Equipment upgrade- Is this a good plan?

[Mikey P]

Thanks so much for this- SUPER helpful! Very grateful for the details, and yes, I’d totally be open to learning more about encap and the Phoenix at Mikey’s Fest.

ARCBEST will probably charge you $1k to pick up and deliver...

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[Kenny Hayes]

He did say he is a teacher and this is a side gig. I can read Man, for commercial, a Cimex is the ticket if you have something other than a van to haul it. Even a 4/6 trailer is awesome for vlm equipment. Mikey hated his Cimex I know because of “lugging” it. It would be awful loading and unloading in a van! I pull trailers for floor jobs, so loading vlm equipment is no problem for me.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Hey all the old idiots on here.

Bawb, Pigmanmarty, etc. This is why I had a trailer and I don't want to hear any excuse otherwise. When limited source of income doesn't allow for an extra vehicle...a trailer always provides a way to get started.

I have 3 trailers. Different sizes. They’re an asset to my business model. I have a tm in one and always used it on the occasional residential I would do. It was never an issue for me. However, if residential was my primary biz, I wouldn’t have liked it. That’s why I put a tm in my van even for the occasional residential job.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I would buy Mike’s Ranger for cheap, since that’s already your thinking. I’m sure he didn’t use it much. I’m shocked he has it (sorta) A PEX probably runs 4K now.

 

[Mikey P]

He did say he is a teacher and this is a side gig. I can read Man, for commercial, a Cimex is the ticket if you have something other than a van to haul it. Even a 4/6 trailer is awesome for vlm equipment. Mikey hated his Cimex I know because of “lugging” it. It would be awful loading and unloading in a van! I pull trailers for floor jobs, so loading vlm equipment is no problem for me.

I never said or recollect saying that I hated the Cimex due to its weight, I grew to hate it over time when I realized I could actually be removing soil with a good op machine

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I do. You have said you hated lugging it around! I have you on tape!

 

[Mikey P]

I do. You have said you hated lugging it around! I have you on tape!

Liar!

I was a pro...


View: https://youtu.be/u_DZOirt_QU?si=E9dLrtb_0ZKyYPM9

 

[Mikey P]

View: https://youtu.be/yhviCuZfO6o?si=BD1jga78KC5GE3Vt

 

[Kenny Hayes]

You were smart then! (sorta) That loading process lacked a little to be desired! That’s the way I still do most commercial with my “ on demand” water supply. Pulling even a little 4/6 trailer beats that loading. Neither one of us was using TOPS prespray then, right? It is the cats ass with Releasit!

 

[Will D]

Will if you want this machine let me know soon otherwise I'm going to list it on Facebook marketplace this weekend

Wow Mikey you rock to give me the first shot at it! Will PM you.

 

[Will D]

As Mikey said, I would recommend the PEX 500 over thee Ranger. As have been said before, it a Swiss Army Knife of portys. The release valve to change from tool to tool is awesome. Two cords of course but there is a circuit breaker light indicator. It has high, low heat, and you can move it effortlessly. It loads fairly easy, and you can even lay it down to transport. It has a side discharge hose and a hose hanger. For a porty, it’s awesome. Put that with an orbital or a Cimex, and bam for commercial. I use my TMs vey little.

Love this. Ok, I'll do more research on the PEX500 for sure! Thanks!

 

[Will D]

No matter how you look at it a portable is a pain. Like many here I started out with a portable. A US Products Solus 310. I ran 25' of 1.5" hose with a 2 jet Evolution wand.

In the beginning I was always thinking I needed more vac and psi. But I learned that with proper wanding my dry times were just fine. As far as psi I found that 310 was more than enough with proper chemistry and agitation.

A 175 does wonders for portable users. I would use it to agitate my prespray and post bonnet after extracting. It completely changed my game and results.

I would also recommend that instead of getting an inline sprayer, you get a battery sprayer like a Multi sprayer or a SOS Gentoo. I have found them to be much quicker than a inline, especially if you have a limited to hose run. An inline also uses up your freshwater supply. Adding water and dumping water really cuts into production. I know you wanna run auto dump and fill, but it's not always available.

My recommendation would be to run whatever portable you can get for the cheapest and then move on to a truckmount. There's some really great deals out there.

I know a van can be an added expense, but depending on what your location is a trailer is a great way to get a truckmount without the added expense of a van and insurance. You can use your personal rig to tow it and also use your vehicle as a tax deduction. You can store all your equipment in there as well. It's like having another garage. If you live in a huge city where parking sucks than a van is a better option.

In carpet cleaning everything boils down to efficiency. If it isn't going to make you more efficient then you don't need it.

Lots of really good ideas here, very helpful. My church actually has a Multisprayer that they bought during COVID and haven't used since. I bet I could buy it off them for cheap. It doesn't have a battery though, plugs in.

 

[Mikey P]

plugs in

Their sprayer option is kinda lame as anything bigger than a 2AH cuts off the lance holder

 

[Living The Dream]

Lots of really good ideas here, very helpful. My church actually has a Multisprayer that they bought during COVID and haven't used since. I bet I could buy it off them for cheap. It doesn't have a battery though, plugs in.

I still have a plug in one that I bought used years ago. You sometimes have to unscrew the lance to get it to prime, but it only takes a sec. Try and get some extra jugs. I will usually fill all my extra jugs with hot water before leaving the shop. Then I just mix prespray as needed.

The multi sprayer also works good for applying solvent sealer. Most solvent sealer is rtu, so you just stick the jug in the multi sprayer and apply it as needed.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Hydraforce with the PEX isn’t an issue. Can’t deny a separate sprayer is efficient. But a good pump up works well when you don’t want to use a hydraforce. That’s what I do for encapping. They are faster.

 

[Will D]

Thanks everyone for all the advice, I've learned a ton and have already come a long way. Based on your input I've revised my plan, and I'm now planning on purchasing a PEX500 to tide me over until you convince me to get into the VLM op stuff. I'm not there yet, but open. Gotta take these things in baby steps, especially since I don't have a lot to spend right now. Back to hwe then- the PEX 500 comes with an Evolution wand- will I be happy with that for a while? Secondly, what's the best way to agitate my pre-spray with this setup? Crbs are new to me- would one of those fit the bill? Or do I look at a rotary machine? I'm only doing commercial work, and I have no plans to expand beyond the three buildings I'm already cleaning. Just wanting to do the very best for my customers. Thanks!

 

[BIG WOOD]

Thanks everyone for all the advice, I've learned a ton and have already come a long way. Based on your input I've revised my plan, and I'm now planning on purchasing a PEX500 to tide me over until you convince me to get into the VLM op stuff. I'm not there yet, but open. Gotta take these things in baby steps, especially since I don't have a lot to spend right now. Back to hwe then- the PEX 500 comes with an Evolution wand- will I be happy with that for a while? Secondly, what's the best way to agitate my pre-spray with this setup? Crbs are new to me- would one of those fit the bill? Or do I look at a rotary machine? I'm only doing commercial work, and I have no plans to expand beyond the three buildings I'm already cleaning. Just wanting to do the very best for my customers. Thanks!

Invest in a CRB. Takes up less space than a buffer, is safer on carpet, and you can start VLM/encapping with the crb. There's new product that's been slowing entering the market attaching a foam machine to the CRB that delivers good results, so keep your eye out for that soon to come in the market, which would make your crb a multi use tool, which is a smart investment move to have less tools to perform more services.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

. You will get excellent results with the crb
and the PEX. I have a 10” and 15” and I would have a hard time advising you on which #one to get. For open commercial spaces the 15 is awesome. But, for tight spaces, you would like the 10 and it’s handy. If you can swing it get different brushes. Mike and the Undetective say a Greenglide on the Evolution wand makes it a good wand. I can’t speak to that, but I’m sure it would help. You’re making a good decision
and vlm will be in your future for commercial.

 

[Cleanworks]

A rotary machine might be a good investment as you can use it for agitation for hwe or as an intro to encapping. Using a drive block and the appropriate pads you can do good work with encap products. You need a good, high volume sprayer. Not as fast as an orbital machine but it will give you a good idea of the type of work you can accomplish. I would suggest microfiber pads. Spray and area, not usually too much larger than 10x10 with a good quality product, I use a lot of Saiger's Code Red of Encaps, buff over the area and keep moving on. In commercial settings, you will find a good oxy-encap will remove coffee and other beverage stains quite easily.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

That’s good advice. If you search hard enough you can get used one dirt cheap. If you do vinyl, you know they’re a must. I just bought a used 17” with a tank for $200 and a 20” with a tank for $150. They’re both excellent. I only use em for hard surfaces though I’m a janitor and tight

 

[Will D]

That’s good advice. If you search hard enough you can get used one dirt cheap. If you do vinyl, you know they’re a must. I just bought a used 17” with a tank for $200 and a 20” with a tank for $150. They’re both excellent. I only use em for hard surfaces though I’m a janitor and tight

Love it! If anybody has an extra one they’re ready to move I’m officially in the market. Though it sounds like they’re the type of machine you keep forever, so chances are probably slim anyone would want to let one go.

 

[Cleanworks]

Love it! If anybody has an extra one they’re ready to move I’m officially in the market. Though it sounds like they’re the type of machine you keep forever, so chances are probably slim anyone would want to let one go.

Check out marketplace or Craigslist. My two are over 30 years old. I think I paid $50 for each.

 

[Mikey P]

A crb for prescribing is okay on light soil but if you plan on doing restaurants or any areas where Warehouse traffic is really layering it on you'll want a 175 and or an OP machine with some serious head weight and a red or dark tan 3M pad to bust the grease loose

Hey we're doing a dinner tomorrow night here in Indy if you'd like to join us they'll be probably a dozen carpet cleaners sharing lies...

Send me a PM to my phone and I'll get you the address

 

[hogjowl]

There’ll be way too many Yankees there.
Besides you …

 

[Mikey P]

Love it! If anybody has an extra one they’re ready to move I’m officially in the market. Though it sounds like they’re the type of machine you keep forever, so chances are probably slim anyone would want to let one go.

6:30 pm here...


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