[Cleanersolutions]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy my first HWE machine shortly and would like your opinions on the Ashby's Ninja Spec:

"2x3 stage vacuums, 135psi adjustable flow pump, hot solvent cleaning facility for all your dry cleaning needs, 3 kw intank heater, V2 portable steamMate to raise the working temperature of the machine to 110 degrees centigrade, 50 feet of hose, 2 jet stainless steel wand & a kleenrite upholstery tool"

In order to carry out a professional clean, and to give a quality service to customers, is a 135psi machine good enough for most Carpet & Upholstery cleaning?                  (I use this example as there is one currently for sale on ebay - currently 970.00, 2 yrs old)

I've attended the 2 day NCCA course, read the manual a dozen times, read almost every post on here and on another forum, read every flier, leaflet and infomercial going, and I'm still only just grasping the basics!

Thats why I want to buy a machine a few months before I start trading, so I can try it out and test all my chemicals on bits of carpet i've aquired.

 It's a very daunting prospect at the moment, even identifying fabrics is giving me a headache.......I go to 3 or 4 carpet retailers regularly to help with identification, I must say, I am starting to tell my carpets apart after many hours annoying the shop staff

So any help is really appreciated.

As you can see, I dont want to jump straight in, ruin someone's new 3 piece and give myself, and the industry a bad name, so any advice re a good quality machine is welcome.

I have read many posts regarding which machines people rate, the only problem is that there seem to be quite a few conflicting views.  But I suppose every machine has its + and -.

Cheers

Steve

[paul@ctcs]

One machine to consider is the new Eclipse, It is far more powerful than the Ninja. I doubt you will get much use from the solvent cleaning kit for the Ninja so may be a waste.
 On another thread running at the moment it seems many people are questioning the after sales service you get from Ashbys, so best check that post out.
 Regarding 135psi you may soon find having more on tap would be a plus for some jobs.

Paul

[Cleanersolutions]

Hi Paul,

I have been looking at all possibilities......There are a lot of options!

Yes, I have been reading the threads you mention.

For a start I live in Newbury, Berks, so a bit of a treck from here.

I will look in to the Eclipse. 

Do most companies show you their machines in action or do they just sell them on their credentials?

Thanks for your reply.

Steve

[paul@ctcs]

I imagine if you can get to the companies HQ's they will give a demo.

Paul

[Neil Gott]

I have had my Ninja for five years. I am very pleased with it. 135psi is ok for most domestic and light to medium commercial work.

No problems with after sales. Spares are next day delivery. As with most machines, keep an eye on motor brush wear, and keep the dump valve free of grit. If you use acid rinse, the metal pipe work can suffer after a while.

A bit heavy and cumbersome for small jobs, so I have ordered a Sensei from Ashby's for my normal three to four hour jobs.

[eclipse]

Having used a ninja i feel it is a fantastic portable but having read the above mentioned posts and negative feedback froma couple of lads on the IICRC courses i wouldnt touch ashbys with a barge pole as it seems aftercare is not there strongest point

just my opinion

[Cleanersolutions]

Thanks for your posts.

I'll keep that in mind.

For the above mentioned Ninja, what would be a fair price for a machine in good working order, 2 years old and recently fitted with a new pump?

Considering a new one is around 3.5K.

Steve

[eclipse]

is it the one on ebay ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=633&item=3856797605&rd=1

[Cleanersolutions]

Yep.

[rioclean]

Hi Cleanersolutions

Dont believe all what you have read, I have had two ninjas in 12 years, In my opionion the best machine you can get for the money and the versitility.

As for chemicals go for Prochem Double clean and Stapro Double hit pre spray cant go wrong, In my opionion 100%.

Regards Dave.

[stevegunn]

The extracta exel is an excellent machine i had one for 4 years with not one problem.The only concern is weight they are quite heavy and difficult to get upstairs.Speak to Brian at Extracta service is excellent.

[Derek]

Hi

Depending on when you wish to start up your business there is always The Cleaning Show on 1st - 3rd March 2005 at the NEC

Everyone will be there with bags to choose from

Derek

[ashplays]

hi , i dont think 135 psi is anyway powerfull enough to clean carpets allright for 3pcs  u need at least 250-400 psi on carpets  but thats just my feellings

[ashplays]

whats the spec on eclipes machine ?  pump vacs inline heaters etc     mine hav 450 psi pump twin 3 stage vacs and 2000 watt in line heat dont hav to take outer van run 100plus ft hose and 100 ft twin cables

[stevegunn]

check it out http://www.cleancraft.com/eclipse.html

[Ian Gourlay]

Ive been visting and talking to a leading parts supplier this week, as my wand started leakinging .

Got that sorted and then my vacs started sparking.

I got talking to them about pumps and asked them about the more powerful pumps for portables, and why they did not put them in their machines.

Their reply was they are unreliable 

[paul@ctcs]

AshPlays,

I think I'm right in saying Nick is only Importing One of the Eclipse models at the moment, this is the Triple vacuum (250 inches of lift), 500psi machine with independant inline heater.

Paul

[Bryan H]

Hi Cleanersolutions,

I see you are in Newbury,  I'm just down the road in Reading.  I have a couple of 135 psi Ninjas which you are welcome to come and check out if you wish.

I'm generally very pleased with them & although 135 psi may not be the absolute ideal these days, it is certainly enough to produce extremely good results when used properly.

If you would like to have a look, send me a personal message & I'll give you my phone No.  -  or look me up in Yellow Pages.

Bryan

[Cleanersolutions]

Thanks for your replies.

I am thinking of starting trading around Feb - March time so it might be an idea to wait for the show.

Bryan - I would still be interested in having a look at your Ninjas.  I'll drop you a PM mate.

Cheers

Steve

[mark_roberts]

If I where you starting off I would buy it as long as its in good working condition.  Yes theres better outthere but unless you have lots of spare cash go with second hand.  Its how I did it.

You'll not need the solvent kit so rip it out to save weight.  Buy a sebo duo and a case of microsplitters and a good upright vacuum and thats basically all you need to clean carpets in the short term.

When your making money, and that will take time, then go and buy the better machine etc.  But at the moment training and marketing should be your priorities.

Mark

PS. dont worry about after sales service from the big companies but rather your local stockest of motors and chems as he'll be the easier to deal with.