Let's talk about the prochem Everest 650hp

[BIG WOOD]

Good ol prochem decided to tuck all the important hoses underneath in the very bottom of the unit and put almost a barricade of heat exchangers on both sides to make it a pain in the ass to get access to them when service is needed. On top of that, they used cheap radiator hoses underneath, instead of installing proper ECD (Electrochemical Degradation) with the proper spring loaded hose clamps to prevent antifreeze leaks.

If you don't know what ECD is, here's a link

What does Electrochemical degradation mean?

what is electrochemical degradation - automotive hose

www.highwaystars.net

I know the curved upper hoses are ECD resistant. That's why I'm bringing this up. You did a half ass job at preventing downtime

We all know that the cheap clamps need retightened periodically due to temp change and vibration, so WHY did they make these hoses so hard to access?

Legend Brands, I know some of you know it all engineers worked with prochem and maybe blue line, and thank God I have easier access to my important components on my ThermalWave, but the Everest 650 is a MESS! I feel really bad for the 570 owners and I have no clue what you did with the 870 Everest, but after 30+ combined years of knowledge in designing these machines, it seems that you just cut corners to save a dollar on parts and assembly. I'm sure this design is easy to assemble together, but removing for service is nearly impossible!

I'm on a dilemma now with a small antifreeze leak that's steady and messy and ANNOYING! and I need to remove the Helicoil to get access to service all the hoses underneath. I brought this up on FB and a smart ass know it all "certified" (nonsense) technician decided to lecture me on how wrong I was on the hose clamps. Something tells me he was giving one of you engineers in the higher ups a handjob to get brownie points

So I hope some of you guys have enough common sense to take this negative, but needed to hear feedback and apply it to your future machines. I know you didn't like my feedback on your other "new" components, but it's true.

Like a Diesel engine, these machines are reliable until they start messing up. Break that cycle!

 

[hogjowl]

Bruders once told me to pound sand for similar comments.
I still haven’t recovered.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

That’s what my car salesman son in law tells
some of his customers It must be a retail thing!! I guess that’s a nice way to say,
eat shit!!!!

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I’m pretty sure the Hydramaster Maxx was similar, but the heat exchanger was on the bottom. I know my distributor hated em. Even though they made money, it was a PITA. They had to use a forklift just to work on em, and usually had to pull the whole unit.

 

[Jack Zipper Zerkie]

They only build and design units and try them in controlled conditions. I don't know why don't they try them in a real world use. Maybe if they would give them to carpet cleaners to use for 6 months to use and work out the problems or ask what would you think. I had a white magic with a Kaw water cooled and it was junk the motor was junk I had it fixed. Then I purchased a Hydramaster47D not any better the engine had vapor lock in south Florida. I fixed it myself sold it and . Now I have the Mickey Mouse Cobb unit and No Problems simple like me . Same items as the big guys but wide open and east to fix but not very often. Purchased in 09 and still running great temp 240 ATM had the kohler oil leak fixed and runs great.Did a flood last week ran for 5 hours no problem. Guess I'm just lucky and ready to retire 44 yrs and enough fun for me ben great going to miss it .

 

[hogjowl]

I agree that simple units, like Judson, Cobb and TCS units are the most reliable, cost effective and easiest to work on. However, while I can’t speak from experience regarding Cobb and Judson units, I can say that the TCS units have two considerable drawbacks. The heat generated by the propane heater, and to a lesser degree the outboard engine, can shorten the life of the engine, belts and other components. Also, the space taken up by the heater, reels, hoses supplying the reels, water tank and shelving destroys the utility of storage space, or lack there of. You simply can’t store all the tools a modern, multi surface, cleaner needs today.

Taking the comments I see being made by all the cleaners on this board and Facebook into consideration, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a roll of the dice when we purchase a new unit. The only unit in the direct drive category that MIGHT be a good solution is the Butler in a cube. Two units that are possibilities in the slide category are the 370 and, gulp, Steamaction units. ( Scott Smith and Rob Allen not withstanding.) I have no idea if Steamaction makes reliable units, but they APPEAR to address the two issues aforementioned.

Cost of purchase, operation and maintenance are to be taken into consideration and parts, pricing and service availability are all factors that can tilt the purchase pendulum one way or the other. The idea of buying a unit that optimizes storage space and limits interior heat while being a muther-in-law to service is not very enticing. On the other hand, buying a easy to service unit that eats engines prematurely and forces you to compromise tool space is, for me, a deal killer.

 

[Jack Zipper Zerkie]

Yes I agree but the big guys still use lawn mower motors. Hydramaster used a 3 cylinder engine water cooled the engine was behind the drivers seat. Even with all the doors open still had vapor lock. I talked to Dennis at Hydramaster way to many times. I fixed it by running a inch and a half vacum from the carb intake to the side door panel for cooler air and that fixed it. When I gave him the info he said that their enginers couldn't agree with me. But I sold it and moved on. Sorry for the typo hope you get the message.

 

[hogjowl]

I agree old dawg but heat exchange units seem to run cooler that fuel fired heater units.