|
| Thursday, July 29, 2010 |
 |
|
|
|
| [Friday, August 18, 2006] |
| What can you tell me about the following two items?
1. Carpet cleaning devices like the Rotovac rotary wand. The ads make them sound like the finest thing ever created, but I've never seen one in commercial use. Are they reliable? Do they produce a significantly better result than a standard wand? They are expensive, and I don't want a product that's hard to operate or service that ends up stored in my garage.
2. The Prowler, a portable, 13 HP truckmount-style machine that sells for around $7000. The concept seems like a great middle ground between portables and truckmounts, but I have concerns about reliability and performance.
|
| Carpet/Furniture Care - Burt Forney |
|
|
|
|
Answer #1:
Rotary extractors outperform wands on heavily soiled carpet because the extra weight and rpm’s power out tough soil. However, on light soil, a wand or self-contained walk behind is faster. Here are some observations on three popular brands of rotary extractors - the RX-20, Rotovac, and Dri-Master. They vary considerably in weight, water recovery, and price. They will reduce operator fatigue, but perform at a slower production rate on light soil. Not all carpets, soiling conditions, and operator preferences are the same. So machine suitability can vary from job to job.
The RX weighs in as the heaviest and offers an edge in aggression and cleaning results on heavily soiled carpet, but a disadvantage when carrying upstairs. The Dri- Master is the lightest and the least aggressive, but offers a solution recovery view plate, the ability to work under desks, beds, and other objects and faster dry times (large truckmounts claim 1 hour drying time). It is jet-less with the vacuum slot in the same chamber and with nylon glides, offers superior recovery rates. The original Rotovac required a double pass to pick up the 1” missed path between heads but has a price advantage. The Dri-Master and Rotovac can be prone to vibration on flat level loop carpet as the machine chatter causes the cleaning chamber to lose vacuum seal. In spite of any disadvantages, most technicians prefer a rotary extractor for heavily soiled carpets and all three brands have proven dependability.
I haven’t tried the Prowler, but the portable design would offer access to areas some truckmounts would not be able to visit. You can’t go wrong with Kohler, Roots, and Hypro equipment. As with most 12-13 HP units, vac hoses beyond 100 feet will greatly increase the drying times. A small unit fits nicely into a mini van, but a propane
auxiliary heater may be required to boost the temperature when cleaning restaurants.
Many operations start with smaller units and then, in a couple of years as demand and cash flow increases, graduate to more expensive, more powerful units. You will also find discussion pro’s and con’s on the carpet cleaning bulletin boards.
Again, machine selection depends upon the needs of your operations, i.e. full-time vs. part-time, commercial vs. residential, low budget vs. unlimited budget, a blower size above a 4.0 to run long distance or two wands vs. short hose runs and, finally, flexibility in heat demands.
Gary Clipperton
National Pro Clean Corp.
(719) 598-5112
www.nationalproclean.com
Answer #2:
My experience with the Rotovac echos Mr. Clipperton’s. Two heads with three jets on each move a lot of water, and the air to pick it back up.
However, there are several things to keep in mind for any of these more powerful, but heavier units. Productivity means using a hose-and-cord man to assist the operator. While you can readily pick up a carpet wand, these things move on wheels when the heads are not on the carpet. The price for more effective flushing of residue from the carpet is lessened maneuverability. Use help or you will be very tired by day’s end. Not to mention the frustration of dealing with recalcitrant hoses and a power cord in tight spaces.
Because there is a lot of water jetting into the carpet, the pickup is not as good as with a wand. This is the same for many walk-behinds, also. This can readily be seen when a standard wand is used on a section of carpet previously cleaned by the rotary. Even extra drying passes don’t help on some surfaces. Why, with all that power and multiplicity of heads?
If the carpet’s texture makes it hard to keep the pickup head close to it for a good seal, or the unevenness of the underlying floor creates low spots, the pickup suffers.
I have problems with clogging jets on the Rotovac that I seldom have on other carpet tools. This proves to be the major frustration with the unit. I’m considering an inline filter before the trigger to stop the problem for occurring in the middle of a big job.
Keep the right-sized jet removal socket in the tool kit.
Note that Rotovac now has a single disc machine with glides that look promising from the standpoint that you won’t have to be so careful on the cleaning pattern.
The smaller Prowler uses standard components, as noted. It should prove reliable when the recommended maintenance is performed.
Note that it has no pickup tank for waste water, meaning that it pumps the waste into a nearby sink, toilet, or floor drain. In some situation, this can be a concern. You could have a flood on the outlet end of the hose if anything goes wrong with the drain or the hose becomes unsecured.
However, a fresh water feed tank and a waste water holding tank would not be expensive additions (see your local farm supply), so this unit could be rigged to provide a satisfactory self-contained carpet cleaning source.
Lynn E. Krafft, ICAN/ATEX Associate Editor
lekrafft@juno.com
Answer # 3:
A lot of cleaners like the rotary heads type wands, as there is not so much physical labor involved. Some manufacturers have concerns regarding this type of equipment due to possible damage due to untwisting to cut pile yarns. The rotary heads can also tear up seams if you aren't careful or they start to come apart from wear, cleaning or improper installation. I personally think a wand does a better job. With a rotary head you still need to do the corners, edges and close to item with another tools.
Bill Griffin, President
www.cleaningconsultants.com
Cell-206-849-0179
|
| ICAN representative |
|
|
|
|
|
