When was the last time you used a rotary extractor?

[Mikey P]

did great chemistry and CRBs kill off the R's?


Or did the lower back pain and slow as F results make us old farts settle for less?

 

[Jim Pemberton]

I think the rotary extractor became popular because it preglide days, pushing a heavy, stainless steel unglided wand wore operators out more than the use of a rotary extractor, especially on level loop carpet on large commercial jobs.

Even though the rotary extractor cleaned better, the main reason a lot of cleaners bought them was this math:

Assuming a cleaner could "wand" 1000 square foot in an hour, that didn't mean he could clean 10,000 square feet in 10 hours. The fatigue factor broke that rate down quickly.

If he could do 1000 square feet an hour with a rotary extractor, he could keep that pace more consistently over time.

(I don't want to argue the 1000 square feet an hour number....its just a number for easy math)

That, in my view, was why so many rotary jet extractors were sold in the 90s and early part of this century.

Had glides existed then, and had CRBs not just been in the hands of Racine Industries and Whittaker, I'm not sure we'd have seen the high sales of that style of machine.

So that's a long way of saying I think that glides helped to kill off the rotary jet extractor.....I seem to remember Vortex and Aerotech guys often used rotary jet extractors because they couldn't push an unglided wand with those beasts...that you would have to help me with though Mike.

 

[hogjowl]

We use our Rotovacs on a weekly basis.
It’s because they work really well on heavily soiled carpet, we charge enough to make good money, we care about more than just appearance cleaning, and we’re not mad at Rotovac.

 

[Mikey P]

I think the rotary extractor became popular because it preglide days, pushing a heavy, stainless steel unglided wand wore operators out more than the use of a rotary extractor, especially on level loop carpet on large commercial jobs.

Even though the rotary extractor cleaned better, the main reason a lot of cleaners bought them was this math:

Assuming a cleaner could "wand" 1000 square foot in an hour, that didn't mean he could clean 10,000 square feet in 10 hours. The fatigue factor broke that rate down quickly.

If he could do 1000 square feet an hour with a rotary extractor, he could keep that pace more consistently over time.

(I don't want to argue the 1000 square feet an hour number....its just a number for easy math)

That, in my view, was why so many rotary jet extractors were sold in the 90s and early part of this century.

Had glides existed then, and had CRBs not just been in the hands of Racine Industries and Whittaker, I'm not sure we'd have seen the high sales of that style of machine.

So that's a long way of saying I think that glides helped to kill off the rotary jet extractor.....I seem to remember Vortex and Aerotech guys often used rotary jet extractors because they couldn't push an unglided wand with those beasts...that you would have to help me with though Mike.

Shawn sold quite a few Vortexes Pre Glide, and yes, the owners were all using RX20s or 1.5 wands with the waste tank lid off.

Greenie and I were jump starting the Glides when I had my Butler and the 4 Jet Ti. Had that not happened, I would have never bought a Vortex.
Rotovac has made an attempt to work with me again here and at my events, but at this point I'm not game, one because they are super slimy, and two, I don't use their product any more.

I don't clean shit carpet anymore.

But I'm glad some of you guys do...

 

[Cleanworks]

Don't use my rotovacs very often, mainly because I'm not cleaning dirty carpets. When you come across that pig sty, nothing outcleans a rotovac with a brush head.

 

[Cleanworks]

I just picked up a lightly used Rotovac power wand. The original single handle version. Thought it might come in handy to up my portable game. I used to have the DHX but hated it. It was very slow. This single handle one is much easier to use and seems to leave the carpets very dry. Again, not something I would use on every job but nice to have in the truck when needed. Takes very little space

 

[Nate The Great]

I just picked up a lightly used Rotovac power wand. The original single handle version. Thought it might come in handy to up my portable game. I used to have the DHX but hated it. It was very slow. This single handle one is much easier to use and seems to leave the carpets very dry. Again, not something I would use on every job but nice to have in the truck when needed. Takes very little space

Isn't that the same twin head, just not the 360i handle on it? I'd cap 1 jet on each head to leave it drier.. Lawd knows those have no problem with agitation.. I got 5 OG twin heads, 3 360i, 1 360xl..

 

[Cleanworks]

Isn't that the same twin head, just not the 360i handle on it? I'd cap 1 jet on each head to leave it drier.. Lawd knows those have no problem with agitation.. I got 5 OG twin heads, 3 360i, 1 360xl..

Yes, it's the original twin head. The difference between it and the DHX is that you can hold the hoses with one hand and use the machine with the other. Makes it more maneuverable.

 

[Mikey P]

fvck, spoke too soon

 

[Jack Zipper Zerkie]

You did a good job on the square area .

 

[BIG WOOD]

I've never used a RE

I like to use more heat, psi, and flow with a big ass vacuum motor making certain the water is being pulled out. After almost 20years of doing this, I don't see a need for one

 

[hogjowl]

That’s not surprising

 

[Trip Moses]

If I put the rotary on the van I’ll use it. If it’s not on the van, I never miss it.

 

[Chris A]

I like the 360i in our rug plant for filthy synthetics and shags. I could never imagine using it in a residential setting

 

[hogjowl]

It’s not hard
Nor does it require any skill

 

[Mikey P]

 

[aaronjumps]

I RX20ed a house just a couple days ago but I’m going away from it, mostly because of how wet it leaves the carpet.

I was a bit shocked when I did dry passes over an RX20 cleaned area with a zipper just to see what came up … holy crap.

 

[hogjowl]

That may be why I never have a problem.

 

[DAT]

Haven't used it since last year. I forgot about it.

 

[Cleanworks]

I RX20ed a house just a couple days ago but I’m going away from it, mostly because of how wet it leaves the carpet.

I was a bit shocked when I did dry passes over an RX20 cleaned area with a zipper just to see what came up … holy crap.

RX-20 is a great tool but you need a larger blower to get the water back out. 47 or larger and take your time doing dry passes.

 

[SamIam]

All I know, is when a wand is going to take more energy then any 5 jobs.....

Then a rotary is a great option.

Consider ease of use.

Hoss 700, 700 pass per minute....


360i brush head.

Digs like no other.

Don't discount the importance yet

Unless your 39 year old Matt and testosterone doesn't matter.

 

[Nate The Great]

All I know, is when a wand is going to take more energy then any 5 jobs.....

Then a rotary is a great option.

Consider ease of use.

Hoss 700, 700 pass per minute....


360i brush head.

Digs like no other.

Don't discount the importance yet

Unless your 39 year old Matt and testosterone doesn't matter.

Matt’s ideas are “trash” and “trailers”..

I RX20ed a house just a couple days ago but I’m going away from it, mostly because of how wet it leaves the carpet.

I was a bit shocked when I did dry passes over an RX20 cleaned area with a zipper just to see what came up … holy crap.

The RX20 was a great tool for its “time” ( like many resident posters here) but there are reasons why Hydramaster made revisions to it.. i.e…. Capping 2 jets, making half vac slots.. cone jet sprays.. I never did like the bulkiness of it..

But pound for pound, a rotary extractor “RE” will give better results with less operator fatigue than wanding all day.. I love my zippers as well..

Just another tool in the toolbox and knowing when to use it..

 

[Mikey P]

I dont mind wanding...

 

[Mike J]

Sold my RX about 12 years ago, never missed it. A lot of my work is detailed edges, moving furniture and replacing after dusting backs. Proper dwell time on what is left in the open area and wand it. The power is wrapped up in the truck mount, overkill having another machine at the end. If I did commercial work I would have considered keeping it.

 

[Matt Middleton]

About 4 hours ago...

Rx-20 old style, Hoss, Roto Vac, 360i, now running the T-Rex Jr. Every single plush carpet, Cimex the rest.

Power, power, power.

 

[Meter Maid]

I should use mine more often, because nothing cleans like it, but I hate it.

I would rather wear crocs and love myself at an unhealthy level than use my RE.

 

[hogjowl]

You already do

 

[Meter Maid]

You already do

I don’t wear crocs.

 

[KevinL]

I've never used a RE

I like to use more heat, psi, and flow with a big ass vacuum motor making certain the water is being pulled out. After almost 20years of doing this, I don't see a need for one

You should see the dirt they pull out of the carpet.

 

[Trip Moses]

I don’t wear crocs.

No. You wear Hi-Techs. Because you can’t help yourself.