CHOOSING A SURFACE CLEANER

Barry Laraway

New Member
I an interested in buying a surface cleaner, however I an confused on whick one to get. Please reply with any
information to help me make a decission. Their are so many to choose from and the price ranges are so different on ones available. Any info. would be a big help.

Thanks,
Barry/Supreme Power Wash


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Barry/Supreme Power Wash
Hifevor@aol.com
Have a nice day...
 

Washaroo

New Member
I would advise to go with something in the 18" to 20" category. My preference would be a Hover type (no wheels). You can expect to pay $450.00 to $900.00.
There are several on the market.
The best thing to do would be to get a demo unit from someone who deals in them, and try one out or go to a trade show and test drive them.
If cost is a factor you can get plans to make your own for around $200.00 to $300.00 from Rick (I can't remember his last name) called the Prowash 2000 ????
Good luck

Blake www.washaroo.com

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Blake Keirstead
Washaroo Clean Services
Service South Eastern New Brunswick.....
 

Mike Hughes

New Member
Although I don't use it much, I also have an 18" Whisper Wash. Since it doesnt have wheels or castors, you can easily move it in any direction you want......and it is very lightweight.



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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA
 
H

Hotwaterwizard

Guest
The whisper has some problems.#1 The brackets that hold the handle together are plastic and they break real easy. #2 The bar they use falls off easy and is not a common part you can get at the hardware store. The Hydro twister by Hydro Tek on the otherhand or the Steel Eagle by AALADIN are both good twisters.
<IMG SRC="http://hydroteksystems.com/images/twist3.jpg" border=0>
<IMG SRC="http://aaladin.com/images/surfac7.jpg" border=0>------------------
Hotwaterwizard@aol.com If You have a problem with your machine, just ask me for help. Check out the Machine Problem Board

[This message has been edited by Hot Water Wizard (edited August 30, 2000).]
 

Barry Laraway

New Member
Thanks to all that responded, the info was helpful. I still have some investigation to do but I now get the feeling that the hover type is better..
Thanks...

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Barry/Supreme Power Wash
Hifevor@aol.com
Have a nice day...
 

Scootermannn

New Member
We have a Landa surface cleaner and it RULES! The thing is ultra lightweight, has a hand wand for blasting away areas that the circular cleaner can't get to and it also has big'ol rubber tires in the back. We got it for $1100.00 from Landa in Portland, Oregon and HIGHLY recommend it.. One real interesting point on the Landa "Water-Jet" is that is looks so well made and designed that people comment that it must cost a ton of money (some have asked if it's over $5,000.00)...this thing really looks cool and sounds great when in use..

I'm using it tomorrow (Thursday) and will take some good pics of it in use for you to see. I love using it..

Happy cleanin'

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brian donaldson
 

Barry Laraway

New Member
Brian, Thanks for getting back to me, I would like to see the photos, please e-mail them or better yet just post them so that all others can see too..

thank you..

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Barry/Supreme Power Wash
Hifevor@aol.com
Have a nice day...
 

Bryan

New Member
Hi Barry,

We've been using the Whisper Washer Ground Force 24" for 4 months. We have 2 of them and use them 5 nights a week. We are very happy with them and just purchased our 3rd. The only prob has been fixing the handle. This is a one time fix and cost $2.00. The whole machine is guaranteed for a year. It is the best machine on the market. The swivel which is your most expensive item is self contained. No, greasing and is also guaranteed for a year. Rebuilt swivels are $80.00. I researched surface cleaners for 2 months before buying. I have no vested interest in Whisper Washer, only a satisfied customer and trust me, it is the best machine on the market.
Bryan

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Bryan
 

Ron Musgraves

Administrator
Staff member
landa surface cleaner AKA water jet. Most guys will tell you they have a piece of equipment and they stand behind it. How far back I don’t know. I can tell you from personal experiences that the water jet is the best I have seen on the market today. Light years ahead of its competitors.


Top Eleven Reason I Use a Water jet


1. The handle does not fall to the ground. This is a public liability and workers compensation nightmare.
2. The body is plastic and very inexpensive to replace, not like the aluminum and metal ones. Believe me they wear out.
3. There is a wand on these machines to do small detailing. [[[[huge time saver]]]]]]
4. They have a separate gun valve control for safety. Please tell me if any other machines have this feature.
5. The hose is on a swivel so it does not get in your way.
6. Twenty-four inches wide. Can fit in small places such as kitchens and trash bin areas with out being to clumsy.
7. Designed properly for the amount of water and pressure combination. Surface cleaners that are larger require more machines and most guys don’t have it. Standard operating equipment 3500 at 6 gal needs larger equipment if you’re going to run larger surface cleaners and reach the same cleaning units. As they say bigger is always not better. Larger surface cleaners at 3500 6 gals. Will only move slower, sure they cover more area {{{slower}}}. That’s the key word {slower}.
8. Light weight
9. They have and adjustable swivels so you adjust how close you need to clean.
10. They move forward and backwards, lift up on the handle and they move lateral.
11. You can use one hand to control this surface cleaner.
This equipment here is so old I can’t remember how old it is. It has the original stainless steel handle. It is now sold with a powder coated steel handle {they don’t hold up as well} the handle replacement is only $27.00 dollars. The unit retails for about 1595.00 you can negotiate down to 1000.00. The dealer cost is about 865.00. Yes more than most even double the cost, You will not be disappointed. I have owned many of the other brands and I don’t have a single one left. I think if you have never used a water jet rent one and you will surely buy one. I posted this not because I’m a rep for landa but because I have a strong belief in this piece of equipment and I don’t want to see other guys make the mistakes I made going with cheaper brands. The rookies out there don’t know nor have a strong conviction and sometimes are clouded buy the price. Someone tells them they need the biggest they can get. The next week a restaurant calls to clean the restroom, opps the monster won’t fit in there. Now you have spent all There capital on hose reels, guns, lances, trailer ect. Now they turn down their first job because they have a surface cleaner that’s to large to go anywhere and even when they run it in open spaces there equipment cant push it because that 6 gal a min 3500psi machine doesn’t push it well. When the standard machine becomes 4500 at 8 gals a min I will buy one. Yes I know there are some of you who have these machines that’s great. Remember I said standard popular not custom. All major manufactures won’t go over 4000psi for liability reasons. We all know why they run six gallons a min. {couldn’t get water out of a 5/8 line} some of you guys enjoy the info, some of you can disagree.


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Ron Marshal Phoenix AZ
1-888-fleetwash

[This message has been edited by Ron Marshal (edited October 04, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Ron Marshal (edited October 04, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Ron Marshal (edited October 04, 2000).]
 

Barry Laraway

New Member
Thanks again to all who replied, I finally made me mind up and went with the LANDA (WATER JET). This thing is great, I paid $1100.00 for it, and it works like a charm..
It paid for it self doing the first job and more to come. I would recomend this unit to anyone.
Another thing, having the wand conected to the unit works real nice, no down time switching things, and it realy cleans, I just finished a small area in a factory 5000 s/f and their was 30 years of caked on grease and dirt, some places were one inch thick, this water jet kicked butt.
I cant say enough about it, I'm sure that others on the market are good to but I had to make a dicssion and I'm really happy with the one I made.
Getting the imput from others in the indust. really helps, one can ask the salesmen, but he is just trying to make a sale, the best advice I have learned was to ask those who use them. They would be sure to know whats good and whats not.
Thanks once more to all that responded.

Barry/Supreme Power Wash.

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Barry/Supreme Power Wash
Hifevor@aol.com
Have a nice day...
 

Jon

New Member
Originally posted by Hotwaterwizard
The whisper has some problems.#1 The brackets that hold the handle together are plastic and they break real easy. #2 The bar they use falls off easy and is not a common part you can get at the hardware store.


I do not agree with the above quote, I have the 28" Big Guy by Whisper Wash Corp. and have never have had a problem other then the spinner I broke.

Handle is not plastic but trigger gun is as all are anyway.

Although you went with another brand I beat the heck out of mine and it runs and runs and runs.

What if all surface cleaners were made under one roof and they just stuck different names on them?

Would we all still say one is better then the other and don't buy this one as it is crap? I think so.

My opinion only and most will not agree with me, that's life!
 

Dan Flynn

PWN Founder
I agree with you Jon, I just read a few of these old post. But what Wiz said is wrong. I had mine for 5 years and it's a well built surface cleaner. I think he favors Hydro Tech because he sells them.

Which is fine but let be honest about the other brands. I am thinking of getting the Big Guy. Like I said I was happy with the 18" Classic.
I just wonder about the larger bar 28" . Does it slow you down or does it spin well? I would love to use that size!
 

PressureClean

New Member
Ron, you said it perfectly in your old post above. We've got Landa Waterjet's and they are fantastic. Never had a problem with them and they do look and feel great. I've used others and always like going back to our Landa's.
 

Jon

New Member
Dan I love my Big Guy and find I get more footage done faster, and that with overlapping to cover it all twice.

I will admit I have never used any other brands, not even tested one but somehow, some way I want to try those that float.

Now if you have 4000 PSI and I think 6 GPM, could be 5 GPM I believe you can use the 3 nozzle spinner bar instead of the 2 like I have.

Would have to read what PSI/GPM that 3 needs but the more the better.

Way I really see surface cleaners is they are all made to make our work easier while getting the job done. Brand preference does have a lot going here.

Jon
 

Mark

Moderator / Sponsor
We have sold quite a number of Steel Eagle 30" 3 bar surface cleaners,
and have had a lot of positive feedback on them!

Any one out there own one? Lets hear what you have to say on them.
 
E

ExtremeMPW

Guest
I have a Steel Eagle 24" surface cleaner. Has 3 bar w/ 15 degree tips underneath. Has cleaned well on the jobs I've used it on. It runs off 5.6 gpm 3500 psi hot/cold skid. Haven't had any problems yet, but recently it has started "howling". Not sure if it's a swivel or just the hi pressure causing a sound against the aluminum base. I purchased it as a demo unit so not sure how much time was on it. I have kept the swivel greased but may have to replace it soon (?). Hope not! Haven't priced a new swivel, but I'm sure they can get pricey.
 

Jon

New Member
Dan since I have never used any other size or brand I really cannot say if it would slow you down or not.

The only thing I find bad is it won't go under benches, goes as far as the QC inlet hose.

Have thought of getting an 45° attachment so I could get under them.

I would love to test out other brands and sizes, always nice to be able to compare this stuff.

Perhaps the manufacturers or distributors would bring them to Las Vegas PWNA next year so we can demo them.

Jon
 

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