:29:12 pm
Graeme,

I meant the brush with the bristles on.

For Drive belts, take it to your nearest discount motor spares shop and buy the nearest one to it. There is quite a lot of adjustment with the brush motor.

Best of luck.
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Jamie Pearson on March 14, 2011, 10:08:42 pm
Wow! Not seen Holloway kit since I was a boy.

We used to have an upholstery shampoo machine by them too!
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on March 14, 2011, 10:37:30 pm
Holloway Swift had 3 of them at one time or another.

Shaun
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Jamie Pearson on March 15, 2011, 07:12:13 pm
In the nice mahogany case?
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Graeme@Access on March 15, 2011, 08:11:46 pm
Hehe,

I'm in no doubt i can make this look as good as new. Its just a wee project to keep me out the wife's hair on a Sunday (if were not working). The whole thing needs totally stripped and rebuilt, but its a good design.

Really just a shame i cant find an American supplier that will ship parts to the UK. They still seem to sell them over the pond.... anyone got any contacts that would be prepared to p&p + kickback to me? Even better anyone got a supplier over the pond that ships to the UK?

Will post pics as it gets in better condition so expect this thread to be resurrected a few times  ;)

Graeme
Access Cleaning Solutions
Title: Re: Can anyone ID this pile lifter?
Post by: Jamie Pearson on March 15, 2011, 08:52:28 pm
Graeme

This is the first time I have heard of carpet cleaner restoration.

Classic cars, bikes, scooters, tractors, furniture etc etc. But never pile lifters.