Been in this business going on three years. Started with large truck mount HWE. Found it to be to expensive to maintain. Tried a Steamon Demon and found it cleaned just as good if not better than the truck mount as long as I pre scrubbed the carpet with a rotary. Sold the truck mount bought 2 Steamon Demons and I love them (but) I have started to experiment with encap and can not believe the results I'm getting. It is so much simpler,faster,less hassle. I think I'm in love. My problem is I don't think I'm getting either enough of the right agitation on the carpet with the rotary (175rpm) so I want to buy either a GLS or maybe the new X-2. I like the cimax but I do residential, apartments, and small businesses for the most part. Think the cimex is to big and heavy. I'm leaning toward the GLS because it only weighs 47Lbs as oppose to 72lbs for the X-2. Rick G says his X-2 is heavier so it will scubb deeper into the carpet. But the cimax doesn't scrub deep into the capet particularly with pads. So has any body that is using the GLS think this is a problem, would you like more wieght on the machine? Any opinions are welcome. ALso how well has your GLS machines held up I know the X-2 is to new to evaluate yet. How well does the GLS clean compared to the cimax for those of you who have both? Sorry for the length of this message. Jim E.

Jim E

Hi JIm. We talked a few times 3-4 months ago about your switch from TM to Steamin Demons. I think I mentioned that you should check out the Cimex and encap. I knew you would like it. I ordered a GLS just days before I saw Rick's machine on his site. I only used it a few times as I had a 15 day trial period. I found the spray system somewhat awkward in tight spaces, the tray you put the machine in is a major pain as it won't stay on and it cost several hundred dollars more if you get the spray unit. I cleaned a berber with it that didn't look good at all. We brought the Cimex in with pads and the carpet looked almost brand new. I haven't received my X2 yet but I'm hoping its weight will improve its ability to clean. My bet is that it will so I paid the freight to return the GLS. The X2 having a vacuum connection also interests me. None of us have any experience with the X2 but I'm sure others have more experience with the GLS.

David VB

the 15" cimex doesn't weigh too much, I pick it up to put it in the van (no ramp needed), and going up stairs isnt too bad. If you think the 19" is too big, consider the 15" (R38)

My experience with the GLS (I own two of them) is that the GLS is a versatile and reliable machine. I have had zero problems with them.
As far as cleaning, it is important to use the right brush. This is undoubtedly true also for the X-2. Don't try to get by on the cheap with just one set of brushes. You will be disappointed.
I suggest at least three sets of brushes from soft to medium to stiff (the latter for commercial).
As far as the brush storage tray and the sprayer, there is no problem. A little experience takes care of that, and I mean little.
Will it scrub like a Cimex? Nope. Will it scrub differently? Yes.
Will the X-2 scrub better? Could be. I'm going to find out.

Jim, I don't know about the X2 as you said, it's pretty new on the market. Don't own one.

But I'd hate to give up my GLS. I do plenty of places that don't have elevators, but seem to deposit their soil on the top floor of the apartment building, office building, etc. With an easily portable machine, you just go, zip in and do it. Great result, usually.

I have had the same experience as above. Sometimes, the machine just doesn't seem to 'match' the type of agitation that a particular carpet needs, and you are underwhelmed. In those cases, just Cimex it and you WILL be a happy camper.

IMO the GLS damages a lot of longer pile types.


It will pull pet hair out like you would not beleive......BUT!






Get a better truck mount!

mike, can you explain how GLS (I dodn't own one) damage long pile carpets?
Because so many they own the machine are very happy with the results.

BTW, we are talking about VLM cleaning here, and not truck mounts.
I have two of the best myself, and I'm very happy, but I'm looking for faster times with good results.

Chris

Has anyone had a problem with the GLS pulling or damaging fibers or carpet of anykind on any carpet? I know the GLS scrubs differently than the cimax and it must scrub deeper into the pile if it pulls up a lot of things out of the carpet ie dog and cat hair, so doesn't it clean better or not? Has anyone taken the tank off of either the 15" or 19" cimax to make it lighter and less combersome?

Jim E

Does the GLS pull or damage fibers on any carpet?
When you say "any carpet" that covers a lot of territory. I've pulled fibers with every form of carpet cleaning, including HWE, (sometimes a lot of fibers) but I blamed that on the carpet, not the method of cleaning. There's a lot of junk carpet out there and one should never make a judgement on whether some method once pulled fibers out of some carpet.
That said, yes, it's possible to damage carpet fibers. When in doubt, use the softest brushes available. A lot of GLS owners don't have them. They should - including X-2 owners.
It seems that weight is important to you. Taking the tank off the Cimex will not solve your problem. The tank doesn't weight that much.

The GLS will sort of tangle some longer pile types, "California (Cut) Berbers in particular.....

Some times the knots can be raked out ...Some times not....


Any color brush can and has done this.

Mike

What does a California Cut berber look like? You initially mentioned that a lot of longer pile carpets can be damaged. What others are you refering to and are there other types of problems associated with those carpets?

You suggested Jim get a better TM. Do yo know what he got rid of and what unit would you recommend?

Thanks,

David VB

3/4 inch and longer, cheaper less weight stuff, huge space beteen the yarns at the base... Very common.

It tends to get knotted and tangled....

I'm am not the only one who notices this.

The Only TM I would buy know, are th Genisis or a Vortex

Mega Heat, Soft water and big ass blowers save time like you would not believe.

Mike,

Thanks for the description. Sounds like really cheap goods. We don't service that market so I wasn't familiar with it.

I had a Genesis 59 truck mount the biggest one Power Clean Ind. builds. Had lots of heat but it did fluctuate a lot. Had some problems with componet parts had problems getting them to take care of it with out me paying even though it was under warranty. Never did get two hundred and some $ back for a pump they replaced and I installed. The warranty is so strick if you do not document every hour and send it to them it voids the warranty. If you want to buy one make sure you read the warranty first and understand it and what you have to do to keep it under warranty. This was a brand new 2003 model. Sold because of cost of operating a large truck mount and found my Steamon Demon cleaned just as good if not better at a fraction of the cost and operating expense.
Thats also why I'm moving into encaping. Thats my 2 cents worth. Jim

Jim E

That's why I got a Vortex...











The carpet's in question are not cheap..



Very popular stuff here.