Kenny's Corner- Questions about Equipment

I know all the answers Paul. I just am careful who I share them with.

Hi Kenny,
I have a very old truckmount that has been parted out.  I was thinking about putting it back together with a new pump and heat system as a backup or maybe selling.  Currently the only things still installed on the machine are a vanguard 20hp which is in good shape and a roots 33 also in very good shape, spins and runs perfectly. Also it has a muffler.  I have a spare cat pump that needs a little love I could put back together.  I do not have ANY extra working guages or hoses.  Keeping in mind I am very handy with a wrench.  Any advice.
Should I just part it out and sell it?
Should I fix it and keep it as a back up?
Should I fix it and sell it?
Should I sell it as is to a rookie cleaner, telling him its the latest in cleaning technology?



Edited by FuzzSucker - 07/February/2008 at 11:27pm

FuzzSucker wrote: Hi Kenny,I have a very old truckmount that has been parted out.  I was thinking about putting it back together with a new pump and heat system as a backup or maybe selling.  Currently the only things still installed on the machine are a vanguard 20hp which is in good shape and a roots 33 also in very good shape, spins and runs perfectly. Also it has a muffler.  I have a spare cat pump that needs a little love I could put back together.  I do not have ANY extra working guages or hoses.  Keeping in mind I am very handy with a wrench.  Any advice.Should I just part it out and sell it?Should I fix it and keep it as a back up?Should I fix it and sell it?Should I sell it as is to a rookie cleaner, telling him its the latest in cleaning technology?

Fix it and sell it. With gas going to $10/gal soon, only those with rates above .50/sq are going to make it with a TM, servicing the high end market.

Guys with high powered portables like our Titans will be able to clean at half that rate and do well looking after the lowered priced strata of the market.

Edited by Superglide Ken - 13/February/2008 at 4:20am

raul33jim wrote:     Hey Kenny, what would you say was your best equipment investment? Also, is the rotovac one of the best in the industry and does it get in the corners and sides of the walls. Thanks

Rotovacs use round heads.  Corners are 90 degree perpendicular intersections.  What they miss you can get with a hand tool or make it appear done by using a grooming rake on it. 

As for sides of the walls (edges) be careful.  You can take the paint right off the molding or wall. 

And be careful where the carpet meets tile or wood.  Chips and scratches can and do occur.  That is money out of your pocket or a customer (and the ones in his/her circle of influence) lost for good.

One idea that works is use your standard wand to cut in on the carpet, getting all edges and corners (painters do this before using a roller).  Then you can be less careful about the majority of real estate you are cleaning.  Probably won't save any time but it does work.

mrbreeze wrote: I have a question about electrical convertors... If you use a covertor to operate a motor, say 110v to 220v or others, does this in any way shorten the life of that motor? mrbreeze

Nope.

I find that when using the rotovac 360 Customers are really impressed when i pull out my 50" edging tool. It gets all those hard to get places that the rotovac 360 and for that matter a wand dosnt reach. It does a really good job of getting that matted pet hair out of the edges also.

Hey KEN!! I want to get into cleaning floor and tile. I'm in the process of making a purchase on rolling TM!I have searched for books on how to clean ceramictile and grout.So far I haven't found any.What is the step process for it? and do they offer grout and tile cleaning class?Most important how do most people price it!?!?Thanks for any help in this field.