Rotovac vs RX-20

[jawhit]

Just curious, what's you thoughts on RX-20 vs a Rotovac 360. Preference for one over the other on residential/commercial? I've used the RX quite a bit, but not as fas familiar with the Rotovac. I know weight is obviously a big difference on this, but not concerned with that cause I don't really have to deal with stairs.

 

[Mark Saiger]

I have an RX 20 yet... And still great machine, but the weight was a factor as to why I was less likely to take it off the van when I really should have used it. And it did leave the carpet wetter than my now Rotovac 360 XL's. The XL's are about 25 pounds lighter than the RX 20.

The RX you will probably find more all around useful on a number of commercial jobs because of the skids but I find a lot of commercial jobs a Zipper now or good glided wand doing as well... Or actually better.

I like the Rotovac 360 XL a lot though because it is also very versatile for different heads and again the weight. It also collapses down and fits in my vans better.

The inventor of the RX 20 and Rotovac 360 XL calls the RX the great, great grandfather to the Rotovac 360 XL.

My RX 20 has paid for itself and it sits in the shop a lot, but I will keep it for some rare occasion... But my Rotovac 360 XL's clean so well and leave the carpets so dry, it is a very rare occasion it comes out anymore and play

 

[hogjowl]

Mark likes the XL better.

Stop reading it over and over.

 

[KevinL]

Thanks Marty, I was stuck in a loop.

 

[hogjowl]

I know. And that voice in your head is really annoying.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

I ran an RX for a long time and I will say that I love the RV way better. I have the 360i myself, and I honestly don't notice a difference in the weight other than it being much easier to lift out if the truck and carry up stairs.
The absolute only thing about the RX that was better was the floating feet. But as Mark said the Zipper is the go to for commercial.
However I've noticed that if you truly need to use the RV on commercial, the carpet brush head works great.
I find that the RV has much less operator fatigue then the RX as well, and better dry times.

 

[Art Kelley]

And a 5 minute transmutation turns your 12" 360i into a 15" large area CGD killer.

With it's four Teflon GreenGlides the 360i 15 floats on the surface and is the fastest and lightest rotary you can use.

 

[rjwood]

Rotovac had definitely come out with a winner and changed the game when they introduced the 360 line of rotary extractors. I recall reading a lot of negative posts early on on these forums when I lurked which gave me a bad taste at first and prevented me from signing up.

 

[Mark Saiger]

View attachment 11596 And a 5 minute transmutation turns your 12" 360i into a 15" large area CGD killer.

With it's four Teflon GreenGlides the 360i 15 floats on the surface and is the fastest and lightest rotary you can use.

View attachment 11597

I might need to try that head right there on my 360 XL...

I am going to call and just see if I can't get the Teflon glides to put on one of my heads to try too....

 

[hogjowl]

Do us all a favor and put that video to music.

 

[Mark Saiger]

Do us all a favor and put that video to music.

Something like this Marty? @hogjowl

 

[Mikey P]

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I might need to try that head right there on my 360 XL...

I am going to call and just see if I can't get the Teflon glides to put on one of my heads to try too....

The round glides replace the swoop shoes, rather than fit on top.

Far less aggitation.


Probably fine with a small machine, but.it still bogged seriously under the power of my VATS

 

[Art Kelley]

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I might need to try that head right there on my 360 XL...

I am going to call and just see if I can't get the Teflon glides to put on one of my heads to try too....

The round glides replace the swoop shoes, rather than fit on top.

Far less aggitation.


Probably fine with a small machine, but.it still bogged seriously under the power of my VATS

There's no bogging at all even when running my Roots 56 full blast and I doubt this would bog with your Vortex. As for level of agitation, I would put it somewhere between the Zipper ( or other wand) and a swoop head 360i. That is to say, perfect for most situations not in need of restorative cleaning.

 

[Mikey P]

We were smoking the motor Art..

Not my imagination.

 

[Art Kelley]

We were smoking the motor Art..

Not my imagination.

I don't doubt you Mike. I was sent a 360i that ran hot and overheated and smoked and finally puked. It had a bad motor so Rotovac just sent me a new machine which has run nice and cool and flawlessly for 3 years of daily use. I think those weak motor problems are a thing of the past. I wouldn't run a 15" swoop head because that would probably destroy that small motor, but the Teflon glided head moves very smooth even on plush carpet, but especially on CGD,

 

[Mikey P]

That head is a must if you value the lightweight of the 360i and are the sort of cleaner who wants to RE every job to maintain their USP. Delicate piles, weak seams etc..


Lots of situations should not be cleaned with the aggressive vacuum shoes found on the RV machines. Or the HOSS and Trex for that matter.

The HOSS has nearly identical glides available for it's head. The Trex does not as far as I'm aware.

 

[jwfoulk12]

I always thought a 5 vac swoop head would be killer on the 360xl but they didn't seem to have any interest when I mentioned it to them. Everything the quad head for the 360i has but bigger.

 

[Scott S.]

rx old tech, rotovac is new tech. Same concept.

 

[Doug Rice]

I wanting to try a swoop glide made of teflon for the 12" or 15" heads. I think it would be the best of both worlds, no damaged to metal transition strips or the edge of wood flooring.

 

[Nate The Great]

I wanting to try a swoop glide made of teflon for the 12" or 15" heads. I think it would be the best of both worlds, no damaged to metal transition strips or the edge of wood flooring.

The teflon glides get chewed up from tackless strip... I've never seen swoop glides available...

 

[Doug Rice]

They are not available, anyone have a 3D printer to do some experimentation?