New Rotovac 360� Video Wow Factor!
Printed From: Carpet Cleaning Forum
Category: Carpet Cleaners Discussion
Forum Name: Rotovac
Forum Description: Discussion about Rotovac machines.
URL: https://www.kleenkuip.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2587
Printed Date: 25/April/2024 at 3:44pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New Rotovac 360� Video Wow Factor!
Posted By: carpetologist
Subject: New Rotovac 360� Video Wow Factor!
Date Posted: 20/May/2006 at 1:08pm
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The New Rotovac 360° has arrived at Kleen Kuip!
http://www.kleenkuip.com/images/forum_rotovac360_demo.wmv">
 http://www.kleenkuip.com/images/forum_rotovac360_demo.wmv - Click here for a carpet cleaning demo video.
Mac user? http://www.kleenkuip.com/images/forum_rotovac360_demo.mov - Click here
http://www.kleenkuip.com/images/rotovac360 Floor Demo.wmv">
 http://www.kleenkuip.com/images/rotovac360 Floor Demo.wmv - Click here for a hard surface cleaning demo video.
Mac user? http://www.kleenkuip.com/images/360_floordemo.mov - Click here
What's there to say? It speaks for itself.  ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Replies:
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 20/May/2006 at 7:37pm
| Glides certainly work well, don't they? I showed them(lip glides) to Rotovac last year. The 360 is the result of designing them(glides) to work with a machine as a critical part of the design. |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 20/May/2006 at 10:29pm
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Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 21/May/2006 at 12:45am
| IMO,they were impressed enough by how glides improved the RX20 that they wanted a machine that would do the same thing Jack. |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 21/May/2006 at 1:50am
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Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 21/May/2006 at 10:23am
| LOL |
Posted By: danmarck82
Date Posted: 21/May/2006 at 7:32pm
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Having trouble getting this video to work. Could someone PM me a version
and see if I can open it there. This unit looks interesting. I've tried the RX-20 ,the regular Rotovac and now the Titanium with the green glides. It's seems to get better and better. |
Posted By: Mr.Mike
Date Posted: 22/May/2006 at 2:42pm
What version of Windows are you using?
Are you on a Mac? ------------- I'm positive about the negative...and negative about the positive. |
danmarck82 wrote:Posted By: danmarck82
Date Posted: 22/May/2006 at 3:55pm
|
I am on a Mac but have window media player installed.
|
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 22/May/2006 at 6:22pm
| FAST AND FURIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Posted By: Mr.Mike
Date Posted: 22/May/2006 at 7:30pm
I am guessing that you do not have the latest version of Windows Media Player for your Mac.
If I am wrong about that http://www.kleenkuip.com/images/forum_rotovac360_demo.mov - click here for a Mac version of the video.
Any probs let me know. ------------- I'm positive about the negative...and negative about the positive. |
Posted By: Mr. Slide
Date Posted: 22/May/2006 at 10:07pm
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------------- http://qcsliders.com - http://qcsliders.com !!!Check this out!!! Put a Slide Not a Glide on your Wand, and do a better job! |
Posted By: danmarck
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 1:21am
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Thanks Mr. Mike .It worked. ------------- Here to help you grow your business! |
Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 2:03pm
You will find that price does matter in our industry. No one has ever called me and asked how much more cleaning will this unit do in a day compared to my existing unit. No one ever asked how many sq. ft. will your gallon of chemical clean. It's always, always HOW MUCH?
To answer your question:
The Rotovac 360 has not been out long enough to get a good comparison to an RX-20. But so far where I stand if they were in a race the 360 at the halfway point is looking good.
I am glad that I bet on 360. ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 2:14pm
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Ted is right. Nothing matters as much to the customers as PRICE. When I was selling glides for $149 last year and in 2004 and 2003, there was much resistance both to sales at the retail level and to the distributors. Now that I have lowered the retail pricing to $99 on both the USA and Canadian side of the border, sales have gone through the roof! Distributors buy at a much lower price as well, so I have many hundreds selling for me now as well. The sales happening now are at the highest they have ever been in the almost 3 years since I brought Teflon glides to the marketplace.
So when someone tells you that price does not matter, don't you believe it!
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Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 2:59pm
| Around $2195.00 US |
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 3:15pm
| Thanks John. Received the check today. Much appreciated. |
Posted By: DevilDogTodd
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 6:45pm
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Am I missing something here or is this just a smaller LESS versatile version of a glided RX-20? It seems to me that it is. Sure, you can adjust the RPM's. You have better adjustment over the handle and you can clean tile and grout with it. But can you pre-scrub with a bonnet? Can you pre-scrub with a floor pad? Can you post pad with it? Just wondering. I am hoping the answers are yes! But if they are not then you simply have a smaller less versatile version of an RX-20....and that is NOT to appealing to me. DevilDog |
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 7:29pm
| Todd: The answers to your questions is yes! I have some additions coming for this machine that will make it work even better. It will be THE machine to own over ALL others very soon. Stay tuned. |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 8:17pm
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Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 8:38pm
| LOL |
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 8:40pm
 LOL!!! LOL!!!
|
Posted By: Mr. Slide
Date Posted: 23/May/2006 at 11:51pm
|
------------- http://qcsliders.com - http://qcsliders.com !!!Check this out!!! Put a Slide Not a Glide on your Wand, and do a better job! |
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 24/May/2006 at 1:24am
| IMO,the RX20 with my ZRX3 glides on it still cleans better than the 360.........for now.lol |
Posted By: Mr. Slide
Date Posted: 24/May/2006 at 5:13am
|
------------- http://qcsliders.com - http://qcsliders.com !!!Check this out!!! Put a Slide Not a Glide on your Wand, and do a better job! |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 24/May/2006 at 3:18pm
| Looks like an attempt at obtuse web-poetry. Don't give up on the complete sentence yet. Its work is not yet done! |
Posted By: fibro
Date Posted: 24/May/2006 at 9:27pm
| I asked my supplier today about the Rotovac 360 did not get the ringer endorsesment I thought it would. He said he did not like for tile and grout said he would rather use a spinner and for carpet said the Hydramaster drimaster was a better option. |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 24/May/2006 at 9:31pm
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I took a look at a 360 today, drove it around some carpet, etc. Nice unit! A ten year-old kid could handle that thing with ease. I also like that it can be used on stairs with the right head. Major selling point, in my opinion. A few issues, though: 1) The guard over the head is too flimsy. 2) The little box that connects the coiled powercord to the motor looks like it could get knocked off easily, considering the way things jossle around in a cc van. 3) It needs a safety! 4) The hose connect is in the perfect place to trip up the tech--it should come up just under the handle and then turn 90 degrees out. When I'm ready for another unit, I'd probably get this one over the RX-20, as long as a safety is installed. I can deal with the other stuff. I could handle the lack of a safety as well, unless I have employees. I know they won't be as careful as me. In general, it feel a bit delicate, but time would have to tell if that's really an issue. |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 24/May/2006 at 9:43pm
| I'd love to have a Drimaster. I almost got it instead. They don't move as quickly, though. I can sort of whip the RX-20 around and change direction quickly, that sort of thing. The Drimaster doesn't really work that way. Give 'em all a test drive and see what you think. For me, the Drimaster is the least like a buffer, but I'm sure it would be better in that sense once I got used to it. Its low profile and excellent cleaning ability make me wish I had one regardless. |
Posted By: DevilDogTodd
Date Posted: 24/May/2006 at 10:27pm
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Again, you have to ask yourself this question: Is this just a smaller version of the glided RX-20? It sure seems to be, and it seems LESS versatile at that. I so bad want to like this machine...because I would buy one in a heartbeat. But it cannot prescrub carpets with a floor pad or cotton pad. It cannot post pad a carpet. I think those two things are really really important if you are going to have a machine like this. Does anyone know if they are going to make a pad driver for this machine. That would make it a MUST have for me. DevilDog |
Posted By: Mr. Slide
Date Posted: 24/May/2006 at 10:45pm
|
------------- http://qcsliders.com - http://qcsliders.com !!!Check this out!!! Put a Slide Not a Glide on your Wand, and do a better job! |
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 24/May/2006 at 11:08pm
| yes |
Posted By: Mr. Slide
Date Posted: 24/May/2006 at 11:58pm
|
------------- http://qcsliders.com - http://qcsliders.com !!!Check this out!!! Put a Slide Not a Glide on your Wand, and do a better job! |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 25/May/2006 at 2:49am
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I ended buying a separate buffer even though I have the RX-20 anyway. The RX-20 doesn't perform as well driving a pad as my buffer, and the heads are so expensive! I'd rather cut the wear and tear on the RX-20 and have a buffer that's powerful enough to do light restorative work on a wood floor and perform encapsulation better when I need it. For tile, I can pre-scrub using the buffer with a brush head, and then extract with the Gecko. I may not be taking advantage of the RX-20's versatility, which is a bit irksome I suppose, but I'm ultimately able to do more types of work better, and it's easier for me to expand from this position. Look at it this way: you can have one machine that extracts better that the RX-20--if indeed it does--and you can have another machine that pads better than the RX-20, and they add up to roughly equal cost. The only real downside is the room two units take up compared to one.
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Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 25/May/2006 at 10:44am
Yes & No
This is a carpet we position at the entrance to our repair department, Its a busy spot where customers drag their broken and dirty equipment in and over it six days a week.
It is real world soil and dirt, because of it's positioning it soils rapidly and yes soil that has been in a carpet for a short period of time is generally easier and faster to release. I assure you first chance I get to demo a Chinese restaurant I will post it.
"I Love A Challenge"  ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 26/May/2006 at 2:11pm
Thanks for the check-up on my nastyness. I forget sometimes that I would clean a carpet for $20 when I know it would cost me $30 to do it if I needed the $20 that day. But the message I was trying to communicate was that the RX-20 (which is the King) has a percieved value problem and many are not even interested in trying it. It is also a little on the awkward and heavy side for a small fellow and should only be used with truckmount power eliminating portables.
I just feel that the Rotovac 360 will open more doors for the carpet cleaner.
So why not buy or at least try one so while I am going through my check-up you can be out picking your cheque-up.
Deal or No Deal
Cheers  ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 26/May/2006 at 10:45pm
| I dunno. Chem-Dry built its extraction method on RX-20's and portables, although they use truckmounts now (some do anyway). I use my RX-20 with a portable, and I get great results. No complaints. What difficulties have you had using an RX-20 with a portable? |
Posted By: Mr. Slide
Date Posted: 26/May/2006 at 10:48pm
|
i apologize mr. carpetologist
& to anyone else i've upset
 |
Posted By: cliff monson
Date Posted: 27/May/2006 at 5:56pm
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I asked my supplier today about the Rotovac 360 did not get the ringer endorsesment I thought it would. He said he did not like for tile and grout said he would rather use a spinner and for carpet said the Hydramaster drimaster was a better option.
Who is your supplier and has he ever even tried or seen the 360? I doubt he has because we have not sent the hard surface heads out to any suppliers, only showed it to them. All the suppliers that we have demoed have been very impressed with the cleaning results and have orderd but not yet recieved the hard surface head (back ordered) so I don't understand how your supplier could have formed this opinion.
|
Posted By: fibro
Date Posted: 27/May/2006 at 8:28pm
| My supplier is JonDon |
Posted By: fibro
Date Posted: 27/May/2006 at 8:43pm
| Maybe you ought to talk to them Cliff I do believe they the are largest supplier in North America. |
Posted By: cliff monson
Date Posted: 27/May/2006 at 9:51pm
| Thanks for the tip! We will contact Jon Don to see if they would like us to ship them a 360 for test. |
Posted By: royaltouch
Date Posted: 29/May/2006 at 10:48am
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Ted,
This is very interesting!!!.......you have Cliff Monson posting on your site!
...and the RX-20 is King...on the same page
I know that Cliff knows what he is talking about...seeing he designed and is the inventor of the RX-20...and I also know, he's knows everyone that's someone in this industry...I pretty sure he knows JonDon as well...anyone taking bets?
Cliff and Chuck (aka the Monson brothers) @ Rotovac are straight shooters...that will and I repeat, will never leave you hanging.
kind regards,
Hugh
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Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 29/May/2006 at 12:39pm
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Michael and DevilDogTodd,
Spoke with Rotovac last week and sales are clicking. All sales people say this and so should you. Who wants to trust someone who is sitting on his thumbs waiting for the phone to ring. I like to do business with people who are clicking, clicking, clicking. It's nice to feel you are in the loop.
Rotovac tells me that they are working on a different 360 heads that will make this the most versatile cleaning machine in our industry.
Thumbs up for the Rotovac's ingenuity and brains. I wish them all well. Without the innovators we would still be shampooing by hand. ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 29/May/2006 at 1:48pm
| Ted: I am working on a range of heads for that machine myself. These will be made available as aftermarket accessories when complete. When these are combined with what I know Cliff and Chuck are coming out with, this will truly be the most versatile rotary machine in the industry. |
Posted By: DevilDogTodd
Date Posted: 29/May/2006 at 3:30pm
|
What is a bit troubling about this is that they should have had the heads ready NOW. How long will this take? I will buy the machine if they have a pad driver available for it. That is all I ask....a pad driver. You would have thought this woud be a fairly simple thing to do and they would have had one ready when they started selling the machine. DevilDog |
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 29/May/2006 at 5:56pm
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Todd:
You would think it would be, but it is not. A pad driver takes a fair amount of energy to turn. This machine uses a 3 amp DC motor for the drive, which on the face of it, is NOT enough torque to drive the driver. There is only 2 ways around that problem:
1) Increase the amperage of the motor up to 4 to 6 amps. That takes time to do, but may be done on the next model of this machine.
2) Reduce the effort required to turn the pad driver. That can most easily be accomplished by reducing the diameter of the pads so they turn easier OR the pads used can have a anti-friction medium applied to them that makes them easier to turn(such as teflon). Which brings it back to my area of specialty.
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Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 29/May/2006 at 10:35pm
Would pads somehow treated with teflon remain absorbant? Maybe you'll find a workable solution, but I doubt I'd be satisfied with a pad driver solution on that machine. A 35 pound pad driver would seem gutless by any standard. I'm open to being proven wrong, though. When my business partner and I expand, I'd like to get a truckmount and run the RX-20 off of that; the extraction will be beefier, so I don't think I'll be as dependent upon such a robust pad driver as my Hawk buffer. I can get the pad driver attachment for the RX-20 at that point, and I'm sure that would be sufficient. Then, I think I'd like to use the 360 with my portable set-up: 360, Hawk, Ninja 500.  I don't mean to hijack the thread here . . . just using my keyboard to "think out loud," as it were. I really hope the 360 is as good as it appears, because I'd love for it to be part of my eventual expansion. |
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 29/May/2006 at 11:14pm
Michael: If the Teflon were applied equally all over the pad you would certainly be correct about a lose of absorbancy happening. However it is not necessary to do that. The area of the pad that gives the greatest friction to turning is located only on the outside edge of the pad. By treating only that portion of the cotton pads with the teflon, it is possible to reduce 1/2 the friction of the pad, but retain over 90% 0f the pads innate absorbancy. That is how we do it with our Superpads. They can easily be driven with this machine using a pad driver.
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Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 30/May/2006 at 1:35am
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Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 30/May/2006 at 3:06am
| Jack, you could pants-clean carpets without the teflon. You're that good. |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 30/May/2006 at 3:39am
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Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 30/May/2006 at 3:43am
Hey man, go to bed! Don't folks your age get up at 4:30 or so?
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Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 31/May/2006 at 12:24am
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Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 31/May/2006 at 1:57am
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Well, I experience an aftershock here and there. Wish I were there too. |
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 31/May/2006 at 4:31am
| Wow! Kane was sure Abel to remove much of those nasty posts he posted .Must have seen a light somewhere. I hope it wasn't a train, eh? |
Posted By: Dennis Conner
Date Posted: 31/May/2006 at 9:42am
| ken knows about trains...he has a trainwreck coming now....HR gonna kick hos ass! |
Posted By: Dennis Conner
Date Posted: 31/May/2006 at 9:49am
SURE KEN
just like you are bringing out.....
an OP machine an aftermarket head for RX-20 a porty
those were announced years ago...where are they??? KEEP DREAMING!!!
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Posted By: STEAM KING
Date Posted: 06/July/2006 at 1:46am
| How does the rotovac do on the edges of the carpet by the walls? |
Posted By: nextlevel
Date Posted: 08/July/2006 at 6:29pm
|
Steam King, It can get close, because of the spinning heads, but I think using a wand may get into the corners, and along the wall a bit better, or at least more controllably. The good thing about the edges of walls is that they typically are not high traffic areas. In my experience anyway. Your miles may vary. |
Posted By: STEAM KING
Date Posted: 09/July/2006 at 2:38am
| Thanks for the info I was just asking because with white or light colored carpets they tend to stain on the edges , but I guess my crevice tool can handle. |
Posted By: Ken Harris
Date Posted: 29/July/2006 at 12:08am
| This machine needs a higher torque motor to it. |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 29/July/2006 at 10:39am
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I have been reading some negative things about this unit?? SGK The motor is one. ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: nextlevel
Date Posted: 29/July/2006 at 2:17pm
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Hey Doug, I'd like to read those things, where did you happen to find more info? |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 14/August/2006 at 12:01am
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Has anyone else used the 360? I have been using it for a couple of weeks now. I am new to the business, but it does a great job. I am still learning the trade, and hit some stains that are unbelievable, so I am coming for advice.
What products do you recommend for my truck, for stain removal. I have some red remover, and Debronzer, but I didn't know there were so many products.
THANKS GUYS FOR THE HELP!
ONE NEW GUY NEEDING A LITTLE ADVICE...
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Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 14/August/2006 at 12:41am
| Do you use a local distributor? If so, he could walk you shelf to shelf and probably set you up really well. |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 14/August/2006 at 2:00am
| Yah but he is out to sell me like 500 bucks worth of stuff. I am a guy just starting out, and the $ is not that flow, if you follow me. Maybe I will just tell him, 150 and give me the best you have. Thanks for the response though. |
Posted By: nextlevel
Date Posted: 14/August/2006 at 2:12am
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Hey celestialcarpet, Congragulations on the 360 and your entry into the carpet cleaning business. Like you, I have also taken the leap into the business, and will be receiving my 360 tomorrow (Monday), I can let you know how it goes when I clean with mine, and maybe we can share some info with the folks here on the board. Which portable or truckmount are you using with it? |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 14/August/2006 at 4:39pm
| Yah man, that sound good. What market are you in? MY 360 seems to do a fantastic job. Anyhow, good luck with your new machine, and keep me posted on your success. I have a few marketing ideas for you, if you would like them. I have a speedster portable, and it does a good job. I am pleased with the set up. |
Posted By: Steamy
Date Posted: 15/August/2006 at 3:03pm
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I'm impressed at how fast the machine works in the video. My RX-20 cleans great, but not that fast. The dirt in the video is gone with one quick pass. I would love to demo one in a real world situation. |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 15/August/2006 at 7:45pm
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Yah, my 360 does an awesome job. It tears through grease. I am still having a little trouble with the red stains removal though, anyone have any suggestions??? Am I using my red remover incorrectly, because it doesn't make it go completely away. -New Guy
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Posted By: Steamy
Date Posted: 15/August/2006 at 11:00pm
It looks like it will tear through grease. The dirt in the video is getting destroyed fast! What stain remover are you using?
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Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 15/August/2006 at 11:08pm
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I have been using Mohawk for Grease, and Citrisolve as a booser on my prespray for high traffic areas. I have been using red remover on the red so far, and have had limited success. And yes the rotovac 360 is awesome. My clients love it. I only wish I had a truckmount to save time etc. Residential don't like you taking over the bathroom and look at you funny when you haul all the equipment in.
Anyhow, what do you use on stains?
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Posted By: Steamy
Date Posted: 16/August/2006 at 12:12am
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For red stains, I use Red Relief. It is a two bottle process-heat transfer set up that works good on most reds. I use several different presprays including Matrix Grand Slam SC, Prochem Ultrapac TLC. I do a lot of restaurants and the best thing I have found for heavy grease is Chemspec ENZ-ALL. Spray it on nice and hot and it will start breaking up grease on contact.
I use a truckmount and have an RX-20, but find myself using my wand more often. The RX-20 can be a little bulky to handle. The 360 looks more compact and movable.
What portable do you use?
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Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 16/August/2006 at 7:50pm
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I have the speedster, and it does a great job. Not like a truck mount, but it does give me the versatility to go in and shut the doors behind me. Residential like that because then they save on the heating/cooling bill.
Thanks for all the tips. I have the red relief, I just must not be using it correctly. I just bought an Iron, so I will give that a shot.
What do you use on gum, and black ink?
The rotovac 360 is awesome! I have a few tricks should you decide to get one.
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Posted By: Steamy
Date Posted: 16/August/2006 at 8:20pm
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Yes, use the iron with the red relief and I think you will be surprised at the difference. Most red stains will transfer fairly quick.
Black Ink? I wish I knew what to use. I have used (I'm not recommending or saying to use it!) alcohol and a towel to blot ink up and sometimes it works. Just be careful about color loss in the fibers. I probably would not try it on residential jobs though.
Gum? All I do is use my prespray heavy on the gum, let the chemical penetrate and put the wand to it. I have found that 230F pretty much takes care of gum.. I do have a scraper called the "Gum Getter" that works good at scraping and scrubbing the gum before extraction. You can find them at most distributors. If not, let me know, I can get one for you.
I'm going to try to demo a 360. Do you think it would work fast on caked on grease at restaurant jobs?
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Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 16/August/2006 at 8:49pm
Citrus Solve sometimes works on that stuff. If it doesn't, I'll use P.I.G. from Bridgepoint. The little pint bottle should last you awhile, long enough to know whether or not you like it, and I think it's $11-$15. |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 16/August/2006 at 8:53pm
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As long as you have a good prespray and hot water the 360 will do the rest. Just today, I had an apartment that the other carpet guy told the management to replace it was so greasy. I purposely went to a line in the room so the manager could see side by side the before and after. Her jaw dropped, and she was like - "holy cow." Anyhow, I hope to line that client up.
I didn't know you had a 360. I thought you just had the rx20.
I am pretty new in the industry, as you can tell from my questions, but the 360 really does a great job. The demo video is no bull. I run mine using between 150 and 200 PSI which leaves the carpet a tad wetter, but what can you do? One trick that I use is...
I do a really heavy prespray diluted with some water, then I turn on the pump for water, and use the rotovac to agitate the heavy soil area. Then I turn on the vacs and that really makes it look great. Just one thing I have been dabbling with, but it works great!
Thanks for the tips. What is your market mostly...commercial?
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Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 16/August/2006 at 10:39pm
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Addressing the dark lines at the edges of light colored carpets: That is probably filtration soil. Light colored carpets are the victims and usually you will find that your client burns candles, cheap candles. Pick up some filtration soil remover and follow the directions. Don't promise the customer anything but that you will try. The client will be impressed. If you can't get the 360 to flush the FSR chemical, use your wand along the edges then clean the carpet with your 360. Just a suggestion. |
Posted By: Steamy
Date Posted: 17/August/2006 at 9:05pm
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Celestial,
Oh, I dont have a 360, I have an RX-20. I'm going to try to demo a 360 soon.
I do mainly commercial accounts such as bars, restaurants, offices etc. I do some apartments during the day light hours and maybe two residentials a week. I actually like the commercial stuff, but we would probably make more money if we did more homes.
As for leaving the carpet a tad wet-- maybe get some turbo fans to aid in drying completed rooms while you are cleaning other areas. Your method sounds good and I'm sure that apartment manager was happy with your results as you slammed that grease!
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Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 17/August/2006 at 11:28pm
| I have two mytee blowers, but I usually run into trouble finding separate circuits to plug them in on. The extractor draws about 20, and the rotovac about 5, so the trip is hit once in a while. I try to run the extractor off the kitchen, which usually has a 30, but with a fridge, it happens once in a while. You will love the 360. How did you go about signing up the commercial clients, and how do you bid - sq foot, per job, eye balling it??? I think I might want to get some stuff like that, but don't really know where to start and how to bid. |
Posted By: nextlevel
Date Posted: 17/August/2006 at 11:47pm
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Celestialcarpet, I am in the Sacramento, Ca area. I use the 360 for residential clients, although I have just started. I haven't actually used the 360 to clean a customers home, but have extensive experience cleaning my son's room. How long did it take you to get used to using the extractor and 360 as a unit? I've been playing with the 360 & Mytee 1003DX extractor for two days now, just on my son's room, trying different prespray's, rinses. Learning the details of filling, and emptying the extractor, you splash, and all that type of stuff. The stuff you want to know before actually going into a customers home to use the equipment. I must admit I am a wide eyed baby in this field, and I'm full of questions and excitment. It is a great industry to be in from all that I've experienced so far with customers out out in the field. How does the customer react when a breaker is blown? I was afraid of this too, so I went out and bought a 6500 watt generator, probably a bit over kill, but hey, no more blown breakers. I really like the freedom of not having to hookup to the customers electric. It feels more "truckmount" like because I leave the generator outside in the van while I clean. Have you had to take the filter off in the Mytee, inside the waste tank? Its a pain in the butt, but I was told that I could cut the bottom of it off and let the water flow from the vac to the waste tank freely. Just keep the length on it so that it directs any carpet fibers down, close the bottom of the tank where the waste water is so that it does not involuntarily get into the vacuum motors and all should be good. Ninja, and some others do not use such a filter in there machine, so this should be fine. I like the cutting idea. What prespray solution mix ratio are you using? Are you using a hydroforce, or mytee supplied generic hydroforce, or pump-up sprayer? Its good to know that someone actually uses the Rotovac 360, it's a great tool. Your right it does eat through dirt and grime with the right cleaner. |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 18/August/2006 at 12:14am
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Yah, the power supply was probably overkill, but most homes have updated electrical, ie a breaker box, not fuses. Breakers are easy because the are just a matter of flicking a switch, fuses on the other hand, I don't care to ever deal with. I tap into the kitchen with my extractor line, and use a hall on the other side of the house for the 360 and for the most part, it has not been a problem. I ran floor buffers for a while so the heel-toe sensitivity of the 360 wasn't new. Just think to yourself, if you are sweating, you are NOT doing it right. The rotovac 360 swings really nice, let it do all the work. Don't fight the machine, and limit your herky jearky movements. Relax, and let the machine do the work. As for chemicals. I use liquapro as a shampoo, mohawk for grease, and citisolve as a prespray booster. One trick I use is, I only add chemicals to the sprayer, not my extractor. The only thing that goes in my tank is fresh water, and dirty water coming out. I just splash a little bit of chemical in my sprayer, and go nuts. I bought my sprayer at menards for about $20 I think. I add about 2 oz of the above listed chemicals, and dilute it with about a half gallon of water, and use it as my prespray. Then I apply the chemical heavy where I need to, and light were I don't. It will save you some $. One other trick I have discovered is, turn on the pump on your extractor and use the rotovac to agitate the chemicals in while you apply water. Then kick on the vacs and rinse the carpets out.
Have you given any thought about how you are going to get gigs/jobs yet?
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Posted By: nextlevel
Date Posted: 18/August/2006 at 1:02am
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I started with flyers which have actually turned out the expected 1% turnout ratio. Some friends of mine and I put out 700 flyer one morning, and so far I've received 7 calls, and completed 3, 4 still scheduled out later in the month. I surprised myself by closing everyone. I know this won't last long but hey it feels good right now. The method you mention, I've heard it before, it really work uh? I haven't had the opportunity to try it. I have a commercial job tomorrow. I will use an Olefin Prespray for that. So using the 360 as just an agitator, and extractor is working for you. I may try that out. One really tough traffic areas it still gets the job done? Hey, any idea of how many times you are typically filling and emptying on a residential 4-5 room job, plus a couple of hallways, and a few stairs. |
Posted By: nextlevel
Date Posted: 18/August/2006 at 1:04am
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About the getting customers, I also have a Yellowbook ad coming out in October, a coupon in High School/Girl Scout/Fundraiser/Coupon booklet, more flyers to distributed in about 1 week, then I'll follow that up with some direct mail, when I scape up a bit more money. Any good ideas to share, i'm all ears. 
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Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 18/August/2006 at 11:41am
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I have gotten pretty quick at emptying and refilling so the process is not a big deal to me, it perhaps takes an extra 10 minutes max, but I plan on refilling once per area. One thing that I have been working on is my cord management while I clean and that has helped a lot. I only have to put my machine over the chords once per clean job. I don't know if that makes sense or not, but it has really cut my time a lot. As for time, hey if you are a new business, you have all the time in the world, but your client might not. I always let my customers know I take the time it takes to do the job right. I say, "the other guy is going to come in and spray a little water around and get the surface dirt, and in 2 months your carpets will look dingy again. It is not new dirt being brought in, it is the old dirt working its way to the surface that was left behind." People are usually like -oh wow. It is funny, but I have found, when you sell people on a level of service, they are willing to pay for it. So some jobs that would have been $150 for the other guy, I charge $200 and people are thanking me, and giving referals. I don't know about you guys, but word of mouth is golden. I also have a few tips on building your name. If you want some tips I am happy to give them but you, but you must identify your working area/market, I am not about to tell secrets to people in my potential market. |
Posted By: nextlevel
Date Posted: 18/August/2006 at 12:58pm
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Celestialcarpet, In Sacramento, Ca market the customers are bombarded with carpet cleaners, but I too try and push quality of service and found as you have that customers are willing to pay for the quality. What ideas do you have? |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 18/August/2006 at 5:13pm
| If you are trying to build a business, the first thing you should think about, is how you are going to get-out of the business. Be sure to choose a name that can be sold. Like - "Bills Carpet Cleaning" can't be sold to another person, but "Shine Carpet Cleaning" can be. That is step one, it may sound silly but that is the first thing you should think of. The second thing you should think of is, how can I get to my market in the midst of all the noise of other advertisers. Rather than try to compete with the big boys, you should seek to reposition your competition, rather than try to compete with them. For instance, I sell people on the rotovac -how? My pamphlet has a picture of the guy with a wand working, and a picture of my rotovac. I show them how the other guy is going to go through and get the surface dirt, and how I pull the dirt from deep in the carpet, keeping the carpets looking fantastic for longer. People seem to eat that up. If you are looking to build a "brand" you need to get in the minds of people. I decided to go with magnets that stick to the fridge. It cost me a pretty penny but I was able to go to the houses that I want to work in - ie the rich nice area. I stuck them near the mail box, and I have been getting calls. The investment is definately long term. I figure people will keep the magnet, and when they need someone, they will go the yellow pages, and see my add that looks just like their fridge magnet. Anyhow, that is where I am at in the process. I also advertise in the restorative qualities to apartments. They like the idea of restoring rather than replacing. So what level of client are you after? |
Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 18/August/2006 at 5:47pm
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I find it interesting that all the wonderful compliments that cleaners are giving the Rotovac 360 are basically coming from Newbies. I have also found that newbies purchase the 360 while the old-timers and professionals are still thinking and quick to reject anything new.
Strange as it may sound, the newbies with little or no knowledge is out-cleaning the professional who is using a wand. As it is totally impossible to keep consistent quality with a human stroke creating the mechanical action opposed to and electrical stroke. And I know I will be challenged on this one and I know you can, but how about your employees?
Work Smarter, Not Harder ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 18/August/2006 at 6:11pm
| I am sorry, I just don't understand what you are saying in your last post. How about my employees? They love it! The 360 is the cats meow, and I am done telling people about it, because I don't want competition. Hey all you old carpet cleaners out there - don't by the 360, it sucks. (Secretly, I going to take all your clients with my new machine) |
Posted By: Superglide Ken
Date Posted: 18/August/2006 at 6:55pm
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I think Ted was giving you a compliment because you have moved beyond the wand(what approx 90% of cleaners use) and getting superior cleaning results because of it. ------------- Inventor of the Teflon Wand Glide and the Turboteck Rotary Air Duct Cleaners for TMs. |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 18/August/2006 at 7:22pm
| I think he was saying that some people would claim to wand with results just as good as the 360, though others are more willing to admit the benefits of the 360, especially employees who aren't typically as willing to put as much into wanding as an owner/operator. |
Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 21/August/2006 at 4:38pm
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CelestialCarpet,
You just may be right. In my opinion a 360 with a portable does as good a job + maybe better depending on the operator compared to a truckmount & wand.
A truckmount + a 360...now you have the ULTIMATE, ULTIMATE.
Work Smarter, Not Harder ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 21/August/2006 at 5:33pm
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Now I think you have it. The only benefit to a portable is that you can close the doors behind you -ie banks etc. that might like that. A truck mount with added degrees is definately worth noticing.
My 360 is awesome with the portable, and I could definately use some more temp.
The 360 literally saves old carpets. My clients can barely believe it.
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Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 23/August/2006 at 3:18pm
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Celestialcarpet,
You are breaking your promise. You said that you are finished telling everyone how good the 360 is as you want to capitalize on the market and take customers away from wanders. I guess it is just so good you simply can't get it out of your mind and you just want to preach the gospel on the 360.
Good for you. ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 23/August/2006 at 10:22pm
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Alright man, this is the last time I am going to say it, The 360 is great. For those of you doubters, don't buy one, leave all the profits for us.
Tologist, where you out of? Why are you so gun hoe on the 360? Are you a distributor or something?
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Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 24/August/2006 at 11:10pm
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Yes I am a distributor of Rotovac and other fine products in Toronto and owner of this website. The reason I am drawing you out on saying good things about the 360 is that other carpet cleaners are listening and will believe you.
Now, me being a salesman people will only think that I am attempting to sell them one. Most people look at purchasing as a cost to them as opposed to cleaning faster and better with less physical labour.
It's worth the drive to http://www.kleenkuip.com/ - KK to check out the 360. ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Posted By: Celestialcarpet
Date Posted: 25/August/2006 at 10:38am
| Carpetoligist, how many loonies for a 360 from you guys? I may be interested in another one. Thanks. |
Posted By: LUCAS
Date Posted: 04/October/2006 at 5:46pm
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THE TEFLON GLIDES ON THE ROTOVAC 360 NEED TO BE HARDER THAN THEY ARE BECAUSE THE TACK STRIPS NAIL ON THE EDGES WEAR THEM EASE. HOW DO YOU THINK THEY CAN BE IMPROVED? ------------- MVM |
Posted By: nextlevel
Date Posted: 04/October/2006 at 9:16pm
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I had the same problem with my Rotovac. In just a few uses the glides were also very ate up from things like tack strip, etc. I think that this may actually be a benefit however, since it acts sort of like glides do, allowing the air to flow faster across those striations in the teflon. |