[Tom-01]

Hi everyone

Hope you’re all enjoying your bank holiday!

Can anyone recommend a company to configure and set up a van for pressure washing please?

Tank, engine, reels etc all professionally bolted in?

Thanks
Tom

[Smudger]

Ben Marriot - Rutland pumps

Not cheap but ive seen one of his set ups and its first class

Darran

[Splash & dash]

Easiest way is to do it yourself it’s not that difficult, buy the bits from Ben and away you go

[Tom-01]

Smudge and Splash, thanks for your replies - very helpful.

If I were to have a 650ltr tank for the pressure washer, and say a 350ltr tank for pure water for window cleaning, with all the gear one could need, what sort of van would I need to be looking at please?

Thanks
Tom

[Splash & dash]

You will need something with a payload of around 1500 kg , we have Renault master vans as there isn’t much option for large vans with decent pay load

[Smudger]

yes a f@@king big one - I have a transit jumbo - in there is a 1000 ltr IBC and a 300 ltr pure tank - 2 pressure washers and god knows what other bits and bobs - I had to update the springs and if we go with a full tank of pure then I can't carry more than 400 ltrs of tap water with being overweight ( jumbo despite its size will only take 1350 Kg )

we fill up tank while we work - which er led to the standard springs sort of snapping 

Darran

[Tom-01]

Thanks lads.

Been looking at some of the bigger vans.

I’m just reading up on the custom, and there are models just under 1500kg payload, that would work?

Perhaps a LWB high roof?

[Splash & dash]

Thanks lads.

Been looking at some of the bigger vans.

I’m just reading up on the custom, and there are models just under 1500kg payload, that would work?

Perhaps a LWB high roof?

The custom is a nice van but not a lot of room to fit everything you want to put in it have a look you will soon realise it’s to small ,

[Mike Halliday]

You need to buy a van mount drain jetter, not be making your own set up. Some nice units appear on EBay.

Put it in a big van,  I use a LWB high roof sprinter  but it’s big and has the turning circle of a cruise ship. I think it will carry 2.5tonnes.

[Tom-01]

Hi Mike

Thanks for your reply.

Would this be ideal? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Van-Pack-Drain-Jetter-3000-PSI-42-LPM-27-HP-Petrol-Engine-/293057513021

Or this from Rutland Pumps
https://www.rutlandpumps.com/A1C00.html

I do have a Honda GX390 which we set up with a barrel etc, but it’s a faff. We get a bit of work but I know with advertising we could get more.  And currently I have a Renault Trafic window cleaning van with a 650ltr tank, and a VW Transporter 850ltr tank.  I am selling the Renault and was thinking of using the tank out of it and my Honda machine in a new van as a PW setup.

Alternatively I buy a system brand new and sell my other gear, as it’s quite a few years old now. But new van AND new system = lots of £££’s, which I’m not saying no to, it’s just a lot of investment.

The new van would be for Pressure washing, soft washing and gutter clearing. Also I would need it for windows occasionally so a massive van doesn’t really appeal but needs must I guess.

Do you have any pictures of your van setup please?

Thanks
Tom

[Splash & dash]

You need to buy a van mount drain jetter, not be making your own set up. Some nice units appear on EBay.

Put it in a big van,  I use a LWB high roof sprinter  but it’s big and has the turning circle of a cruise ship. I think it will carry 2.5tonnes.

If you have a sprinter van with 2.5 ton payload it must be a 4 or 5 ton van , I was looking at sprinters and on a 3500 kg van the maximum payload is around 1200 kg most models it’s around 900 kg this is why I bought master vans as the payload on the ones we have is 1620 kg , I hate the renaults with a passion but it was the only decent sized van with a payload that would do what we need

[Mike Halliday]

Splash, you’re right I was thinking about the towing  capacity

Here’s my van, it’s messy as I just snapped a couple of shots on the job just now. I like the length as I can fit a full set of ladders inside 

[Tom-01]

Thanks Mike, looks good 👍

I was wondering about access through the side door or not.

What did you think of the systems I linked to earlier! ☝🏼

Thanks
Tom

[Mike Halliday]

The brain Nixon jetter is a good unit but a bit too powerful for general domestic  power-washing

Rutland pumps is ok but do you want to spend so much money.

This looks a good buy, can’t see the engine but it looks like a water cooled diesel, low hours and hot

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INDUSTRIAL-STEAM-PRESSURE-WASHER-HOT-WATER-CLEANER/113644957592?hash=item1a75c46f98:g:lcIAAOSwTIlcZ7pZ

Have you thought about using a trailer?

[Tom-01]

The brain Nixon jetter is a good unit but a bit too powerful for general domestic  power-washing

Rutland pumps is ok but do you want to spend so much money.

This looks a good buy, can’t see the engine but it looks like a water cooled diesel, low hours and hot

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INDUSTRIAL-STEAM-PRESSURE-WASHER-HOT-WATER-CLEANER/113644957592?hash=item1a75c46f98:g:lcIAAOSwTIlcZ7pZ

Have you thought about using a trailer?

Thanks Mike, perhaps it is a bit too powerful. It would be ideal with a GX390 I reckon.

I have thought about a trailer, so I could have a window cleaning van, and the PW setup separately. However, I think I would get annoyed quite quickly with a trailer and would end up having to change it all.

We have a lot of window cleaning customers, and we also do quite a few big jobs throughout the year: gutter clearing, pressure washing,  soft washing - so the van would be for these jobs and more of them.

[Mike Halliday]

I think the gx390 is slightly under powered it will drive a 200bar 21lt at it’s full potential but I think going up to a 18-24hp engine with a slightly bigger pump is so much better.

I have the 13hp gx390  in my unit and if my main machine is out of commission I chose to re-book jobs rather than use the smaller machine.

Although expensive I think this machine is the perfect size and a brilliant engine/pump

http://www.jet-wash-direct.co.uk/pressurewashers/thor-industrial-pressure-washer.html

[Smudger]

I disagree the gx390 range or Lonchin is more than capable of dealing with any thing your likely to come up against - you only need something bigger if your doing very large commercial works like shopping centre car parks ( unlikely as there are better ways to clean areas like this

the problem with higher flow machines is water supply - if its bad you'll be forever waiting for the tank to fill up - you could use a standpipe but these are £250 per application

Darran

[Tom-01]

I disagree the gx390 range or Lonchin is more than capable of dealing with any thing your likely to come up against - you only need something bigger if your doing very large commercial works like shopping centre car parks ( unlikely as there are better ways to clean areas like this

the problem with higher flow machines is water supply - if its bad you'll be forever waiting for the tank to fill up - you could use a standpipe but these are £250 per application

Darran

I agree with this. We have had the GX390 for over five years, and done some massive jobs with it. I'll see if I can find a company to build me a system using my machine.

What set up have you got Smudger? Do you have any pictures?

Thanks
Tom

[Mike Halliday]

The gx390 can handle any job if you have got all day but a bigger machine will do the job quicker, which if you have multiple jobs in a day is important.

 We carry a big water tank and if we connect the hose when we arrive so it fills as we clean we rarely run out of water, if we do we structure the job so we can do other work while waiting.

If you are using a big FSC then a bigger pump really helps it clean

[Smudger]

what do you call "BIG" ?

as per previous only around 50% of residential work have enough pressure to keep up with supply ( Norfolk )

so stopping every 45 minutes to refill would negate a machine with such a high flow rate - maybe get away with one tiny job after the other

I,m off down the unit later I'll snap a couple of picture of both vans - re-furb is in the offing so that are a bit tatty inside

Darran

[SB Cleaning]

My Gx390 21Lpm is more than enough power for domestics..
As Darren has mentioned not many properties have enough pressure to keep up, I get excellent results with my machine and cant see me getting anything more powerful just no point.

[Smudger]

Van 1 - single man set up - 600 Ltr tank - Hot box loaded through side door





Van 2 - 2 man set up with 1000 Ltr P/W tank - 300 Ltr pure water tank





all reels have 60 meters of hose as standard

Darran

[Tom-01]

Thanks Smudger, nice setup 👍

Did you put it together yourself?

Do you often have two operators working at once?

Do you think this system with a GX390 would be good enough?  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Van-Pack-Drain-Jetter-3000-PSI-42-LPM-27-HP-Petrol-Engine-/293057513021

Thanks again everyone for your replies, all very helpful 👍

[Smudger]

yes I bolted it all together - took about a day - wait until you see the new set up 

The GX390 is fine - the Hondas I had/have are between 4 and 7 years old - and never let me down, the engines on some are now showing some signs of wear ( been running at least 4 days a week on average 8 to 10 hours a day ) so new machines are these
https://www.acpressurewashers.co.uk/product/ac21-static/. - cheap enough if they last 2 years I will throw away and get new - as long as they stay reliable

depends on the time of year - we do something like 400 static holiday caravans - this is all 2 man stuff - the rest of the year is split 60/40 for 2-man work

that letter is no more powerful than a Honda 390 - it's still 200 BAR so will not remove dirt quicker or giver a deeper clean  - not that a 390 doesn't clean to perfection - what it does do is move loose debris quicker - so if you have a large heavy mossed area it will move the slurry quicker over a few more yards before you need to shovel it up

Jetters are designed for drains where flow is critical to clearing drains - not surface cleaning

always happy to help

also I would advise the fitting of quick releases to the lance - much quicker change over from turbo nozzle to 15 degree or a Hi/Low nozzle

Darran

[zesty]

I use a Loncin g420 (I think it’s a g420) 21plm machine.

It’s belt driven, and bought from JetMac 3 years ago. It only gets used on average maybe two to three times a month (more in the summer perhaps) and hasn’t ever missed a beat, never not been ‘powerful enough’ .

In fact, I find 21lpm to be too fast for most domestic water supplies to keep up with. I have a massive water butt and almost always have to wait for it to fill up as I’m going.

So if your only using it a few times a month, then try a jetmac machine to start off with, but I do agree Ben provides more reliable machines. I’ve Just never had a problem with my Loncin, when I do, I’ll be on the phone to Ben. I’ve got one of his softwash machines which is brilliant.

[Tom-01]

I use a Loncin g420 (I think it’s a g420) 21plm machine.

It’s belt driven, and bought from JetMac 3 years ago. It only gets used on average maybe two to three times a month (more in the summer perhaps) and hasn’t ever missed a beat, never not been ‘powerful enough’ .

In fact, I find 21lpm to be too fast for most domestic water supplies to keep up with. I have a massive water butt and almost always have to wait for it to fill up as I’m going.

So if your only using it a few times a month, then try a jetmac machine to start off with, but I do agree Ben provides more reliable machines. I’ve Just never had a problem with my Loncin, when I do, I’ll be on the phone to Ben. I’ve got one of his softwash machines which is brilliant.

Zesty, thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

I’ve had a Honda GX390 for about 6/7 years, done a lot of work with it and it’s been a great machine.

I’m just about to order a soft wash machine from Rutland Pumps. Which one did you go for and why do you rate it?

Thanks
Tom

[zesty]

Hi tom,

I have a RollTek RT3, though mine is on a small trolley because Ben made mine up before he started selling them publicly. (I drove down to see him on a pre arranged day)

It is fantastic for domestic and commercial use. Light weight, quiet, runs off low revs easily.

The trolley is corroding a bit, but that’s because it’s had hypo mix all over it at times.

It’s a bit kore expensive now than what I paid, but well worth it. The roller pump means you can put anything through it, any mix regardless of strength.

It isn’t always the best for rinsing. I do you use it to rinse, but I prefer to use my pressure washer with a sniper nozzle for rinsing when doing larger jobs. Just because it’s so much quicker.

Have a look on bens website mate, and give him a ring if you aren’t sure on anything, he’s really helpful and honest.






 

[Tom-01]

Hi tom,

I have a RollTek RT3, though mine is on a small trolley because Ben made mine up before he started selling them publicly. (I drove down to see him on a pre arranged day)

It is fantastic for domestic and commercial use. Light weight, quiet, runs off low revs easily.

The trolley is corroding a bit, but that’s because it’s had hypo mix all over it at times.

It’s a bit kore expensive now than what I paid, but well worth it. The roller pump means you can put anything through it, any mix regardless of strength.

It isn’t always the best for rinsing. I do you use it to rinse, but I prefer to use my pressure washer with a sniper nozzle for rinsing when doing larger jobs. Just because it’s so much quicker.

Have a look on bens website mate, and give him a ring if you aren’t sure on anything, he’s really helpful and honest.

Thanks Zesty!

I went up to Rutland Pumps yesterday and picked up my 150ltr Rolltek bowser and other bits and bobs. Very helpful. Will be using it for the first time on Monday and then another big job two weeks after so already paid for itself and more. I've been doing softwashing out of a backpack which has worked ok, but just takes ages and is a faff.

Thanks
Tom

[Yada Yada Yada - www.m-clean.uk]

1500 litre main water tank.
350 litre pure water tank (just purchased - frame to be installed).
200 metre 3/4 inch fill hose.
100 metre WFP hose & reel.
Cox reel 100 metres.
ICM Contractor - 41LPM @ 3000psi.

Chemical cleaning set up being fitted this weekend.

Above the tank and side door entry - changing area and overnight bunk & or additional storage.

As job requires, cones, signage, FSC, hydrant riser etc

The red & black leads go to an invertor in the bunk area, to charge my phone or other electricals (whilst working).

'Loadsa room'

[Yada Yada Yada - www.m-clean.uk]

There's an upgrade on the rear springs, an extra leaf on each side.

I've driven this van home from some distance jobs thinking there's only 100 litres of water in it, got home and it was more like 1000 litres.

Drives like a dream, even full.

Machine is 300 kilos, I'd say fill hose is another 120 kilos, Coxreel when full is probably 80 kilos, plus I might take another 300 metres of hose.

[zesty]

Hi tom,

I have a RollTek RT3, though mine is on a small trolley because Ben made mine up before he started selling them publicly. (I drove down to see him on a pre arranged day)

It is fantastic for domestic and commercial use. Light weight, quiet, runs off low revs easily.

The trolley is corroding a bit, but that’s because it’s had hypo mix all over it at times.

It’s a bit kore expensive now than what I paid, but well worth it. The roller pump means you can put anything through it, any mix regardless of strength.

It isn’t always the best for rinsing. I do you use it to rinse, but I prefer to use my pressure washer with a sniper nozzle for rinsing when doing larger jobs. Just because it’s so much quicker.

Have a look on bens website mate, and give him a ring if you aren’t sure on anything, he’s really helpful and honest.

Thanks Zesty!

I went up to Rutland Pumps yesterday and picked up my 150ltr Rolltek bowser and other bits and bobs. Very helpful. Will be using it for the first time on Monday and then another big job two weeks after so already paid for itself and more. I've been doing softwashing out of a backpack which has worked ok, but just takes ages and is a faff.

Thanks
Tom

Nice one one Tom! Enjoy it!

Funnily enough, there is a place for backpacks though, I use my backpack in conjunction with an old carbon pole with a single 50 degree fan jet fitted to the pole hose. Works great for small little jobs!

The Softwash machine will be like night and day for bigger jobs though, keep us posted on how you get on!

I’m a bit jealous of your bowser version, I haven’t got the bowser, so use a small water butt for the softwash mix.