direct drive owners- what do you like and what dont you like about DD?

[Scott S.]

What do you like and dislike about direct drive?

 

[Art Kelley]

All but one thing.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Several things I don't like.

However what I do like, simplicity, easy to train, easy to maintain, all out weigh any of my negatives.

 

[hogjowl]

Can the two of you idiots answer a question?

 

[Ray Burnfield]

Can the two of you idiots answer a question?

I think they're playing you

 

[Clean Response]

I think they are more reliable the slide in units.
Easier to maintain.

Bad part is it is pair to that van... verses a slide out you can change vans easier if you wanted/needed.

Yes you can swap out direct drives too but not as easily.

Just my thoughts I never had a slide in only DD

 

[Desk Jockey]

Can the two of you idiots answer a question?

Yes, you're an asshole! Oh that wasn't the question. Sorry!

 

[ruff]

Direct drives advantages:

• You can work with all doors locked.
• No need to get a second degree in mechanics.
• Very dependable.
• Low noise.
• Less maintenance than slide in.
• Only one engine to maintain.

Disadvantages:

• Hard and expensive to swap machine to a different van.
• In theory you can get higher heat. Though the new DD get plenty.
• In theory you can save on gas. In reality I doubt it.
• You don't get to use all these expensive ranches you got. Because they are just damn dependable. There's a reason why mechanically challenged people like me, the entire Chavez clan, Hagopian, Duburns etc. get them.

There's a few more but I just came in and I am hungry and tired.

 

[Art Kelley]

I think they are more reliable the slide in units.
Easier to maintain.

Bad part is it is pair to that van... verses a slide out you can change vans easier if you wanted/needed.

Yes you can swap out direct drives too but not as easily.

Just my thoughts I never had a slide in only DD

That's the one thing. Even though the reliability and longevity of modern vans far exceed those of 15-20 years ago, you still end up with, like me, a 12 year old van with a perfectly operating machine and, well, a 12 year old van. Repairs are becoming all too common, a new engine is in the immediate future. Ultimately, it will be cheaper to move this machine into a new van. Plus, for the first few months, I would be driving around in a brand new van like a big shot.

 

[Ralph Pastorelli]

I don't really care to hear any of you not agreeing with me here but I don't like the fuel consumption with my Hydra master 4.8 we clearly use less fuel in my slide in unit.

 

[Desk Jockey]

ok since you're going to be a baby about it, I agree with you.

 

[ruff]

Wait a minute Skippy. Don't capitulate just yet
What kind of slide in does he have?
And whose Vespa's engine did he steal to run that slide in?

 

[Mark Saiger]

I would have a hard time going to something else.

We of course clean in some extreme temps....a lot of the times in super cold temps and the Butler Direct drives are just bullet proof for us!

I have learned so much about the Butler Direct drive units and their R & D since just having another one being built....and I am more than impressed with how they take so many little things into account to make sure they will run a lot of hours and a lot of van miles....

Yes, I am a diehard Direct drive guy and have started on big stainless steel portables with drag heads, slide ins with propane heat sources....and then to other direct drives and finally to Butlers....I would have a hard time switching as I feel very spoiled with how well they have ran and performed for me....

No disrespect for any other manufacture of direct drives....just my family has been very happy with our Butler equipment....and I am probably a creature of habit....

The space issue people talk about on the Butlers....you can order them with less shelves and equipment if you wish....I just Max them out....

If you can get to the Vegas Show this September....come run and play with the direct drives that will be there...and of course my new Saiger version Butler that will be there too.

As far as likes and dislikes....I like to much and don't really have enough dislikes....Maybe if there were a way to run a larger blower yet off a one ton extended van...but I know there are limitations...and to go to diesel....probably going to suffer some heat loss the way they are currently built....

So for the most part...I am very happy with them, and when I need more power, I add more 2.5 inch hose...and I also only single wand with them and Bring 2 Butlers to most job sites.

 

[handdi]

Year with the CDs
I will buy another
Easy set up
Lots of room
Powerful vac
Proven track record
Fuel usage is on par with a slide in

 

[Russ T.]

I was just telling Mel how awesome the Cleanco has PROVEN to be.

I was pretty unfamiliar with the brand when I bought it 2 years ago but heard some good things about it's reliability. We run very lean and mean and don't have time to mess around with a wonky machine.

It's been SO easy to deal with.

This is our busiest time of year. I am cleaning A LOT of apartments and college housing for move outs this time of year.

I think I have 50+ jobs to complete with it over the next week or so. Yes, 50.

I'm confident I will plow through without an issue.

I will only be considering direct drive when it's time for another.

Cleanco, Butler, and Sapphire would be the only 3 places I'd look.

 

[Russ T.]

It has also allowed me to focus on my craft, playing around with different tools/methods, and growing my small biz. All done with very little looming fear that my rig wasn't going to keep up with me. The Kid likes to run hard sometimes!

 

[Desk Jockey]

The Kid likes to run hard sometimes!

 

[Scott S.]

All but one thing.

i have a slide in now, but it takes up some floor room and the setup (hose reels, accessories, water) takes up alot of floor space. however i am kicking butt with the slide in. love the fire breathing heat. get alot of "hey your vans on fire" in the winter when its blowing out a plume of heated air.

 

[Desk Jockey]

 

[Mikey P]

I think I have 50+ jobs to complete with it over the next week or so. Yes, 50.

in one week, by yourself?

we have 50 or so waiting too, but over a 3 week span

and for 3 guys...

 

[Russ T.]

in one week, by yourself?

we have 50 or so waiting too, but over a 3 week span

and for 3 guys...

Yeah Mike. Me in the Cleanco.

Total shift from normal operations. Almost all apartments. Last week in July is prepay only. Mel lines them up and I knock them down. Wand only. What's a dry stroke? Powermax prespray with limited spotting to fulfill the students (ISU) lease.

Let's go!

 

[Russ T.]

We turn down hundreds of jobs that need to be cleaned the last week of July.

With our Adwords campaign paused, thanks Hoody!

 

[Desk Jockey]

We turn down hundreds of jobs that need to be cleaned the last week of July.

Damn. Next summer hire a college kid to help. You set him up and go home and rest, come back at noon and work the late evening.

I still have sleepless nights thinking of the dozens of WDR jobs we couldn't get to last month.

 

[ronbeatty]

I have not run a slide in for 36 years and there is a reason for it. Direct drives are very dependable if the company building them knows what they are doing. Aerotech and Butler would be the only ones I would look at, they have years and years of dependability behind their brands.

 

[Ray Burnfield]

I have not run a slide in for 36 years and there is a reason for it. Direct drives are very dependable if the company building them knows what they are doing. Aerotech and Butler would be the only ones I would look at, they have years and years of dependability behind their brands.

Sapphire, Hydramaster and Cleanco seem to know what they are doing.

 

[Russ T.]

Mel threw me a cupcake at the end of the day. Almost 1K ft.² of empty residential for new owner.

With Maxim!

 

[Desk Jockey]

Damn! Take that girl out to dinner tonight on the proctector sale alone!

 

[Russ T.]

Damn! Take that girl out to dinner tonight on the proctector sale alone!

Right?

She had it sold before I got there!

 

[Steve Lawrence]

For me, many reasons I prefer the DD Butler to my many old slide-ins. But, one of the main reasons is the huge 210 gallon stainless steel waste tank. I only wish they'd offer a #5 blower option.

 

[Russ T.]

And the Cleanco is begging for more.

See how I brought it back around there ??