What’s your backup setup?

[BIG WOOD]

If you’re full time in this business


You need one!

My main setup has been down for over a month because of the heavy antifreeze leak in my Everest at the crappy autozone part water pump that Jondon put on and all the local mechanics were a month behind


But always know this. Don’t focus on how much it costs to spend on a backup. Focus on how much $ you will lose if you don’t have one

You can and will find the money to pay off the backup. You’ll NEVER gain back the money you lost in time if you’re broke down. You can’t make up lost time that could’ve made the $

 

[Mikey P]

Last summer when my van was overheating I thought I actually ruined the motor at one point, and as I sat there at 8,000 FT elevation looking at my valley below, I had to decide if I would buy another van and transfer the 370, start over with something different, go vlm /porti only or quit cleaning...

I believe that was the day I quit my military account


Yesterday I took my van in to have more mechanical eyes than mine look for a slight leak in my 370, they found (slightly) failed head gaskets, which I'll get repaired next week..

Three jobs between now and then..

I just don't need a back up as my small customer base will wait for my slight misfortunes to get repaired, but since I've started over again here in NV, the 370 hasn't let me down

 

[Dwain Ray]

My main van is frankinstien a completely customized restomod steamgeni pto. Last August was while idling in my shop the van started banging and makin a hell of a racket. It had spun a cam bearing just idling! Fortunately for me the van had 1 month left on the 60k powertrain warranty and i kept my old van as a backup! Its a 2000 chevy 3500 with a 2000 steamgeni 45 pto . Although the 16k motor replacement was free the dealership had my van for something like 9 weeks. Frankie's all better now and has another 3 year 100k warranty on the new engine. But i still have his older brother as a backup . Hes got his own garage and a battery maintainer and a storage additive added to the gas to keep it fresh and about every 3 or 4 months i pull it out and warm it up make sure it runs. These pto's are so reliable that i rarely need it so insurance is dropped and registration is non opted to save 1500 per year. But if i need him an hour or so in paperwork a good wash and he's on the road again! My backup has almost 200k on the van and 11k on the machine but just like frankinstien its still highly reliable even after setting 2 or more years

 

[hogjowl]

Melon just likes to argue

 

[Mikey P]

Melon just likes to argue

I do enjoy a spirited debate but really I'm just gloating that I'm not a full-time carpet cleaner anymore...

 

[BIG WOOD]

Maybe I should’ve directed this thread to full time truckmounters

Wait…I did

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

Last summer when my van was overheating I thought I actually ruined the motor at one point, and as I sat there at 8,000 FT elevation looking at my valley below, I had to decide if I would buy another van and transfer the 370, start over with something different, go vlm /porti only or quit cleaning...

I believe that was the day I quit my military account


Yesterday I took my van in to have more mechanical eyes than mine look for a slight leak in my 370, they found (slightly) failed head gaskets, which I'll get repaired next week..

Three jobs between now and then..

I just don't need a back up as my small customer base will wait for my slight misfortunes to get repaired, but since I've started over again here in NV, the 370 hasn't let me down

Interesting.

We just took over a 16 building contract from a local guy who replaced his old rig with a 370…

He did 2 buildings, and the property management company yanked the contract from him.

We went in and did a ‘re-do’ on those 2 buildings, and have now completed 9 more. They seem pleased enough with us, we are to do the remaining 5, and are in talks for an additional 6 in another city…

I’m sure the 370 is a great machine in its own right, but it’s not up to snuff for the big stuff…

We regularly do 3-500 foot hose runs on a weekly basis.

My helper hates 2.5” hose, but with 350’ at my disposal, there’s not much we can’t do.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

That sounds great and all, but what about those buildings that are spread all over here and half of Georgia. I know, it’s a truckmount
thread. Take 500 ft just to get to the end of the sidewalk before getting to the doors to go in.

 

[hogjowl]

You’re being so dramatic

 

[Bryce C]

I just bought my first truckmount. A used CDS 4.8 in an ugly as could be bright orange van (out of a fleet). I got a sweet deal on it, I think. Once I get the decals off and repaint it it will be my main cleaning rig. But I'll keep my sweet enclosed trailer/porty setup as a cost effective and reliable backup.

 

[bmxin]

Legend GT have a few backup generic pressure regulators. Upgraded to all 3 SS Heat Exchangers, 2.5" Hose, Harvard Chems, and world Class chemistry to make Walter White Jealous. I always get a steam trail of 2.5' high.
Was using the "Chosen Wand" before chosen lol for 10yrs with my Sandia.

Regular Maintenance in under a labor hour:
Check valve screen clean, Orifices/disk/clean, Blower oil&Pump Oil change/ every 12mo, waste tank enzyme treatment 3x/week, pressure regulator lithium greased/Oil/ Filter every month. Diaphragms cleaned every year chem pump. Descale water pump every 6mo/ with alkaline rinse. Belts are Bombproof ATX 300F

This may all seem ho hum to the regulars here But the above is all necessary to prevent inevitable. I've done a bigger complex using AirHog as Booster @250' with exchangers connected to Diesel Heat for a Big Rig all Day performance without the parts/diagnostic hurdle bigger Mowsheens like 570, Everest can take on.

Having JonDon being acquired by Aramsco and cutting my supplier I've been able to use a nearby lawn pro shop&pressure wash for stator, and other Kohler misc

**For the dedicated backup- Mytee Breeze with same Diesel heat mentioned(it's own set of maintenance) Using a small Honda genie(6k kw) the Breeze with Diesel use 32-35amps. No you cannot go too fast wanding as the 3gpm pumpout will overfill...But getting 210 consistent with a 1.8gpm/400psi makes up for the lack of CFM and can dry carpets in under 4hrs. Sometimes padcap But with Diesel heat inline sprayer is over 50% of battle.

Currently am also looking at those DuroMax 35hp engines to go with a 47blower I have and use with Diesel heat. I was able to sub for a bigger company and they actually have a Bane Cleane as their backup! Makes sense as PD Blowers are the Standard for durability. It seems Bane doesn't want to turn the corner and actually use more amps to realize the Blowers power.

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

That sounds great and all, but what about those buildings that are spread all over here and half of Georgia. I know, it’s a truckmount
thread. Take 500 ft just to get to the end of the sidewalk before getting to the doors to go in.

All of these buildings were maintained by a shoddy janitorial company before the last guy. All they did was use crappy chems, and a 175. The last guy did them with his TM, (no idea what it was before he bought the 370), and had to do multiple setups from different sides of the building. At least that’s what I was told.
It goes without saying, when you do 300-500 foot hose runs, it takes TIME to set up and break down…

I prefer to do one setup, and remove sections of hose as we move back to our entry point.

IDK how buildings are designed In ‘Merica, but there have been very where we can’t reach without a TM, (anything from 1-6 stories in apartment or condo building).

Anything without access, we use our porty or a low moisture alternative for them.

I’m not sure how many guys here have actually done 500’ runs….

But, ITS A REALLY LONG WAYS….