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Craig

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Posts posted by Craig

  2. Posted · Report reply

    If your machine is 3.5 GPM and 3000PSI, your nozzle "size" not "degree" is 4.0

    The nozzle size is reffered to as "oriface size." It is the size of the hole at the tip of the nozzle. To achieve the recommended 3000 psi of your machine you'd need the 4.0 tip at either 0, 15, 25 or 40 degree.

    If you want to lower your pressure you can use a tip with a bigger oriface size or just use the dual lance wand. If you like to change tips and read charts, go for the bigger oriface size. If you like to twist a knob to exactly the pressure you need, go for the dual lance.

    Here's another example- if you want 1000 psi out of your 3.5 GPM machine, you'd need an #7 oriface size nozzle.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Sorry, Alan I call things as I see them. Nice doesn't work in this situation and whoever invented that thing needs to be educated. If he worked for my company I would have a sit down and re-evaluate who I have working for me and atleast give them some direction on what works, what doesn't and what some good solutions may be. For a business to actually think of this thing and put it into production is an insult to our intelligence. We are in business to make money and work smarter, not harder.

    I own a Hydrotek unit. It has been in the shop I'd say 8 times in 3 years (not bad, I think). We've replaced the burst disc twice, the coil once (it was leaking where they welded the VIN number on), and a faulty thermostat. The other times were for small things.

    I have also given them advice on that particular machine (ANT 2C) and how to make a vacuum recovery system that we could actually use. I am a follower of Hydrotek Units and I like the machines and rigs. I don't like their surface cleaners or some of their inventions.

    I also stand to my original claim that "nice" doesn't do us any good. Solid advice and well thought out machinery DO.

  6. Posted · Report reply

    LMFAO!

    I saw it in the flesh a few times. What a joke. I have a great idea.. let's put a 30 gallon bucket on top of a surface cleaner and push it around. Let's make it electric so we have to push 300 lbs (in case the pump out doesn't work) around the cord, the pump out hose (you forget that one! Imagine having to move your 3/4" ID water hose everywhere!) and the pressure hose. Now, let's also use hot water so you can't even touch the vacuum if you have a problem (and you WILL). Imagine carrying that thing around the back of a customers house to do his patio!

    Or I could just put a harness on a shop vac with pump out and carry it on my back! It's lighter and more maneuverable!

    LOL- what a rediculous creation.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Alan,

    That's exactly what I did. I installed a ball valve like the ones on the dual lance wand. I ran a bypass through the shroud of the surface cleaner so the vac picks it up. It's the only way to go and I can't believe no one is doing that yet on stock units. It's like all they do is create things and don't think about real world usage of the product. Have you seen Hydrotek's recovery cleaner called the ANT 2C? What a joke! Why don't we put a garbage can on top of a surface cleaner... great idea.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    I think that the 2" hose is more properly equipped to handle the workload that the dual head supplies. With the 1.5" I can really hear the engine having to work double time. I've seen the triple head and will take another look since you brought it up- I think it should be pretty easy to turn it into a wet vac.

    The only problem with the 2" is that it's quite a bit bigger than the 1.5". It definately does work better for the long runs (200') but when you get that far the vac just doesn't have enough pull for the 5 gpm machine. It get's by but would be nice if I didn't have to stop every 2 minutes to let it catch up for 10 seconds.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    The problem with shipping it back to them is packaging the whole thing back up somehow and paying for the shipping. I'd be out of a surface cleaner for atleast 2 weeks because they'd try to fix it first and blah blah blah. I don't have that kind of time to be out of the machine. I'm doing atleast one job with that per day and it would be easier for me to limp through it and keep it for a spare when I buy a new one.

    I'd really love to see them make an adjustable height recovery surface cleaner. My Landa NEVER needs to have the nozzles changed and it's been through war many times. It makes this "soft concrete" thing no big deal.

    Anyway, I guess I'm happy overall and will be getting another one pretty soon. Know anyone that has a Fury for sale?

  10. Posted · Report reply

    I'd say it was about a 15% improvement but the air suction is still a little underpowered. I've run from 50 to 200' of the 2" hose. It stays pretty good up until 100' or so. I'm still upset with the whole Steel Eagle thing.. as you remember they sent me a lemon. I always have to adjust it and the brush skirt is warped. They did send me another one (skirt) but I haven't put it on yet, I'm sure it would help. All in all though, it works great and will purchase another one. I'd like a more powerful vac though in the long run, but that means a bigger trailer too. The one I have serves it's purpose and gets me by. The only replacement I could see for it would be the Fury.

    You know about the filter I'm talking about. I thought about making a couple of canisters it could pump through to filter it down even more but what for! Works awesome as it is. That filter is a wonder!

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Clean and Capture is great. I prefer "Clean and Relocation" even better. Some may disagree. I primarily pick up the water into my 55 gallon wet vac (through the recovery surface cleaner), filter it somewhat through a special filter and then pump the water to wherever I think would be the best place. Normally there is plenty of sand here in the desert and most of the water doesn't contain oil, so I just run my pump out hose into it. If the water contains oil, I throw an oil absorbant sponge into my barrell and run the hose into the sanitary sewer.

    I've been using it since last November (I think) and I use it almost on a daily basis. It is the ONLY way to go for interior jobs.. I can do a 540' garage from start to finish (including unpacking and packing) in about 45 minutes. This includes soaping with my X-Jet and leaving it on for 8-10 minutes. Also includes hooking up to water and packing everything back in to the van & trailer when I'm done. I generally charge $175-$225 for a garage- single and double. Make sure that when you're half way done to have the homeowner come out and take a look at what you're doing. They will always be impressed.

    Also, for what it's worth.. Give credit where credit is due. ALAN is the one who directed me to the equipment I'm using for recovery and he also put it together for me. I love him dearly. THANKS!

  13. Posted · Report reply

    If you do any type of flat surface cleaning (besides wood) a flat surface cleaner is a must have. I have a Landa that you can adjust the height on which I love. This way you can adjust the level of cleaning (the force of impact) to whatever you want.

    I also have a recovery surface cleaner that's hooked up to a very power wet-vac system via 2" hose. I can clean with no overspray and pick up the water at the same time. No rinsing involved and leaves everything cleaner than a regular surface cleaner would even after rinsing.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    Full time as of November of 2004. It took me over two years to get there though. When I was beginning to make more pressure washing than I was at my full time job ($70,000 yr.) I found I was losing money by staying in the "Salary" zone. I now enjoy full time work with employees labor (plus a LOT of my own!) and a comfortable living. I recently am involved in creating a new business in concrete coatings and just unleashed the dogs last week to install 3 flooring systems. We are now installing epoxies, acrylics and doing acid stains.

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Wow.

    Drill mixer here too but I don't do that kind of work. Virtually anything you need to mix can be done by going to your local Lowes or Home Depot. You'll find various cement mixer "wands" (don't know the real name) that you attach to your drill. Stick the bottom end of the mixer (not the drill) into the 5 gallon bucket. Make sure your mix is in there though. Slowly pull the trigger on your drill so the tool doesn't take off and pull all kinds of air into your mix. Make sure to unplug your drill or if it is a cordless recharge it when you're done. It may also be a good idea to bring a tarp and lay it down so you have a mixing station for your tools and you don't get things dirty that shouldn't be.

    Good common sense.

  18. Posted · Report reply

    I agree with Michael!

    I've had Nextel service for 6 years now. It's a love/hate relationship. I love it when it works, hate it when it doesn't and hate it when the phone bill arrives.

    There are plenty of dead areas anywhere I've travelled and the direct connect likes to scramble itself which is a lot of fun when you're busy. It kind of sounds like C-3PO from starwars, but backwards.

  20. Posted · Report reply

    My minimum is $125.00. If a customer catches me while I'm doing another job and I can do theirs in succession, it's $85 min. This includes (if they ask) up to an hour of washing. If they have a small oil spot or something I know will only take 30 minutes or so, and they also have a problem with the $125 minimum I'll tell them to find a couple of other things to wash to get their full 1 hours worth.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Chris,

    If you're looking to add something like this to your business, check out CCI (Concrete Coatings Incorporated). They are based out of Ogden, Utah and I went to their class 6 weeks ago. There I learned the art of decorative acrylic coatings, 2-part epoxies (several different looks) and acid staining. This is THE business to get into as far as I'm concerned, especially because we already have the equipment to do the prep work!

    Check out their website at www.concretecoatingsinc.com

    Craig

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Dan,

    You'll be doing yourself a favor by getting the 5 gpm machine. In the last three years I've only come across 3 jobs that the water couldn't keep up, and one of them was because I was pulling water 30 feet up to where I needed it.

    I think your best bet if you're worried about it would be to get a "float" tank. They are a small tank (that come and fit right on the Hydrotek machines) that hold approx 5+ gallons of water and feed your machine. The purpose is to fill up and hold the water when you slow down the wand, and when you use water faster than the spicket can feed your machine you have 5 extra gallons (or more) to help keep up in your float. Or you could just get a small water tank and use that as your float!

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Because that's where I'm from.. 22 years there to be exact. I was born in Madison and we moved to Boulder Jct (25 miles N. of Minocqua) when I was 2 years old. After weathering 22 years of below 0 temps and only 3 months of summer I came out to Palm Springs, CA on vacation. Needless to say I've been back twice since I left! I always liked Racine and Milwaukee though. Good college parties and Summerfest is GREAT!

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