Ron G. 14 Report post Posted December 4, 2005 Hello all! First, I must thank all of you that make this forum such an informative source. Priceless for a newbie such as myself. I need some advice on purchasing a new cold water unit. Initially the primary use will be residential services i.e., house washing, wood/concrete decks, fences and possibly some commercial store fronts. Anyone familiar with http://store.spraymallstore.com/ ? I think the parent company is VC Equipment Corp. located in Fla. The unit Iam leaning towards is: http://store.spraymallstore.com/13hp.html Your comments would be greatly appreciated, Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henry B. 4 Report post Posted December 4, 2005 That sounds like a pretty good deal to me... My biggest concern though would be maintenance. If you know how to work on machines then good, if not. You might want to find a local source to buy from. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted December 4, 2005 If you use high octane gas and change the oil regularly (twice a season on the engine and once a season on the pump) you should not have much need for maintenance for the first year or two seeing that the unit has a Honda engine and a Cat pump. These two in combination have proved to be very durable but keep in mind more expensive to repair than units with lesser quality pumps. Regular belt tensioning and replacement will also be a key maintenance check for you. If you dont already have a background, learn all you can about small engine repair and pump maintenance in the interim to help you save money and maximize your units life. The unit your link shows should give you a good amount of service and bring a good return on the investment. Rod~ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barry M 73 Report post Posted December 4, 2005 That is an excellent unit for a newbie and at a great price. Good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve r 14 Report post Posted December 4, 2005 Hello all! First, I must thank all of you that make this forum such an informative source. Priceless for a newbie such as myself. I need some advice on purchasing a new cold water unit. Initially the primary use will be residential services i.e., house washing, wood/concrete decks, fences and possibly some commercial store fronts. Anyone familiar with http://store.spraymallstore.com/ ?I think the parent company is VC Equipment Corp. located in Fla. The unit Iam leaning towards is: http://store.spraymallstore.com/13hp.html Your comments would be greatly appreciated, Thanks Its a good buy.Keep oil changed and use high octane gas.watch your belt tension as needed.maintance is key to life of machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimCrossley 14 Report post Posted December 7, 2005 Rod, I have had the exact set up for the past three years. I run regular gas, change the oil 2 to 3 times a year but I have never changed or serviced the CAT pump. The oil looks clear. Am I missing something here? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve r 14 Report post Posted December 7, 2005 Rod,I have had the exact set up for the past three years. I run regular gas, change the oil 2 to 3 times a year but I have never changed or serviced the CAT pump. The oil looks clear. Am I missing something here? maintence as required Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve r 14 Report post Posted December 7, 2005 Rod,I have had the exact set up for the past three years. I run regular gas, change the oil 2 to 3 times a year but I have never changed or serviced the CAT pump. The oil looks clear. Am I missing something here? ha jim pm me if you want to talk more Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron G. 14 Report post Posted December 7, 2005 Thanks for the input people. Have not pulled the trigger on purchasing the unit as of yet. Still putting together a list of misc. items, i.e., telescoping wands, hoses, brushes, safety gear, shurflo set-up, chems., ladders and outfitting my pick-up truck. Any suggestions on minimum required equip.? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrod 22 Report post Posted December 7, 2005 Is Landa REALLY worth the extra $$$? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirtgun 122 Report post Posted December 7, 2005 I have heard a lot of people say they feel it is. We have a Largo machine that has been a work horse. It was a sound investment for us and they have been great on the customer service side as well. I think it's a person preference thing.Most equipment companies offer their equipment with similar pumps and engines and mount it in frame work designed by them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrod 22 Report post Posted December 8, 2005 Thank you. I'm trying to decide between a 2 gun Landa for $8200 or this machine - http://www.amazingmachinery.com/high-volume-hot-pressure-washer-products.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Washaway 64 Report post Posted December 9, 2005 Thank you. I'm trying to decide between a 2 gun Landa for $8200 or this machine - http://www.amazingmachinery.com/high-volume-hot-pressure-washer-products.html If you are going to spend 8k for machine then I suggest you buy Hydrotek's 9gpm setup. It comes with it's own chemical setup and they've replaced the AR with a Cat pump. Plus the skid is optional in stainless steel. If I was running a 4 or 5gpm istead of the 8 then I'd buy immediately. I just can't justify the expenditure for an extra gpm and a pretty frame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henry B. 4 Report post Posted December 9, 2005 9gpm?? Hmm I like that MORE POWER thing..lol Stainless steel frame would also be pretty too but I'm planning on getting a box truck in the spring. Why make it pretty if no one's going to see it. I'm also thinking about getting a utility body truck with a 40' lift built in it, I just can't decide. I wish someone made a box truck with a 40' lift, then it would make my choice easier. I like having my equipment sheltered from the weather because we work in the rain a lot. Another concern is theives or vandals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted December 9, 2005 Henry, I used to havea link to a place in PA that has what you are describing, at good prices. Do a search for: utility trucks used pa stahl and see what you find. If I find th elink I'll pass it your way, but it was like ayear and a half ago.... they had box truck, large vans with bucket lift, the whole enchilada. They were used and from State of PA's fleet. They sell them cheap, and with miles as low as about 50K to 70K. Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henry B. 4 Report post Posted December 9, 2005 Thanks Beth, that sounds like the place Mathew told me about a while back. Let me know if you find the link and I'll see if I can find it also. I'm just tired of renting lifts. Last month I spent about $1,500 on lift rentals. I don't need or use them often but if I had one, I'd use it all the time! They would be awesome for roof cleaning, roof repairs and ice dam removals. They would also be really nice for some of the complexes we clean gutters on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted December 9, 2005 I heard about it from John T. and I'm sure he still knows the place. Beth p.s. if you find the link, shoot it back my way. It's not one I meant to lose track of. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted December 9, 2005 Henry - Found it in an old post of John's... http://www.buckettrucksusa.com/ Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henry B. 4 Report post Posted December 9, 2005 Thanks Beth, I found one place in PA on ebay but I couldn't find a website for them. I really think I'm going to end up getting a van with a lift. Then mount another small 5gpm hot water rig inside it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrod 22 Report post Posted December 9, 2005 Thanx for the 411 on Hydrotek Wahsaway, how much is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doug T 19 Report post Posted December 9, 2005 Henry, Another place you may want to try is www.truckpaper.com, lots of trucks hundreds of bucket/lift trucks but I do not recall an enclosed box with lift. Doug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Washaway 64 Report post Posted December 9, 2005 Thanx for the 411 on Hydrotek Wahsaway, how much is it? Depends on where you buy it. Some places will try to take you for 10K+ but the truth is that the most expensive place around here will let you out the door for about the same as the one you were talking about........around 8k Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrod 22 Report post Posted December 10, 2005 Thank You. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites