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UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: david@zap-clean on November 10, 2012, 11:46:58 am

Title: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: david@zap-clean on November 10, 2012, 11:46:58 am
After sitting on the fence for ages, and looking for a bargain, I've finally made a decision and purchased a rotary. It's a 15'' Victor Sprite standard speed (recon from A3). 

I'll be mainly using it for agitation on my bigger jobs, but it will also open the door to me for doing some commercial LM bonnet cleaning jobs.

I've got 5 x tan pads with the order (for pre-spray agitation).

So, I've got the rotary - what else do I need to buy?
1 x ringer bucket
10 x white bonnet pads
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: AshWhite on November 10, 2012, 11:50:43 am
A brush head.
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: *Hector* on November 10, 2012, 12:02:52 pm
I don't have a wringer bucket  :o
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: garry22 on November 10, 2012, 01:51:56 pm
Interesting. How do you do LM without a wringer bucket (assuming it's not encap)?
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: *Hector* on November 10, 2012, 01:58:21 pm
I have a unique method that I have perfected over time...... It is sort of a mixture of LM and encap, depending on the solutions used...

I have a question.... How do you do it WITH a wringer bucket ?
 ;D
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: wynne jones on November 10, 2012, 02:06:59 pm
You will need a drive board that fits your machine to attach pads.
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: derek west on November 10, 2012, 02:09:09 pm
i don't have a wringer, just lots of pads ;D
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: garry22 on November 10, 2012, 05:18:32 pm
Quote
i don't have a wringer, just lots of pads Grin

Me too. Forty pads AND a wringer.

Hector, we're probably at crossed purposes. I'm talking pre cleaning using clean pads with a Dry Fusion system where the pads are soaked and then wrung out. With the heater, the pads tend to dry out really quickly, so you need them to be a bit more moist than just spraying. Soaking (then ringing)helps to get an even spread of solution.
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Billy Russell on November 10, 2012, 05:51:44 pm
David,

Have a look at this

http://www.restormate.co.uk/epages/15094.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15094/Products/RotaryPack
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Kev Martin on November 11, 2012, 11:38:05 am
You need a tank, a couple of rotary brushes and a driveboard

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: david@zap-clean on November 11, 2012, 11:47:14 am
You need a tank, a couple of rotary brushes and a driveboard

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd

It comes with a tank and driveboard.  

I've also bought a cheap pack of 5 scrub pads (on a recommendation from someone on here), and two quality bonnets - which should enable me to do some moderate sized LM cleaning.

I still don't really know how to do it though...  I'll go and practice on a friendly wedding venue I know  :)
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: david@zap-clean on November 11, 2012, 05:58:05 pm
David,

Have a look at this

http://www.restormate.co.uk/epages/15094.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15094/Products/RotaryPack

Billy, what's that green thing attached to the machine in this advert?

Is it this pad:
http://www.restormate.co.uk/epages/15094.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15094/Products/0002c

I can't clearly work out what pads/brushes are needed for each different use/application for rotary machines.  The descriptions for the different pads don't specify the application - e.g. I don't know if the description is talking about hard floors or carpets.

Cheers mate,
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Billy Russell on November 11, 2012, 06:17:32 pm
Thats a Brush
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: david@zap-clean on November 11, 2012, 07:32:13 pm
Thats a Brush
A brush! But that's not listed as an accessory with the package. So why is it shown in the image with the advert? See why I'm confused.
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Kev Loomes on November 11, 2012, 08:24:39 pm
I would get:

Poly scrub brush
Shampoo Brush
Bonnet Pads
Scrub Pads

That way you can do:

Hard floors
Agitation prior to HWE
Bonnet Cleaning
Encapping

There are other tools to do these jobs (some better), but none so versatile as a rotary. And helps with budgeting of course.
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: clairuk on November 11, 2012, 08:59:57 pm
This is a great little topic!!

It is something i have pondered over for a while when i started out nearly 2 years ago. I have always got on fine with HWE but have wondered if the "grass is greener" on the otherside.....so to speak  :D

Please let me know how you got on??!

Thanks, Steven
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Adrian Marsh on November 11, 2012, 09:05:21 pm
This is a great little topic!!

It is something i have pondered over for a while when i started out nearly 2 years ago. I have always got on fine with HWE but have wondered if the "grass is greener" on the otherside.....so to speak  :D

Please let me know how you got on??!

Thanks, Steven



Not really a case of the grass being greener on the other side. More a case of having different tools for different jobs.
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Neil Jones on November 11, 2012, 09:07:36 pm
Kev, I've never used the shampoo brush, are they any better than using a pad for agitation?
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: AshWhite on November 11, 2012, 09:14:38 pm
Kev, I've never used the shampoo brush, are they any better than using a pad for agitation?

On longer pile, yes (In my experience).
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Kev Loomes on November 11, 2012, 09:38:38 pm
Kev, I've never used the shampoo brush, are they any better than using a pad for agitation?

Like Ash says, on longer pile. However they are still good on domestics but with a big rotary not very practical. But this is exactly what I do - but use an 11" instead (when not using the Oreck).

The  problem with pads (if your talking about floor pads) is that they wear out quickly and can cause fluffing/fibre snagging.

On the commercials I would either use the bigger rotary or rotowash.
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Jim_77 on November 11, 2012, 11:54:21 pm
Quote
   Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Truckmount, CRB machine, minitex, air movers, rug badger, 3,000psi power washer, RX-20, a couple of upholstery tools, water claw, the kitchen sink... plus a frickin great big van to put it all in :)
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: david@zap-clean on November 12, 2012, 08:55:17 am
Quote
   Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Truckmount, CRB machine, minitex, air movers, rug badger, 3,000psi power washer, RX-20, a couple of upholstery tools, water claw, the kitchen sink... plus a frickin great big van to put it all in :)

Did you forgot something?
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Neil Jones on November 12, 2012, 09:45:27 am
That's probably why I haven't got one then. I tend only to use the rotary on commercial or empty EOT, I find it to big to take in to a customers home so usually just stick to the floormac or crb.
Might not be worth buying the brush, I might get a smaller victor and get the brush with that.
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: *Hector* on November 12, 2012, 09:59:01 am
I have a 15 inch rotary with a few brushes and drive plate, also a 17 inch rotary with just a drive plate. Both go into customers houses, though not necessarily at the same time, and both are used for commercial also.
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Neil Jones on November 12, 2012, 10:22:55 am
Might give it a go but it just seems to big, especially when working around furniture. Do they do a 13 inch victor?
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Kev Loomes on November 12, 2012, 10:36:19 am
Exactly Neil, Victor do an 11" which is perfect  8)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Victor-Sprite-300-Floor-Polisher-Only-16-Hours-Use-Excellent-Condition-/170939188972?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27ccc506ec

I also looked at the Dragonfly & Truvox Orbis Compact, nice machines too. They are all about the 800 mark, so a good 2nd hand one well looked after is the way to go. I picked up a nearly new mint condition Sprite 300, with pin driveboard, plastic (oreck type) stud driveboard and loads of pads for £290. Then just bought the shampoo brush.
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Neil Jones on November 12, 2012, 11:03:19 am
I'll have a look into it that Kev, cheers. TBH victor rotaries are workhorses, if I can pick one up for anything near the price I paid for my 15" (£51) then it can't be bad!
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Kinver_Clean on November 12, 2012, 02:32:00 pm
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=160604.0
Title: Re: Bought a rotary - what else do I need?
Post by: Richard Joyce on November 12, 2012, 10:59:29 pm
I have seen a 13inch power-flite rotary on amtech's site has anyone used one of these before if so what are they like ???