Info on this equipment.

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coolluv@bellsou

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T. George Podell and Company Inc. Hot and Mighty Mobile cleaning systems.
The prices seem high. But they look like quality systems. I like the concept of the enclosed trailer and they seem to have thought of everything. I'm new to this and I have a cold water system now that I use for my own personal use. I'm contemplating starting a pressure washing business. If I do go in this direction I want to do it right.

I have much to learn I know. I'm not fully committed to it. But I have been thinking about it for years. Thanks for your help.

Dave...
 
Okay, I did a search. They are pricey, but they have some excellent ideas for putting your own rig together. On the cheapest rig you could probably save about $3000 over their price for assembly.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I was thinking the same thing about building my own for cheaper. They have some good ideas. There is one for sale with 70 hours on it for 13,0000. The guy paid 19,000 with the upgrades he ordered. He has me interested, but I would have to go to Pa. to get it.

Thanks again, Dave....
 
Only build it yourself if you have the time and patience. I had a hell of a time building mine because of not being able to get any of the parts I needed along the way locally. Consider this when deciding.

If your super busy, it might be worth it to have someone else build it right. There's other companies that will put one together cheaper too.
 
I know that there are a hundred different pressure washers out there, But what are the best brands to look at. I also know this maybe a Chevy vs Ford debate, but I would like some opinions. Also what is a better setup, enclosed trailer or open trailer. I'm leaning towards the enclosed trailer. Right now I have nowhere to park it to keep it out of the weather.

I would like to build a shop in my backyard next year. If I could swing the $$$.

Thanks again for all of the help.

Dave...
 
Open Vs Enclosed---> consider (as you have) where it will be parked, and what kind of washing you are doing. If you are willing to work in rain (you should) you probably do not want you equipment getting wet in the process.
Better Set Up ----> Personal preference, I have changed my set up 3 times in 5 years just play with it, it can be changed, space permitting.
Ford vs. Chevy -----> Chevy
 
Ford here.

As for the rig,
Open advantages:
1. Easier access
2. Easier placement of weight. You want the trailer balanced.
3. Easier to make repairs

Closed advantages:
1. Security
2. Big area to put advertising
3. You can store more stuff, without worry about it flying out
4. Better weather protection

Just a couple of quick thoughts, though I have never owned a closed rig.
 
I was working with Tom Durbin on a rig. They always seemed fair on price to me. You have to remember, that's about a $7000 trailer by the time you count the access doors and everything else. My only concern was the flow. Only 5.7 GPM from the General pump. They claim 6, but it's 5.7.

Oh, and definitely Ford.
 
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coolluv@bellsou said:
T. George Podell and Company Inc. Hot and Mighty Mobile cleaning systems.
The prices seem high. But they look like quality systems. I like the concept of the enclosed trailer and they seem to have thought of everything. I'm new to this and I have a cold water system now that I use for my own personal use. I'm contemplating starting a pressure washing business. If I do go in this direction I want to do it right.

I have much to learn I know. I'm not fully committed to it. But I have been thinking about it for years. Thanks for your help.

Dave...
Click to expand...

Hey Dave,

I have also looked at their systems, they are well put together, many options. Hot and Mighty systems is a large company, your are going to get a higher price. Dont forget he claims technical support, and his systems look sharp. If you dont have the time to invest looking, looking, looking, looking then having someone build you a system maybe your best bet. Someone posted about 5.7gpm if you are moving from 4gpm, this is sizable increase, it will push a surface clean much much better. A lot of guys in the industry are increasing flow up to 8 and 10 gpm, it has its advantages and disadvantages.

What I would be concerned about on Tom's system is the Burner and coil stats. His units looks like Alkota's and they range from 90 to 140 deg heat rise. Which may or may not be adequate for your needs.
Landa's and hydroteks (the big two) have a higher heat rise standard as compared to the Alkota's. Dont get me wrong Alkota's are great, but to obtain the big two heat rise you have to special spec the boiler.

Pumps and engines more or less the same on various systems, Pumps have come a long way form yesteryear (watch your pump rpm, generally the lower rpm the better for the same cleaning unit output), and engines once you are not asking it to put out over 80% of its rated HorsePower all the time, have adequate ventilation, and do the required maintenance timely they are very reliable.
 
If I were to go back to operating from a trailer, I would buy another enclosed trailer.
 
Thanks again for the replies. What should I look for in a system. What is the best all around GPM? What about the generator? If you could have the perfect system, what would it consist of? So many options. So many systems.

How hot is hot enough? You get the idea. I like the idea of being able to control pressure at the gun. Is that a good system or no? You guys that have been doing this for a while know what works and what don't.

Dave...
 
Did someone say Chevy... Oh Come on you know you have to have a Ford to pull a trailer... Chevy's are for show... Right ??? I would consider a Nissan if I had the money and they were a little bigger... Never a Honda Ridgeline ( What were they thinking )

Open Rig ___ Only carry everything you ever thought you may need..
Then bring extra stuff..

Also Machine preference ( Get a 120v) Unit with a generator ) 12 volts is made for starting a car,, If your charging system goes out with 12 volts your screwed but if your generator goes out with a 120volt burner you can use an extension cord ...
 
Hello Dave,

As far as what set up is best for you it really depends on what you want the equipment to do for you.

We have always had an enclosed truck mounted unit. We operate all year around and it really get cold up here in Illinois.

We have had very good experience with Generals TSF-2221 pumps.

The perfect system for us has been our Red truck. It is a GMC by the way!:cool: I guess that shows you what side of the Ford vs Chevy debate I'm on!:)

We operate our equipment with Lp fuel. All of our pumps are electric and the boiler is rated at 980,000 Btu.

I will post a couple pictures of this truck.

Dave Olson
 

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Hello JohnB,

The genset is rated at 45 Kw. Built by Olympian. Has a 350 Chevy engine running on Lp. Makes 220 3 phase power.

Dave Olson
 

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T. George Podell and Company Inc. Hot and Mighty Mobile cleaning systems.

I tried to ask them some spec questions about their units a few years ago. They where slow or unwilling to give the basic info... Info such as

How many BTU's, Oh they say 230 degrees under a full load, but it was only 265,000 BTU

what pump they use?
How many feet is the coil's ( Most boilers are 185 to 400+ ft)
what is the diameter of the coil's ( 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4 inches)
Burners what model. Most are beckett. But different models different prices. Low prefromance high performance.

The one thing I did not like was the straps hold down the water tank and other tanks. These straps are fine for a few years, but they will stretch within a short time and become unreliable. Steel straps will last for 15 to 20 years instead of 1 to 4 years.

I would stick with the Big Boys such as Landa, MiTM and Alkota in that order.

I would not go to Ebay and buy something with NO LOCAL support.
 
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