Best setup for 2 guy crew

MHasterok

MHasterok

New member
What is a better setup for a two guy crew?

Two machines (on the same truck) working at opposite ends of the job?

or...

One higher gpm machine with split lines having one guy run the sc & the other follow several feet behind rinsing?

I think the second choice sounds better. Anyone know what a minimum gpm would be needed to do flatwork? If you split the line, will both have equal pressure if running the same time?
 
I would think you would want at least 12 Gpm that way the both have 6. Yes the pressure will be the same as using one line. I have two machines on one trailer. One uses the SC and the other rinses. Works pretty good that way. I do keep two surface cleaners on it though, sometimes it works best for them to both be using them.
 
the times i have split the PW i have had 1 line with more pressure than the other. but i just used a 1/2" T. I would say one guy on SC with high GPM, the other with a cold or hot wand rinsing and detailing. This is what works for me. But it would be nice to have 2-3 guys poping gum at the same time. I run an 8 gpm hotwater PW and helper runs a
5gpm cold water PW. I am also working with what i have. Ill be upgrading to another 8gpm maching or hot box real soon.
 
Seperate the guys completely and get more done in one night. If you put 2 guys on fast food restaurants together you may get 6-7 done per night however one single guy can do 4-5 by him-self. 2 guys together get to talking too much, playing around, and wasting time that in the end costs you money.

Separate them with at least 6 gpm and you will see better results. Another thing to consider is an 8gpm machine can achieve 5-6 fast food restaurants per night opposed to a 6gpm only capable of 5 tops at least in my market. I highly recommend running 8gpm and separate them
 
I don't think the split line is a good idea, two machines is more versatile. Maybe hook them together for high gpm when needed. I think two guys are better at large centers, I could see the point about restaurants but I would rather have a team than solo. Surface cleaner in front, wand following is fast for me.
 
tomtucson said:
I don't think the split line is a good idea, two machines is more versatile. Maybe hook them together for high gpm when needed. I think two guys are better at large centers, I could see the point about restaurants but I would rather have a team than solo. Surface cleaner in front, wand following is fast for me.
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I agree. Plus two guys is better for safety.

A couple weeks ago we were washing on Ina Rd. and heard loud screeching then a helicoptor above. TPD was chasing a Tahoe from downtown & he ended up jumping the curb & going down a 20ft bank to the back of the shopping ctr. He got out and started on foot towards us. He saw us, then about 5 cops coming at him. My brother started chasing him on foot (could have been dangerous), and him & one officer caught the guy.

Crazy night!
 
MHasterok said:
I agree. Plus two guys is better for safety.

A couple weeks ago we were washing on Ina Rd. and heard loud screeching then a helicoptor above. TPD was chasing a Tahoe from downtown & he ended up jumping the curb & going down a 20ft bank to the back of the shopping ctr. He got out and started on foot towards us. He saw us, then about 5 cops coming at him. My brother started chasing him on foot (could have been dangerous), and him & one officer caught the guy.

Crazy night!
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You should have sprayed him with the turbo nozzle!:triniti: That would take someone down in a heartbeart especially at about 4000psi.
 
Prestige_Pressure said:
You should have sprayed him with the turbo nozzle!:triniti: That would take someone down in a heartbeart especially at about 4000psi.
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With the water at 250 degrees!
 
We (my guys) have been cleaning shopping centers this week. I went along for a couple of nights. Brian has a good system. We have a trailer with 2 hot machines on it and we surface clean with that trailer. They are piped together. Then we fixed up a old hot machine I had sitting there and put it on a trailer and the second guy rinsed and cleaned gum. It helped thet there was a 3rd man there tpo keep them going.
I had trouble keeping up with them!
 
This week I'm losing my flatwork virginity. Chris asked me to help him do these city sidewalks because he doesn't want to break in a temp for the job and he wants to use two trucks for it.

This is about 9 nights of work and I am one hurtin' unit. I'm sore in places I didn't even know I had.

We're on the fourth night and I think we've finally come up with the best solution for this particular job.

At first we thought I'd go ahead and pop gum and Chris would surface clean and I'd come behind him and rinse (turning off the burner and using cold to save diesel.) Chris has a 3000psi 6gpm machine and I have a 1500psi 6gpm machine. Turns out the 1500 psi machine is perfect for popping gum and I don't even have to use a variable wand.

There was more gum than we thought and it was OLD gum BAKED into the concrete so I got behind. We were only doing about 3200 square ft/hr that way.

Finally tonight we got the right combo. Chris starts surface cleaning and I immediately start popping gum and rinsing. He carries his variable wand on his surface cleaner and when he gets too far ahead of me he pops gum and rinses till we meet in the middle, then back to surface cleaning again. We were able to get out a little over 4200 square feet per hour tonight that way.

All I've got to say is you guys are all crazy. That's a lot of work for the money. I'll stick with coil cleaning and filter service. I'm too old for this kind of stuff!
 
question how do you guy keep up with water. If total Gpm's is 13+ with all PW runing how do you not drain your tank? Mine 325 drains quick with the water on and 2 PWs runing.
 
El Flojo said:
question how do you guy keep up with water. If total Gpm's is 13+ with all PW runing how do you not drain your tank? Mine 325 drains quick with the water on and 2 PWs runing.
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I don't have two machines running, but I do run out of water sometimes. I usually try to keep the hose hooked to the building filling the tank as I work. Otherwise I start with a full tank, then hook up the water at the next hose bib when I move to the next spot.
 
MHasterok said:
I don't have two machines running, but I do run out of water sometimes. I usually try to keep the hose hooked to the building filling the tank as I work. Otherwise I start with a full tank, then hook up the water at the next hose bib when I move to the next spot.
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Sucking up or reclaiming some of that water and recycling it helps a bunch, there is still some loss but way less then just letting it run down the drain, Add a vac surface cleaner or 2 and you will fly, the increase in efficiency pays for a third guy to wrangle around hoses keep on top of the small stuff. Plus the easier you make it for guys the more work they will accomplish. Thus making your entire night easier, faster and more $$ in your pocket.
 
We stay hooked to 2 waters, 50 gal floats only on each machine, rarely have trouble with water. I'm with Joe easier is better - I'm in pursuit of the ultimate easy system.
 
tomtucson said:
We stay hooked to 2 waters, 50 gal floats only on each machine, rarely have trouble with water. I'm with Joe easier is better - I'm in pursuit of the ultimate easy system.
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Even if we preload with 850 gallons, we can run low after 6 or 7 hours, but the reclaiming helps alot.
 
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