[John Kelly]

As regards maintenance of machines as stated they are all pretty much the same, a couple of tanks, vac motors and pump. Any competent technician can fix them. The thing to consider though, is if buying new, should anything go wrong whilst under warranty.

[Phil Marlor]

I started off with an Excel & Scrubba, the pumps go on forever, however I did get through a few vac's and at over £200 each they are expensive.

As for the Scrubba I still use that on most jobs, wouldn't be without it.

I did think the machine was a bit on the loud side compared with other machines I have heard.

Have a good look around because there have been lots of new models since I bought mine and I'm not aware Extracta have made too many changes in that time.

Rgds
Phil

[Spot On cleaning]

Phil

I also started off with an Excel and scrubber deluxe and the machine seems to go on and on. Are you going to use the scrubber with your new tm?

I still cant get my head around your identity on here with the morphing head and your real identity on the other one, it's a bit strange.

How you getting on after a few days with the tm. The very first job with mine, i thought what the heck hav i bought this thing for, but once into it, i wouldn't go back. Sometimes i still have to use the portable, and that's weird.

Dave

[Andy Hogarth]

How could you sell that lovely little vdub camper
DONT DO IT - You'll regret it forever

Breaks my heart to do it, one last summer though 
The wifes preggas again so next year we won't we going much in it so it's a good time to use its worth wisely, and anyhows

upwards of 25 jobs, so it really does pay for itself.

I'll have a new one in no time

Cheers for the advice, Has anyone got an opinion on the grace 5020?? Craftex and extracta are both reasonably close. The grace seems to have more for the money but I've plenty of time to decide.

I still cant get my head around your identity on here with the morphing head and your real identity on the other one, it's a bit strange.

What, he really looks like gollum  

Dave, was the excel easy to set up at houses etc and what was it like on commercial jobs??

Andy

[Andy Hogarth]

how much for the vw 

I don't know yet, probably put it on ebay with a reserve of £3500, It'll be fully mot'd, had respray last year, Just done out the interior, bit scrappy underneath but some of the sheds go for about £3000 in season so I'm hoping for about £4500.

If your after one best time to buy is december, I saw some right classics going for about £3000, People are prepared to pay shedloads in season but never interested in winter.

Andy

[Doug Holloway]

Andy,

The manufacturers of both chemicals and machines (and their stooges) will tell you that you will need a 101 different products but in reality you will not.

Lots of products are very similar or are just different dilutions of the same product.

You are more likely to succeed if you start with the basics and buld up your range.

Cheers

Doug

Cheers

Doug

[Spot On cleaning]

Andy

The Excel was a very easy machine to set up and robust. The only problems i had with it was the water pump burnng out on the end, which was remedied with a micro switch from a washing machine shop at £3, and on one occasion i accidentally got water in the vac motor somehow and blew it.

If you look after the vac motors and change the bearings it apparantly prolongs its life. I think the problem is when the bearing starts wearing out, it allows the armature to revolve too closely to the windings and then it's too late. Its also a pig of a job to change them and involves removing the bottom plate after tipping the machine on its side. I know you can have them regularly serviced but when you are self employed you always want to save a bit of money.

A lot of the time, i ran the machine with the heater turned on which didn't seem to do it no harm at all. The only downside of a portable is that on several occasions i would get to a customers house and their water was cold. I would end up waiting then for it to warm up. However i went to do a rental property the other week and there was neither hot water nor electricity on and as i couldn't run the truck mount at this property i had to ask next door. The hide a hose handtools are okay, but when they block up with fluff and are a bit awkward to clear out as it wraps around the solution pipe. The prochem version is much better as you have a soft collar that you can slip off to clear any obsructions as can you disconnect the solution pipe at the head of the tool.

I think if i had my time again i would definately had bought a van straight away and ran the machine from the vehicle. This would have saved the machine from a lot of wear and tear. I would definately buy one again, but there are also some good ones from Alltec where you can remove the motor pack to lower the weight should you need to lift it up stairs etc. With the Prochem ones, the tank part drops forward for easy maintenance. It's horses for courses as they say. You pays your money and takes your chances.

Dave