My new Challenger arrived Friday, I took it out of the box and did a few carpets in the building where I supervise the cleaning crew at night. I did a section in front of the elevators, did a good job of lifting the pile which was very matted down from all the traffic, 700 people work in the building. Colors were more vibrant too. My first impression on this commercial carpet is positive, machine is very smooth, quality is good. It was much easier than using the HWE.I think the Challenger will work well for small commercial & residential. Problem I had was cotton pads were getting stringy and tangled in the holy glider. Anyone have any ideas why this happens, am I doing something wrong?

Hi George:

Great choice in orbital machine. I've used both the Conqueror and the Challenger and I definitely prefer the smoothness and operation of the Challenger. I'm assuming you were cleaning a low level loop type carpet. Anytime I'm breaking in new pads, I've always got a little loose fuzz or loose strings. This sounds quite normal if it was only a small amount. One thing I might suggest is that if you are doing a low level loop, you shouldn't need to use any glider unless you a finding a lot of drag on the machine, then you may choose to use one. BUT ALWAYS use a glider of some sort when you cleaning any cut pile carpet. Spray the carpet with your cleaning solution and make sure your pad is just short of dripping wet. Clean about 10 sq. ft and check your pad to see how soiled it is getting to judge how far to use your pad until flipping or changing. If you try to clean too far, you will shred your pads to bits in no time.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me directly or ask on the board here and I'll try to help you with whatever I can.

Rick Thode
Releasit/Cimex Canada and Challenger
Rick@cleanfxsupply.ca

I've been using Challengers for several years now. I've switched from using the single-ply pads that come with the machine to the 2-ply pads made by Argo & Co. (www.argoco.com) I like having a greater volume of material under my machine, especially on low-pile commercial carpeting. The machine seems to handle better this way. Also, when the single-ply pads begin to wear thin, they begin to kind of "scrunch up" under the machine, mainly when starting up.
This takes longer to occur with the 2-ply pads. I prefer the 2-ply pads in 17" diameter size.

Glad to hear that you got the machine and like how it runs George!

There is some good advice from the fellas above. As Rick mentioned above, SMOOTH is the word for the Challenger. I've tried all the OP machines on the market, and the Challenger is like silk. Some cleaners have compared the other OP machines to running a jackhammer. I represent the Challenger because it's a well designed, quality built, machine that we can be proud to offer. I'm glad to hear that you appreciate its quality too George.

Thanks again George, if I can help you in any way just let me know




Rick Gelinas
encapman

George,
You aren't doing anything wrong. Sometimes strands of the cotton pads do tangle up in the holy glider. I have turned some of my cotton pads into 2 ply pads by cutting out a round (19 to 20 inch) piece from a cotton nappy (diaper) and sewing it on one side. I put the diaper side against the velcro. It tends not to get strands like the Challenger pads can.

Alternatively, just use the thin solid glider.

Another alternative is to make your own smaller thinner glider. I just use those coloured plastic place mats that here cost about $1, and cut them in circles or donut shapes. One side is very smooth. Stick a few small pieces of velcro on the non-smooth side and you have a glider.

Regards,
Neil

What I really like about the pad cleaning system is how easy it is! Much easier and faster than setting up the extractor! I have the challenger, pads, chemical, sprayer & buckets in my van ready to do demo's, & jobs. I going to pad a residential job next weekend, can't wait to see the customer's reaction to the excellent results. Question; do you usually wash new pads before using or not? I also have to remember to get some pictures to post. Thanks for all the info.

hiyas George and congrats on the new Challenger. i love mine, OP'ing is a great system.

always wash new pads to remove any chemicals/residue they may apply during the manufacturing process...this is what ppl posted to me when i've asked the same question.

careful with Bleach as it weakens cotton.

another reason for the original question is, you may have been running the pads too dry and/or too long. if you don't keep them lubed good enough, they are going to break down quicker.

noobs to OP (like me) need some time to get used to the new method...those with more experience say there is roughly a 50 hour learning curve 'til you get the hang of things.

thanx --- Derek.

Anyone tried using something like the bonnets with the green scrub strip with the Challenger?

These pads work well with the Challenger, if you are using a "scrub & run" type of encap product. Since the fibers are a synthetic material, unllike cotton, they don't absorb much cleaner or soil. If you are using your Challenger with a type of cleaner intended to remove soil, and this includes
Releasit Encap Punch, then you should be using cotton pads.

I tried the Challenger using Punch on a bad traffic path between the cafeteria & fitness room at the building last night. I did it twice and after it dried it really stood out because it was cleaner that the rest of the carpet! I'm lov'in this!

Ah! The zealotry of the new convert!