until i can save up some bucks for a Cimex, which rotary do yall recommend? i am looking for a good price. i found this 17" from Powr-Flite for $929.00 : http://powr-flite.com/istore/floormachinesprod.asp?id=M172-3&dept=10084&sku=M172-3

the Solution Tank attachment is $66.00

you'll notice on the bottom of that site, there are a few accesories for the product....which if any of them would i need to order?

are their other rotary's out there better priced? or should i look for a used unit?

thanx for any help fellas! --- Derek (uber-noob)

Hey Derek, take it from a loooong time rotary user...get a machine with a handle height adjustment ON THE HANDLE and NOT on the foot like the one you have pictured. The foot adjust handle is a pain, imo.

Tenant makes a decent machine, and I know Jeff Ebberts has them at his site...$745 includes S&H. Doesn't include a solution tank though...pick one up on ebay or either JonDon or Hesco.

Buffer

Regards
J

Used ones are hard to find, this is one piece of equipment that just keeps on going and going, we have some that are over 20 years old and are on the job sites 6 days a week.
Lots of manufacturers look around, make sure it has a real good solution tank, and shower feed system, is the one thing that will drive you crazy if you buy the wrong one.

my local supplier stopped selling power flite equipment. said, cheap parts and low quality. the only thing I have bought from power flite that I like is the dirt napper and bonnet cleaning system. What ever scrubber you buy, I would make sure it is the heavy duty model. It will hold up better under pad and bonnet cleaning coniditions

Try to find a dual-speed machine. That way you can also try cleaning at 300 RPM. Personally, I prefer this over 175 RPM for many reasons. But, you have to have be familiar with both cleaning speeds before you can make your own judgement. Look for a dual speed machine if you have a little extra dough.

I would caution using anything over 175 rpm machine on carpets, the dual speed machines are o.k. but only a very experienced operator should use the higher speeds on carpets.

I second Don's opinion. While a 300 rpm machine can be run on carpets, it really takes an expert- don't try learning with these.

As far as brands- they all run a VERRRRY long time. Virtualy forever.

The shortest lasting one I have ever dealt with is the Power-flite. Cheap plastic does not make for durability. I always carried a spare motor switch handle because they kept breaking off. The motor cover broke off the top, the handle height adjuster kept slipping, etc. Pass on these unless you can get it for CHEAP!!

Hild, General, Unico, Chemstractor, Certified, Multiclean, Clarke, and many others last forever. You probably won't wear out a 20 year old model.

My opinion on the very best, smoothest running is the Clarke.

Gary

i have been doing some maintenance high-speed buffing on VCT for the past 7 years...would this qualify me for using the 300 RPM on carpet?

thanx for the great replies fellas!

my wife is trying to talk me into waiting and saving up for the Cimex, but i'm not sure yet lol. if i can buy a used rotary for $200 - $300, i think i should do that first.

one of my reservations is tip blooming. i dont know much about it, will have to do some research on what causes it and how to avoid it if possible. if any of yall feel like explaining that here, feel free and thanx for your time

thanx again! --- Derek.