I'm trying to limit the equipment I bring in for a job. I always vacuum and always agitate with Releasit using CRB, Cimex or rotary. When I do HWE, I use a Rotovac and a 2 chord extractor. RV produces beautiful results but Rotovac + extractor + hoses + 3 chords is too much...I have been thinking that something like the US Prods Moccasin 816 or one of the Power-flite units may be the answer. I would probably concentrate on traffic areas only for the HWE portion of most jobs. I think that the Steamin Demon or Agitator 20 may be overkill for these situations, just like the Rotovac is, since the agitation/encap process works so well. Thanks for any opinions you may have!

P.S. Maybe something still has to be invented to fulfill my needs...

from the few that have tried the PF walk behinds and posted about it, i have read mixed reviews.

i dunno about overkill from the SD or the Agitator. if they can clean as good as or better than your aforementioned models, and do it as fast or faster, than consider them.

you might have to find a local distrib and try several models before you buy.

i understand your search, and i have narrowed it down to the SD or Agit...one is high-flow, one isn't. i gotta side with the SD. but that's what i have found might be best for my situation. what you find might be totally different.

thanx --- Derek.

Derek,

Maybe "overkill" was the wrong word. I am more thinking about the hoses, hookup, etc. that may be time consuming when it's just a quick HWE in traffic areas that's required. I guess what I may be looking for is a post-vac machine with the option to flush certain areas.

Mr. Forsythe,
I'd suggest you look at the Advance AquaClean 18FLX or 16XP units. Also, my personal preference is Windsor units such as the Clipper or Admiral. I really believe the Windsor units to be a bit more user friendly than the Advance units and the solution pickup to be a bit better.
The advantage the Advance units have is their DCM option. You can check out the Advance website. Basically what they do is reduce the pressure and redirect the solution to be sprayed into the agitation brush. This they feel allows for "low moisture" cleaning, we have used encap products(Punch)in it for these applications with success. The only knock on it I have experienced is true of all self contained extractors, keeping the orifice of the jet clean and free of obstructions, keeping the brush clean and rotated, and the vac shoe clean and obstruction free. Basic maintenance issues. The Windsor units don't have this DCM option (low moisture) without a lot of work.
Also with the Clipper and 18FLX the handles "flip" so units can be used in either "pull" or "push" ways. If doing more commercial or large open areas this might be advantageous, besides just the width of the brush/shoe. For residential use it still might have its perks in trying to get into "tight" areas.
My one suggestion if one goes this route, is to go the extra step and post bonnet to remove residual soil/moisture, use cotton pads where appropriate and "thin ones" where tip bloom is more of a concern. This has been worthwhile to me when I use a self contained unit.
I know what you mean, all the hoses, and stuff can get to be a real drag.

I still think the Windsor units work better for me. It seemed like I spent too much time telling about the "neat" things on the Advance units. Performance wise I think the Windsor units are what Advance is trying to emulate. The vacuum shoe setup, and the agitation brush set up on the Windsor seems to work better to me. I've used both and it is just my opinion.
Also, the "low moisture" mode in the Advance is a neat ploy but if you already have a CRB then the Advance isn't the best tool you have for that. For flushing/rinsing the Windsor wins.

Hi...

Just wanted to slip in a word about the Ag 20 unit. It has worked VERY well for me. I know the rated water flow is much less than the demon BUT it is substantial when you see it and I cannot imagine needing any more water than this thing cycles. The extra agitation is imo a benifit. This thing does a heck of a job, takes up very little space in the truck and, frankly, is a lot less ugly than the demon - I get very positive feedback from customers.

thanx for the feedback Gary!

Thanks for the advice & input fellas...I still have to do some research before I bite the bullet, but one thing's for sure...CCing equip is more fun than lawn equip!!!

Bob