Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Doug Holloway on October 20, 2008, 07:57:05 pm

Title: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Doug Holloway on October 20, 2008, 07:57:05 pm
Hi Guys

Well after 4 years thinking about it I finally became a Truckmounter.

I bought the Blueline Cobalt from Alltec, picked it up this morning and have done my first 2 jobs.

It's ceratainly takes a bit of getting used too, afterall I've been in my comfort zone for a good while.

Have any of you seasoned TM's got any tips or shall I just learn it the hard way  :o

So far been impressed with performance but then I knew I would, customers loved the quality combined with dryness.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: mark shannon on October 20, 2008, 08:02:36 pm
Well done Doug i will be joining you end of November.  :)

PS Cheques in post sorry about delay

Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Mike Osbourne on October 20, 2008, 08:03:11 pm
Congrats Doug, you have earned, now it will be easier.

Have you thought through your eco credentials if your eco custies ask?
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Mike Halliday on October 20, 2008, 08:09:59 pm
buy a hydraforce.

fill up your water tank the night before when you plenty of time, I hate doing it in the morning.

use a glided wand

mike
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: markpowell on October 20, 2008, 08:13:36 pm
What porty have you been using Doug, i thought you were a Tm guy all along for some reason ???
Mark
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on October 20, 2008, 08:27:36 pm
Congratulations Doug,

Get hose reel if you haven't got one, 2" pipe to the wand if you can (this takes some getting used to) some hose fasteners for around banister rails when going up stairs, hydraforce like Mike says, your old upholstry tool will probably need upgrading to a higher psi.

As I think of them I'll keep posting.

Oh and find out where the toilets are as you drink more tea when you are standing about idle as some jobs are embaressingly quick.

Shaun
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Ken Wainwright on October 20, 2008, 08:30:47 pm
Nice one Doug. Just keep it clean and shiny 8)

Mike, if you market yourself well, there should be little or no conflict of eco-credentials. A T/M produces "free heat", it is quicker so runs for less time. Carpets are dryer so fewer demands on in-the-house energy for drying the carpets and they can always be converted to LPG.  More jobs can be completed in one day, so reduced travelling time to the same area. Perhaps even work 4 days instead of 5 so by further reducing energy consumption.  Market your equipment in the way that best suits your needs.

Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: clinton on October 20, 2008, 08:41:36 pm
Nice to hear that doug be lookin foward to seeing the picies :)

Must give you a ring this week :)
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: colin thomas on October 20, 2008, 09:06:12 pm
get yourself a 2" vac pipe wand, they really do leave the carpets drier, use 2" vac tube right to the wand, no 1.5" whip line. if the hose you have now is too stiff there is plenty out there more flexible, get a length of nylon rope for the times you will need to lower hoses out of a top floor window of a flat/office etc, treat yourself to the best thing for holding the hoses to the stairs/bannister the hose wrap from joe bristor, usa. joebristor@earthlink.net around $50 for 2 including postage, send him an e-mail for info.
and well done, i think you will find work easier now,

colin
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Doug Holloway on October 20, 2008, 10:15:26 pm
Hi Guys

Thanks for some excellent tips.

I have gone for the LPG option and must say there is no smell I can detect.This fits in nicely with the Green Cleaning Network.

I have also bought some new tools and intend to use 2 inch whenever I can.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on October 20, 2008, 10:25:11 pm
Congratulations Doug

I could see your eyes light up at the Alltec day when he was showing you the T/M's on the laptop.

Best of luck.

Steve

PS: Get that network working then I can get one too  ;D
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on October 20, 2008, 10:29:03 pm
How big a tank did you get for your LPG?

It really does work out at half the running costs so it's a good move and with the Green marketing an even better move.

A good tip I can recommend is to get big jets for your wand, the flow and heat clean far far faster in some cases 1 pass will clean what you may have used 7 or 8 porti passes for.

Shaun

Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: David Ware on October 20, 2008, 10:31:30 pm
Congratulations Doug takes a little time to adjust to the different way of working. Don't be embarrassed that you’re doing it quicker and getting the same money. That’s productivity.

David Ware
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Doug Holloway on October 20, 2008, 10:34:10 pm
Hi Guys

Steve,
I am doing a lot of work behind the scenes but it will take a bit of time, hopefully quicker than 4 years ::)

Shaun
I think it's 60L, thanks for the tip.

Dave,
You are my role model, still going strong


Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Straker Cleaning on October 20, 2008, 10:39:31 pm
Google brings it in above ecocarpetcare on green cleaning search  ;D
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: derek west on October 20, 2008, 11:16:28 pm
doug
don't you mean 60 gallon?, your chemical tank should be about 25 litres ish
derek
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: carlton care on October 21, 2008, 07:37:06 am
Why would you want to carry around 60 gallons of fuel ??
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: derek west on October 21, 2008, 08:06:10 am
oops, my mistake,
message to self.
must read posts more than once as i'm not as young as used to be.
sorry doug, thought we were talking fresh water.
bo pah
derek
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: craigp on October 21, 2008, 08:35:08 am
as said;

hose hook
hydraforce
2" Greenhorn or Ti wand

I only use the 2" in big open areas though its too cumbersome to do little bedrooms or landings, if you got a big empty lounge its great!

Craig
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Ian Gourlay on October 21, 2008, 09:56:37 am
That should chear the Guys at Alltec up.

Did you not get Free Membership of their Network.

Same as Mark think I have found Cheque Book just got to nick it out of her handbag ;D
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Doug Holloway on October 21, 2008, 11:39:07 am
Hi Guys

Ian, I don't really need to join Alltec's network with the Green Carpet Cleaning Network established.

Chris, we are No.1 for the green search terms and up to 3/4 for the eco ones. Hopefully No.1 for all soon.

I will post some pics later.

Cheers

Doug

Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: colin thomas on October 21, 2008, 08:07:39 pm
craig, i have a 12" x 2" greenhorn, i use it all the time no problems, i guess you have the 14"?

colin
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: *neal down on October 21, 2008, 08:26:06 pm
Doug is there much difference in power compared to a porty? Let us all know the truth.
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: craigp on October 21, 2008, 10:05:19 pm
Yes Col I have 14"

forgot theres a 12" which im sure would be ok in little rooms
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: des on October 21, 2008, 10:19:21 pm
Doug please do not forget the cold weather is on its way Des
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Doug Holloway on October 22, 2008, 06:55:21 pm
Hi Guys

One to look out for, I spoke with my Insurance Broker yesterday, rang me this morning, no problem in insuring the TM, we can do it through your PL insurance., O.K fine.

Got another call, your van insurer, NIG have withdrawn cover as you have modified the van and they don't like the idea of it carrying water, so I have had to change cover and suppose technically I wasn't covered for the last 3 days.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Paul_Ashworth on October 22, 2008, 07:24:23 pm
Doug,

Try your local NFU branch see link for your nearest office they will insure you reasonable.

h tp://www.nfumutual.co.uk/local-offices/index.htm  (Needs extra t adding)

Regards Paul
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: David Ware on October 22, 2008, 08:49:35 pm
Doug I'am with the Co op. Told them it's bolted in and the van sign written.

David Ware
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Len Gribble on October 22, 2008, 09:02:06 pm
Doug

I suppose bolting/screwing thing to the bodywork is some type of modification, must let mine know about the ply lining (stainless screws not very strong).

Len
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Karl Wildey on October 23, 2008, 04:44:18 pm
Given time you get used to the TM, then find it hard adjusting back to porty, when you need to use it.

As a trusted member of this forum it would be nice if you could give an update in a few months of the pros and cons of using your TM, may help opthers to whether they wish to upgrade later,
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Dave_Lee on October 23, 2008, 05:34:21 pm
Doug,
I have a Citroen Relay with Blueline Thermal Wave (LPG) and sub mounted water tank etc. I went through McGreggor Lloyd Brokers as with my last TM and van and I am covered by NIG fopr a total Van and TM value of £45000.
Dave.
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: Nigel_W on October 23, 2008, 05:43:28 pm
Doug,

I have a Blueline Thermalwave in a Transit also  insured by McGregor Lloyd. I am sure there are cheaper deals out there but it seems a small amount of money to me for a policy designed for TM users. Congrats on your new machine - I hope it serves you well.

Nigel
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: John Gregory on October 23, 2008, 07:26:58 pm
Doug,
I have a Citroen Relay with Blueline Thermal Wave (LPG) and sub mounted water tank etc. I went through McGreggor Lloyd Brokers as with my last TM and van and I am covered by NIG fopr a total Van and TM value of £45000.
Dave.

Dave you should of tried Saga

John ;D
Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: COLIN BRIGHT on October 23, 2008, 07:36:21 pm
well Done Doug, you will love your truckmount like i love mine
you will do a through lounge in no time and can easily double your work load without really noticing it
apart from all the extra cash you'll be earning
LONG LIVE THE BLUELINE! ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Truckmount at last!
Post by: davep on October 23, 2008, 07:50:25 pm
I tried McGregor Lloyd but it doesnt cover the tm or tools between 9pm and 6am  ???

Got HSBC to cover me, £20 per month for liability and van contents  ;D