Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ian Rochester on November 14, 2007, 08:51:01 pm

Title: Prowler TM
Post by: Ian Rochester on November 14, 2007, 08:51:01 pm
Just had my first day out there as a PROWLER user, and I must say that I'm mighty impressed with the sheer power, suction and speed of the machine.

It's extremely easy to use, not overly complicated and the savings on time are huge, far more than I had originally expected, the dog even got a walk around the lake mid afternoon as I had done everything by 2pm!

I even (stupidly) cleaned a terracotta berber lounge carpet, to the absolute delight of the customer, only to notice when I was wrapping up the hoses that I hadn't had the chemical feed connected! :-[

Many thanks to John for getting me set up at very short notice and for not switching his phone off today!! and to Lynn for the flowers to soften the blow to Sue!!

Got a hotel to clean tomorrow, which I have been delaying until the machine arrived, it normally takes two of us 5-6 hours with the extracta, lets see how it goes tomorrow.

Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on November 14, 2007, 08:56:45 pm
Congratulations perhaps you'll let us know how you get on with it?

Shaun

PS You'll only need 1 man 5-6 hours now on that hotel.
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 14, 2007, 09:00:56 pm
now imagine how impressed you would have been if you'd got a real truckmount :D

Mike
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on November 14, 2007, 09:07:50 pm
oooooooooooo

now that wasn't called for!

Wait until the new Prowler 15hp with direct drives comes out next year sometime.

Shaun
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: stevegunn on November 15, 2007, 04:02:48 pm
Welcome to the easy life ;D
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Fred Gullan on November 15, 2007, 05:50:30 pm
Did 3 carpeted staircases in Edinburgh yesterday with my Prowler. 3 floors  , stairs and corridors. Took 3 hours on my own . it would have taken me all day with my portable. No dumping, no refilling and  high heat available where there was only one socket  so wouldn't have been able to use the heater on the porty.

Happy days  ;D
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Ian Rochester on November 15, 2007, 08:21:47 pm
I'm getting used to it and I like it.  Didn't do all the hotel today as I now need a good hand tool for the stairs.   It must have a bypass, that can cope with the heat and the pressure, any suggestions?  My extracta 6" tool (which I love) lasted about 2 minutes even at only 150psi, the HP hose turned to putty under the heat and the hose blew off at the male connector!

Spoke to PMF tools in America and they have suggested Prochem or Ashby's.
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: will_turton on November 15, 2007, 08:33:47 pm
hydramaster do a cracking stair tool, wouldnt be without it
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on November 15, 2007, 08:55:49 pm
Woodbridge also sell PMF tools and probably are the cheapest but don't forget John Kelly he has some also.

Shaun
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 15, 2007, 09:01:42 pm
If you can't find a stairtool with a bypass fit a bigger jet into one you have, you need to create more flow through the machine.

you can also make a bypass to fit directly into the valve on the front of the machine which will stop you needing a bypass on any of your tools it would work the same as if it was fitted to your tool.

Mike
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: stevegunn on November 15, 2007, 09:11:20 pm
There is a by pass on the machine.

I use one of these
http://www.restormate.co.uk/epages/Store.sf/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15094/Products/Wand03
 
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 15, 2007, 09:22:25 pm
from what  I've read on theses forums  the Prowler has a problem controling the heat, this is why you need a bypass on the tools to keep water flowing through the machine. an additional bypass fitted after the heat exchanger would cure this.

after all this is what lionhearts wants, its just fitted earlier on in the supply hose

Mike
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: stevegunn on November 15, 2007, 09:35:10 pm
I used to open the bypass on the machine slightly when using my cfr tool this stopped it dumping as much.No use drimaster and have no problems
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: John Kelly on November 20, 2007, 10:27:05 pm
The Prowler has 2 bypasses on the machine. One before the exchanger and one after. This doesn't get away from the fact that on a winters day you will have upto 150' of cold water sitting in your solution hose. When cleaning upholstery it can be some time before hot water displaces this cold water on any truckmount. The alternatives are to discharge this cold water outside or into a bucket or the easier option to use a handtool with a bypass which enable you to bleed off the cold water and start cleaning straight away.
It is also usefull if you need to take a phone call or move some furniture as cracking the bypass open keeps the water hot but also prevents the machine bypassing. This saves water as any truckmount which bypasses uses a lot of water until it cools off.
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: *paul_moss on November 21, 2007, 07:38:10 pm
John dont let Mike wind you up. I have seen the Prowler in all its glory and its a great machine.
If he carries on we will have to set the Ingram on him. :)
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 21, 2007, 08:23:31 pm
I'm not winding anyone up, yes the Prowler is an excellent machine, so excellent it can stand up against anything I might say.

on this post I said it should have a second bypass after the heat-exchanger and John says it has, so we are in agreement :D :D

on another post I said I'd rather have a waste tank instead of sending the crap through the blower  sorry this was a bit of a windup, I know all the crap is filtered out before the blower ;)

Mike

Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: *paul_moss on November 21, 2007, 08:26:42 pm
Hey Halliday dont get so touchy, im only giving John a bit of support  ;) not that he needs it mind.
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: John Kelly on November 21, 2007, 10:01:41 pm
Mike, maybe after the Xmas I can bring one down so you can have a play with it, then give me an honest opinion.
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: *paul_moss on November 21, 2007, 10:09:18 pm
John I would give the machine to trial to some one who may put it through its paces better than Halliday, maybe Alan Booker.
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Ian Rochester on November 21, 2007, 10:54:58 pm
I've ran it today with 100' of 2" hose and a further 50' of 1.5" whip line and the performance and suction still far out performed the Extracta Exel.

I know people are saying that long whip lines reduce the vacuum, but I can honestly say that I didn't notice any real difference from using it with just 10' of whip line and it is a hell of a lot more manageable than the 2".

Lifted the whole machine out this afternoon (2 of us) in about 3 minutes so that we could do a house clearance, came back and put it all together again in about the same time.  All that was involved was diconnecting 2 hoselock connectors and 2 spade connectors (as I've mounted a flojet pump onto the plylining for better water pressure when pressure washing)  Lift it out of its cradle and out of the van. 

Try that with your Boxxer, etc.  For me this is one of it's biggest selling points, it has the functonality and power of a TM, but the ease of taking it out whenever you need to in a matter of minutes and therefore gives us a lot more flexibility in the use of the vehicle.

Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: mark_roberts on November 21, 2007, 11:00:55 pm
I do like the Prowler concept and would love to see it in action.  John are you going to carpex with the machine as Im sure others would like to see it too.

Mark
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: gwrightson on November 22, 2007, 08:43:19 am
John ,
Let me know if Mikes up for your offer,
i will come along and take a look
geoff
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Tony Gill Carpet Smart on November 22, 2007, 10:32:45 pm
Not been far from you both i would like a look aswell if Mike takes John's offer up.

Cheers Tony
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 23, 2007, 11:30:34 am
Tony, what part of east Yorkshire or you in?

I'm thinking of planning a carpet cleaners get-together at the beginning of the New year, where we could all come together and play around with wands T/Ms, portables, handtools etc

might be worth John bringing the prowler down then.

Mike
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: PaulKing on November 23, 2007, 07:56:52 pm
you could call it "The Great Yorkshire Suck Off" ;)
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Tony Gill Carpet Smart on November 23, 2007, 09:36:12 pm
NOW NOW Paul i see it says language English in your profile and then it says your from NEWCASTLE!!!!! the two just don't go together  ;D ;D ;D.

MIKE.
I am in Bempton the other side of BRIDLINGTON moved here from Hull. That sounds like a good idea keep me informed.

Cheers Tony
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: PaulKing on November 24, 2007, 04:36:31 pm
NOW NOW Paul i see it says language English in your profile and then it says your from NEWCASTLE!!!!! the two just don't go together  ;D ;D ;D.



I'm from the posh bit! That and a stint in the RN made me speak posh like!
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Tony Gill Carpet Smart on November 24, 2007, 08:14:29 pm
Like wot we does eh!!!!! :D
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: davep on November 25, 2007, 11:58:44 am
Any pics of your anyones Prowler set up?
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: PaulKing on November 25, 2007, 12:21:34 pm
here you go
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: PaulKing on November 25, 2007, 12:25:17 pm
more
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: davep on November 26, 2007, 10:38:25 am
looks good, what van is that Paul?
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: PaulKing on November 26, 2007, 10:39:28 am
lwb transporters t5 and the last is a trailer

The vw's are great vans just a bit pricey
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: davep on November 26, 2007, 01:14:17 pm
I see, would you get away putting it in a smallish van?
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: John Kelly on November 26, 2007, 02:30:52 pm
Smallest van would be a Scudo type, however with a water tank, hoses etc even this is a bit cramped.
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Ian Rochester on November 26, 2007, 07:55:12 pm
I'm running mine from a Fait Ducato SWB, it's the bl@@dy hoses that take up all the space..............and they have a mind of their own!!!!!
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: Ian Rochester on November 28, 2007, 09:12:29 pm
I'll try and get some photos of mine taken over the weekend and post them on here.

Really starting to get used to it now, did a suite this morning, then a H/S/L and lounge, then a large lounge 8m x 4m, study, hall and stairs (was only booked for the lounge until she saw what a difference it made and asked for the rest to be done!) then finally a Parker Knoll recliner and lounge.

Fitted a length of aluminium flexible hose to the exhaust today so that it now exhausts outside the van.
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: carpet guy on November 28, 2007, 09:17:59 pm
I thought the waste went out via the exhaust, presume this is not the case
Title: Re: Prowler TM
Post by: John Kelly on November 28, 2007, 10:38:59 pm
The waste comes out the blower exhaust which is seperate from the engine exhaust.