Have been encapping with Rick's product using our 175 rotary with good results. Looking to buy either the Sprint or Challenger. Most of our commercial work is smaller offices where it seems these machines would make more sense.

Is the improvement in results worth the investment? or just stick with the 175?

What would you do?

Thanks,
Doug

Doug i have used a 175 rotory, still do here and there even though i have a 19" cimex, you would be amazed at wgere the mex can get into. I never used a challenger or sprint.

hiyas Doug

well if it were me in your shoes, strictly commercially speaking i would go with the Sprint over the Challenger. why?

well on commercial you want speed and the Challenger, while some will argue (and maybe rightfully so) that it has a greater ability to give a more thorough clean than a rotary, it is slower.

also, you can throw a cotton pad/bonnet on the rotary and get similar results to an OP machine (again, some argue that a rotary can clean as good as an OP machine, some beg to differ...i won't get into that).

with a Sprint you are getting a different type of cleaning machine altogether. while i have never used a Sprint, i would GUESS that the rotary would encap clean a CGD faster and better...same as a Cimex would. i would use a Sprint more on maintained carpet cleaning accounts or smaller jobs.

well hey, maybe more ppl will post on the machine that have actually tried it huh? lol

thanx --- Derek.

We use the Cimex in all kinds of commercial buildings and never have a problem. We just landed a large furniture store with 6 locations in the Houston area because of the Cimex / Releasit combo.

Kevin Pearson

Thanks Guys,

Sounds like the thing to do might be wait a bit longer and invest in the Cimex.
Doug

Doug,

I own both a cimex and a sprint. Although I love my cimex it is definetly for larger jobs and open areas. I have a sprint and I use it for all offices where I can easily get under desk and around objects. If you use a machine strickly for smaller jobs get the sprint. I also use it for small apt jobs. It's just like running a upright vac.


Ralph

I have a Challenger (modified - larger wheels and electric spray) so that it does 2000sq. ft.per hour, a Cimex, and the Aussie version of the Sprint (looks to be the same machine to me) with an electric spray.

What you buy depends how else you clean, what other equipment you have in addition to the rotary and most importantly whether you will start doing encap or other low moisture in residential as well. My experience is that once many people get a great agitating and versatile low moisture machine for small commercial, they then start doing 2 things. Firstly, start looking for larger commercial as well. Secondly, start doing more low moisture and less HWE in residential as well.

So, my analysis.
The Cimex will allow you to move from the small commercial to larger if needed. You can also do empty residential easily. But, going up lots of stairs can be a problem.
The standard Challenger is great for residential and smaller commercial but slower than the Cimex because you have to pre-spray and because it does not run on wheels. My modified Challenger is nearly as quick as the Cimex because it runs on its wheels and has both gravity feed and electric spray feed on board.

Personally, I don't use the Sprint for 2 reasons. I don't think it agitates as well the Challenger or Cimex ie. it doesn't clean as well with encap. So, if you get a really soiled carpet, you will be wishing you had the Challenger or Cimex. Secondly, I have a small van and wanted one machine that is versatile enough to handle from small residential to large commercial. My modified Challenger can do this. So, now I leave the Cimex at home most of the time. (because I just found it too heavy up and down stairs in residential). Also, in addition to using synthetic pads I can use cotton pads with the Challenger to extract as well either post encapping or pre-encapping. An example would be in restaurants. If say there are 10 really greasy or really soiled spots. I would pre-spray just these spots with appropriate chemical while vacuuming, let dwell while finish the vacuuming, use a cotton pad on the Challenger to do extract on those 10 spots, then swap to synthetic and encap over the lot. The modified Challenger is a very versatile low moisture machine.
Neil

I have a Challenger, I use it for small comm. & residential. I get excellent results with it. I like it's small size and manuverability. That being said, I don't have a rotary. You do, so you can put on a pad, bonnet or Dirt Napper which is a combination brush with a bonnet that will give similar results to the Challenger. The Cimex or Pilemaster are the choices for high productivity.

Neil, i forgot to ask you before 2 sets of questions:

1) what size motor does your Challenger have? mine is the 3/4 HP. with your setup do you think a larger motor is important or will a 1/2 HP motor work fine?

2) have you thought of somehow putting a larger diameter pad driver on your Challenger?

Neil, thanx for all the awesome ideas on mod'ing a Challenger!!!

--- Derek.

Derek,
My Challenger is the 3/4hp, it is the only one that will work on our power supply here in Australia 240V. The mods should work fine with a 1/2 hp. The only untested issue is how long the smaller motor will run for, ie. will it overheat. With a standard Challenger you are stopping and starting, so the motor is getting a rest. With my upgraded Challenger which runs on wheels and electric spray, you just keep going, so the motor is getting much more use in a shorter time. Maybe the 1/2hp may not cope, but then again it may.
I am in the process of making up a larger drive plate for my Challenger. I will let you know how it goes. I am initially making a 16", then if that is okay I'll try an 18" and then maybe a 20".
Regards,
Neil