direct drive vs. slide in tm

[prestige cleaner]

looking to purchase new or used ( good shape decent hours) tm but, haven't decide what tm to purchase either direct drive or a slide in what are the advantages/disadvantages of the two. basically which would be more reliable.

 

[The Great Oz]

The "normal" PTOs made by HydraMaster, Butler and Cleanco are typically considered more reliable than the typical slide-in. The big slide-ins that use small auto engines may rival the PTO for reliability though.

 

[Art Kelley]

The "normal" PTOs made by HydraMaster, Butler and Cleanco are typically considered more reliable than the typical slide-in. The big slide-ins that use small auto engines may rival the PTO for reliability though.

Indeed. If reliability is your main focus (as it is mine, I want to concentrate on my jobs that are booked for 10 solid hours each day with no breaks) then a top quality direct drive will give you that. Plus you don't have a loud stinky motor in your van that makes things very hot in the van and heating up the belts and components shortening their life. The new Sapphire Scientific Pro1200 in a new Gm van would give you 20 years of great reliable service.

 

[sweendogg]

Carpet cleaning.. don't you know all the REAL money is in rug cleaning! :mrgreen:

I echo Bryan's Advice!

 

[bob vawter]

Those in the know...
go with a PTO.......!

Thems that marry their kin
always go with a slide in.......

 

[Art Kelley]

Those in the know...
go with a PTO.......!

Thems that marry their kin
always go with a slide in.......

Oh no. Now you've done it.

 

[Jim Martin]

first 2 trucks were PTO...the one I have now is a slide in and it does everything a PTO will do and I don't have the truck sitting out there running.....( and I have never kissed any of my sisters or relatives )........

 

[Nate The Great]

I don't care what that micro seal dude says, B's a sharp cookie... I want a pto but my lawnmower engine won't die....


Plus Bawbbie-Joe is on his last SG build... So I'm up sh!ts creek...

 

[Ken Snow]

Butlers are our preferred choice. They run and run and run and when I sell them after 6-7 years they bring more than 50% back.

 

[Chris A]

I have both a HM CDS and a Boxxer 421 that I've only put about 25 hours on. As far as cleaning, they do the exact same thing, but for some reason I feel more secure about the CDS' reliability. Probably from running 3 other ones in the past. The 421 uses a little less fuel, but not enough to make a huge difference.

 

[bob vawter]

heres MY favorite

in the garage room now........... somewhat amus

 

[Larry Cobb]

[quote="The Great Oz":277hzah8]The "normal" PTOs made by HydraMaster, Butler and Cleanco are typically considered more reliable than the typical slide-in. The big slide-ins that use small auto engines may rival the PTO for reliability though.

Indeed. If reliability is your main focus (as it is mine, I want to concentrate on my jobs that are booked for 10 solid hours each day with no breaks) then a top quality direct drive will give you that. Plus you don't have a loud stinky motor in your van that makes things very hot in the van and heating up the belts and components shortening their life. The new Sapphire Scientific Pro1200 in a new Gm van would give you 20 years of great reliable service.[/quote:277hzah8]
I disagree.

No van has a "presentable image" after 10 years of daily work load.

Some well-engineered slide-in TM's will outlast 3 new Vans.

They can be transferred with much less expense.

Fuel economy is less with gasoline PTO's.

Excess heating of engine components is also troublesome with some PTO's.

Well-engineered slide-ins, AND PTO's can last 20 years.

Larry

P.S. We have built every typeof TM, from Diesel PTO's to 40 HP #5MR slide-ins.

 

[bob vawter]

Larry...maybe you were absent the day i showed everbody how to POP-RIVET new quarters on in a day......... ?

 

[Doug Cox]

I think it comes down to your mechanical ability. Nobody that can't turn a wrench should own a slide- in. Way too much to maintain and fix compared to a pto. I used a CDS for 25 years and loved it and them bought a monster Powerclean Genesis with better vac and scorching heat and would probably have a hard time going back to a CDS.

 

[Art Kelley]

[No van has a "presentable image" after 10 years of daily work load.

I have been pleasantly surprised at the lack of any rust on my 03 Express after 8 Michigan winters. The van still looks new. It's not unreasonable to expect it to last 20 years or more. Modern vehicles (except Dodge Sprinters) seem to have a much improved corrosion resistance over those built 20 years ago.

 

[joe harper]

I think it comes down to your mechanical ability. Nobody that can't turn a wrench should own a slide- in. Way too much to maintain and fix compared to a pto. I used a CDS for 25 years and loved it and them bought a monster Powerclean Genesis with better vac and scorching heat and would probably have a hard time going back to a CDS.

I CONCUR...!!!

If you are residential & light commercial....Go with the PTO... !gotcha!

You DAMN well had better know how to turn a wrench..if you want the addition POWER
of a slide in...!!! At $85.00 per hour for a DISTY mechanic...adds up in a hurry..
Not to mention the ...DOWN TIME and travel involed in most situations...!

 

[joe harper]

[quote="Larry Cobb":2ipboy58][No van has a "presentable image" after 10 years of daily work load.

I have been pleasantly surprised at the lack of any rust on my 03 Express after 8 Michigan winters. The van still looks new. It's not unreasonable to expect it to last 20 years or more. Modern vehicles (except Dodge Sprinters) seem to have a much improved corrosion resistance over those built 20 years ago.[/quote:2ipboy58]

1999 Butler....over 5k hours....Still PeRtY... !gotcha!

 

[bob vawter]

ya if only them Butlers used a GOOD pump....
and a LOT less limits and solenoids......

 

[joe harper]

ya if only them Butlers used a GOOD pump....
and a LOT less limits and solenoids......

Ya.....But you can remove that pump...with a pair or pliers "if necessary"... :shock:
Notice how all the plumbing has QD'S....5 minute job... !gotcha!
pressure guage ..2 seconds
pressure regulator..5 seconds
chemical pump..2 minutes
in-line water filter..2 seconds
HX..15 minutes
Blower 30 minutes
Front drive belts..15 minutes
3 rear drive belts.. slide pump back..change all 3 belts..15 minutes

 

[bob vawter]

ya if only them Butlers used a GOOD pump....
and a LOT less limits and solenoids......

Ya.....But you can remove that pump...with a pair or pliers "if necessary"... :shock:
Notice how all the plumbing has QD'S....5 minute job... !gotcha!
pressure guage ..2 seconds
pressure regulator..5 seconds
chemical pump..2 minutes
in-line water filter..2 seconds
HX..15 minutes
Blower 30 minutes
Front drive belts..15 minutes
3 rear drive belts.. slide pump back..change all 3 belts..15 minutes

must brake down a lot if they gotta make it THAT easy to fix.......

 

[joe harper]

Hardly EVER.... :shock:

1 "dual" open-end wrench...1/2 & 9/16

Is your TOOL BOX....

 

[bob vawter]

whurrs all the stainless?

 

[joe harper]

whurrs all the stainless?

All the Tanks & shelving are...SS... :!:

Come on bAwB...you KNOW you lUvE...their HX..... :idea:

 

[Mikey P]

Chimps- PTOs/CDS

Owner Ops- Slide ins


in a nut shell.

 

[joe harper]

Chimps- PTOs/CDS

Owner Ops- Slide ins


in a nut shell.

NutS....in a "v"... :mrgreen:

 

[Leslie Judson Jones]

 

[Mikey P]

can I trade you one POS Vortex for two TNTs Les?

 

[Mike Draper]

If you want temps under 200 at the wand all year long then a pto is the truck for you. If you want a dependable longer lasting, simple to operate, simple to fix Truck mount, the judson c4 is it. Oh yeah,and 240 atw as well. !gotcha!

 

[Ken Snow]

Just to let you know Mike, Butler has had their high heat option for 6-7 years now and can easily maintain into the 220's.

 

[bob vawter]

jus shows ta go ya that people that don KNOW what they are talking about....
don KNOW what they're talking about....... :roll:
no reflection on the Judson at all...it IS a good unit....however when you have a chance to get into a new Direct Drive at a THIRD OF THE COST........you should!