HELP EQUIPMENT CONFUSION

[Jeffrey B]

Gentlemen- Just found this site and it seems excellent. The problem I am having is picking a pressure washer. I have checked out many different types with many different prices. I think i have settled on a Landa MHP4 4 gpm, 3500 psi with a steam option , wheel mounted 12 volt burner etc for 5400. I plan on working in the City so being mobile is important - especially with high rise buildings. I have looked at a Mobile Pressure Wash system and a Fire Cannon- both about 1000-1500 less Would have to be shipped here and several people have reccomended that I buy local for quick service. Any ideas or experience with these manufacturers. Also if you were starting out knowing what you know now- what type of unit would you purchase?
Thanks
Jeff
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[Przrat]

A 3500 psi Hot water machine does not sound moblie to me. I had one starting out 11 years ago. Too much money, trouble and inability to service all types of customers because the machine sat in the truck, was noisey, created fumes, and had to be watched at night.I converted to electric, cold water machines. Brought them right into the kitchen, used the facilities hot water, and was able to to every job I wanted to. I ran the hot water right thru the machine. Some of my machines are 5 years old and still going strong. Thats right machines, the difference in price allows me to own several machines.If you have any questions my email is przrat@aol.com
Regards,
ED

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[David Saulque]

Ed

What type of machines do you use? We use van mounted units/Landa. The problem that I have with using the stores hot water is in most cases the store is limited to the amount of hot water. In fact most chain fast foods have very limited hot water. The other issue is the lack of pressure along with low chemical placement with the eclectic units.

We have two electrical units and we have found them to work ok when the other units are down, as a backup only.

Thanks

David

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[Przrat]

I purchase my machines from Northern Hydraulics but most PW companies seem to have solid ones. I havent run into many limited hot water problems. Restaurants should have enough water to clean, do their equipment etc. The water pressure hasnt been a problem either. Your example of why you use the electric machines is exactly why I went to them. Back up. We were cleaning Burger kings. Sixteen of them. Our one and only hot water machine broke down. Being that we were just starting out we didnt have immediate cash to fix it and we had scheduled all the stores. They could not wait for repairs so we used a cold water machine we had used for graffiti removal. Worked like a charm. Got all the stores done, it was a lot easier, and we never looked back. I figured if it was good enough for a back up and held up for 15 Burger Kings well, go with it. The only restaurants we never ever attempt are oriental.
ED

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[David Saulque]

Sounds like you have a good program. Would like to learn more. Not sure what PW you are referring to. All we service are food operations and the amount of water we use with just simple math would deplete the hot water supply. I am open to everything.

David

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[Dave Olson]

We use our truck mounted equipment on some kitchens and small electrics on others.

The electric that we use the most is a 1500 psi unit. It needs a 20 amp breaker. This unit has a Cat pump on it and puts out 2 gpm. I think the last one cost us about $600 from Northern If a 20 amp breaker is not available, we use a 1000 psi pump that only requires a 15 amp breaker.

Yes at times enough hot water is a problem. We deal with it by increasing the dwell time on the degreaser, and or reapplying.

We clean to many different types of kitchens to rely on only one pump or one way to get them cleaned.

Dave Olson

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Tidy Powerwash Service, Inc. P.O. Box 781, Catlin, Illinois 61817 Phone 217-427-5557, Fax 217-427-2632 We are a commercial cleaning contractor serving East-Central Illinois and West Central Indiana since 1984. http://www.tps-inc.com/preswash.htm

 

[Przrat]

I have 4 15amp machines and one 20 amp all from Northern. Sometimes finding the 20 amp outlet has been a problem so we make sure we have the 15 amp in the Van but the 20 amp is a Cat pump and is a better machine.
ED

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[Mark]

If you go to a bigger nozzle on the 1500 PSI / 20 amp unit such as a 15045 nozzle the amp draw should drop to @ 15 amps and deliver @ 2.2 GPM @ 1000 PSI (lower performance but can operate on a 15 amp circuit). The 2 HP motor will not draw the full 20 amps under a lighter load!

Still the best method (in my humble opinion is a hot water P/W.

Just my 2 cents worth!

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Call or e-mail me if I can be of assistance!
1 800 292-3279

Mark McIntyre: AKA: Pressure Washer Zone Man.
PressureWasherZone.com EasyCleanSystems.com
Mark@easycleansystems.com

916 638-0828

 

[Detroit MI CKEC]

Jeff,

We have found that the best tools after chemical are heat and water volume. Sounds like you are on the right track, I would be more inclined to push 5 to 5 1/2 gallons per minute at 3000 to 3500 and go with a superhot if I had a little extra in my budget. Steam is an added bonus but true steam cannot be generated by a pressure washer and the added wear and tear on the machine and components would not be worth the trouble for us, not to mention the danger.

We have found the electrics using their hot water a great backup although there are too many limitations for our applications to consider exclusive use of electrics.

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Shawn Corbett - Certified Kitchen Exhaust Cleaner
Pro-Ducts Kitchen Exhaust System Cleaning
Detroit, MI
313-297-6657

 

[Detroit MI CKEC]

Jeff,

If I have read your post correctly you are considering spending $5400 for a machine ?!? There are catalog order companies that offer skid mounted hot units for $3000-$3500 that have good components (18 hp Kohler or Briggs w/20 amp chargers, SDC Burners, General/Interpump). Take $500 of the money you save and attend a school on machine maintenance (3 days including meals & lodging) & buy your hoses, hose reels, lances etc with the remaining balance. Contact me for details if you would like.

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Shawn Corbett - Certified Kitchen Exhaust Cleaner
Pro-Ducts Kitchen Exhaust System Cleaning
Detroit, MI
313-297-6657

 

[Przrat]

Thx for the helpful hint regarding the larger nozzle on the 20 amp machine. I will definitely try it.

Regarding the 3500 psi machine 5.5 gallons per minute;
I downsized for a few reasons. First I feel that 5 GPM in a kitchen hood is a little more water than I want to try to contain. Excesses in volume of water, too much pressure, strength of chemical can cause damage. The right combination of each works just fine for me. And I am sure the larger stuff works for Shawn. I like to keep all my equipment is a van, and be able to lock it up when I am working. Also when a large machine breaks down, most usually dont have an extra with them. Anyway, both styles apparently work.
ED

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[David Saulque]

This type of topic bring new ideas and cleaning system knowledge so that we can exchange ideas. As I have mentioned I have used both system. Time is money, the only pratical way is with the larger systems. With all the different types of food service units we service along with varied size and complexity. I have opted to the more robust systems. A fast crew on a small PW will complete a given job 30 to 60 min. slower than the larger rigs. Plus, the vertical and fans turn out much better.

I have two van mounted Landas 2000@4 and the 3500@5 will blow the van mount out of the park-no contest. The problem is that the crews loose hour based on the production of the past.

Thanks

David

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[Jeffrey B]

Gentlemen-
I wish to thank one and all for your help in deciding this matter. I think I have decided on the perfect unit for my application. Without your help ( and the board topics in general) I probably would have picked the wrong stuff. I have already recommended this board to another friend from Florida whom I met at the PWNA convention in Orlando. Even with the guys at the Kitchen Exhaust Hood certification training program there were many different rigs and methods to be found.
This place is awesome. Speak to you soon and I'll let you know how my first job goes. I'm sure you'll get a chuckle or two.
Best Regards
Jeff


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[Przrat]

David,
Now what gives you the idea the that the fans and vertical runs turn out better with bigger? My fans turn out great, and vertical runs are clean, sooo? I opted for the more portable, less bulky, and time saving small machines. You see we bring everything we need right into the kitchen. Even if it is on the top floor of a hotel. No running back and forth, turn the soap on, turn the soap off, whats wrong with the machine, someone go out and check. There are complaints about noise, fumes, and there is always the chance someone might get very interested in an unattended truck, with equipment running in it. We can clean cafeterias in hospitals, colleges, nursing homes,corporations and mall restaurants that are located in the center of the building without the fear of a hose popping in the hall or someone tripping over a hose that is filled with 200 plus degree water. I also opted for the small machine cause we cut at least an hour off most jobs.
Each to their own and both setups work. It depends on what each prefers.
ED

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[David Saulque]

I am sure your fans turn out great, I didn't say they didn't. However from our experience we have found that most fast food operations have limited hot water, thus, becoming a problem. With this gas problem on the West Coast I can just hear the complaints. Gas bills have been $200 now are $800.


Another issue would be the vertical and using a spinner on low psi units. How would you service 2 verticals at 40 ft., plus a 15 foot horizontal?

I am not saying that your work is of lesser quality, we just differ on the application of process.

David

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[Richard]

Hey Guy's
We run both portable and van mounted landa's, Our van mounts are 4.5gpm @ 2000psi and our portables (ram-tecs) are 1300 @2.5gpm,
we use the portables when we are doing mall's some hospitals , hotels and a couple of the attractions most others are done with the van units(we always keep portables in the vans as back-ups) I just dont see how using a cold water unit as a main unit is easier I agree with David , I feel that the bigger machines get it done faster and the mess isnt an issue i find its all about the same (you dont get a huge mess if you wrap the hood properly and you have a man in the kitchen while someone is doing the turbines & ductwork) the bigger machines allow us to set up and tear down faster probally 25% faster in most cases vs. the portables which means more revenue. I would think with the cold water units you'd lose time loading/unloading dragging it around ect. Now we've never had a problem with any one messing with the vans while unattended most of the times the man on the ground can see the van.
Now there is a place for portables they have saved our butts before. we do several mental and medical hospitals and malls and potables are the only way, but most hospitals are cake as far as i'm concerned, now asian stores are a different animal those guys will turn the water heaters off at night and we will not do a store with cold water if we can help it as said ealier hot water is an issue when running portables you have to be some what sparring with it so the water heater can keep up although some of our accounts have gas water heaters which are hot water on demand...spinners dont do well with small gpm and small psi I really like those spinners i think everyone should use them, in many cases we can bypass the acess doors....as far as people tripping over hoses and what not...if there are people involved there will always be the chance of an accident all we can do is try to be as safe as possible use all the signs and caution tape and cones,we have 8 cones per van, caution tape and signs... one time we put 4 cones on each side of the and tape going from the van to the side door of the store it wasnt more that 6 feet from the van to the store and we still had people go under the tape and walk right in front of the burner, instead of stepping off the curb and walking around the van, but thats people...anyway
I really prefer the larger machines i think they get the job done faster and more efficiently now the portables do have their place in the line up but like
Ed said both styles work and its all up to the individual.....just my 2 cents
Richard

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