[feldon]

O.K Gents and Lasses

Looking at 3 possibles for when I start up:

1. Prochem Streempro 2000

2. Ninja

3. Powr-flite Perfect Heat PFX1350

Any advice on which of the above is the best value for money, easy of use and reliability.

[Jim_77]

One of the most open-ended questions out there!

Be prepared for a different answer from everyone who posts

[nevil]

None of the above.

Think west, South west to be more accurate.

I'm not the biggest fan of all that Nick supplies. But if I was looking I wouldn't look any further than the Scorpion at World of clean in sunny Cornwall. Nick gave me a demo of the machine and it is very impressive.

[clinton]

Good point nevil

Have heard lots of good reports on the scorpion and its power

Think if i was starting up it would be with something on those lines as it would give you an edge on other cleaners just look at dereks set up for a newbie and he uses a t mount

[Ricky M]

With nevil all the way , I could be slightly bias as im looking at 1 myself 

Ricky

[from edge2edge]

I have had 1 2 and currently have 3 and apart from the extra power it loads really easy into the van due to the little wheels it has on the handles.The others could be a pain especially the prochem.Regards Alan (swindon)

[Darren O]

Ive got a powermax and a raptor the powermax is light and easy to get up stairs but you have to pay extra for the inline heater also the pump is only 120psi on realy soiled carpets you need more psi and heat.The Raptor is great 300psi and probably the best heat you will get from a portable.When buying a porty you will need some kind of heat and with inline heaters they dont cut it.

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

The main problem especially for a newbie is that the Scorpion does not have a heater and heat makes a massive difference to the cleaning process.

Since getting my Truck Mount and being able to clean continually with heat I have seen a big improvement in cleaning, so much so that it has surprised me.

I always knew that heat was important but this combined with high pressure gives excellent quick results.

In terms of portables with good heat the Alltec Advace, Hydramaster Raptor and one other I can't remeber at present are also worth putting into your thoughts.
 
Another really big factor often overlooked is how good an engineer are you, if not very like me , then having the supplier or a very good agent nearby is invaluable.

Cheers

Doug

[mark shannon]

Doug makes some valid points but the Scorpian IMO is the way to go,
just get a heat exchanger.

Mark

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

Mytee Speedster was the one I couldn't think of.

Mark, the trouble with the heat exchanger route is that they don't tend to be very reliable and it's another thing to plug in.

I am thinking that a newbie wants it as simple as possible, he's got enough to think about learning how to clean well.

Cheers

Doug

[feldon]

Thanks for your replies.  I' m based in the midlands, so having where I get equipment serviced and repaired will be a major consideration as well as my budget, I'm looking to spend no more than £5K - 6K on van and equip to start with, leaving some in reserve for marketing etc.  I vistited the Alltech factory and tried the Advance, very impressed but I was concerned about repairs and servicing as it was a two hour drive for me.  As a newbie I'm also looking at various other things I need to do, namley training - looking at doing NCCA as well as one of the ones Cleansmart or Ashby's do, then again Ashby's is a fair distance for me.   I also had a look at the Alltech website last night and I see they have introduced marketing kits and business start up kits, containing advert templates etc. has anyone tried these, if memory serves me correctly they cost between £100 - £300.   

[fenclean]

I think you missed a few 000s off there.

Steven.

[sherco]

When i started i bought a prochem steampro and a prochem galaxy, don't have a problem with either, the secret is, pre vac, use a good pre spray, and agitate well, but dont tell everybody...

[clinton]

Its really important to go the way with the best machine you can afford as down the line if and when you do get lots of work you might find you would grow out of a smaller machine

[Mike Halliday]

its only been over the last 8-10yrs we've been obsessed with powerful portables (400psi pumps & 3x3stage vacs) before that we used 100psi and 2 x3stage but we still did good workmanship.

so buy on price and location of supplier, buying a better machine won't make you a better carpet cleaner.

spend the money you save on  a good rotary, a good vac and a good upholstery tool

[clinton]

Mike

You are so right on that post

Think even up to ten years ago i was using an elite single vac that i got used from a c cleaner in stockport then moved to an alltec twin :

Sometimes i forget too and see nowadays they are so much more powerfull..

[Darren O]

If you want a better and faster clean 300psi is a lot better than 120psi and why is everybody buying truckmounts is it just for show.There is no point buying a low powered machine then a year later you will want to upgrade it.Also my local Prochem dealer fixes my Raptor if i have a problem with it.

[Mike Osbourne]

Darren

It all boils down to ...... money

I saw a good post on here the other day, basically said you get a cheapo machine, you work your socks off, then you get a better machine and work your balls off, then when you have the money you buy a truck mount, make lots £££ and make life easy for yourself.

[Darren O]

Agree Mike but the money you would pay for a new Powermax you could buy a porty of that guy Vernon 500psi 2x3vacs and heater i think all for about a grand cant remember the name of the machine but he sells them on Ebay.

[Joe H]

When buying a porty you will need some kind of heat and with inline heaters they dont cut it.

Fundamentally agree with you Darren but not your last bit about inline heaters.

I have a twin chamber inline heater to use with the Scorpion and it produces some good heat.
Separatly switched so you can have full heat or half heat.

Have had a Powerflite CFR 500 Perfect Heat and it was good but the Scorpion out does it.

Other then the Scorpion - may as well spend £1000 for one that Veron sells, as you say.

Servicing not a problem Feldon, as long as you are ok with a spanner, screwdriver and a bit of electrics.
Solitions UK, suppliers of Scorpion are red hot with their service - next day delivery. Some others can match that but others cannt..
Machines are mostly the same basics inside. Some local hire shop could fix for you anyway.