I am currently using a Butler System with 2.5 inch to 2 inch vac hose to a 2 inch tubed glided wand. For those who have used similar setups and a Steamin Demon, can you honestly clean as thorough and as efficiant with an SD? I am familiar with the data on the Demon's thoroughness (ie, 3-4 gallon per minute) but have doubts about it's efficiancy compared to a truckmount and at the end of the day when you are cleaning 5 job's per day during the busy season it's about efficiancy as well as thouroughness.
Also, can you clean upholstery with the SD? Currently I use a PMF tool attached to the t-mount and can't find a much faster way to clean upholstery.
My reason for asking is that as the price of gas and equipment continues to sky rocket I oftne fantasize about running this business without a t-mount but can't find a system that is a fast and efficient.

Thanks,

Desperately seeking opinions!

I own a Butler TM but an older model

It sits in the drive way unless we are doing T&G
Having said that I do not do 5 jobs a day 3 4 jobs tops
Time wise I am not that much slower with the Demon as I am with the TM, but then I started with the Demon and got the TM.

my process with the TM is still same as with the Demon
pre spray agitate with CBM and extract. You can get the same appearance level as with a TM, in as stated it will take a little longer.

Yes you can do UPH with the Demon, I use and enclosed jet PMF tool.

If I was doing production cleaning I would opt for using a TM just for the convenience factor of just pulling hoses off the reel and being able to run. Personally Id screw messing around with all this 2 1/2 hose to 2 inch hose stuff and just hook the 2 inch hoses stuff, just to get save a few minutes dry time

What I did is run a 2 1/2 inch hose from the tank to the the live solution hose put a bracket to hold the hose there and attached a spike.

If I was you, and I am not, I would check to see if anyone around you has a Demon to lend you for a day and try it out you will know if it is for you. Nothing worst then buying 3K of equipment you wish you did not.

David

Darren, I was at that place a few years ago and also had a Butler and Two Bane trucks. We run two trucks now w/o a truckmount. When we need HWE we just use our Steamin Demons. We use CRBs, OPs, Bonnets, Cimex. We have learned that there is life after truckmounts. There is no job that we can't do with our exsisting equipment. Now your other question about doing 5 residential jobs a day with the Steamin Demon vs. truckmount, I would lean toward the truckmount. But for us, some jobs we use CRB only, Some OP only and some Cimex only and a lot of jobs we use multiple systems. Our operating expenses are really low compared to our truckmount days.

Rambo, thats good to here. I've been considering bane truckmount, but the fact you don't use them at all anymore is heartning. Only been in the biz for about a year now, use cimex, demon, and challenger and from whatit seems, I have everything I need.

bill y.

Bill, we all love new toys, but they are an expense. With what you have, you should be able to do it all. With the new encap chems, incl. spotters that have come out in the last 4 years including pads you just need to perfect a system that works for you.

I myself have a Bane Paramount - use it daily...Do what I did - find a used one on ebay - I payed $2500 for mine!!! About $300-$400 later in parts and some fresh paint, I payed for it within a couple months when I first started out 3 yrs ago. I use it for residential, and cimex - OP w/bonnet for commercial. Works for me! And if I need to extract water, etc. the Bane does the job...

Joe

i too run a bane but i bought the base unit from bane an ultra port deluxe (lol) to be exact. recently i boght a used mini mount for $2000 so now i have a complete other set up. i also have a 15 in. cimex, 20 in. 175, 12 in. rotary and a pile lifter. altogether i have under $10,000 in equipment and feel i could clean any carpet in any situation. i use releasit and bane products almost excusively. ive tried some other stuff but have found these products to work best for me with what i do.

Guys, I still think Bane has the best HWE chems. PCA 4 w/Booster is my favorite, still use it, also PCA5 w/Booster.

i like it here more all the time. pca 5 is my fav. i really like tls 2000 for prespray for the rat nasties and greasy restaurants.