Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Carpet Genie on October 24, 2008, 08:15:04 pm
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I've been using a Prochem Steampro powermax for just over three years now and am looking to buy a new machine. I don't want to start a debate over the best machine as it's been done many times before.
The power max has a PSI of 120 which is quite low compared to some on the market and i'm wondering whether it is worth spending extra money on a machine with a much higher PSI. I'm aware that airflow is also important but my question is to those of you who have upgraded to a machine with a higher PSI.
Did you notice a marked difference in your cleaning when using a machine with a higher PSI?
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IM in the same boat
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Mike,
I think the best way to gauge the performance of higher PSI pumps is to ask other members how long a life they are getting out of their pumps. I don't wish to stoke the debate, but I have seen the diffrence with a combination of higher flow rates with lower PSI and the performance has been outstanding! (100PSI Fully variable speed pump with PTFE/ Teflon open bore 3/8" solution hose). The problem with higher PSI is that the pump once it hits the flow rate you seek, then cycles on bypass and continues to cycle on bypass. This happens the majority of the time, as the pump is sending solution through a small bore hose into a 2002, 2003 jet/jets. The conversation I have had with pump manufacturers has led me to the fact that these pumps ARE NOT suitable for the situation thay are being used for. Also how much of the excess solution becomes airborne and causes atomisation in the surrounding atmosphere?
My advice would be to ask around and do some research before upgrading!
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I went from a woodbridge powerplus 100psi to a speedster 450 psi combined with a wonderwand.
Now I'm dumb when it comes to airflow, jets and all that but the performance difference is huge as is the drying times. I can also run much much more hose
I've run mine for over a year now with no problems.......... touch wood
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I upgraded from a 120psi powermax to a 300psi Raptor the difference is massive especially on heavy soiled carpets also find i only need one quick pass with the wand instead of 2or3 slow passes when using 120psi.The majority of the time i run the Raptor 250psi and find that more than enough the only thing with big pumps on portys is you run the solution tank dry in no time would also say ive had a few problems with the pump.
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Get a tm instead :D
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I went from an Extracta machine with a 55psi pump to a Prochem Bruin, then to Hydramaster Maxx 470 then another Maxx470 and now an aditional TM,a Hydramaster Boxxer 427.. All this from me a non believer in truckmounts .
Oh and the pressure difference. 55 psi to 400 psi or more or less as required.
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IM in the same boat
lol
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Thanks for the replies lads, certainly given me something to think about! There's a new prochem machine out with 500 psi and they are normally reliable machines. I think i'm going to go for that one.
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The only bad thing with buying the new prochem is the heat and run heater that comes wjth it at an aditional cost they are crap iam on my 3rd one in 4 years.
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Anyone got any info on the new Chemspec machine?
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Chemspec are importing kleenrite machines good spec but never used one looking for a new machine in the new year my self
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Rab
What you doin with your Prowler now?
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It went to a good home Mike.
Check the buy and sell
Rab
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Well done Rab, hope you got a good price for it.
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Both party's happy, well the buyer should be a bit happier than me :)
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The only bad thing with buying the new prochem is the heat and run heater that comes wjth it at an aditional cost they are crap iam on my 3rd one in 4 years.
Darren,
What's wrong with the heaters?
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Is the new Chemspec machine the Hydrovantage if it is its just the same as the Raptor apart from the top of it were you connect the vac hose everything else is identical.I was going to buy one of theese from cleaning systems uk but they were wanting £2850 ended up getting the raptor from hydramaster for £1995.
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The heaters are unreliable to say the least even the guy from my local prochem dealer said all they get is problems with them.You can get them now for £280+vat from Olympic Cleaning if your busy and you can get 2 years out them they are still worth buying but forget paying £400+vat from Prochem total rip off.
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Looks like i'll be giving them a miss then. Anyone know where you can get a Mytee Speedster from?
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Mike ive heard a few people on hear saying they have had a lot of problems with there Speedsters i think Cleansmart stop selling because of the amount of trouble thyve had with them.Another machine thats worth a look is the hydramaster raptor great machine with loads of heat ive had a coulpe of problems with the pump but hydramaster fixed it and its going great again.
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Cheers Darren, i'll have a look at one of them - where can you get them from?
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Cancel my last - i've found them now!
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I have a speedster and as said earlier have had no problems, There are precautions you can take to fix potential problems.
I narrowed my search down to the raptor or the speedster, I would have probably gone for a raptor but got such a fantastic deal on my speedster that in the end it came down to price.
I think I got Matts last one, he made the 'easy' modifications for me which seem to do the job.
I too mostly have it set to around 250 - 300 psi
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I call mine the leakster.
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That bad??? Where's it leaking from.....Be prepared and all that ;)
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Touch wood no probs with mine.
I have noticed the metal end of the hose in the sol. tank has gone rusty but don't know whether I should leave well alone?
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Hi Guys, just to let you know i purchased the Scorpion after all the advice - it arrived yesterday and got the chance to play with it today.
Couple of questions that you Scorpion users may be able to help with.
1) The adjustment for the PSI - i'm assuming that turning it all the way to the right makes it about 500PSI but how far to the left do you have to turn it to turn it down sufficeintly for upholstery?
2) Secondly - what on earth do you use for a hose bag - the 2 inch hose is massive - like handling a massive snake!!! Took me ages to coil the bugger up!!
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Sorry just read your post and you have been running for a few years :)
Yea, just over three years - started off slowly but getting busy now - got a couple of letting agencies using me which has really helped my turnover. Trying to get into Nursing homes now - got one but looking for more. There's loads around me - it's like Florida without the sun - full of old people!!
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;D
Let us know how you get on with it mate joe hatton has a scorpion and always praises it. :)
Will do - i've got a couple of jobs on tomorrow including a suite so i'll stick a post on tomorrow night to say how it goes. (As long as i can pack the hose up in time!! It's a beast!)
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I take it the Scorpion dosent have a preasure gauge if so why did they not put one on it especially if it has a 500psi pump.Dont no if its just me but i always like to no what preasure iam working at.
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I take it the Scorpion dosent have a preasure gauge if so why did they not put one on it especially if it has a 500psi pump.Dont no if its just me but i always like to no what preasure iam working at.
No, there's no pressure gauge on it - I'm like you, i'd like to know what the pressure is. I expect i'll get used to it eventually.
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What the hell does a number on a dial mean?
When you've got it flat out it's giving you lots... when you back it off you get less. How much more complicated than that does it have to be?
30 seconds setting the machine up before extraction and you're sorted, same as any other machine.
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Re the pressure gauge
You can fit an in-line gauge no ptoblem, but in time you just get used to it so you save money.
Fully on will give more then 500psi from what I am told (mines a earlier version with 300psi).
Most of the time you wont be going over 300-350 anyway.
For hand tool use probably around 150ish ie suites
You will know from experiance what the right setting is - like Jim says - what are numbers anyway (just indicators).
Hose management.
The hoses from Solutions are very flexible - be thankful you got them from them!
Have you a 100ft ie 2x50!
I cut one of mine into15' and 35' so I have 15, 35, 50, 65, 85, and 100'. Dont forget you need 2 mor eend pieces!
Many houses you can manage with 50' or less so if you use the 15 and 35 you can redue as you work yourself out of the house. Many times you will only need the 35'.
I also have a 10' piece of 1.5" to connect to my 1.5" wand (maybe you got the 2" wand)
This gives more flexibility when working in tighter spaces like bedrooms with all the furniture in or suites. Although for suites I have a 25' piece of hide a hose (solution hose indie the suction hose) - less chance of snagging on the suite.
Using this 10' along with the 15, 35 and 50 gives you many more combinations.
You get used to coiling them up - its the solution hose that I find greater problem with - but lay it out straight preferably when still warm and it gets easier.
Enjoy your Scorpion.
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Jim when your spending that much money on a machine you shouldnt have to guess what psi your running at.Jim you seem a we bit touchy when ever somebody mentions a Solutions product chill out.
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Okay, first day of work with the Scorpion today and i must say i'm really impressed by it.
Main points i've noticed on day one are
1) It is extremely powerful - the suction through the 2'' hose was immense, much much stronger than my old powermax. So much so that when cleaning a suite today the extra suction was causing a bit of a problem. Needed to adjust my technique a bit but by the sceond settee was ok.
2) PSI adjustment - took a while to adjust the PSI to the desired level but as a couple of people have send you do get used to it. Only need to turn it down for upholstery, for carpets have it just below the maximum. I could see the dirt dissolving in front of me. The customer was also watching at this point and was very impressed!
3) Noise of machine - yes it is a bit noisy but the customer didn't mind - he thought the noise equated to power so was just impressed with the machine. I'll probably end up leaving it outside most of the time anyway.
4) Length of hoses - Funnily enough the first job today was a 3 storey house and i needed the 50' length to go all the way to the top - saved carting the machine up the stairs. I think that i will be cutting the hose down to three different sizes though. Think i'll go for 2 x 15' and 1 x 20'. Just makes it easier to put away more than anything else! I can alway put them together when needed.
5) The stair tool that came with the Scorpion was superb. two jets and a much wider head meant i did the three sets of stairs in no time. Very impressed.
6) Upholstery tool - Never used one with jet inside before - meant there was alot less spray going on the floor - again took a bit of time to get used to but i prefer it now.
7) Speed - after the initial set up and getting used to the machine my cleaning times were much quicker than before. The increase in PSI and airflow make it very fast leaving the carpets much dryer than before.
All in all i must say that the machine is very very impressive. Yes there are a couple of minor things tjhat some people may not like, such as no PSi gauge but after one day i can say that i don't think this will be a problem, just turn it down for upholstery and turn it up for carpets - even i can get my head round that. Also the noise may put some people off but i just wear headphones and listen to music while i'm working!!
I would certainly recommend the machine to anyone who has 3 grand to invest as it will earn it's money back in no time.
I've got to sort my van out now though to fit everything in to it!!
My thanks to everyone who gave me advice on this matter - i appreciate all your comments, don't think i would have come to the decision i did without your help.
Cheers!!
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A good review Mike.
Dont know how you stand with your prcing but soon you will have the confidence to put them up because you know you are doing an exceptional job and you will have the confidence to let potential customers know that.
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Sounds like your first day was good and productive :)
Am sure you could leave the machine outside and just have a cover for it when raining :)
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Joe,
Yea i was thinking myself today that i need to start putting my prices up slightly - not too much but an extra couple of quid on each job will soon add up to a tidy amount. As you say as i get more professional and the results improve then the price must also increase.
Clinton,
I think Solutions do some sort of rain cover for the machine - i'll give them a ring and see what it's like.
It was a good day but my back is killing me as i twisted the ligaments in my knee on saturday playing football so couldn't kneel down today - had to do two large three seater settees bending over!! Feel about 80 now!
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Always good to leave machine outside no matter what machine.
Keeps inside house tidier but important is that the exhaust fumes fro dirt etc out of carpets is not inside clients house.
You will need 2 extension cables of course for the occassions you havent got 2 suitable points iaccessible easily.
If you have to take into house then make sure it stands on some protective stuff ie plastic sheet at least.
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mike, Great review , im sold , been toying with havin one myself ...so recon I will be speaking to Nick on monday to place order.
Mike what area do you come from ?
Ricky T
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Ricky T,
I live in Barry down by the sea in South Wales!! The place where they film Gavin & Stacey!! I cleaned the house they use for Gavins parents last week. Been filming a xmas special - wouldn't tell me the story line though.