Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Smurf on July 04, 2012, 05:10:22 pm

Title: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 04, 2012, 05:10:22 pm
Hi folks,

I've been cleaning driveways etc for a while now just using cold. So my question is if anyone has experience using a hot-box / boiler type setup which ones would you recommend?
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Roger Oakley on July 04, 2012, 06:07:48 pm
The H&M system that M-Clean has.
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 04, 2012, 08:22:35 pm
Many thanks, do you have a link to the site that sells them?
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Roger Oakley on July 04, 2012, 09:07:35 pm
Do a google search for G Podell or hot & mighty
The system I had that Rob bought from me is the General trailer set-up, he bought everything but the trailer.
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 04, 2012, 10:52:06 pm
Thanks,...So why did you sell?
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Roger Oakley on July 05, 2012, 05:55:49 pm
Thanks,...So why did you sell?

Imported it has we had some commercial work lined up plus did a deal so that Podell's had their first trailer set-up in the UK. Completed all the work it was needed for and had no real need for it, as we do mainly domestics, decking, and natural stone.
Brilliant piece of kit but not needed for what we do.
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Blast Away on July 05, 2012, 08:15:10 pm
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300735012988?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1413

We've got 2 of these. Just connect up to your PW and away you go, saving you thousands.
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 08, 2012, 09:11:08 am
Many thanks blast away.

What psi, lpm & temp do you normally use or does that vary on the type of surface you are cleaning?
Also see on one of your vids you are using some sort of detergent. What chem have you found works best & do you use it also when steam cleaning?

Any help and guidance would be much appreciated as I’ve not used hot/steam before.
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 10, 2012, 09:04:27 pm
bump

Anybody?
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 11, 2012, 09:32:02 am
What do you think of this Lavor Hot Box lads? Are they anygood?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAVOR-HOT-BOX-MAX-CAPACITY-21-LITRES-PER-MINUTE-/270537516596




Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: BDCS on July 11, 2012, 02:14:25 pm
I've got a 15 ltr lavor boiler on a trolley with tank and cover you can have for half of that
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 11, 2012, 02:23:59 pm
Thanks anyway but I would like at least a 21 lpm or preferably 30 lpm boiler.
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Rob_Mac on July 11, 2012, 03:28:57 pm
Aren't they rated for 15LPM but will probably do a higher flow rate with reduced heat output?

I have one and wouldn't really think about putting it on a bigger machine.

I may be wrong though. I have an independent one for the smaller machines that run @ 15LPM.

As Roger says I also have the H & M - by far the best business buying decision I have made to date, thank you again Roger.

When I want this on heat I have to dump water back to the tank because we couldn't upgrade the boiler.

Rob ;D
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Rob_Mac on July 11, 2012, 03:30:11 pm
There is an Alto Contractor on Ebay - been there a while, they are looking for £2500.00, that is around 22LPM,

Rob ;D
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 11, 2012, 04:16:10 pm
Thanks, but I'm now quite confused as thought max lpm was the rated boiler size. Also max temp setting are different on most of the ones I've seen which is more confusing to decide which one is best to get.

Was told by someone that the larger the coil in the boiler the more efficient they are on higher temp setting which would save on fuel costs. So running a 15 lpm PW was told best to get a 21 lpm boiler if wanting to run steam just turn down the psi and lower the revs on the PW. Is that correct? What do you think?
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Rob_Mac on July 11, 2012, 04:18:41 pm
You could be right - I don't really know. I have been spoilt ;)

I know that I cannot run mine now, as we upgraded the pump, on full flow or it will not hit full heat.

Rob ;D
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Matt Gibson on July 11, 2012, 04:33:44 pm
I was told to change nozzle size, back off the psi and the hotbox will get nice and hot. just cant remember if i change the nozzle to a bigger one or a smaller one  ;D
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Rob_Mac on July 11, 2012, 04:43:01 pm
Too blooming complicated this pressure washing game. Think I am going to find something easier to do!

Rob ;D
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 11, 2012, 05:09:55 pm
 so it seems ;D
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Roger Oakley on July 11, 2012, 06:35:31 pm
I was told to change nozzle size, back off the psi and the hotbox will get nice and hot. just cant remember if i change the nozzle to a bigger one or a smaller one  ;D

Smaller Matt, Rob has the heat/steam nozzles with his set-up he could tell you the sizes.
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Matt Gibson on July 11, 2012, 07:57:45 pm
Ahh ok, makes sense. lower the lpm get more heat.

thanks roger.
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Roger Oakley on July 11, 2012, 09:35:30 pm
You got it Matt  ;D
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: chris scott on July 28, 2012, 08:26:58 am
15 LITRES PER MIN SHOULD BE RUNNING 045(1.4MM) SIZE NOZZLES FOR 3000PSI.
THIS SIZE OF MACHINE IS THE ONE FOR USE AROUND DOMESTIC/LIGHT INDUSTRIAL JOBS.
PLENTY BIG ENOUGH FOR CLEANING ANYTHING MORE POWERFUL COULD END UP DAMAGING THE SUBSTRATE
ANYTHING BIGGER YOU WILL STRUGGLE FEEDING WITH WATER AS MOST WATER SUPPLY'S PRODUCE AROUND 13/16 LITRES PER MIN
21 LITRE BOILERS ARE IDEAL FOR THIS MACHINE BUT 15 LITRE ONES WORK FINE TO.
STEAM HOT WATER DOES HELP WITH CLEANING STONE WORK TO A CERTAIN EXTENT BUT NOT REALLY NECESSARY. IF YOU ARE CLEANING GREASE /OIL ETC THEY ARE REALLY A NECCESSITY!
BUY HONDA BUY ONCE!! INTERPUMP/CAT/COMET ARE THE ONLY PUMPS TO HAVE.
CHECK THE ENGINE IS A GENUINE HONDA .CHECK THE PUMP IS NOT MADE IN CHINA.....I REALLY DO NOT CARE HOW LONG THE WARRENTY IS AS THESE ARE RETURN TO BASE WARRANTY WHICH MEANS YOU MUST SHIP IT BACK TO THE SELLER FOR REPAIR (£50 ? BY COURIOR!) AT YOUR EXPENCE.   
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 28, 2012, 10:53:58 am
Thanks for the info Chris

So from your experience would steam pressure cleaning remove oil stains & black algae spotting from pavers?
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: BDCS on July 28, 2012, 02:11:01 pm
Yes it certainly helps. I probably only get my hotbox out of the container a couple of times a year
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Smurf on July 28, 2012, 02:18:07 pm
Why dont you use it much?

Yes it certainly helps. I probably only get my hotbox out of the container a couple of times a year
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Matt Gibson on July 28, 2012, 03:23:10 pm
Because its not necessary most of the time. ive got one mounted in my van and its been on about 6 times. Nice to have it though when you need it. most oil stains can be taken out with chems and cold water.
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: Kenny83 on July 28, 2012, 05:30:17 pm
Im the same, i only use my hotbox for chewing gum removal or angine degreasing which i dont do much of now, was goning to mount mine un the van but glad I didnt now as bdcs says it rarely gets used, so i keep it in the container until i need it
Title: Re: What's the best hot/steam hot-box / boiler setup
Post by: chris scott on July 28, 2012, 07:44:36 pm
Sodium hypo chlorate@10% for black spots or  quaternary ammonium (slower but effective over a longer period of time)