Starting Over

[Vivers]

I decided to post this on here versus TMF because there’s a lot of older veterans on here and most of you have tons of valuable knowledge.

We’re moving from Southern California to Coastal Delaware as I’m originally from New Jersey and all my family is there now and aging. I am considering starting up a company there.

The negative is there isn’t a service center anywhere near (2hrs away) and while I am fairly mechanically inclined I don’t do any major work, so wanted to ask you guys what your thoughts of the absolute most reliable easiest to work on truck mount there is?

I am a 30 year vet age 54 and I’ve had the Prochem legend SE (tons of problems) Prochem Apex (some issues ) now the Hydramaster titan 575

I’m seriously considering the Butler system would love to hear from any of you guys about it I know it’s more of an East Coast thing, but looks really simple to work on. They seem extremely reliable. What’s your thoughts?

Many thanks

 

[hogjowl]

It’s not the Butler you have to worry about. The Chevy van is the weak point. In my opinion, the only way I’d get a Butler is by agreeing with myself to always have a payment. I’d get rid of it and buy new every three years. Otherwise, you’ll find your van in a mechanic shop too often.

The most “reliable” units are the ones the other guys own. It’s never yours. It’s the easiest to work on that you actually want. I’d say a Judson or a TCS unit if it wasn’t for their reliance on propane. Propane is a pita.

Consider a El Diablo heat exchange model. See if Pemberton sells them.

Or go with Butler.

 

[Vivers]

It’s not the Butler you have to worry about. The Chevy van is the weak point. In my opinion, the only way I’d get a Butler is by agreeing with myself to always have a payment. I’d get rid of it and buy new every three years. Otherwise, you’ll find your van in a mechanic shop too often.

The most “reliable” units are the ones the other guys own. It’s never yours. It’s the easiest to work on that you actually want. I’d say a Judson or a TCS unit if it wasn’t for their reliance on propane. Propane is a pita.

Consider a El Diablo heat exchange model. See if Pemberton sells them.

Or go with Butler.

Thanks for the reply.
What issues do you see with the Chevy? I’m assuming you’re saying due to the PTO setup and the endless idling?
I’ve always been a slide in guy, but I did work with the Hydramaster direct drive back in the day.
Interesting to know someone could just hop in your van and take off and drag your ass down the street.

 

[hogjowl]

The quality of the GMC and Chevy van is not what it was 15 years ago, and the PTO system further stresses it.

 

[Mikey P]

Yup, ElDiablo in a Transit would be your safest bet.

 

[Nate The Great]

The quality of the GMC and Chevy van is not what it was 15 years ago, and the PTO system further stresses it.

What a dunce.. 15years ago is the same Chevy/GMC van and engine.. Chavez was right, never listen to Marty..

 

[Numero Uno]

In 11 years when you go to retire...As long as you maintain it no worries on performance and or resale ...Finest Truckmounts made -Period !!!

 

[Mike J]

Thanks for the reply.
What issues do you see with the Chevy? I’m assuming you’re saying due to the PTO setup and the endless idling?
I’ve always been a slide in guy, but I did work with the Hydramaster direct drive back in the day.
Interesting to know someone could just hop in your van and take off and drag your ass down the street.

Just had my Chevy in for service at the dealer and it went great. If your concerned about specialty TM service, that is a plus for PTO.
But the space in my Hydramaster CDS 4.8 is a huge advantage I did not see when I purchased in 2016. 10-20 years ago I was double wanding literally everyday during my busy times with my Thermalwave. All I needed was 2 wands and a stair tool and gas.

(btw, I am 99.9% occupied residential, and know nothing about commercial carpet cleaning)

Are you taking the Multi Surface course?
advanced-multi-surface-repair-care-course-san-antonio-tx

It is a must for me, and Im 54 too. Time to get holed up in one house for $1K MINIMUM charge per day. 200 jobs per year. Start at 8:00am until 3:00 pm and clean whatever they want. Times changed, time to cash in.

 

[Trip Moses]

I decided to post this on here versus *** because there’s a lot of older veterans on here and most of you have tons of valuable knowledge.

We’re moving from Southern California to Coastal Delaware as I’m originally from New Jersey and all my family is there now and aging. I am considering starting up a company there.

The negative is there isn’t a service center anywhere near (2hrs away) and while I am fairly mechanically inclined I don’t do any major work, so wanted to ask you guys what your thoughts of the absolute most reliable easiest to work on truck mount there is?

I am a 30 year vet age 54 and I’ve had the Prochem legend SE (tons of problems) Prochem Apex (some issues ) now the Hydramaster titan 575

I’m seriously considering the Butler system would love to hear from any of you guys about it I know it’s more of an East Coast thing, but looks really simple to work on. They seem extremely reliable. What’s your thoughts?

Many thanks

View attachment 123123

I would take the equipment you already have and get a solid business plan in place for your new location.
Or.
Don’t be a carpet cleaner. Get a job with the city or the county for 10 years and retire.

 

[Mikey P]

as far as starting over, I posted many threads when I did so here in NV. Look em up..

in a nutshell:

-Become a "player" in your community asap. Get involved with community driven activities, such as chamber of commerce (if it's active), community clean ups, festivals, wine walks, charity events, school sponsorships, and probably most effectively, neighborhood Facebook groups and Next Door.
-Do the business card hand outs where ever you go.
-Join a LeTip, BNI or similar.
-Clean ALL surfaces like Jersey Mike says.
-Offer to clean churches, community centers, half way houses and the like at a great discount or free if you can.
-and don't let anyone know that you're from California.

 

[Jimmy L]

A Wheeler brother's franchise is what I would do.
VLM baby!

 

[BIG WOOD]

I decided to post this on here versus *** because there’s a lot of older veterans on here and most of you have tons of valuable knowledge.

We’re moving from Southern California to Coastal Delaware as I’m originally from New Jersey and all my family is there now and aging. I am considering starting up a company there.

The negative is there isn’t a service center anywhere near (2hrs away) and while I am fairly mechanically inclined I don’t do any major work, so wanted to ask you guys what your thoughts of the absolute most reliable easiest to work on truck mount there is?

I am a 30 year vet age 54 and I’ve had the Prochem legend SE (tons of problems) Prochem Apex (some issues ) now the Hydramaster titan 575

I’m seriously considering the Butler system would love to hear from any of you guys about it I know it’s more of an East Coast thing, but looks really simple to work on. They seem extremely reliable. What’s your thoughts?

Many thanks

View attachment 123123

I think a butler setup wound do just fine in that area. I think it’s areas that are extremely hot where you’ll see problems that Marty was referring to. The vans aren’t made to sit and run 1500rpm with no air flow in 100F+ locations.

 

[Mikey P]

A Wheeler brother's franchise is what I would do.
VLM baby!

Used hatchback $ 4-8k
Oreck Orbitor $400
Pump up sprayer $12
Gallon of Fabuloso $10
Pint of GooGone $5
One OP 12" pad $15
Walmart uniform $25

 

[Vivers]

I would take the equipment you already have and get a solid business plan in place for your new location.
Or.
Don’t be a carpet cleaner. Get a job with the city or the county for 10 years and retire.

That’s not happening. I’m keeping my company running here. It’s dug in like a tick and a cash cow. I’m gonna run it from there for a bit and sell it to my technician eventually.

 

[Vivers]

as far as starting over, I posted many threads when I did so here in NV. Look em up..

in a nutshell:

-Become a "player" in your community asap. Get involved with community driven activities, such as chamber of commerce (if it's active), community clean ups, festivals, wine walks, charity events, school sponsorships, and probably most effectively, neighborhood Facebook groups and Next Door.
-Do the business card hand outs where ever you go.
-Join a LeTip, BNI or similar.
-Clean ALL surfaces like Jersey Mike says.
-Offer to clean churches, community centers, half way houses and the like at a great discount or free if you can.
-and don't let anyone know that you're from California.

I will do all this and I’m actually originally from New Jersey. I’m going back to my roots.
Grew up at the beach areas of New Jersey and Delaware. My great grandfather built his own house on the shore there in Delaware. I have a lot of family and roots there.

 

[Mikey P]

I will do all this and I’m actually originally from New Jersey. I’m going back to my roots.
Grew up at the beach areas of New Jersey and Delaware. My great grandfather built his own house on the shore there in Delaware. I have a lot of family and roots there.

We have two New Jersians coming to San Antonio...

 

[Trip Moses]

That’s not happening. I’m keeping my company running here. It’s dug in like a tick and a cash cow. I’m gonna run it from there for a bit and sell it to my technician eventually.

Oh. I see. In that case, buy a Phoenix and only do lawyer’s offices.
That advice is so good I may take it myself.

 

[Cleanworks]

Depending on your budget, I would go with a Butler. You don't necessarily need a carpet cleaning service depot near by. Many pressure washing and small engine companies will service slide in truck mounts.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Oh. I see. In that case, buy a Phoenix and only do lawyer’s offices.
That advice is so good I may take it myself.

Might wanna raise your sights a little if you intend to get paid in a timely manner. Only doctors are worse at prying money from their tight little hands!

 

[Trip Moses]

Might wanna raise your sights a little if you intend to get paid in a timely manner. Only doctors are worse at prying money from their tight little hands!

I don’t do it unless payment is the same day. All you have to do is ask.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

It’s true. It’s up to you to control that narrative. But, a lot of times they conveniently go missing at the end of the service.

 

[Vivers]

Might wanna raise your sights a little if you intend to get paid in a timely manner. Only doctors are worse at prying money from their tight little hands!

I’ve literally been a 99% residential guy from day one I never liked working with HOAs or commercial as their typically not loyal like my clients, I’m so happy I did.

 

[Cleanworks]

I’ve literally been a 99% residential guy from day one I never liked working with HOAs or commercial as their typically not loyal like my clients, I’m so happy I did.

It depends on the relationship you build with them. I have some of the same commercial clients for over 30 years.

 

[Mikey P]

I will do all this and I’m actually originally from New Jersey. I’m going back to my roots.
Grew up at the beach areas of New Jersey and Delaware. My great grandfather built his own house on the shore there in Delaware. I have a lot of family and roots there.

You'll kill it, assuming you have the MFB.

 

[Trip Moses]

You'll kill it, assuming you have the MFB.

Muthrfnballz

 

[Mikey P]

Muthrfnballz

Try again

 

[Trip Moses]

Try again

Money For Buying whatmikeythinksyouneed

 

[Trip Moses]

Money For Buying whatmikeythinksyouneed

@Mikey P don’t sad face me. I should’ve wrote it purple. Honest.

It’s Minty Fresh Breath. Duh…

 

[Mikey P]

@Mikey P don’t sad face me. I should’ve wrote it purple. Honest.

It’s Minty Fresh Breath. Duh…

Hope to meat you in Greenville

 

[sassyotto]

I had a Prochem Apex. Probably my favorite of all the TMs I had. Now I have a Titan 575 and like it almost as much. Not sure why you dont like it.

Anyway my Distributor is 3 hours away. I take the machine to them every year for annual maintenance. Cost me $700 this year. Is it worth $700 to know you wont have any issues with your machine for the next year? Heck, yah! Its called PREVENTATIVE maintenance. I pay up front because I know that if something happens on a job, its downtime and no income until parts come in and repairs are made which costs MORE money (and aggravation).

Do I like driving 3 hours one way, no. But I can count on my machine to run as it should each and every day.