I'll start by saying I have become a CRB/Cimex nut these last two years. My comments will be on the CRB for this post. I own 3 CRB machines A 17" 2sp 175/320 rotary and a Challenger OP machine. I have used each extensivly, but my favorite way to clean now is CRB (and I use them both in the residential and commercial arena) The cleaning ability and great results can be attributed to the pound per square inch weight advantage of the 20" CRB. A 20" CRB applies 1 & 1/2 lbs per sq. in. to the carpet. A 17" rotary- less than 1/2 lb. per sq. inch and a 20" rotary even less. The scrubbing action of the fiber is quite different. Two counter rotating brushes scrubbing the carpet fibers in a verticle direction covers more of the carpet fiber surface than a rotary or OP working mainly on the carpet horizonal surface.

I would expect that a cylindrical machine would be more effective than a rotary machine in most carpet cleaning applications.

And most cleaners who have tried both report that the Cimex has an edge in production over a cylindrical machine.

But I'd certainly agree that cylindrical machines have a place; that's why we sell a couple of different flavors of 'em.

For residential I can see where the cylindrical would do well. And we have a few customers using the way you're suggesting.

Thanks for sharing your observations Ray - wise words as usual from an ol' master cleaner.





Rick Gelinas
encapman

Do you have a Steamin Demon? Or know of one in the Atl area?

Thanks Ray

I love our brush machine also, but the Mist and Brush machine is too slow for us in a commercial setting due to no sprayer or chem tank. Combined with the Steamin Demon in the residential setting there is just no need for a TM.

No Scott,and do not know of one in the Atlanta area.

Whose 20" CRB do you use? Have you had any experience with either of Orbitec's CRBs? I think theirs only comes in a 15" size. One has metal gears and has a reputation for being very noisy. I believe the other has a rubber belt drive mechanisn.

I have used on in Dalton at Shaws when they were demoing the machine.
it was loud as heck and needed some tweeking to make it what I would consider a good machine.


It looks like John Geurkink did that with some of the tweeks that his company made to the machine, but I cannot say for sure since I have not seen it since Dalton.
The solution tank and spray jets system the added weight and power would I beleive really dig and give good prodcution times.

Mark, I use the Whittaker 20" but also have a 20" TM-Pro comming from Jim England @www. smart-cleaning-solutions.com. I also have two Whittaker 15" and a old Host T-6 CRBs I am not impressed with the unproven CRB that Clark makes and is also sold by Larry Cobb. Rick Gelanis had some very bad experiences with several of them.

Ray,

I have a Sprint and these posts caused me to use it today in place of my Cimex. It did a great job! I often think about you using the 15" Whittaker on stairs. I could never use the Sprint on stairs. What is the difference?

Another thing I think of is if there could be a "brush" made of pad-type materials...That would work great on stains...I think, where brushes are not as good.

Bob, The Whittaker machines do not have tanks on them (they can be added) and you can remove the handle with a twist of the lock pins (2 seconds) and the front brush guard (so you can clean the risers, if they need it) Place the machine at the top step after pluging in at the bottom of the stairs. Yor grab the top bar on the machine with one hand and with the other hand you grab the axel for the transport wheels (not found on other machines) and you now have the finest stair cleaning machine made IMHO. The Sprint w/tank would be too awkward, and even if you take off the tank you still have the handle in your way. The 15" Whittaker is just the right weight for stairs and you don't lift it you just guide it. You can also use the 15" Pilemaster but it does not have a axel to hold onto, so it would be a little awkward. When you are the stairs with a spinning machine that weighs 42 pounds, you want to be balanced and have a comfortable way to hold the machine as you clean.

Ray,

I guess the brushes are closer together on the Whittaker too...I thought the Pilemaster and Whittaker were the same machine.???

P.S. I have been post vacing with my Powr-flite metal vacuum and it's working nicely, but I swear it made it nosier! No clogs thanks in part to Derek's recomendation not to dig as deep on the post vac.

by the same company Bob. The Whittaker has transport wheels welded to the frame to their specs. that is the only difference. Brushes are interchangable. Ricks Pilemaster machine would be better priced I am sure, but call him to verify.

Ray, Thanks for the clarification. Do transport wheels work well for transport too?

Yes, much better than the four little castors on the storage tray that some use.

i prefer the host machine to do stairs with. i wish i never sold mine.

I have a Port-a-Scrub machine for sale if anyone is in the market.
$1000


i have a 20" GLS and a Cimex, they both have their place and work in certain situations. I find myself using the GLS more in commercial situations.