What do you VLM guys keep in your van for equipment? Rick, I saw one of your vans in an old post for ramps. I see the cimex, but was wondering what else you carry on a typical work day. Reason I'm askin' - Just got another van, a Dodge 1 ton window van, which is going to be my "VLM" van! I want to transition from the HWE to VLM (NOT totally eliminate it, though) and want to know what kind of equipment (and chems)are necessary, and how the equipment is secured in the van.

Anyone else who can disclose what equipment they carry would be appreciated!!!!

Looking foward to hearing from you guys....

Thanks, Joe

If i was going to have a VLM van, it would include a good vacuum. bac pac vac as well.
Cimex
2 speed rotary
OP machine

That will clean all that you have to worry about.

Many will say some dual cylindrical machine... I dont like them. Thats just my preference.

Normal presprays of choice for VLM cleaning. Releasit for encapsulation.

and the misc. spotting kit.

Pads for the rotary and OP. (thin bath towell type.. not bonnets)
a couple of cases of FP pads for the CImex and a 17" FP pad for my rotary and agitation.

Thats about it. I may be forgetting something but this is the main list on short notice.

Steve Dobson
ProFloor
Custom Cleaning Services

i agree with all the items Steve listed!

in addition i'd throw in a drill for bonneting some upholstery and stairs...here's one from eBay :




Joe, was it you that told me about having one of these types of tools for upholstery?? or someone else i can't recall lol.

i'm interested in the counter rotating brush machines, but haven't tried one so can't pass judgement yet...i know Steve has tried a GLS i think it was.?.

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as far as the tools i now have on my van, which is pretty much VLM, they are :

- Cimex.
- hand-held orbital polisher for some upholstery / stairs.
- Host machine for encap'ing stairs & can be used to pre-scrub b4 OP'ing or can be used b4 pre-vac'ing FILTHY commercial carpet to loosen up the embedded soil so it can be more easily vac'ed out b4 encap'ing it.
- Dyson.
- 18" Hoover Conquest w/ dirtcup.
- Backpack Vac.
- asst. pads both synthetic like F.P. & cotton.
- asst. cleaning solutions and spotters, mostly all encap'ers for now...also just got a gallon of Argosheen with some of their cotton pads to try out.
- a Gary Heacock stand-up brush

within the next week i'll be recieving via UPS :

- Challenger OP machine with more pads.
- 7" electric polisher like the one pictured above.
- 16" self-contained walk behind extractor. i'll use this for TRASHED commercial and follow it with either the OP or more likely the Cimex.
- MultiSprayer with several 2 gallon jugs.

hopefully that's enough for awhile. my van is a mess inside, i'm good at clutter

i'll try ya on the phone now Joe lol.

take care --- Derek.

Depending on what van I take

TM
Rotary
cylindrical brush machine
Steamin Demon

Vacuum (Royal Commercial)
Back Pack.

a few different carpet wands hard surface wand
car buffer

Cross American Recoil

several type of floor pads, bonnets and cotton pads.

Chems
we use Ricks Juice Cross Americans
Hard Ball Steamin Demon Fab Pro and some Magic Wand

spotte we use HardBalls Pine spotter so far it works the best on gum and tar

for just carpet I take:
Cimex, 2 sets of pads, and the juice
dyson vac
50'drop cord
2 5 gal buckets
spotter kit
couple towels for wiping up splashing
a 3' chunk of 1 1/2" vac hose for filling buckets(in case no slop sink handy)

Brian

19"Cimex--15"GLS--17"2sp Betco--Ninja--Argo stair machine--Makita 9227C w/7" 100% cotton pads from Plus Mfg.--2 gal. Multi-sprayer--(4 vacs)Miele,DustCare Backpack, 16"Dustcare upright,and a 15" Sanitare upright (Hey, vacuuming is important) bucket heater and a lot of Bill Gaither CDs It all fits nicely in my GMC 2500 van with room left over to pick up rugs. I carry chems also, Releasit DS, Argo,Cobb's Dynachem, Chemeisters ProLim and Gumolene, Plus Mfg. Odor and stain remover (about $68 a gal but best I ever used) Whink rust remover, A lot of CTI's spot removers, and testing the samples Steve Smith sent me. Also a lot of pads and bonnets.

Whats an Argo stair machine?

Brian

One thing I didn't notice in any of the posts was bucket heaters. I believe in using hot water if possible. Even though Releasil works well in cold water, hot water seems to make things go easier and faster. I have two empty jugs that I fill with hot water before I leave home so I can start cleaning right away if I'm not going to vacuum first.

i think Rambo squeezed a bucketheater in there :P

i forgot to mention my bucket heater, Mark's right, it's very important IMO.

dang Rambo, you've got alotta equipment there! mr. organized...i could use some pointers

thanx --- Derek.