[wynne jones]

I kept my porty for those sort of jobs. I caught a glimpse of it in the garage the other day when I was looking for some seed trays.

[from edge2edge]

Morning Guys/Gals/ undecideds  thanks for the input as usual .I will give some thought to the tank in the van idea that seems quite plausible for most jobs.Ultimately its the weight which made my decision as the prospect of a big(£2000 plus handed out some years ago to a well known and repected truckmounter that i know)fine and if you are overweight your insurance is invalid(obvious i suppose).I will hopefully still have it available as my good friend Jon is hoping to get a mwb van to slide it into so if i think its needed he can pop over and give it some serious welly with the big boy............................Alan

[wynne jones]

So what about a Pheonix or a Prowler or a van that keeps you legal, or are finances a big part of the equation?

[from edge2edge]

Yes Wynne Got done for 8k a few years ago so not exactly big buddies with the lenders as you can imagine.I have tried a phoenix and yes it would be brilliant for me and the prowler probably suit even better but cashflow and logistics mean a storm will be well able to cope with my workload..............Alan

[Nigel_W]

I won't quote you Kev tried it once but lost the case and cost me more than the fine :
I use signs with 'Emergency Flood Work' on and it gets me through half of the time if I catch the warden at the time - but the rest of the time you just learn to live with it

Regards

Frans

Put your emergency sign on the windscreen obscuring your tax disc. A bit of tape and the wndscreen wiper stops it being blown away. In order to give you a ticket the warden needs your tax disc details. In my experience they walk on by if you cover the tax disc. I haven't had a ticket for the best part of a year and I only work in London.

Nigel

[wynne jones]

Yes Wynne Got done for 8k a few years ago so not exactly big buddies with the lenders as you can imagine.I have tried a phoenix and yes it would be brilliant for me and the prowler probably suit even better but cashflow and logistics mean a storm will be well able to cope with my workload..............Alan

Yes I remember that, it was an ordeal no one would want to go through. Who knows, you may see some time down the road a good second hand Blazer or something and with TM knowledge you would be in a good position to pick up a bargain.

On the other hand you might find the on board portie set up works well for you.

Good luck with it Alan.

[Simon Gerrard]

Maybe you could hypnotise us all to give up our truck mounts and portie's

Why do you think Alan has got rid of his??

Simon is next 

Not a chance in hell. I'd throw in the towel before going back to a porty or becoming a full time duckspreader like Hector

[wynne jones]

Maybe you could hypnotise us all to give up our truck mounts and portie's

Why do you think Alan has got rid of his??

Simon is next 

Not a chance in hell. I'd throw in the towel before going back to a porty or becoming a full time duckspreader like Hector

As soon as you throw in the towel Simon, you may start feel that urge deep inside to move it around the floor, maybe slowly at first until you discover a way to rotate that towel at 180rpm. 

[Simon Gerrard]

God forbid

[Craigp]

Ok, it costs me a certain amount in parking fines - but that is worked into my pricing as is the congestion charges.  

I dont know if its true or not but my brother who lives/works in London says that so long as you have something coming out of your van i.e. hoses/cables and its coned off, that traffic wardens cannot issue you a ticket as you are in your 'work place' and that there is no other way to complete the job. If they do you can challenge it in court and win - apparently.

He also said that traffic wardens should know this rule (some do so he says, some dont), and will allow you to get on with your work once reminded.

Dont quote me on it though  

I think that may be right, a few years ago I had a car towed next to my van we was both on single yellow, I came out asked the warden if I'm ok there, "Yes fine, I can see your working" he said (they don't tow anymore in Bristol anyway)

I've never had a ticket whilst TMing no matter where I park, even on double yellows I ask wardens if its ok and they say yes.

Shocking I know but I find wardens great regarding vans but I do think its the hose so they no theres no other choice.

[wynne jones]

I'm sure officially you can be told to move on. Yellow lines are there for a reason. Disabled badge holders can park on double yellows but can be told to move on.

If in doubt contact highways and get a triangle with keep left or right arrow, but who's going to be arsed? 

[Shaun_Ashmore]

If I weren't truck mounted I think I'd go the low moisture route again but the difference would be I'd re train with the more experienced ie Jason and hector etc they'd have the tricks of the trade to overcome obstacles.

Shaun

[*Hector*]

[from edge2edge]

Tried storm on my a rug today and have been really impressed with the power/vacuum etc.I like the brake on the wheel,connector for solution hose inside of machine prevents it getting broken.the clever vacuum cover and so far have only found that the waste tap is right above the power cables so could do with a splash cover of some description.Will try with 2 inch hose this week and try to remember my routine for filling/rinsing/cleaning etc but a very good start indeed young man...................Alan(sunny swindon)

[Jamie Pearson]

Jason and hector etc they'd have the tricks of the trade to overcome obstacles.

Maybe they should compete in a rotary machine gymkhana.

[Claude Fenner]

It doesn't matter what people say a truck mount will blow the gonads off a portable. However there are places where a truck mount wont go... Yet!! So if you know what you're doing chemical wise and make sure you agitate thoroughly you can do a great job with a portable but it will 2 to 3 times as long to do the job anywhere as good as a truck mount. If you go the route of a portable I strongly recommend you get a good agitator as well anything from the Sebo duo all the way to the Lomac type machine if the budget allows. The ideal is to have both but if the truck isn't out there working every day then its an expensive bit of kit to have sitting in the workshop.

[Hilton]

Ok, it costs me a certain amount in parking fines - but that is worked into my pricing as is the congestion charges. 

I dont know if its true or not but my brother who lives/works in London says that so long as you have something coming out of your van i.e. hoses/cables and its coned off, that traffic wardens cannot issue you a ticket as you are in your 'work place' and that there is no other way to complete the job. If they do you can challenge it in court and win - apparently.

He also said that traffic wardens should know this rule (some do so he says, some dont), and will allow you to get on with your work once reminded.

Dont quote me on it though 

 
Sorry, this must be one of those urban myths that do the rounds every now and again,

By the way Truck Mounts have their day, it will all be LM cleaning in years to come as stricter guide lines come in on Safety and Products being used.
 

[gwrightson]

OOOOOO Cat and pigeon comes to mind for this thread! Most Tmers use there porty more than they care to let on.

Last time i used my porty was over 3 years ago,

not once have i turned a job down because of not been able to reach, so my porty is gathering dust waiting for the day i might just need it

geoff

[Kev Loomes]

Ok, it costs me a certain amount in parking fines - but that is worked into my pricing as is the congestion charges. 

I dont know if its true or not but my brother who lives/works in London says that so long as you have something coming out of your van i.e. hoses/cables and its coned off, that traffic wardens cannot issue you a ticket as you are in your 'work place' and that there is no other way to complete the job. If they do you can challenge it in court and win - apparently.

He also said that traffic wardens should know this rule (some do so he says, some dont), and will allow you to get on with your work once reminded.

Dont quote me on it though 

 
Sorry, this must be one of those urban myths that do the rounds every now and again,

By the way Truck Mounts have their day, it will all be LM cleaning in years to come as stricter guide lines come in on Safety and Products being used.
 

Might not be an urban myth Helen I think this what my brother meant (maybe I misinterpreted it exactly).

Anyway I copied this a while back - I'm sure it was from Nigel W on here (hope you dont mind!):

I believe that unless the law has changed the rules are:

Your vehicle has a category of "vehicle"/ "van".

This is why you must abide by the highway code to the letter (please note "to the letter")
Your machine is classed as "equipment" & as such is not classified separately with the DVLA. for a Truckmount this means that the equipment is bolted down or run from the "vehicle".

However, when you turn your engine off, hook up your "equipment" & run from the "vehicle" your "vehicle" stops being classed as a "vehicle" & instead is classed as "equipment" & so long as you are not causing an obstruction or dangerously parked then you may run the "equipment" when on double yellows, parking controlled zones etc.

Also, please note the Highway codes definition of all road marking, sign posts & street furniture. It explains what a double yellow line is & shows a picture. It explains a legal disabled bay, parking zone, speed limit & even states how high a parking zone notice must be.
So if what you see does not keep in line with the Highway codes definition it is not valid & although you may get a ticket, it is not enforceable.

Buy Roadcraft, the Highway Code or The Drivers Survival Guide. The first 2 state everything you need to be aware of, the third explains all the loopholes & ways round parking tickets & classifications.

To date I have saved myself about £280 were I have been forced to park safely but on double yellow lines that do not conform to the Highway code. Yes I've been given tickets but have always won at appeal.

[Max Campbell]

We've only come across 1 job in the last 2 1/2 yrs we couldn't get to with a TM, and that includes Cambridge city centre, flats, etc.

We've talked to traffic wardens in Cambridge, Newmarket & Bury St Edmunds and they all say that as long as we're running hoses from the van to the job they won't issue tickets. We park on double yellows, bike lanes, bus stops, never had a problem.

We kept our porty just in case, and probably won't sell it, but the thought of going back to it.....yeuch.