We do mostly commercial work and have a cimex and windsor unit for that, works great.

We keep getting more and more res referrals and I'm thinking about an op unit for that and to help out on commercial work.

Is there a big differance between the two?
The Vento is heavier is that good or bad? Harder to carry up staires.

What are the best pads?

Never used on op unit before (maybe I should ask my wife)

Any and all input would be great.

Thanks

Brad Lewis
Surface Solutions Inc

I use a Hos same thing as Vento 17" has larger motor The Challenger is 15" & 20" I like the Vento 20" may be to large for some residential settings my 17" hasn't been a problem, I do have an 13" Oreck Pro Model I use when really tight but mainly on stairs

The is no reason to purchase an old style OP machine any more. If the OP machine you are looking to purchase doesn't have guiding wheels on it that prevent the fibration, tracking and handling control challenges of the old free style OP machines, you are doing yourself a dis-service purchasing it.

I have an Orbitec machine (17 inch) that runs cotton and synthetic pads easier than any machine I have ever run before. It makes OP cleaning fun for once.

Marty is right. Listen up you Mfgs. Put some wheels that stay on the carpet during cleaning. A simple add on if you ask me.

Go with the Challenger. Better for moving up stairs.

I like the Vento it has multiple likable features.
The one i like most outside the supurb performance is the double carrying handles. Perfect center of gravity. No problems carrying upstairs. This design makes it feel ten pounds lighter than it really is.

More importantly the mfg's are great people! Kinda remind me of Rick G.

Thanks
Your Servant Alex

Cultivate the "OCCD" you had at first for the industry!

Marty
What machine is it that you have?

Thanks

Brad Lewis
Surface Solutions Inc

I have an Orbitec Defender 17 inch machine. They make a 20 inch that has a spray tank on it, and if I purchase another one (probably will) I may go up to the 20 inch for my large commercial accounts; however, for my normal residential and smaller commercial accounts the 17 inch is just right.

I was laughing at the post saying the Challenger was better for moving up stairs. I'm sure he was talking about literally moving it up stairs, but what went through my mind was the opposite. I have learned that starting from the top, I can clean stairs with the 17 inch machine and go down.

Oh, and the guide wheels are big and allow for ease of transport going "up" as well.

I own a Vento/Hos. I bought it from Rick and love it.

The only area it sucks is the wheels are useless for anything where you must ride up stairs or over a curb. The "fenders" make it look cool but negate the ability to pull the machine over anything taller than a few inches. Bad design there.

And even with two handles..the machine is difficult to handle.

Once the machine has been manhandled into place...it is baby smooth to run...and very quiet.

Unless one is just absolutely weak and fragile one can pick the Vento up by the handles above his waist and high-step up the stairs like Erick Dickerson high-stepping in for the score.

As i said, its a breeze carrying the Vento. One has to be plain out lazy or 67 years old to struggle with it. IMHO

Thanks
Your Servant Alex

Cultivate the "OCCD" you had at first for the industry!

Hopefully you will learn to take care of your body before you reach the age of "67."

It is often the abuse of youth that leads to the aches and pains of old age.

Glad I can make you laugh, My problem with my Vento, HOS or what ever other name it goes by is that the wheels are useless for going up a curve or up ten steps.

Alex, you are a true salesman, Rick should put you on his payroll.

I am 295 pounds and I bet I can lift you up if I had to, my gripe is when you make a desing of a machine why put wheels on it if you are going to cover most of them up with a hub or cover, Challenger saw a way around this why couldn't the Hurby co.

Can you imagen going up to a 3rd story beach house which would be about 30 steps carring this damm thing.

In life, people have done things to make it easier, the wheel, electric stoves, electric razors. Maybe you have heard of these things?

Joe:

Let me make sure you understand that I wasn't laughing at you. I was laughing at what went through my mind when I read what you wrote about going up stairs with the unit.

My mind wanders as I get closer to Rambo's age.

I talked to the guys from Hruby about the wheel hub issue, they said guys were being too rough going off curbs/steps, so to prevent damage to the machine they want guys to carry it.

Yes,

I can imagine these 30 stairs and carrying the Vento.
Guess what if you think about it it will be much easier to do than it would to wheel a Cimex up those stairs.
How so? Well while one is taken it slow and careful with the Cimex up each step he will be forever getting up.

Illustrate this way, if you were going up 3rd story beach house with your two year old son holding his hand as you are careful that you don't go too fast and bang up the little fella's shins on the steps, dad will probably at some point pick the son up on his waist and carry him the rest of the way. Takes time.
This is why many pay a helper in most cases to help carry the cimex up the stairs rather than wheeling it. Takes time.

With the Vento just pick that puppy up yourself and be done with it in a FRACTION of the time.

Thanks
Your Servant Alex

Cultivate the "OCCD" you had at first for the industry!

Your ability to carry the vento to the moon is impressive. I am 195 pounds in great shape and can just about toss a Volkswagon across the street.

Trust me, i am anything but fragile. I have no need to get into an insulting contest about it. But the design around the wheels is not very well thought out. You can put fifty handles on it if ya want.....if the wheels were open, it would be easier for E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E.


The average human will struggle lifting this up 10 stairs. Frankly, I found your post rude and offensive.

It's just not a good habit to get into if you manhandle things while you are young. It's WILL wear on you over time and create problems for you down the road.

Clean smarter, no harder.

This is very true.
"Smarter not harder"

By that same token "smarter" lies in the mind of the beholder. Example: when i pick up 70lbs. at the gym to curl, i'm using the same mucles i use to pick up the Vento. Same process. When i get on the tread mill for my cardio and i adjust machine to a 4% incline, or if on the stair climbing machine and adjust to more resistance its the same as if i'm going up the stairs with my Vento.

Why do people work out in there youth? Or at any age? To build and tone muscule. Because our body is constantly deterriorating. If you don't use it ,you lose it, more rapidly. Thats why when people retire they're encouraged to stay ACTIVE. That slows the aging process.

It all starts in the mind. How one looks at a situation. A person can't change the situation (Wheels & stairs) but one can control how he think about that same situation and that will determine what he will get out of it.

I look at it as getting paid to exercise for that day. Two essential things in a man's life getting paid and exercising, especially if you're married.

I think i can see how my OPINION, and only my opinion could have been offensive to some. I ask for your mercy to grant me forgiveness while i work on my rough edges.






P.s. Is that a deal Phil?





Thanks
Your Servant Alex

Cultivate the "OCCD" you had at first for the industry!

Thank you, Phil. You said what I was trying to say.

Smarter not harder.

Also for Alex sometimes your bragging and boasting needs to be toned done a little. I mean we all know how great of a guy you are. You have made that clear serveal times now.

Thanks Joe,

By the way would that initial M stand for MORGAN? (Joe Morgan) Ex Cincinnati Reds? If so Joe, I think you got it backwards you're the great one.

I'm just a mere spec of dust.


Thanks
Your Servant Alex

Cultivate the "OCCD" you had at first for the industry!

I had rather have friends than enemies

However, the original post was about the differences between the vento and the Challenger.

One main difference is the wheels. The author of the question is Brad, I do not know Brad....but Brad may have a bad back..or be mortal like the rest of us...and I simply wanted him to know that without super human strength, the Vento is VERY difficult to navigate over stairs or curbs WITHOUT having to pick it up.

My "MIND" did not invent the machine...my ability to see things is very clear...i see a machine that has fenders. Had I had psychic abilities...I would have known that before I bought...and maybe done something different.

In fact, I would still have bought the vento because I too, can carry it. But why should I have to when a competitors machine has wheels that actually work.

This forum is about that very type of thing. I am certain there are forums for guys who can lift machines over their heads. Do they talk about carpet cleaning machines there?