Time for a new 175

[Lyman]

What is everybody using and like using it. What is everyone using pads or shampoo brush.If possible, I would like to buy everything from one suppler. If not let me know the best components and were to purchase. Any mikey's board suppliers can pm a price. 17 inch

 

[Farenheit251]

I had an Advance Matador(the Cadilac of floor machines for 12 years). They don't make them anymore and thinking they were all the same I bought a 17" Sterling for $550. What a piece of crap. One nut and bolt hold the handles to the pole and transfer the torque. Be leary of cheap crap for a machine that'll last 15 years an extra $500 is money well spent.

 

[ruff]

I have a HAWK and also an old Noble. The Hawk is supposed to be a good well made machine and I like it, however, I find the Noble to be easier to work with. Both are good quality durable machines though. Dependability, not price would be my main concern, it's worth the extra $$ if indeed it is more dependable- it's the same for all the equipment that us, sweaty carpet cleaners, use.
I like the machines whose motor works on less amperage as it reduces the chance of jumping the circuit breakers. Also do you need only 175 or will you benefit from a 175/300 machine?
Good luck
Ofer

 

[Ed]

The caddllac is the ServiceMaster roto, but unless you are a franchise, they aren't easy to come by. Also Clarke makes a great one. I had a matador, I thought it was junk. I owned 6 different 175's up until about 2 years ago, but I finally got rid of them all. The Clarke and the SM were the nuts.

 

[The Preacher]

i like the Clarke FM line the best. Way better machine than a Matador IMO!

 

[steve r]

koblenz, i have a 20 in. but can remove the hood or whatever its called and put on a 17 in. or smaller pad driver.it can also be used to hone marble ive been told.

 

[Lyman]

How about either a shampoo brush with a adjusta glide or pads.

 

[Scott S.]

i just bought a new Pullman holt for $630 was Origionally $1200 i know the manager at a place i get alot of stuff from so i got it at cost. it is an 18 inch machine 1.5 hp. smooth on everything. i use it for carpet and vct. i do alot of both so i just use a bonnet or a tan pad for carpet. and i have pads for doing scrubbs on vct also.

 

[Rob Rocha]

I have a powerflite 17" they periodically go on sale for around $400. What I like is the safety switch you have to use to start so you don't accidentally put a hole in a wall or an HDTV. You do have to put something like packaging tape around the black bumper or you'll leave marks on the baseboard.
As far as pads I like Clarks at Orbitech cottons. Powerflites pads fall apart to easily. I hear John w/ccsop has some good ones if you want some synthetics Ive used Hesco's thin style pad make sure to get the thin one they ride smooth and last a long time. I know Clark is coming out with a half cotton and half microfiber, that I'd like to try.
I would like to hear from guys who sell pads,and post here to tell us about the benefits of there pads.

 

[hogjowl]

I called Clark yesterday and asked him to build me a 17 inch rotary.

 

[Rob Rocha]

I would like to see what Clark has in Rotarys.

 

[John Watson]

So de Norsky buys de svensky???

 

[Lyman]

yes, 17 inch, 1.5 hp motor, eta 5-27

 

[The Great Oz]

Clarke is the only rotary that can rival a Hild for longevity, but you could buy several disposable rotaries for the price of a Clarke, so the best machine for you might be one you can abuse and abandon.

How about establishing the best at certain price points?