Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: jon777 on January 10, 2009, 01:37:05 pm
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Was looking for any advice out there on the performance and reliability of the truckmounts out there.
I currently have two Steamway 9100's which are great when they are running but have there fair share of problems. (Although you cannot fault the Alltec guys for getting you back on the road asap, it has become a bit of an issue with regards to getting the spares from America). I will probably upgrade to the new Alltec machines because of their great service but I am a bit concerned they come from the states as well.
Are all the leading truckmounts manufactured in the states?
I have recently read an article about a chap that ran his new transit out and is putting his old truckmount in a new van. (Its 10 years old, and I think it was a prochem model). Mine have lasted 5/6 years and could do with replacing. (They have been looked after)
I think they are probably all pretty much the same with regards to breakdowns. ??!! or has anyone found other models to be dramatically better???
Thanks
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I did loads of homework before buying our Hydramster, far more reliable than an electric machine, the Hydramaster customer service is probably the best available. ;)
Regards
S
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Speaking as an observer of what's been said on these forums over the years, it nearly always comes back to Hydramaster and Prochem being worthy market leaders. It appears that HydraMaster might just pinch the lead, but it's close, as they have their HQ in Cornwall plus, and, I'm led to believe, a service centre in Oxford.
For whatever reason, Alltec have changed brands after a few short years, so they may not be confidence inspiring, but their products seem sound. Ashby's are newcomers to T/M's but I know that the Aussies rave about the Powerclean range. Their service is, to me, an unknown quantity.
Obviously there are others, but I'm sure you will be aware of the marketplace.
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
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I don't think I've ever seen a negative post about HM customer service on any of the forums. I get the impression they would move heaven and earth to get you up and running asap.
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Yes bought a HM in December great service and a nice company.
MD gave me his mobile number and said " any problems call me any time day or night even over christmas " he meant it and it inspires confidence.
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Hi Guys
After much deliberation I went for Alltec as I had always had good service with my portables and Hydramaster was just too far away from Essex.
Prochem have had mixed reports depending who you talk to and Ashbys generally a poorish reputation but too new in Tm's to see if they have upped their game.
Woodbridge are another where the services varies.
cheers
Doug
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Doug
Thats what would be my main concern geting t mount the reliability the spare parts and the dealers are so far away from up here ???
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They all come from the states,, I had a performer 405 for about six years, really good machine but my experience with prochems service team was not good.
When i had a problem they were not interested, they carry very few spare parts so you have to wait a week to ten days for them to get them from the states! if you can get them to order them in the first place.
I had a blue line bluewave fitted by alltec in june, have put 350hrs on it so far with no problems, really happy so far, Chris and the team in royston are like a breath of fresh air compared to prochem.
My advice to you is get a machine with a water cooled engine it will cost you more but last much longer.
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Alltec and HM seem to understand you don't just buy their TM you buy long term backup and support, for that you need to trust the company to put you back on the road quickly.
Alltec are more central but HM have a service center in Oxford and hope to open one in Yorkshire i am told.
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Hydramaster for me, they been making TMs for over 30 years, back ups great. they sell their own TMs so no risk of them changing Tm they sell.
Alltec new TMs are the dogs, but as Ken says may take a few years for them to gain peoples confidence.
Did you know HM got a bed/shower upstairs for their customers if you been driving all night you can sleep while they work on your TM ;D
My spitfire never breaks down though :)
Whats Alltecs back up like?
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Alltecs back up has always been fantastic, and for this reason alone it makes it difficult to go anywhere else.
Having never operated another companies tm though I have been wondering about rival machines. HM sounds very tempting especially if they have a service cente in Oxford where I'm based.
Saying that, leasing the van and tm as a package is a big plus for Alltec! - I think they are the only ones to do this?!
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Craig,
Cant fasult Alltecs back up, in fact it takes some beating. Chris and his crew are not only clued up they are actually interested! All TM have problems at times so good service and response is essential. My mate had a cut out problem on his Thermal Wave recently. Alltec thought they had it solved during a recent routine service. However it turned out to be something else causing the fault. They sent one of their guys up to Blackpool with their back up TM and van, so he could carry on working. They drove his van and Thermal Wave back to Royston, found the fault and rectified it, and duly redilvered it back a couple of days later. No charge as under warranty.
Dave.
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WOW
now thats backup care for ya.
derek
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Stories like that pay for themselves very quickly and keep on doing.
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couldn't see john gotts stretching that far but i'm still pleased with my boxxer 421, aand like mark said, he's always on the end of the phone.
derek
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Go on - treat yourself and get one of these. Like others I can't fault Alltecs service and the machine is fantastic.
Nigel
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no hose reel!
isn't that a pain rolling them pipes up?
derek
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Derek,
I have 50 foot of solution hose on a retractable reel to the right of the machine. I also store 50 foot of vac hose to the left of the machine. These are my outside only hoses qnd they can be run very quickly. All my other hoses are for internal use only which is essential given the nature of the houses I work in. I would spend way more time cleaning hoses than I do unrolling the ones on the van. In addition as you see it gives me loads of room on the van for portabales etc. I could also add that I have saved some money by not having a hose reel.
Nigel
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I think you'll find "hunts", that all manufacturers/suppliers will have a choice of purchasing and leasing packages for virtually all of their capital equipment, even portables.
John Gott, MD at Hydramaster is able to source a wide range of vans at unbelievably low prices. That's why his starter package for a Fiat Ducato van, Boxxer 318 with reel, ramp etc had a package price in the region of £19k at the HM Dirty Weekend/Open day last August. That's a great place to start for both value and spec.
It has been suggested to me by others that he lets the vans go at cost as a vehicle to sell his T/M's. I'd believe that having met John.
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
PS Even if you don't buy a Hydramaster, treat the family to a long weekend in sunny Cornwall when he runs his next Dirty Weekend. It's for ALL the family, Pig Roast, bar, live band entertainment and great, great company. In fact, I'd say it was our industry's number one event of the year. John also sources CHEAP accomodation. This year it was £10 per night per room. And it's tax deductible!
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Nigel
A nice set up you have looks all neat and tidy as well :)
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Nigel does the extra silencer restrict the power.
Not that it matters much with that beast ;)
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Mark,
It was supplied by Blueline in the States through Alltec so I presume it does not. The big benefit for me is that this TM is so quiet that I can work in noise sensitive parts of London with no hassle.
Nigel
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Ken i bought the package and the van must be near cost.
Cost a FAIR bit more than 19 with extras but a fantastic package.
I think with pound in doldrums price has gone up since by quite a bit, got in just in time :)
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Hi Guys
It does seem Alltec and Hydramaster are the only players in town at present, it would be good for the industry if Prochem and Ashbys could raise their games .
There is of course John Kelly and his Prowler which although a smaller machine has a good reputation as does John
Cheers
Doug
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Mark I dont think the silencer would restrict power as I'm sure the spent blower air does not go through it. Does it?
Love the TM Nigel, its more closer to a car engine!
What cc?
think my 20hp briggs and strat is around 750cc ??? petrol.
Craig
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Craig,
It is a 69 hp 1600 cc GM engine. The same one that runs Simon Gerrrds Titan. The Titan has a bigger blower though which enables it to triple wand :o
The blower exhaust is going through the silencer which is why I wanted a blueline approved solution to noise reduction.
Nigel
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are 'horse powers' different in the USA compared to the UK?
the reason I ask is the ICS mag I've got both the Titan & Thermalwave are listed with the 61hp GM engine but in the UK the are quoted as 69hp.
which one is correct?
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Cheers everyone thats really helpful.
Will look out for that weekend Ken, sounds pretty good.
Jon
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Nigel,
Noticed Alltec have an old performer for sale, didn't you used to have one of those, is it your old one?
Mike
They probably have bigger horse over there so yes. ::)
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prochem machines good, service of prochem machines absolutely the pits, go for hydramaster or alltec although i don't personally like mr saunders,
colin
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So if mines 20 hp would it be geared differently?
at 61hp it could be higher geared so give much more suction at lower revs, even at tick over would be more than a portable!
Is that how it works, so at the same revs its turning the blower faster, also at max out put will turn blower faster as well as being a bigger blower.
drying times must be incredable.
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Mike H,
Alltec did tell me about the hp difference but I cant remember the reason ???.
Mike 0,
Yes - Alltec do have my old Performer for sale. I part exed it for the Thermalwave. Great machine for someone wanting to dip their toe in the TM market.
Nigel
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Different hp stats are prob because of where it was measured, like with motorcycles you can take the hp from the crank or at the wheel, at the wheels lower as its lost power then, manufactures often tell you at the crank, as its higher.
PS interesting fact a 500cc engine today will produce the same hp as one 50 years ago, they only got better at losing less energy not making more ;D (at same revs)
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Nigel
At that price certainly. Even with Prochem parts issues.
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The Blue line machines, so i have been told, are made with old Prochem plant and engineering experts who started the business when Prochem US were taken over, and wanted to relocate the manufacturing, to the other side of the US.
Is this true?
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Hi mark
You must have been geting a good amount of work to upgrade to a t mount ???
Supose in 3 or 4 years it will have paid for itself :)
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Clinton doing OK mate ;) not as busy as i have been :( just decided it was a good time. Needed a new van and the van TM deal was so good figured i might as well. Probably no busier than you but it makes life easier and the speed quality and depth of clean is amazing as i had never used a TM before.
They look good to if you show your shiny new TM to custy on quote they seem to take you more seriously, they also attract allot of attention when your working.
Starting to get used to it now and to be honest starter TMs are not that expensive these days.
Mark
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I am the only one with the TM in this area, people love the results and drying times, we used two wands recently with fantastic results, the cleaning time was literally cut in half.......priceless. ;)
S
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Mark :)
Well i do get busy some months and do get recomondations and referals repeats.
Just i have always managed with my set up.
There again they are a great tool and would not say never to upgrade to one as i do like the quality of the clean and the service to my clients.
Prob would go with the prowler as its less maintanence for me .
You will have to post some picies of your brend new set up be good to see it :)
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Couple of 318 pics.
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Filling up
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Mark
Looks a good set up.
A big step up for you :)
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Also Hydramaster do a 3yr warranty. Dont know what the others give?
Regards
Daryl
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So good he said it twice ;D
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think he was in a valley when he typed it. :)
derek
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6 years warranty now that's good.
Looks very nice Mark, and just a tad envious. Well alot really. ;D
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Mike good time to buy 100% tax deductable in first year at the moment ;)
Also i stay in allot hence posting here on a Saturday night ???
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I will crack but really wanting to hold out and prob go 2nd hand.
I'm dogsitting tonight ::)
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This is coming up for sale soon due to upgrade if you want a nice unit .
An As New Boxxer 427, very low hours.
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Oh don't tempt me Glynn, that looks just the ticket but is prob a bit out of my league at the moment.
Will you be taking it out of the van then?
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Was thinking of selling it as a complete turnkey package but you never know.
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Post the details Glynn.
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Mike
You could always get a new set up on a lease ???
Trouble is buying used you may inherit someonelses probs ???
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Leasing can work out expensive but i think there are tax advantages, ask the bank for a personal loan.
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Mark
You are right about that the best i supose is for some of us in the position is to buy it outright or raise the funds from a family member as i know some have done this :)
The local ford dealer near me is doing a new transit 8 and half on the road and thats with vat :)
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I started my business with no cash, I had run out. :'( I got 2 credit cards and maxed them out to £10k and pulled myself out of a hole.
Although they were 0% it made me feel really uncomfortable having that round my neck, so I'd prefer to pay the bulk of it in cash.
2nd hand is a gamble, you could lose the value of work until it's fixed, reputation, plus repair costs and hassle. However the money you save would easily cover most niggles and if the whole thing blows up well it's back to the Porty. ;D
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Mike :)
If you look at it that way your on a hiding to nothing :)
Sounds like you got yourself out of a big hole then ???
I had a word with roger(dr carpet)about finance loans etc and he gave me good advice so guess i have a plan for the nxt few years and see how it goes :)
I dont want to get into debt either and specially in this downturn as my main concern it to be here in another years time :)
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Clinton
Think of all the extra money you are losing week in week out and what you could have done with it. Especially when you realise how much easier life will be with a truckmount.
Don't you think you owe it to yourself and your family? ;D
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Not sure am loosing money mike ???
You mean with the extra work i would get ???
I know i owe it to myself :D
Am worth it ;D
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Hi Guys
I thought about this for so long, It drove me a bit bokers.
In the end i went for it and the performance is excellent and once you get used to it much quicker and less hard work , particularly on carpets.
Cheers
Doug
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Dive in head first and make it work.
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thats me when i had hair. ;D
derek
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Could it be how you lost your hair :D
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I think it's him posting on TM's ;D
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hair today gone tomorrow.
derek
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that 427 of glynns is the dogs doo dahs, it will be well maintained and the 427 is the top end of truck-mounts, water cooled and will run for years no probs,
colin ;)
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Wonder what van its in ???
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Leasing can actually work out cheaper than buying outright after you take tax relief and loss of capital into consideration.
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The Boxxer 427 is hardy 2nd hand as it's completely as new and has only done about 250 hrs, it's hardly run in !.
Both the machine, twin chemical stock holders and vac manifolds AND waste tank fit on the fresh water tank, so it's a very neat set up. The van is an ex accident unit Vauxhall Movano Mwb Turbo diesel and is fully documented & with recent full service inc new brakes, cam belt etc. It drives as new and it's a 54 Reg.
The equipment includes:
HydraMaster Boxxer 427
350 ft dual hose reels
Live 100 ft solution reel
Sub mounted full width fresh water tank c/w pump in system
Latest max Air Flow waste tank
Hydramaster shelving
HM TM wand
150 ft of Vac & solution hoses
LPG system with 90 litre tank ( uses only 1 gall LPG per hour @ 48p/p litre !. )
Truckmount is only about 8 months old and it came with the 3 year warranty.
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all the information you need bar the most important one.
come on glyn, dont keep us in suspenders?
whats the ticket?
derek
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Would be nice having a water cooled engine - must last longer. Dream on Joe.
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come on joe, you wanna try out all the different systems before you leave this planet for that big carpet in the sky, treat ya self, you can't take it with you. and if ya leave it all to the wife she'll only spend it on handbags. ;D
derek
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Joe
So far your dreams have come true ;D
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Glynn want to swap for a 318, less hours :)
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I was privvy to look at that TM yesterday as Glynns and that is one hell of a machine and set up, if it had been for sale 6 months ago I would have bought it no problem, I know Glynn and I know quite a few of you all I'm not siding with anyone on here it is one of the most impressive set ups I have ever seen.
Why? because it's all set out correctly with shelving space saving and time saving items with attention to detail, if you were in the market for a machine then you would just hand over the money simple as.
Shaun
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As derek asked before whats the ticket ???
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Offers around £20k + vat.
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I have a Spitfire from Hydramaster 6 years old
Good machine
Great Service
Nice People
Would not go any where else
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come on joe, you wanna try out all the different systems before you leave this planet for that big carpet in the sky, treat ya self, you can't take it with you. and if ya leave it all to the wife she'll only spend it on handbags. ;D
derek
Steady on Derek - I only meant few more years before I give up the carpet cleaning.
You got me dead and buried already. :o
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joe
;D
sorry, only joshing chief.
£23k?
how much is a brand new 427?
derek
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That's with the van as well Derek, as Shaun says a bargain, with a bit knocked off :) if you were just thinking of buying one new.
Still too rich for me, I'm out. ;D
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i know thats with the van mike, but the vans only worth £3500, thats why i asked the question. :)
derek
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No Derek, the van's only worth 3.5k to You.
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I think if someone bought this it would be the nearest thing to peace of mind bar buying straight from HM. It's almost new and Glynn isn't exactly some bloke on ebay no one has heard of.
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okay, i'll rephrase it then, anyone could buy a 54 plate movana for £3500 if not less, i will apologise if it sounded like i was saying that glyns van is only worth £3500.
derek
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Of course the actual answer is what someone's prepared to buy it for.
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Iv'e just scanned sites on 2nd hand vans & I can't find a "decent" movano of that year for less than 4500.
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3 photos
2004 VAUXHALL MOVANO 2.2DTi High Roof Van 3.3t Mwb Diesel (trade)
GXG Motors
• 55,000 miles
• White
• 04 reg (2004)
White, 55000 miles, 04/04, one leasing company owner, MOT til Sept 09, service history, lined out, 3 seater cab bulk head, remote central locking cd player, good condition, drives well. CREDIT CARDS
£3,195
Distance:
174 miles
VAUXHALL MOVANO 2.5 CDTi MWB (trade)
Ronnie Burns Motors
• 67,000 miles
HI-ROOF 04 54 one owner (ex leasing), only 67,000 miles with full service & maintenance history (last serviced at 63k), MOT Aug 09, remote central locking, CD player, fully woodlined, solid rear doors,
£3,450
Distance:
184 miles
just found these in 20 seconds.
these are traders i'm sure private or an auction would yield better prices.
not being cocky, just backing up what i say.
derek
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Derek if you bought a van and picked up a used TM you would have to either install it yourself or pay someone to do it, then kit the van out, when you could, as Glynn says turn the key and start making money.
The other thing is everyone will have a starting price cos every bvgger expects something knock off so I don't know why you are arguing the toss over the price, unless you're after an upgrade already. ;D
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all i asked was the price of a new 427!.
just wondering how he came to £23k.
why do people get there back up when i ask a simple question?
justify the price and the machine will sell itself,
if i was glyn and glyn was firing my question at me, i'd relish the chance to justify my price.
"the van is in topnick and well worth more than £3500."
"the accessories alone come to X amount"
"a brand new 427 is X amount" "and that doesn't include fitting"
"this machine has a blah blah"
"it also has"
you get the picture.
anyway mike, like you said, if someone wants it and is prepared to pay that sort of money then it will sell.
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A new Boxxer 427 is now £14,500+vat and not inc all the other stuff e.g. LPG, reels, fresh tanks, shelving etc.
Derek, this van is the New shape model.
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cheers glyn
thats all i asked. thank you.
i will now shut my big gob ;D
(while i have my tea)
this week i have been mostly eating, taramasalata ;D
derek
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From what I saw I'd have thought the TM and kit is worth £25k easily then there's the things you don't see, the actual set up and the hooks and petrol heater etc etc
I was well impressed, infact envious, BTW I went to Glynns as he was good enough to fix my gas problem :o
Shaun
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So how much are you selling yours for, Shaun. :D
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That's too much information Shaun, try a lactose free diet ;D
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£35 000 ;D
Actually I'm delighted with mine, ok I'm bound to say that after shelling out for it but I have noticed sinse upgrading from my 421 that I get quicker cleaning and better rinsing mainly down to having a bigger pump 5.5 gallons a min compared to 3.5, looking at Glynn's 470 wish I'd have gone for that because that really is a hot one and you can just about run it on idle it is that powerful.
Shaun
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we are still talking about truckmounts arn't we? ;D
derek
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oh behave!
Shaun
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No comment :P
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At a guess, i would estimate that whoever purchased Glynns set up would be saving in the region of.....£3500 - £4000. I know Glynn very well & know that even if the TM had lots more hours on it it would still be like new. It will if anything be OVER SERVICED which is always a good thing.
Richie.
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Does that mean the BIG ones on the horizon?
Dave.
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Where else do you see used t mounts for sale ???
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There's the odd one comes up on Truckmunters and apparently in the NCCA newsletters.
Were you after anything in particular Clinton?
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Mike
Just seeing what comes up for the future :)
Saw one on the ncca letter on a site.
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Clinton,
Just found this on the internet if you need the site just let me know !!!
Company Type Turnover Location Entered Ref No.
Carpet Cleaning Not Specified UK 07/07/2008 679176
Asking Price
£13k
Description
Ford Transit Van 280 06 plate inc TAX, only 14,000 miles, with a top of the range Hydramaster Boxer 421 Carpet Cleaning Machine. Includes all chemicals and accessories. Complete Package £12,995k incl VAT you would expect to pay £25,000+ for this from a dealer; I just want to clear it. I can confirm that the first person to view this will buy it.
Category
Cleaning
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now that sounds like an absolute bargain
derek
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Hi paul what siste is that on mate ???
Similar to the one that came up before xmas in stafordshire it was v cheap..
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Not sure if it's still available but have you seen Lee Grundy's TM under 10k top notch HM but in older van.
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Surely, if you are looking to go truckmount, the answer must be to go and see the Hydramasters, Prochems, Alltecs and Woodbridges to check out which machine of the dozens suits your type of business & work best.
Then if not prepared to fork out for a new one at least you will know what to look for in the second hand market rather than flaying around and looking at every t/m that comes up
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:-\ He has a point, it's like when you drool over a car, save up for it and when you go for a test drive you don't like it.
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Good post there :)
Supose some guys have bought what came up and if the right gear did am sure a few of us would buy a set up
I would only go for a neat and tydy set up if i was going to purchase and doubt i would go for an old vehicle.
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Mike
How old is the van lee grundy has for sale ???
Cheers
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You got mail ;)
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seen it
tom hanks meg ryan,
crap
derek
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I'd pop something in her letterbox.
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Clinton Hi,
What van are you driving now?
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Hi dave
I have a partner van mate :)
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Mike
Thanks for that sory i was late replying just read your post :)
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It has been rumoured that Glynn has never owned a truckmount for long, he just runs them in for the second owner, plus he just loves fresh oil and Auto Glym ;)
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
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Glynn is very proud of his kit and as stated above, look's after his kit to highest standard. It's probably better now, that it was new. If I, as Shaun said, was looking for a new machine, I would not hesitate to buy that machine. You know when the key is turned it will start and run perfectly as all the donkey work has been done for you. Also, as it is layed out perfectly it will save lots of operator time on each job.My own vehicle needs completely stripped out and re-fitted (and it would not be as good as this) :)