I keep looking at the Vento and am getting more interested. Rick, I read one of your past post where you said the Vento has a one horse motor. Would you confirm that please? Also the weight quote is 69 lbs. Is that accurate? I can handle 69 lbs. but don't want anything any heavier. I am going to get another OP machine this year that is why I am looking and asking questions now. I have read about several OP machines but am still leaning toward the Vento.
If anyone has a Vento please share your thoughts about it.

Joe, according to the pdf on Rick's web site, the machine weighs 69 pounds, however the motor is rated at 3/4 hp

http://www.excellent-supply.com/vento-specifications.pdf

Hope this helps,

Shorty.

I've seen the light, and changed my ways.

I read where the manufactor of the Vento style machines have gone to a 1hp motor on the newest ones. I also read that it is actually overkill so the 3/4 would be fine. Don't know if the Vento will go 1hp of if Rick will keep it at 3/4.

The manufacturer has increased the motor size to a 1HP motor on the new models. The most recent specs on the Vento's have them at 69 pounds. And we just got a new shipment of 20 them in our warehouse yesterday, so they are ready to roll. BTW They are gorgeous! If you are in the market for a solidly constructed, super smooth, well finished, OP machine - we've got your number






Rick Gelinas
rick@excellent-supply.com

call me at 609 238 1467 or email me and I will talk about the Vento with you.

I own one.

I dont want people to get turned off about the vento. It is a very well built machine, good quality and does run smooth, very smooth. The problem that I have with this machine over the Challenger is with the wheels, with the challenger the wheels are mostly exposed which make it easy for it to be pulled up or down steps. The ventos wheels are covered by the wheel wells and these wells extend to far back and do not allow this machine to be taken up or down the steps with ease. This needs to be addressed with the mfg that makes them. They need to cut them back a little to expose more wheel. Other then that the vento serves me well.

Would I buy another vento, no. I would go with a challenger from Rick. I do most resi work and the challenger is more for resi work with its low profile.

If I were to do only small comm type work, yes the vento is the choice. I put a 17"fpp on it last summer and cleaned the school I was working for and it went great. I think the vento is more geared for comm work, unlike the challenger which is more for the home.

Rick I hope you dont mind me speaking my mind on this. But the people asked.

Rick I hope you dont mind me speaking my mind on this.

You're kidding right? I WANT to hear your feedback, that's why we have this forum. Thanks for sharing your personal observations with us.





Rick Gelinas
rick@excellent-supply.com

thats about my only real issue with the HOS/Vento machine also... you have to pull almost stright up to get it up stairs with out scraping the wells...

having not used a challenger... or any other OP machine... i will say i REALY like it... the dual pick up handels are nice touches... it looks good... and i REALY like the on/off switch setup with the MTB style bar ends... it's a very comfy machine to clean with... lots of side to side leverage because of the bar ends.

i'm very happy with it as a 1st machine... it cleans very well and is comfy while doing it...

Looking at the pdf of the above machine, it appears that it would be a simple alteration to get this up & down stairs easily.

What I would do is:

Remove both present axles, and replace with one long one that goes thru both wheels and housings.

This would have a wing nut on one end for quick removal.

A second axle and large wheels.

After removing the smaller axle, the larger axle would go through the mounting and small wheels, large wheels would be on the outside of the housings.

This may take a couple of minutes each time you go up or down stairs, but I believe would make it so much easier.

Cheers,

Shorty.

I've seen the light, and changed my ways.