Rotaries....................again.

[ruff]

So from the four rotaries: 360i, 360 XL and Hoss 700. T-Rex- which would you get?
Here's how I see it from my point of view:
Hoss 700-

1. Like: Very well built, seems like very low maintenance. When I tried it it was the smoothest and less fatiguing of all rotaries. I just like a well built tool.
   
2. Dislike: Heavy. Not much ground level cleaning here in S.F.. Will it collect dust like other equipment I bought?

360i-

1. Like: Light. More likely to "graduate" out of the van.
   
2. Dislike: Most jittery movement when I tested. Motor seem a bit underpowered. More maintenance (Felt ring). I am not a high maintenance guy. I hate to have to constantly fiddle with my equipment. I learned to accept it.

360 XL-

1. Like: Smoother movement. Heavier motor. Just seem to have more oomph to it (then 360i).
2. Dislike: Most jittery movement when I tested. Motor seem a bit underpowered. More maintenance (Felt ring).

T-Rex-

1. Don't know much about it. Seem to have too many moving parts which concerns me.

Which of these will allow for fastest cleaning?
Anything you'd like to add?
How cumbersome is it to drag the Hoss or 360XL, to the third floor? No elevator.
Have you used all and have a favorite?

The answer: "Get a helper", though true doesn't count. Don't push my button!

 

[Zee]

Ofer,

I would go with the 360XL. I have used the HOSS on a lot of jobs...and the 360XL is definitely more aggressive and fluffs up carpet nicer.

The real positive attribute of the 360XL is that you can replace the cleaning head with a pad driver in about 12 seconds. And you can prescrub quickly or just pad out an area if it doesn't need full on flushing.

I'm not sure why the felt ring is a problem....? Just make sure it's on there and have a few extras in the van just in case something happens to one.

 

[Brody Robert]

How heavy is the XL? One reason I don't pull the RX-20 out more is because it's so dang heavy.

 

[Zee]

BTW,I don't find carrying it upstairs a big deal. Just grab it and go. It's not that heavy.

 

[Wing It]

I find the hoss heavy for stairs. If it is a couple hours worth of wanding 3 stories up with no elevator, it might be worth it to lug it up otherwise I'd talk myself out of carrying it up. We like it but don't have the same hurdles you have.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Knowing you and how picky you can be, I'd go with the 360i.

The XL is nice and I think you'd love it BUTTT its heavier than the 360i. I think you're leave it on the truck where I think the "i" is small and light enough that you will pull it off the truck.

If you weren't a stubborn mule like Marty I'd go XL or Hoss.

 

[GeneMiller]

I believe the t- Rex and the hoss weigh about the same. The t-Rex will do a better job over all. It left the carpet drier and hard to say but I believe cleaner. The hoss has a tendency to ball up hair instead of sucking it up. I like the fact that I just pull the top cap off on the hoss to clean it out. 30 seconds at most. I haven't used it with the metal feet so it may clean just as well as the t-Rex. I can do that if you want. I wouldn't own the t-Rex unless he replaced the carbon fiber. I also hated the thumb switch and if I owned it I would wire around it. The safety switch on the hoss is perfect. I can't compare the 360's because I've never used them. Between the two I believe the hoss will be more durable in the long rug. I trust sapphire to build a quality tool. The truth is none are perfect but I chose the hoss in the end. I'm currently using the hoss with the .52 and the commercial glides.
I wish the feet changed out with a twist lock method instead of screws to make testing easier. I would of liked to test the 360 xl but it wasn't available to me.

Gene

 

[hogjowl]

Mikey told me the Hoss was better, so I figure Sapphire gave him one for free.

 

[GeneMiller]

Mikey told me the Hoss was better, so I figure Sapphire gave him one for free.

Better is subjective. I didn't test it with the metal feet, which would be more aggressive. I don't think that will matter with dryness. It might stop it from balling up hair. When I pull out the rotary they are to nasty for me to vacuum. I rely on the rotary for that. I don't want to stop and suck up hair. I know it's not a fluke because it happens every time I use it. Over all I'm still happy with it. Now I guess I have to swap out to the metal to see for sure.

Gene

 

[Desk Jockey]

Mikey told me the Hoss was better, so I figure Sapphire gave him one for free.

I think its built more solid. But saying that we've only had a couple of minor problems with the XL

 

[Mark Saiger]

How heavy is the XL? One reason I don't pull the RX-20 out more is because it's so dang heavy.

65 pounds I believe.

The RX 20 I think is 85 pounds...

Either way, if I recall correctly, the Rotovac 360 XL is 20 pounds lighter.

It is more compact...and we do get it out of the van now because of the reasons others have stated....

And it really does Work!

Some of today's pics!

I have only tried the Hoss during home shows, but the Rotovac 360 XL fits us better for versatility...the handle bars collapse to take up less room....good water recovery really...and it has been a reason for us to WANT to take a rotary off the trucks again.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Man the Saiger's do nice work!

 

[Mark Saiger]

Man the Saiger's do nice work!

Thanks

 

[Russ T.]

Ofer,

The 360i has YOUR name written all over it!

Because you will use it A LOT.

 

[Russ T.]

It's like 40 lbs!

 

[Art Kelley]

If you are willing to ignore their inability to clean stairs then the T-Rex or the 360 XL would be my choice. I have a friend who is kind of a dick and when he cleaned he only used a scrub brush on stairs. He said he removed a lot of stuff from the stairs and would show the lady the ball of crap. But it didn't change that everything else looked great but the stairs. His solution to that pesky problem was to refund the $15-20 they paid if they called to complain. That might be a viable solution for you Ofer but I doubt you are such a dick as he.

 

[hogjowl]

Are you saying you can clean stairs with the Hoss?

 

[Desk Jockey]

That might be a viable solution for you Ofer but I doubt you are such a dick as he.

Well....

 

[Zee]

Are you saying you can clean stairs with the Hoss?

No way you can clean stairs with a Hoss.

 

[Russ T.]

Art, do you use the standard head?

I think I want the quad head but $500 seems steep.

 

[Papa John]

My Hoss is now in storage and has been replaced with the Zipper.
I was hoping the HOSS would save me from buying the Zipper and Cimex--- It Did Not! I love my zipper n cimex!
Does anyone know what the flow rate of the HOSS is? It wasn't enough on a filthy CGD for me. Does SS make different flow rate bars?

 

[Russ T.]

You guys clean stairs with the 360i?

I do have the stair head but was awkward when I tried it. Are you using the 12"head with the black shroud attached?

 

[Art Kelley]

Are you saying you can clean stairs with the Hoss?

I'm saying I have seen and used the Hoss and would not consider buying one. But yes, like a Volkswagen, you could use a Hoss on stairs. If you were a dumbass.

 

[ruff]

Ofer,

The 360i has YOUR name written all over it!

In Hebrew?

That might be a viable solution for you Ofer but I doubt you are such a dick as he.

Thanks, Man.

If you weren't a stubborn mule like Marty I'd go XL or Hoss.

Pffff....Julep (aka Marty) is gullible, I am...................serene.
And go dance with grass Topeka dude. I am not picky. I am an Owner Operator.
Dig it?

No way you can clean stairs with a Hoss.

You realize we are talking Art, here. Right?

 

[Mikey P]

The Hoss and the XL weigh about the same.

They also clean the same if the Hoss has the block glides installed.

The Hoss just extracts faster as it uses less water to do the same job.

 

[Art Kelley]

Art, do you use the standard head?

I think I want the quad head but $500 seems steep.

Yes I have the standard 3 swoop head 12". A quad head would be nice but I doubt it would be necessary and would not offer a noticeable improvement in quality or time. I have seen no tests to prove me wrong.

 

[Russ T.]

I count the 360i as easily one of the most valuable tools I have ever owned and used on a regular basis. It's become so fluid and thorough. Breeze through lightly soiled areas, and slow WAY down on heavily soiled. The only additional agitation I ever use is a stiff bristle Grandi Groomer. Our customers LOVE the level of cleaning we are delivering. I couldn't do it without a good rotary extractor. I REALLY want the XL but can't justify the purchase right now.

Anyone interested in a 2 year old 360i for $1200, YOU pay the shipping (Marty)? Good shape with 1-2 new felt rings. I pulled the RotoVac sticker off it so its all black.

Then I could justify the purchase of an XL!

 

[GeneMiller]

You can clean the stairs with the rotovac power head no problem. It does a beautiful job. You can break something on the stairs trying to clean them with the hoss. Personally the carpet Saiger is cleaning isn't soiled enough for me to bring out the hoss. It'd hit it with my boosted prespray and the zipper. makes me wonder when we think something is nasty enough for a rotary. I'm guessing some see it a lot.



Gene

 

[jcooper]

I actually talked w/Russ before getting our 360i. So 360i guys are hitting ya back to back...

After 6-9 months or so of occasional use, it's more than obvious it(rotary - ALL OF THEM) out cleans a wand by a wide margin...

Biggest deal for me. it's light. I work by myself I'm NOT going to use some big 80-100 pound thing. I just will stop using it, that's why my floor machine only comes outta the office for commercial.

Would I spend the 2200 on a new one, maaaaaybe... I know for sure I'd pay 1000-1200 for a used one!
Mine was used...


Felt ring is a once a year deal... Really.

 

[GeneMiller]

My Hoss is now in storage and has been replaced with the Zipper.
I was hoping the HOSS would save me from buying the Zipper and Cimex--- It Did Not! I love my zipper n cimex!
Does anyone know what the flow rate of the HOSS is? It wasn't enough on a filthy CGD for me. Does SS make different flow rate bars?

They make a disc that be changed out or completely removed. It comes now with 3 different sizes. Completely removed it blasts like a garden hose. Seriously puts the water out like nothing I've ever seen. It has to be pushing 3 gallons at that point. Get yours out and give it a whirl with the disc out.

Gene