Need Truckmount Advice!

[Shane-0]

Been a long time lurker, and thought to myself it’s time to get involved. So to start off I have been cleaning carpet all my life, coming up on my 25th year in business in 2021. Long story short, I need to spend some money before the end of the year and want a new truckmount. The problem I face is I live in California for one, so I am limited on which Truckmount’s are available to me. The other problem ahead of me is I’ve owned only diesel fired heaters my entire career. I would like to transition to a Heat exchange unit, but don’t know what direction to take. I don’t want to get too small of unit, or too big of unit. I do mostly residential but I do have a few commercial accounts where I have to run 300 to 400 feet of hose. In your guys experience what Truckmount would you suggest I get that is going to give me consistent heat and not lose too much on long hose runs.

 

[Cleanworks]

Been a long time lurker, and thought to myself it’s time to get involved. So to start off I have been cleaning carpet all my life, coming up on my 25th year in business in 2021. Long story short, I need to spend some money before the end of the year and want a new truckmount. The problem I face is I live in California for one, so I am limited on which Truckmount’s are available to me. The other problem ahead of me is I’ve owned only diesel fired heaters my entire career. I would like to transition to a Heat exchange unit, but don’t know what direction to take. I don’t want to get too small of unit, or too big of unit. I do mostly residential but I do have a few commercial accounts where I have to run 300 to 400 feet of hose. In your guexperience what Truckmount would you suggest I get that is going to give me consistent heat and not lose too much on long hose runs.

Sapphire 570 would be a good place to start. Anything smaller isn't going to run 300-400 feet of hose

 

[hogjowl]

I see no problem with Sapphire

 

[Shane-0]

I don’t believe the 570 is available in the grand ol state of California. Peak 500 is. Thoughts?

 

[Mikey P]

with two weeks left in the year, I'd call all the suppliers in Ca and NV to see if anything is in stock, for starters...

 

[Shane-0]

I know I’m cutting it close for sure. Over whelmed with research on all the different units. Was hoping to get some good feedback on real world users in similar working conditions first. I’m sure I can narrow it down and put a deposit down and get the ball rolling to get the write off for this year.

 

[Mikey P]

Slide in?

 

[Papa John]

I wish we could have the 570 in CA.
Based on your needs and expectations-- you'll need to go big- 870 or leave CA and get a 570.
Good luck.

 

[hogjowl]

with two weeks left in the year, I'd call all the suppliers in Ca and NV to see if anything is in stock, for starters...

They can sell it to you in 2020 and deliver it in 21

 

[Shane-0]

Yes slide in. Any problems bringing in a out of state unit? In all my years I’ve never heard of anyone having an inspection, but it is California!!

 

[Dolly Llama]

400ft hose run
What size blower is in your current TM?
and what RPM and HG does it run ?

if it's sufficient, that's where your "what size" TM should start

heat.. not too many HX units can compare to fuel burners.
to get honest sustainable 230-240 , you're looking at big engine/big money/big TMs



..L.T.A.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

You know he should get the 370 and the OP and he’s set

 

[Shane-0]

45 blower now powered by a 20 horse Kohler. Does ok, but definitely takes some extra dry strokes and fans. We take off hoses an we work our way out the door. Believe it or not never been a super heat person, usually set the thermostat at 200, but it’s a constant 200. With the chemicals today I don’t think 230-240 is needed. We do these runs maybe 5-10 times per year not everyday. As long as I’ve been in this business I’ve only run Steamway units and have never even looked at heat exchange units, so I don’t know too much about them..Just don’t want to regret what I end up with.

 

[hogjowl]

They all breakdown. Unless you’re a mechanic with the time necessary, buy what can be serviced near you.

 

[Shane-0]

I have 5-6 repair/service facilities in a 40 mile radius. I’m 30 miles east of Los Angeles.

 

[hogjowl]

Seriously, I’d stick with Prochem or Sapphire.

 

[Mikey P]

You know he should get the 370 and the OP and he’s set

Yep.

 

[Mikey P]

Seriously, I’d stick with Prochem or Sapphire.

Did Bruders send you a box of chocolates or what?

 

[Mikey P]

What van will you be using?

 

[Cleanworks]

The alternative is a Butler, Cleanco, Hydramaster pto unit. All of them have max vacuum/heat units available. 47 blowers that will run 400 feet no problem. I just purchased an 18 year old Cleanco and can't believe the difference from my 45 blower. My shoulder is about to fall off.

 

[hogjowl]

I wouldn’t want to clean at 400 ft (“no problem”) with either of my Cleancos

 

[Dolly Llama]

45 blower now powered by a 20 horse Kohler.

MasterMatics?
I ran Powermatics for 20 years

I was heat freak in the early days.
day in and day out though, we ran 200-220.
It was nice to be able to crank it mega on the occasional poly-pit, and/or long runs to door in winter


what's your budget for a new slide-in?
$20k $25K $30K more?

..L.T.A.

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

I wouldn’t want to clean at 400 ft (“no problem”) with either of my Cleancos

I wouldn’t want to clean at 400 ft (“no problem”) with either of my Cleancos

Why not? PITA setups? Running the Cleanco ‘stock’?..

 

[Mikey P]

I wouldn’t want to clean at 400 ft (“no problem”) with either of my Cleancos

besides after 150 ft into just about any building, that's where the OP or cimex takes over

 

[Cleanworks]

I wouldn’t want to clean at 400 ft (“no problem”) with either of my Cleancos

You'd have to get out of your lazy boy.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

besides after 150 ft into just about any building, that's where the OP or cimex takes over

Hence 370 and op. Serious!

 

[hogjowl]

No doubt you are

 

[BIG WOOD]

The only truckmount that’s too big is the steam action that needs a gigantic truck to haul it.

Anything else is not too big. That’s why I suggest nothing smaller than a 570, butler, or the new direct drive that Jondon sells.

I don’t like the peak500, just from looking at it from the outside. I’m not fond of 2cylinder V engines. And I don’t know how good it is at handling too much heat.

Too much power is better than not enough and since you’re on your 25th year, you should be able to afford an Everest and have a nice tax write off.

 

[hogjowl]

It kills me to hear a cleaner recommend a brand new rig with no track record to speak of.
On what experience are you basing your recommendation?

 

[Mikey P]

just get a 370, spend the 20k you save on a PHX and lots of pads and apple stock