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Jamie James

  • Posts: 48
From Portable to Truck Mount
« on: April 13, 2009, 07:14:34 am »
Hey Guys

Some advise please, if you were going into the truck mount scene what unit would you get, where from from and what sort of cost are we talking???
I know I would have to keep a portable for the hard to reach areas.

Thanks for any advise

Cheers Jamie
ICServices
Specialist Carpet Cleaners
NCCA Members
Taunton
Somerset

Ken Wainwright

  • Posts: 2107
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2009, 09:56:08 am »
Hi Jamie

Your location makes this an easier question to answer.

HydraMaster

They are probably the number one UK T/M and have an extensive range. and superb customer support. Their new entry level Boxxer 318 has been very well received and, I am told, "punches above it's weight".  They are, I would guess, a good couple of hours away from you, so not too far. It takes me 4 hours from the B'ham area.

I'm guessing on the prices as they are not published, but perhaps £10k to £11k fitted for the 318, rising to really big money for the higher spec machines.  These prices are affected by the £/$ rate.  Solution UK, who share the same address as HM, are about to announce their new UK built entry level TM which will be, I believe,  in the £8k ball park.

Prochem and Alltec also have superb reputations for their products and support, but then you've got the servicing issue to consider with the miles apart.

Chemspec and Restormate (John Kelly) are also worth considering, but are moving further away from you. If you are handy with a spanner, it's less of an issue. Ashby's are new to T/M's so are an unknown quantity, although their range is highly regarded in Australia and elsewhere.

There are a few others around, but some of the feedback hasn't been generally favourable.

Before you buy, you need to define exactly what you want the T/M for. For example, a typical residential will typically be used at about 100ft hose run and light to moderate soiling levels.  Many commercial jobs could be at 300, 400 or 500ft long hose runs with very high soiling levels so need a much more powerful machine.

Will your van be suitable? Weight is a major factor and regardless of kit, have a chat with Dave Ingram who has a lot of real world experience in this area.  I believe that both Hydramaster and Alltec are able to offer very competitive van/TM packages, the van portion being better than through regular channels.  Others may do the same thing.

You;ll probably have some sleepless nights to come over your decisions to be made ;)

Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
Veni, vidi vici, Vaxi
I came, I saw, I conquered, I cleaned up!

Doug Holloway

  • Posts: 3917
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2009, 10:08:17 am »
Hi Guys

A good response from Ken, on the aftersales aspect Hydramaster, Alltec and Restoremate have good reputaions, Prochem neutral and Ashby's poor.

Solutions is a newcomer to TM's but with John Gotts of Hydramaster now involved you should see a big improvement in supplier perception.

I am a great believer in location and would say it is about as important as it gets.

I went for Alltec as they are only 90 mins away.

As for the performance a TM is way ahead in terms of it's ability to deliver virtually continuous high quality cleaning.

Cheers

Doug

from edge2edge

  • Posts: 1507
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2009, 10:39:34 am »
Morning guys i am not in a position to upgrade yet but being in Swindon where would be the best choice for me when the time comes.Regards Alan

Darren O

  • Posts: 1322
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2009, 11:25:15 am »
Is this not a bit of a turn around by Soulutions if they are bringing out a truckmount when anybody mentioned heat on Cleantalk they get laughed at and the usual cold water cleaning is the way forward and nobody uses detergents anymore just seems a bit strange they are getting into the big bad world of petrol truckmounts.

clinton

Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2009, 01:25:44 pm »
Looks like they are also going to have to get there finger out with the scorpion and it looks really dated now ::)

richy27

Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2009, 01:41:10 pm »
your location turns the question of where to start your hunt for a tm into a no brainer cant beat being near your supplier. i dont have a tm but had a prob with something and although no there field they sorted it and away i went. if i was looking for a tm hydramaster is where i would go.

derek west

Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2009, 01:46:33 pm »
the fact i'm 500 miles from hydramaster and still bought from them speaks volumes. if things go wrong they talk me through it on the phone, and if i need parts there here the next day. i wouldn't hesitate to buy my next truckmount from them when i double up.
derek

Patti

  • Posts: 51
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2009, 02:37:39 pm »
Don't agree with you, Derek. I've been waiting a month for K valve from HM :(

mark_roberts

  • Posts: 1899
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2009, 02:38:27 pm »
Im In Ireland and also bought from Hmaster and anything so far has been solved over the phone.

Regarding your van  you WILL need a 350 transit type van.  A TM with water tools fuel etc will be over 1 ton.  Id say many TM operators are over weight in their vans.

A TM is a business decision so treat it as such.

Mark

derek west

Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2009, 05:12:10 pm »
Don't agree with you, Derek. I've been waiting a month for K valve from HM :(

you don't agree that i get my parts the next day??????
how does that work then?
derek

Jamie James

  • Posts: 48
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2009, 06:04:02 pm »
Thanks for all your helpful advise definately food for thought there, while I got some attention maybe I could ask one more question of you guys.

My portable is Craftex's own unit, Italian company cant remember name,Model is Grace HP spec is 400psi pump and twin 3stage vacuum motor, am happy with it but just wondering what you think the max hoses I could run without losing pressure or lift.

Thanks again all for your time.

Jamie
ICServices
Specialist Carpet Cleaners
NCCA Members
Taunton
Somerset

Glynn

  • Posts: 1129
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2009, 06:04:26 pm »
I think you will find that Solutions Uk have nothing to do with this new UK made TM.
Regards
Glynn

nevil

  • Posts: 478
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2009, 06:19:39 pm »
I also have a Santoemma Grace. The vac is good on this machine. You will notice a big differance in the vac if you upgrade to 2 inch vac pipe. I would say 75 ft of two inch pipe. If you insist on using 1.5 inch I wouldn't want to use any more than 25 ft

Jamie James

  • Posts: 48
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2009, 06:45:09 pm »
Thanks alot for that Nevil, will try that idea I think.

Cheers
ICServices
Specialist Carpet Cleaners
NCCA Members
Taunton
Somerset

mark shannon

  • Posts: 961
Re: From Portable to Truck Mount
« Reply #15 on: April 13, 2009, 07:05:38 pm »
HM for me and i am in Hertfordshire.  ;)


Add in Aprils NCCA mag for those intrested,


Spitfire TM As new, 250hrs, Fully complete, Half price bargain, £3800

Call David 01775 841 297 or 0771 333 2257