Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Paul Davidson on April 28, 2008, 10:28:19 am

Title: Which way to go?????
Post by: Paul Davidson on April 28, 2008, 10:28:19 am
Well guys, your forum is a fantastic resource for information and opinions, thats for sure!  As i mentioned in an earlier thread i am in the process of taking over my fathers CC busines and am i nthe market for some new machinery etc, i also need a another van.  So while doing my homework i have been impressed with a few machines (most say they are brilliant by the way)

The Scorpion looks very powerfull and very efficient
The Raptor looks similar
I am interested in the CFR machines, are they as good as they make on?
The Karcher 400e (my dad thinks it looks a great machine)
Budget end of the truckmount market........  As i have am also looking for a van i thought perhaps a second hand van and truckmount may be a good idea.  It certainly appears to be the most efficient way to get carpets cleaned quickly to very high standards.

This truckmount and van is in the for sale section, Bobdaines is selling a fiat ducato with a Steamway 9100 lx, but i have not heard of this type of TM and can find little information about it.

Your thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.

Paul
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: davep on April 28, 2008, 10:39:19 am
These are popular
www.restormate.co.uk/epages/15094.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15094/Products/TM01
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: lands on April 28, 2008, 10:42:04 am
You'll get good advice from John Kelly at Restormate and the same can be said for Mat at cleansmart. They won't give you the hard sell which is why people like to buy from them. The Scorpion is a pucker piece of kit as well though
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: edward coller on April 28, 2008, 12:10:36 pm
go for a t/m it will save you time and energy above portables hydramaster great for quality and service  Simon
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: davep on April 28, 2008, 12:46:13 pm
It also depends on how many jobs per day you are doing..  1 a day a porty may be better, 3 or 4 get a tm
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: richie on April 28, 2008, 02:19:47 pm
Give John Gotts a call at HydraMaster.  The Spitfire 3.2 is a great starter TM that is hard to beat or for abit more the Boxxer 318


Hydramaster Ltd
United Downs Industrial Estate
Redruth, Cornwall
TR16 5HY

Tel 01209 823740

Richie.
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: spencer davies on April 28, 2008, 06:04:11 pm
Our Hydamaster Maxx 450 is awesome, I can't understand why I messed about with portables for so many years  ::)  Although the Scorpion and Speedster machines are pretty good.


Regards



S
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on April 28, 2008, 07:17:34 pm
Spencer what do you think of heat now?

What wand and hand tools did you get with it?

Shaun
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: Paul Davidson on April 28, 2008, 07:44:58 pm
thanks for your opinions guys,
The bottom line would appear to be that if  you have enough work and can afford it a truck mount is the way to go.  Where i most likely could scrape enough together to buy an entry level or second hand TM and go for a cheaper but well signwritten van, it would mean a significant increase in business to justify it in the short term.
In the meantime the Scorpion seems to have big performance and be well thought of,

still curious as to what you guys reckon to the CFR machines?

or.... if any of you have experience of TM Steamway 9100lx that is for sale second hand at the moment?

cheers

paul
PS any opinions on the Karcher 400e (still trying to keep my dad happy....lol)
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: spindle on April 28, 2008, 08:03:04 pm
just had a look for a karcher 400............£2003.00P..........

for that money you can get a much better machine...
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: spencer davies on April 28, 2008, 09:19:57 pm
Hi Shaun,

I have always liked heat, not been one for cold water cleaning.

It came with the following:

Two air movers
Hydramaster shelving
Hydramaster continuous flow upholstery tool
Stair tool
RX20
Loads of extra vac hose
200 litres of Solutions products
Unused charly pads
And an 06 Sprinter Van with 15000 miles on the clock

The Maxx has had 600 hrs use.


Regards




S
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: Paul Davidson on April 28, 2008, 09:28:51 pm
Hi Shaun,

Where did you get the van and truck mount? and without being too nosey, what sort of money did it cost you? You say you wish you had bought one years ago, how busy are you and is your business more residential or commercial? (please tell me to bog off if i am being too nosey)
My email is pauldavidson@email.com if you dont want to tell the world your private business.

Cheers and thanks for the input!
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on April 28, 2008, 09:53:26 pm
Harvey do you mean Spencer?

I believe it was an Irish one. I bought mine new from HM and I'm getting another in 6-7 weeks time.

No point of buying a TM unless you have work coming in regularly.

Shaun
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: Paul Davidson on April 28, 2008, 10:08:28 pm
Sorry, yes i did mean Spencer!
The business is over 30 years established so the work although no where near enough at present is regular and steady year on year.
My job will be to use my experience in marketing to get things busy asap, i feel i have a great basis to work from.
I see many companies on here saying (after they have taken the plunge to buy a TM) that they wish they had bought one much earlier! 
I think i am potentially tempted to buy second hand and save on not buying a more expensive van.
All your comments are appreciated

cheers

Paul
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on April 28, 2008, 10:16:21 pm
IMO I would call Hydramaster 01209 823740 and ask if they have any 2nd hand machines in or they may have a deal on a new one, depends on what your budget is, also they run on unleaded fuel but the speed of cleaning is as fast as having 2 machines on the go and the fuel is cheaper than paying someone elses wages.

Customer service is why we go to Hydramaster, you get looked after, after they have sold it to you which is important.

Shaun
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: spencer davies on April 28, 2008, 10:35:59 pm
Hello Harvey,

I think they have a used van and TM for sale at the moment at Hydramaster, I was lucky with mine because only a week before I had a conversation with John from HM, their reputation for quality service is a BIG factor as Shaun says.

We are fortunate to have two strong websites working for us, so business is pretty good at the moment.


Regards


s


Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: Susan Dean (1stclean) on April 29, 2008, 06:49:14 am
Sorry, yes i did mean Spencer!
The business is over 30 years established so the work although no where near enough at present is regular and steady year on year.
My job will be to use my experience in marketing to get things busy asap, i feel i have a great basis to work from.
I see many companies on here saying (after they have taken the plunge to buy a TM) that they wish they had bought one much earlier! 
I think i am potentially tempted to buy second hand and save on not buying a more expensive van.
All your comments are appreciated

cheers

Paul

give hubby a ring he will  tell you want we did as we went second t.m. route and never looked back at all , and we did it just last year as well to long to type heres his  number  07976 323 168    ( julian )
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: *paul_moss on April 29, 2008, 07:52:51 am
Spence welcome to the T/M world  ;D ;D, now isnt life easier  ;)
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: murky on April 29, 2008, 08:37:41 am
Harvey,

Re the TM that Bob Daines has for sale, he is with Servicemaster so it will be bright yellow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I have worked with him and the machine, thats why I got a TM after seeing what they can do.

I think he has it serviced at Alltec and its a good bit of kit, it may have done the hours now but he looks after it. Depending on what he wants for it it should be ok.

By the way what a palaver to get on to Truckmounters, pictures, model number of your machine, etc etc. Cant be bothered. Much better on here.

Murky
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: Ken Wainwright on April 29, 2008, 01:16:15 pm
Harvey

I'm speaking as a porty user.

Everything others have said about HydraMaster is true. There service and product are superb.

They also do some terrific deals which may well be worth enquiring about. For example, thay have good working relationships with many different vehicle suppliers and are able to pass on tremendous deals for a new van and machine combo. They'll also recommend someone who can set up different types of  financing for the package if you so desired.

This will give you a good starting point for you to consider all options.

If you are confident in your sales and marketing skills, along with your existing client base, then I feel a T/M is the way to go. It will certainly be cheaper than employing another technician and supplying another van and porty etc.

Obviously, there are other T/M manufacturers out there who can offer competitive packages too. Another avenue you may wish to explore.

Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
Title: Re: Which way to go?????
Post by: spencer davies on April 29, 2008, 07:46:50 pm
Paul,

I agree.... I have noticed a sharp increase in 'yoohoo' customers,  people are drawn to the van because of the noise, I picked up two customers today, one an extremely large church  8)


Regards


S