Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: davep on March 24, 2008, 11:41:12 am
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Hi,
What in your experience is the best way to clean Commercial carpets, is the rx20 aimed just at faster cleaning large areas or is it fast drying as well?
Don't know much about rotarys etc..
Ta,
Dave
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Dave depends on carpet profile and fibre and soilage as to what method I would use.
Simon Gerrard is online now who swears by the RX so will be able to fill you in on its merits.
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Dave,
It depends what you mean by commercial carpets. If you're talking pubs and clubs then RX20 is king because it will cut through dirt like you wouldn't believe and, if it's the new RX20HE will leave the carpet dry in about an hour depending on the size of your blower and heat capability of your TM. Wherever there is a serious build up of dirt the RX20 is without a shadow of a doubt the tool to have.
Simon
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Simon, I think Dave has a porty, would he get similar results using an RX with a porty? or is that extra power and heat needed with it.
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I do have a Porty but am hoping to get a Prowler in the next few months, i am looking ahead to different types of work i can get with the extra power and what tools to use.. I see the rx 20 is good for speed but i am aslo thinking quick drying options so i can look for hotel/care home type of work that needs to be marketed as quick drying..
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Dave the Rx or a heated rotary are around the same price, try and get some time with guys who use them and then try them out for yourself. I think dry fusion still do demo's
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Simon,
I have the RX20. Am I correct in thinking that the difference between the RX20 and the RX20HE is solely the Spider design, or is there some other differences.
Dave.
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Thanks, does the heated rotary absorb the dirt into a pad? I like the fact that you can do hard floors with the rx 20 attachment.
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Dave,
The HE (High Efficiency) RX has three conicle jets and the vac slots are only half width. The drying times produced are MUCH better that the conventional machine.
I'll put a picture on if you want.
Simon
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Dave,
DON'T go into commercial carpet cleaning with a padding system! Why? Because you will severely limit your business opportunities. Padding systems do work well on low profile office carpets but that is only part of the market. If you want to be able to sell your services to the wider market you will need an RX, you will also need a somewhat more powerful Truck Mount than a Prowler (sorry john)
Commercial cleaning can some times require long hose runs, cinemas, office blocks, shopping centres etc , if you can't reach them you can't do them.
I suggest that instead of picking a machine first (which is what you appear to have done) have a sit down and think out where you want your business to go in the next five years and then get the equipment that can take you there.
If you need any help in that let me know.
Simon
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There you go Dave an offer you cant refuse, Simon is only 45 mins from you :)
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Thanks i may give you a call or even a visit?
I thought of the Prowler based on price, and you can also take it out if needed ;)
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I have used a RX20 with a porty ONCE. I blocked off one of the jets so i wasnt put as much water down. It got the results required. If using a RX20 with a TM then you wont be disappointed. Much easier than using a wand and less fatigue. The RX20 LOVES FILTHY CARPETS. There is a nack to using an RX20, once mastered you will love it. As with any tool the secret is in the operator. Dont rush the job just because you have a better tool. Take it easy, experiment in the way you hold it. In open areas the RX20 will make life so easy. I can remember a night club i used to clean in cardiff. The RX20 certainly cleaned the carpet better than the wand. If the carpet was lightly soiled we would use the wand then if it was medium soil or heavier we would RX20 it.
Richie.
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Dave,
Lesson two. Don't buy things to expand your business based only on price.
Buy things that will help you to build your business, regardless of price.
You either want to be in the commercial business, or you don't. Don't forget your competitors will be tooled up to do the job, will you?
Simon
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But simon,
I do believe that a prowler will reach any where your t/m will
why ?/ because it can be used as a porty cant it?
I,m pretty certain sure john will put the facts up,
so I cant see the reason for ignoring the prowler
Geoff
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The RX20 was never designed to be used on a portable, regardless of the power of it. You can, as Richie suggest use them on a portable but it isn't advisable as you will probably over wet and then shrink some carpets and then have to repair them. Commercial customers are a lot less forgiving in that respect.
Simon
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Thanks Simon, but price is an issue as i dont have any money :(
Thought the Prowler would be good as it is whithin my budget (soon) and you can run 200 ft from it, take it out if needs be.. (although it may struggle up 13 decks like up that ship on your site!)
Would be good to see it in action if i could tag along one day?
Ta
Dave
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Geoff,
The Maxx 470 on full power develops more engine exhaust than the Prowler generates in suction that's (495 cfm's)
You need to get your facts right, the Prowler is an excellent first step away from portable machines and into the world of Truck Mounts, but to suggest that the Prowler's capabilities are comparable in any way, shape or form to a Maxx 470 is simply laughable.
While the Prowler is on wheels you can take it to the door of large commercial jobs but that's it. So what do you do if you have a 2000sqm cinema to clean along with a thousand seats that can be 200 feet away from the nearest door and will require 350 feet to reach the furthest point. What are you going to do then? Wish you'd bought a truck mount that fits the kind of work you aspire to do!
We're talking about getting into commercial jobs and as someone who handles huge commercial jobs on a regular basis I can tell you without the slightest hesitation that the Prowler simply doesn't come into the reckoning. But if you're talking about doing small pub and restaurant jobs where you can keep the hose lengths to 100 feet then the Prowlers probably a good choice. But if you want to go further and aspire to bigger ticket jobs you'd better get the tools to do the job.
Simon
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Buy a prowler 315 operates up to 400ft away ;D
http://www.amtexequipment.com/index-4.html
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Dave,
If you want to do bigg'ish jobs but only have a Prowler budget then buy a second-hand machine that has the capabilities you need to be successful.
I was where you are once and I now clean some of the most magnificent cruise ships in the world and have done so for over fifteen years. That didn't happen by mistake, it happened because I made it happen. You have to make whatever it is you aspire to happen, but skimping on the things you need to help you achieve your goals isn't the answer.
Simon
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Hi Steve,
Probably does, trouble is you need tip top performance at that distance too. And heat!! ::)
Simon
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I have an RX20 but rarely use it, it is a good tool but by the time you plug it in and fiddle about with the wires and hoses half the job could have been done using a five jet wand with a two inch diameter tube. Just my opinion.
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Julian,
Yes, but what about the quality?
RX20's clean at the very least 50% more efficiently and produces a vastly improved result that your customer will appreciate.
In other words it's not all about speed over the job, it's about quality!
Simon
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In some respects i agree & dis agree with Simon, I had a HM Spifire 3.2 that was rated upto 250 feet of vac hose yet i often run 400 feet. Got the results required but it took more effort than it would have if i was using a bigger TM. I do agree with Simon though in respect of commercial work. Have a look round for a second hand TM with more power. You wont regret it if you are targeting commercial premises that are going to require long hose runs. Simon is the king of long hose runs so he is the ideal person to listen to. If you are going to target commercial work that you know will require long hose runs then i suggest you buy a TM with at least a 20hp engine & a 45/4005 vac blower. Trust me, been there done that.
Richie.
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I find that I can get to the corners easily which an RX can't, also I can't see a difference in quality. Some carpets are difficult to clean ie greasy restaurant I find a good prespray the most effective solution rather than the pressure produced by the weight of the RX20.
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Julian,
A RX20 will clean ANY CARPET deeper & better than ANY wand will. A good prespray is the key to all carpet cleaning. OK, you may not visually be able to see this on all jobs but trust me it is better. Yes you will have to clean the corners with a wand but thats not a problem unless you are a wolly and cant be arsed to.
Richie.
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Julian,
What machine are you using with your RX?
Simon
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MAXX 450 diesel is my machine, I just think the RX 20 just puts pressure on the surface of the carpet due to its' weight which helps cleaning and it is a good tool, but I doubt about it being better than a good wand.
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Julian,
I used to use a RX20 with a Maxx 450D and can tell you that on many jobs the clean was superior to the clean of the wand. Its not all about the weight on the carpet. It cleans more of the carpet than a wand does. Visually as i have said they may well clean the same on some jobs but it has been proved in testing that the RX20 will outperform a wand.
Richie.
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Julian,
Well if you think that then you clearly have no idea of what a powerful tool you have in your hands.
I was the first person in the UK to have an RX20, 21 years ago and I can tell you without the slightest shadow of a doubt that every step forward my business has taken in that time has been taken BECAUSE of the RX20 and its stunning capabilities.
The weight of the machine, along with the mechanical action of five vac heads making 11.5 cleaning passes per second will clean a carpet at the very least 50% better than with a wand. But if your cleaning operation is all about speed and not quality then you will always see the RX as a burden and not an asset.
Simon
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Do you buy in th uk or import the rx, is it a hassle importing?
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Hydramaster in Cornwall 0870 666998
www.hydramaster,co.uk
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I still keep the RX20 just in case...... but use my wands for now as less setting up time, bother with more wires in the way plugging in, maybe I will change my mind if its efficiency can be proven. I know about passes per second but pulling a wand is the same thing, what if the RX did 20 passes a sec would it be better? No just less cleaning on each pass. I must admit I do not like to waste time doing a job but only finish a job when I and the customer are happy
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Thanks Simon, they are £2,495.00 on that site or $2,897.00 from the States.. that works out at £1,458
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Yes but that's for 110 volt machines and they won't send one to the UK unless through the UK distributor. Buy a second-hand one and put the change towards a second hand TM.
Simon
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Yes but that's for 110 volt machines and they won't send one to the UK unless through the UK distributor. But a second-hand one and put the change towards a second had TM.
Simon
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Julian,
You're the first person I have come across in over thirty years in the business that isn't interested in being better.
Good luck to you!
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I always do my best but I could learn from you, you have way more experience than I have in the industry I am just voicing from my experiences.
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Julian,
You have clearly invested in all the right equipment to put yourself in a position to make a lot of money in carpet cleaning. The only trouble is you seem to be in too much of a rush to be of any use to either yourself or your customers. No disrespect intended.
Carpet cleaning has never been about speed, it is about quality. It's about going the extra mile to produce that superb result. It's about not minding the fact that RX20's don't clean into the corners so you have to finish it with a hand tool or wand. It's about not minding that extra wire or extra minute or two setting up because you are all about quality. And quality is in the DETAIL.
The fact that you seem to be in such a rush suggests that you don't charge much for your services because you need to get to the next job and the job after that to keep the money coming in.
So my advice to you is: slow down. Learn to use the fantastic equipment you already have and even more important than that, learn to take yourself and your business seriously. Again, no disrespect intended.
Simon
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Simon,
some simple questions for you .
you state the rx20 cleans at the very least 50% better than a normal wand , I fail to see how !! perhaps as you state, you could prove this statment in some way.
Do you have figures? Have tests been carried out to prove this ? Or is this just a theory of yours?
If as you state this is correct, then a hell of a lot of c/c are not getting their custys carpets clean, and how on earth Can some of the advertising state " the cleanest carpets ever " unless of course they own a rx20?
Geoff
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Geoff,
Very few people use RX0's for domestic jobs and that includes me.
As far as dirty commercial cleaning is concerned there is little doubt as to there efficiency, but if you want proof, have someone who knows how to use an RX go and clean say a pub carpet the day after you and take a look at what is in the recovery tank. After only a few sq yards you'll be amazed and not a little embarrassed.
We use to use that very technique to win brewery contracts. We'd let the existing contractor clean the carpet with the day before and then meet the management there the following morning. We'd quarter fill the recovery tank with clean water and empty it in front of them so that they knew the water from the cleaning we were just about to do was what their contractor had left behind the previous day. The water was always tarmac black and we always got the work.
Simon
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cant argue with that ,
fair comment
geoff
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Maybe there will be one at the ccdo?
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What an RX20, bound to be if Hydramaster are attending.
Simon
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I like to put a clear plastic filter on the vacuum hose. I find it useful to show the customer the dirty water passing through it and also I can see when the water is clear which means that the carpet is clean.
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I am taking my RX20 to the CCDO.
Dave.
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The RX20 comes with clear ish hose. This is good as you can see when the waste water is clear therefore you know the carpet is as clean as it possibly can be.
Richie.
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Thanks Dave, looking forward to seeing it
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I like to put a clear plastic filter on the vacuum hose. I find it useful to show the customer the dirty water passing through it and also I can see when the water is clear which means that the carpet is clean.
im with you julian rx20s are poop best get rid of it , im just so looking to buy an rx20 i could get rid of it for you ;D ;)
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It's part of the family now so I can't let it go I just thought that sometimes things should be put in perspective.
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I'm very interested to hear that commercial Clients want the best possible clean. I would have thought it was more a question of does it look clean, how long it stays looking clean and how much will it cost.
Or are we saying it's more down to professional pride or dare I even hint at big boys toys.
I like the demo clean after a wanded job that's great.
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It is also a really good technique when doing demos in pubs and restaurants, works every time and that is purely down to how good a tool the RX20 really is.
Simon
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Simon, seeing the poor job some cleaners do, we've all been there and rectified them, don't you think you could go to a lot of jobs with decent kit and remove dirt which would impress the customer regardless whether its a wand or rotary tool.
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Without a shadow of a doubt, John.
I, and I am sure many other have had customers absolutely gob-smacked at what we can achieve for them and the majority of them thought their existing cleaners were doing the best job possible??
Simon
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Yes I agree with that, happens all the time. Its also a fact that the domestic or residential client is much more interested in what you are doing and how you are going to go about it (and in particular the likely result), than the majority if not all commercial clients. Reason being, the residential client is the person that actually owns the said item, and its in their home. Commercial clients are looking for a good improvement on how it looks at the time.
It is reasonably easy to make a grotty pub or restaurant carpet, look outstandingly clean, because by the time they call you in to clean them, they are usually really manky. The RX20 saves a lot of sweat in easilly dealing with this scenario, and although you could do it just as well (imo) with a good wand, an RX20 makes life easier. With a very large area, this where the RX20 comes into its own, and (imo) is essential.
Dave.
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I guess it's just reinvesting profits and building up to the big league. When you get acres of commercial 2.5k is a drop in the ocean.
Dave did you have a T/M in your Citreon?
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When cleaning grotty commercial carpet an RX20 will improe productivity considerably, when originally quoting you can get a better hourly rate but still be competitive with the price.
Shaun
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£2.5k soon begins to look like a really good investment when you consider that apart from being the best carpet cleaning tool ever invented and will not only produce unbelievable quality but it just churns out the work without the fatigue of wanding large jobs, it is also a superb way of generating new business through demonstration on even the filthiest carpets.
Simon
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Simon,
I'm interested to no comparison to rotovac. this is what I use and have fantastic results we use a woodbridge 20 hp truck-mount?
Dennis
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So it put the wand in the shadows then.
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Oh yes!
We've done demos the day after a TM company did a job in a pub, with a wand. We RX'ed it and got the future business.
But they are also fantastic for doing demos, the dirtier the carpet the more certain you can be of getting the business.
Simon
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Wand for domestic!!!! rotovac for other.......
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as for rotovac, simon!!!
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I we talking standard rotovac or rotovac 360?
http://www.carpet-cleaning-equipment.net/salessheet.shtml
Shaun
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standard I think!! purchased about 6 years ago!!
Dennis
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Got no experience of the rotovac so best not to comment.
Simon
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Mike,
I had a Steamway Sidekick TM, in my Citroen Dispatch and now have a Blueline Thermal Wave 2 Vortek in my Citroen Reay.
Dave.
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Chem Dry use RX20's with portables
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Dave,
Yes saw your new set up at Paul's, very nice indeed.
Your old van sounds like it's tip top now, but I'm going to get one locally in a few months. Shame cos I could have kept the name and just inserted 'er ;D