commonwealth

Hello Everyone, I have been gone away from pressure washing for some time for reasons beyond my control. I now have the opportunity to get back in and am building another pressure washer. I have built several machines in the past so this is not new territory. When I start pressure washing again I think/hope to focus on the following areas: · Residential-including brick and vinyl siding, sidewalks, driveways, and roof work · Commercial-strip malls, sidewalks, drive-thru, etc · Heavy equipment including backhoes, dozers, core drills, loaders, etc. · And lastly would be OTR truck fleets if the circumstances (for me) are just right. I have a 50 HP diesel engine that I am going to use for this project. I also have 2 hot-boxes that are capable of 10 gpm. When I start I will be a one-man-show again. But later I may add someone as the business grows. I don’t have a surface cleaner but will probably buy/build one soon. As far as water supply goes, I have several 325 gal tanks to choose from. But I really prefer to use the customers hose bib when possible to save towing weight. So my question is easy (yea right lol). What pump(s) should I use. Now I’m not talking about brand but more about psi and gpm. I can use just about any size pump but have thought about a couple of ideas in the way of using 1 large pump vs 2 smaller pumps. If I use say a 10 gpm pump as an example then I may have more gpm than I need for some jobs and water supply. I can use 2-5 gpm pumps and have a selection in that I could connect the outputs to 10 gpm (at least I think I can). Also I would like to add that money IS an issue in my selection also. Anyway, any of you folks got any thoughts/ideas ??? Thanks for your help Greg McDonald

Thanks to everyone for your help. FullBlast, Yea I gave you a call today but no worries. Definately sorry about your friend. I can't imagine the pain but my prayers are with him. I will try you tomorrow. And as far as the brand I definately will buy a general. I have used Comet in the past and was not happy at all. I have had good service with AR also but the parts are higher and harder to find. Someone today suggested just going with a single 10 gpm and if needed nozzeling it down to 5gpm and let the unloader take care of the overflow. I kind of like that idea. Definately need a quality unloader though. I can buy a 10 gpm for about $125 dollars more than a 5 gpm. And that would save me from building slidding mounts. And then later if I decide to I could add that second pump for another worker if needed. 50 hp gives me alot of options. Greg McDonald 606-627-3442

Full Blast, Thanks for the info. Yes I would love to get the info on the slide clutches. I have heard of West Liberty but never been there. I have spent some time in Morehead though. We have an EMS competition there every year. Actually have done some camping at the lake there. Beutiful Place..... So come on back. You can clean from West Liberty down and I'll go from Barbourville up. We'll meet in the middle for lunch. Before I go let me ask another question. What pumps are you running as far as gpm and psi? Have a great day Greg

FullBlast, Your 2 pennies was just what I was needing. I had thought about a slide type mechanism. Is your pump(s) mounted on a slide that you actuate with a lever? That's what I was thinking about. And can you maybe elaborate on your machine and the type of work you do? I feel I am on the right track with what I'm thinking but more ideas are always great. Thanks Greg

Hello Folks, This is my first post on this site. I am interested in high rise window cleaning. In my area we don't have a lot of them, maybe only 10 buildings that go over 3 stories. I spoke with one of them and they are bringing in a company from over 500 miles away to clean them about 4 times a year. They are paying big $$$$'s to have it done. I have alot of training, background, etc., (15 years) with ropes, climbing, safety, rapalling, etc. so the safety and climbing equipment is not an issue (I hope) for me. The problem is I have never cleaned any windows. I know there is a pattern that professional window cleaners use with soaping and then squeegy. Also I have know idea about the time it takes to properly clean a window. As an example, how long should it take to clean a 4x6 window that is ground level. I know it will take more time in the air to reposition yourself for each window. Thanks for any help you can provide. Greg McDonald

Thanks for all the replys, I will say that I do have a bit of the green grass syndrome. But I am also just looking at ideas for some other business to beel in some free time. High rise was just one option based on my background, I love working on ropes and the fact that I have a ton of equipment, full body harnesses, ropes, ascenders, descenders (both laddre racks and other), caribiners, etc. And also the fact that there is no one doing it. I have done a little more extensive market research and have found that I have about 12- 3 and 4 story buildings in about a 50 mile radius. I have also found that the closet companys are 100 miles away. I am still not sure that there is enough business to warrent speding $$$$$ for more equip, insurance (which I am sure is big$$$$$), etc...... Anyway, I do appreciate everyones thoughts and concerns. I am still going to look at this a little harder but I am leaning toward staying away just based on the limited market. Anything else you guys can add is appreciated. Greg McDonald

Hello Folks, Thanks for the last 2 replies. Rest assured guys that before I JUMP off the side of a building I will do everything possible to make myself ready. As far as my experience goes, I am not a rock climber at all. Every minute of my experience has been in rope rescue and not climbing. I do appreciate your concern though as falling 5-6 stories would probably not be good for my professional wrestling career (lol). I do have some time in a bos'n seat. We just call it a rescue seat in the rescue business. I also have some experience with a tripod rigging device we use to go over the edge of buildings. We just don't call it the same name as used in high rise window cleaning. I honestly do feel very comfortable on ropes and the pucker factor will not be a problem. But then to, I have never cleaned windows on rope (or windows at all for that matter). But the real problem is that there is no local company to get experience with. Thats the main reason I was interested in this field of work. Company's are travaling great distances to get the work around here and they have to be making good money. I would love to speak with you guys in depth on this stuff. Again I appreciate any thoughts and concerns. Keep it coming... Greg

Ryan, Thanks for the reply. The buildings don't have scaffolding so I will be using a device that hangs over the wall a preset distance to give you working room. You then set in a chair-like device that has hangers for your bucket etc. I don't think dripping will be a problem as we will just close the exposed walkway for a few minutes. (At least I hope) And yes, the sweat-stress factor will be high for a while. Anyone else ever done this type of work????? Any pointers????? Thanks Greg