Does anyone know whats going on with the new systems,,udor zeta and Bob Cat vs the chem bandit and delevan's. I think I've seen another new one too,,,I would like to start a thread about the new systems and pro's / cons,, what one will do over the other ect... I want to get a roof system next year and I am confused.
New roof systems
- Thread starter MudDuck
- Start date
IndyExterior
New member
It is confusing. This is a new industry up north. I think equipment depends on how much business you anticipate and the types of roofs that are common in your area. I've only done roofs for 1 year. But my experience has been with a Delavan 5800. It did everything I needed. There were some times when I had to climb some steep roofs because it wouldn't quite reach. But the investment was minimal and I intend to upgrade to a Delavan fatboy this winter. If you do several a day like the guys down in Florida it would easily justify the purchase of some the higher end diaphram pumps. Another question is how long do those pumps last and how much and how difficult are they to rebuild? A Fatboy is $230 and you can install a new one in 20 minutes.
My roof system was added on to my PW trailer with the bare minimums. Delavan 5800, 200' 1/2" reinforced hose on a stainless reel, P-Tek gun with only 2 nozzles. I have a 50 gal PCO tank from tractor supply. I buy my 12% in 5 gal carboys and mix on site. The 5's cost about $1 a gallon more but make sense here with the 3-5 roofs we do weekly during season.
The issue you face is it seems as soon as you buy one system another "new and improved" one surfaces. One other thing to keep in mind is some people take care of tools better than others. So just because someone had a problem doesn't mean it was the equipment. You're dealing with some strong chemicals and to get the most out of your gear you have to rinse and constantly check for wear and tear on fittings. Almost all of the few problems I've had could have been prevented by minimal maintenance.
My roof system was added on to my PW trailer with the bare minimums. Delavan 5800, 200' 1/2" reinforced hose on a stainless reel, P-Tek gun with only 2 nozzles. I have a 50 gal PCO tank from tractor supply. I buy my 12% in 5 gal carboys and mix on site. The 5's cost about $1 a gallon more but make sense here with the 3-5 roofs we do weekly during season.
The issue you face is it seems as soon as you buy one system another "new and improved" one surfaces. One other thing to keep in mind is some people take care of tools better than others. So just because someone had a problem doesn't mean it was the equipment. You're dealing with some strong chemicals and to get the most out of your gear you have to rinse and constantly check for wear and tear on fittings. Almost all of the few problems I've had could have been prevented by minimal maintenance.
Peerless
banned
I believe Indy hit the nail smack dab on the head.
You must weigh performance vs usage.
You can't go wrong with a 5800. The folks that do roofs all day have there rig setup for roof work, the flatwork guys have there rig set up for flatwork.
I'm a roofie! I prefer 10+gpm on a roof, that may be overkill for you like the way a 8 gpm hot water machine with a maxima is to me.
I cleaned 200 tiles roofs with a 3 gpm sureflow and a 175, a 100 tank and also had barrels in 8days once.
You must weigh performance vs usage.
You can't go wrong with a 5800. The folks that do roofs all day have there rig setup for roof work, the flatwork guys have there rig set up for flatwork.
I'm a roofie! I prefer 10+gpm on a roof, that may be overkill for you like the way a 8 gpm hot water machine with a maxima is to me.
I cleaned 200 tiles roofs with a 3 gpm sureflow and a 175, a 100 tank and also had barrels in 8days once.
Russ Spence
Commercial Pressure Wash Expert
I agree with Tom 100% , I am a flatwork guy that does an occational roof so I am set up for flatwork and I use the Delavan, I have a 5800 and a fatboy
jjones4574
New member
Hey Russ, How is the fatboy working for you? I am going to order one, I was just wondering what other people thought about them. Thanks.
Peerless
banned
I'm interested in the FB also.
I would love to spend the day measuring the flow of all these 12v pumps, but we are very busy.
I run almost 300 feet of 1/2 hose. With that length of hose and diameter, losing somewhere around 11 psi per 100 feet. We use that much hose because 3-4 out of 10 homes we need that much. I hate not having enough hose and or moving the truck.
With that said, when I have used the SF 3.8, FJ 4.9, Dele 4.9 the difference is very little. Without ever measuring the flow in this climate I would guess that the SF is providing 2.5-3 g'spm at 30-40 psi at the end of the gun with a 2510-2520 tip in it. Remember this pump or at least when I used it allowed you to crank up the psi to maybe 70?
The FJ on the same hose with the same tips and the psi cranked up I will guess with experience it is providing 3-3.5 g'spm at 30-40 psi
The Dele on the same hose with the same tips and the, oh wait you can't crank up the psi on the Dele if I remember correctly. It starts wit a little more psi at 65 I think. That would put it at around 30-40 psi at 3-3.5 g'spm.
The FB I have zero experience with, but lets play with the specs anyway.
7gpm and it has 100 psi. After the hose etc.. we are at 60-70 psi, that is decent? The question is can 60 psi with the proper volts push 5+ g'spm?
I'm not good with volts etc... what do you guys think? Can she push that much soap, and for how long? Could be a nice pump.
I would love to spend the day measuring the flow of all these 12v pumps, but we are very busy.
I run almost 300 feet of 1/2 hose. With that length of hose and diameter, losing somewhere around 11 psi per 100 feet. We use that much hose because 3-4 out of 10 homes we need that much. I hate not having enough hose and or moving the truck.
With that said, when I have used the SF 3.8, FJ 4.9, Dele 4.9 the difference is very little. Without ever measuring the flow in this climate I would guess that the SF is providing 2.5-3 g'spm at 30-40 psi at the end of the gun with a 2510-2520 tip in it. Remember this pump or at least when I used it allowed you to crank up the psi to maybe 70?
The FJ on the same hose with the same tips and the psi cranked up I will guess with experience it is providing 3-3.5 g'spm at 30-40 psi
The Dele on the same hose with the same tips and the, oh wait you can't crank up the psi on the Dele if I remember correctly. It starts wit a little more psi at 65 I think. That would put it at around 30-40 psi at 3-3.5 g'spm.
The FB I have zero experience with, but lets play with the specs anyway.
7gpm and it has 100 psi. After the hose etc.. we are at 60-70 psi, that is decent? The question is can 60 psi with the proper volts push 5+ g'spm?
I'm not good with volts etc... what do you guys think? Can she push that much soap, and for how long? Could be a nice pump.
Well I'm trying to set up a hot trailer unit now and I've got until spring but what I need to do is be set up for just about anything. I'm in an area not hit by other pw'ers. And I don't think a roof's been hit within a hundred miles and there all streaked with black mold so I'm going to start pushing them. I started doing house washes and deck resto's but I'm only doing a job or two a week so I want to push roofs hard this year. It seems just to easy of a sale and easy to do ( there all shingle here) to keep cash flowing. I was going to order one of the Delevan 12v systems from Bob then saw the Bob Cat,,the Udor,, now the Fat Boy?!?! LOL I'm also looking for a utility bed ton truck for wood jobs tools and pulling the trailer. I think I'm going to set the roof system up on the truck not the trailer. Maybe get a 55-65 tank for chems in the truck when doing roofs..I was thinking the Bob Cat or the 5800 with some hose reels mounted on the top of the truck bed or off ladder rack and just hook up on sight. But again I'd like to get some advice on the new "bigger and better" stuff before I buy into anything or any set up...One thread indicated the chem bandit was "over kill" as there being re sold pretty quick one said..Will the Udor follow,, it's kind of the same thing isn't it? Is the 5800 system plenty?
Peerless
banned
Hey MD,
I would start out with a 5800, as it is cheap and very effective. Then if you take to roof cleaning or get very busy you can easily upgrade and make a better choice as you will have experience in the field and will know how you like to work out of your trailer.
Look around for used equipment, Larry has one for sale on PWI. You can get great deals, I just bought a bunch of stuff from a local guy that closed his doors for a great deal. The turn over rate of Pw's and roof cleaners is Huge!
The eqpt has gotta go somewhere, might as well put it to use!
I would start out with a 5800, as it is cheap and very effective. Then if you take to roof cleaning or get very busy you can easily upgrade and make a better choice as you will have experience in the field and will know how you like to work out of your trailer.
Look around for used equipment, Larry has one for sale on PWI. You can get great deals, I just bought a bunch of stuff from a local guy that closed his doors for a great deal. The turn over rate of Pw's and roof cleaners is Huge!
The eqpt has gotta go somewhere, might as well put it to use!
Larry Millette
Member
Thanks for the promo Big T.
The udor zeta is a beast... Bob is setting it up like he has the bandit set up. I don't own one but will be getting one on the spring, heres why
1) adjustable 5-10 GPM
2) adjustable 60-300 PSI
3) set up for use with 1 or two hoses or even four with another attachment
I will be focusing on roofs next year. With the Zeta I will be able to shoot a bunch of them from the ground. I can rig the second hose to carry water/rinse while the 1st hose is shooting my mix.
I don't get much flat work but I will be a rinsing mad man after I get the zeta.
For house washing I will be able to have two guys on opposite sides of the house washing and then switch to water and have both rinsing.
Now with all that being said, I have only been doing roofs for one year and just started softwashing this year also. I "think" my plan will work and would like to hear feedback if anyone wants to set me straight
1) adjustable 5-10 GPM
2) adjustable 60-300 PSI
3) set up for use with 1 or two hoses or even four with another attachment
I will be focusing on roofs next year. With the Zeta I will be able to shoot a bunch of them from the ground. I can rig the second hose to carry water/rinse while the 1st hose is shooting my mix.
I don't get much flat work but I will be a rinsing mad man after I get the zeta.
For house washing I will be able to have two guys on opposite sides of the house washing and then switch to water and have both rinsing.
Now with all that being said, I have only been doing roofs for one year and just started softwashing this year also. I "think" my plan will work and would like to hear feedback if anyone wants to set me straight
DJ Carroll
Member
Jim i still think your best bet is going to be down streaming for house . . .its faster and you don't have to carry a batch of house wash mix. . .just a 5er of $H
I will be DSing the houses (Bob has me set up) but I want to try the zeta on a house with two guys to see how fast it is. I will be mixing on site so I wont be carring around the extra wieght. At the very least I will be able to wash a house while my helper does the flat work.
DJ Carroll
Member
I just think there is a limit to how fast you can wash a house because there is a time element invloved where you have to let the $H kill the funk on the house. . .but too each his own . . .good luck let us know how it goes
Peerless
banned
Looks rock solid
We downstream less than half the time, usually use my chem pump with my pw'r. I want the Zeta for housewashes, and have considered getting one a few times. Maybe on my new trailer if it has room. We have been spraying 1000 + gallons a week now for the last few months straight. I just don't think the zeta could handle it. I would be replacing the wetted parts every other week before jobs in the am. Not gonna do it.
My good bro that I work with from time to time does a ton of hot water flatwork. His chem pump will push up to 17gpm up to 200-500psi..I have seen him rinse flatwork down so fast my head spinned. He can wash a house so fast it's crazy. The pump can't handle roof love all day every day though.
He likes the flowjet for roofs.
it is a fine line between performance vs usage.
I am not a pump mechanic nor do I want to learn or become one.
Apple Roof Cleaning
Roof Cleaning Instructor
I have a Udor Zeta in my shed in pieces, one of many that failed.
They failed so quickly, and so often, that Udor refused to warranty them, after they sent out the third manifold and valve springs.
They replaced the John Blue DP 193's on our trucks.
Looking back, it was a costly roof cleaning pump experiment.
I would get a Delavan Fat Boy, and use 5/8 hose with it, and be happy.
It will cost considerably more to beat it, as far as longevity and performance goes.
Large Hose is the trick to getting decent performance out of a low pressure pump.
We used to use Shurflo's, and kept a back up under the seat.
Took all of 10 minutes to change a pump out, and we were good to go again.
They failed so quickly, and so often, that Udor refused to warranty them, after they sent out the third manifold and valve springs.
They replaced the John Blue DP 193's on our trucks.
Looking back, it was a costly roof cleaning pump experiment.
I would get a Delavan Fat Boy, and use 5/8 hose with it, and be happy.
It will cost considerably more to beat it, as far as longevity and performance goes.
Large Hose is the trick to getting decent performance out of a low pressure pump.
We used to use Shurflo's, and kept a back up under the seat.
Took all of 10 minutes to change a pump out, and we were good to go again.
Thanks Chris, glad to see you back. Whats the Fat Boy going to do over the 5800? I don't know what to do really with the systems so I'm probably going to just buy one of the systems from Bob, one is a fat boy system but what about the Bobcat? I'm probably not going to be doing mutiple roofs a day maybe a couple a week to start hopefully but as I said non has ever really been done around here so it might explode once people see it being done. theres a ton of them to do around here if I can figure out the price nitch.
Apple Roof Cleaning
Roof Cleaning Instructor
It would seem the fat boy is a step up in performance from the standard 5800.
Even a 5800 will do you proud, even more so if you go to 5/8 hose.
The Bobcat is an interesting design, better for those cleaning a LOT of roofs.
I would start out with a 5800 myself, and move to a fat boy if it takes off.
Then, you can move to a Bobcat if need be ?
If you stay in the Delevan family, the heads are interchangeable I think ?
This will give you spare parts for the fat boy or Bobcat, or back up pumps for when the Delavans fail.
And make NO mistake, they WILL fail.
ALL roof cleaning pumps are basically on borrowed time, and nothing is forever when it comes to SHC use.
Accept this, remove and replace, and price accordingly.
Even my Kynar Air Pumps have their weak points, and that is why I have 4 pumps ready to go at all times.
When they go, and they will, we simply remove and replace, and the bad pump gets rebuilt, ready to go back in service again.
Fortunately, the Kynar Body can be rebuilt many times with all new internals.
I have one that has 4 rebuilds on it !
The Bob Cat is cool, and looks easy to repair, just slap a new head on it, and spray away.
Delavan Heads are pretty cheap, and readily availiable.
They have Viton Valves, but are Poly, and effected by the SHC.
But who cares ?
Not gonna rebuild em anyway, just slap a new head on, and good to go again, inexpensively.