[Ferenc G.]

My SEBO DUO kicked the bucket this week so I need an agitator. I have been researching the subject, but can not really make a decision. I want to buy something else instead of another DUO. I went to see my local supplier, he recommended an Oreck machine, but I am not sure if it would fit the bill. Also seemed to be a bit too expensive for what it is. I wouldn't mind to buy second hand as long as it is in good condition.

Please share your experiences/recommendations with the different machines, CRB or OP, rotary, anything. Hopefully your input helps me to make the right decision.
Thanks!

[Neil Jones]

I managed to get a floormac recently with pad and brush for £95, it was hardly used. I don't think i could live without this machine now. It is very similar to the oreck and great for domestics, but you would need something larger for commercials.

[wayne zabel]

I recently got a Floormac and find it far better than my Sebo,but find the black brush a bit soft.I also got the orange brush but find that too stiff at te moment.Im using it on concrete now daily to soften/flatten it after getting advise on here.

I still prefer my sebo on stairs though.

[jim mca]

I find the oreck ok with the activa bonnets but it was pants with brushes does not compare with a good crb

[Ferenc G.]

After spending the last 3 hours reading old posts and watching youtube videos I am even more confused 

Like the versatility of the OP machines, but also like the multiwash/rotowash machines for the same reason.
Anyone has experience with both?

[jim mca]

I have a flexi 5 and a oreck use both buy what you can afford and make it work a new crb is £1500 a op is £400 ish
oreck is great for bedrooms and small areas a big crb makes a real difference and cleaning much easier if you can afford
get both second hand if need be

[Kev Loomes]

Yes.

Rotowash is excellent but you need a small one in a domestic household without doubt - bigger one for commercial. I prefer these to other crb's as they not only do carpets but have a pump and a pick up too which is great on hard floors.

Oreck is also excellent in domestics (not commercial), as they get in to small areas and easily outperform the likes of the duo. But the brush for carpets is crap, so a good pad is the answer.

[Ferenc G.]

A well priced second hand CRB would be the answer for me at this moment, but I like to research and hear others experiences before I make a decision. A smaller OP machine is on my shopping list for a long while, never got round to buy one. Anyway, everything I touched this week broke down on me, so I want to spend every penny wisely.

[david@zap-clean]

I still prefer my sebo on stairs though.

Really! I've been agitating with a hand brush - how do you agitate the vertical parts of the stairs?

[AshWhite]

An oreck/floormac is great for agitating stairs, they just roll off across the nose then down to thhe riser.

[wayne zabel]

I still prefer my sebo on stairs though.

Really! I've been agitating with a hand brush - how do you agitate the vertical parts of the stairs?

Ive never felt it necessary to aggitate a riser as they are never badly soiled due to not being trod on.If there was a need I would aggitate by hand.

[wayne zabel]

Yes.

Rotowash is excellent but you need a small one in a domestic household without doubt - bigger one for commercial. I prefer these to other crb's as they not only do carpets but have a pump and a pick up too which is great on hard floors.

Oreck is also excellent in domestics (not commercial), as they get in to small areas and easily outperform the likes of the duo. But the brush for carpets is crap, so a good pad is the answer.

What pad would you recommend for aggitating on domestics Kev?

[steven Banks]

I have a Rotowash R4. It's an excellent machine as mentioned above.

[Kev Loomes]

What pad would you recommend for aggitating on domestics Kev?

Well Solutions did a fab pad called the XR (grey) but it needed to go on another pad as it was too thin. But once on they are (were) brilliant, last forever and barely ever needed cleaning. I will miss them.

You could try the new scrub pads (green with black stripes) that I have seen on a couple of suppliers websites, but they dont look like they will agitate enough and are absorbant, which is not whats needed when applying pre spray prior to extraction. Maybe someone else can comment as I havent tried them.

As mentioned on another thread I will be adapting a small rotary brush next week to fit on an oreck/floormac as I think it may work really well (as opposed to their standard useless black shampoo brush). We'll have to wait and see!

In the meantime you could simply use a 12" white scrub pad (they only last 2 weeks approx so get a box of 5 or so) but are relatively cheap. They do cause a lot of fluffing though if used in areas that aren't used, so try and avoid drifting under sofas etc. Also don't run the carpet too dry when using this method - they need lubrication - spray the pad prior to use too.