[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

I keep looking at the RX20 and keep trying to talk myself into buying one. To them that have one... how do they compare to using a traditional wand? What sort of pressures do you run them at at?  I have watched Ch.Dry vids and they run them at 100psi. Can you cover larger areas faster and what are the results like? What is the fatigue factor?

[yorky]

Excellent machine but be aware it's easy to use a LOT of solution. When cleaning large areas it's the ONLY tool I would use. Way quicker than a wand and great results. Fatigue? Your shoulders will ache until you get used to using it but I used to do 8 hours straight, five days in a row when cleaning a large school.

[David Ware]

I have had one for 2 years now, it takes a little time and practise to master. The machine will be cleaning 100% efficient  after 6hours working your body wont.
I had been cleaning a low profile contract carpet for 8 years using a Ti wand which I thought was giving very good results. The first time I compared the RX against the Ti wand was a remarkable and visible improvement the RX stood out fare better. Make sure you do the basic maintenance with the machine
David

[Jim_77]

I would ignore chem dry's way of using the machines, it's part of a slightly different system I think.  Jason L will fill you in on that.

Why not borrow one from someone local and use it on a couple of jobs?  I have tested the RX out enough to give me the confidence buy a 2nd hand one.  From my experiences I wouldn't recommend buying a 2nd hand one though unless it is nearly new, mine just cost me £1200 to have the gearbox replaced!!!!  On top of what I paid for it I might as well have bought a new one!

Aside from that I have found it to be better in many cases but worse in some.  You need a reasonable sized job to make it worthwhile.  I don't think it uses a stupid amount of water, but after all you can adjust the working pressure to suit!  I found it cleans no better at 500psi than at 350, under that it takes longer to flush really dirty bits through

[Joe H]

Are you going to be doing a lot of large areas?

If not you may consider the Rotovac 360i. Smaller in working diameter, but costing about £1k less, the extra heads are cheaper, and weighs a lot less - so you more likely to use on smaller jobs. 

Just a thought.

[Simon Gerrard]

The RX20 is an outstanding piece of kit but you have to know where to use it and how to use it. Iwould recommend it for domestics, or on plain carpets because of the footprint it leaves behind which doesn't seem to concern commercial customers but some domestic customers don't like it.
It's really a machine for either very big or very dirty jobs and in those circumstances it is simply upbeatable.

Simon

[mark_roberts]

Echo the above.  Its great if you have the right work.

I dont and thats why Im selling mine in a week or sos time.

Mark

[Simon Gerrard]

Mark what condition is it in and how little are you asking for it?

Simon

[yorky]

I was not aware the Chem Dry way  of using the machine was any different.

[Jim_77]

I think they adapt it in some way, and use it in their carbonating system.  But like I said someone who knows about it will have to fill in the blanks, e.g. Jason L who posts on here.

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

great feed back guys...thanks. Got some big jobs lined up so thought this was the right time to buy one. Plenty for me to think about.

[mark_roberts]

Simon

Ive sent you a pm via truckmounters.

Mark

[Simon Gerrard]

Mark I've replied.
Can you send me some pictures to
simon@gerrardscarpetcleaners.co.uk

Thanks

[jasonl]

The Chem-Dry version of the RX 20 is called the powerhead . It differs from the normal RX20 in that the vac slots are "optimized" load of hype to extract an extra grand out of franchissees , they even said it was patented.  Instead of one vac slot , there were a series of holes whick they claimed amplified the vacuum power. It had 2 solution inputs so that the A and B solutions could mix and carbonate just before hitting the carpet, causing a "violent explosion of soiling in the carpet being cleaned"  ---Quotes are what was actual wording of the newsletters.

Originally they were hooked up to the single vac ,100 psi pumped "Velda" machine, a £6 grand portable (in 1996).

Now they have the option to hook up to an adapted HM truckmount, which still only has a low powered pump on it.

I have since used a normal RX20 hooked up to a TM and they work great , I would rather ise one than a wand.

[yorky]

They only use one solution input now so the only difference must be the slots.

[barry the blade]

i have one for sale if anyone is interested just had new rewind and starter

[colin thomas]

on large commercial or minging pubs/restaurants you wont get a better result, too much of a faf to bother with most domestics,

colin