I have absolutely no experience cleaning carpet with a rotary machine, but I was wondering just how effective the rotary is. I know there are still a lot of people that use a rotary on commercial and residential.
Those of you that have experience with both methods, would you give your opinions?

Can you use OP pads under a rotary? Is the learning process for a rotary difficult?

It depends. If you have a slow OP it might be about the same speed, but, I have the CCS high speed and I can faster with a 15" than I could with a 17". I'm pretty sure I can go about as fast with the 15" as my 19" rotary.

You CAN use OP pads under a rotary. Doesn't mean you should. I found microfiber bonnets (relatively thin) work better with a rotary than glad pads while glad pads run circles around anything else with the OP.

One thing about the microfiber, you can ring them out in hot water with a mop bucket and wringer so you only need 2 or 3 for most jobs (greasy stuff need more).

I am faster with my rotary then I am with the Orbot with either pad driver, but my back and arms feel better at the end of the day with the Orbot.
With the weigh set they might change. We also run a 320 speed 20 inch rotary. Glad pads microfiber, scrub pads, they will all work under a rotary, use a glide if you need to.

My biggest problem now is getting the Orbot out of my sons hands, if we are on a job together No Way will he use the rotary

David

175 is way faster and cleans better than the OP I HAD.

The learning curve is 1k feet.

If you are near the Knoxville Tn metro area you are more than welcome to try my Conq Breeze. Runs circles around the smaller orbit machines. I'm in the process of getting a 20". That vs the 20" 320 would be interesting.

You could use a rotary with a SCRUB3

http://www.excellent-supply.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=340&idcategory=18


Rick Gelinas

We have tried a them, I like the Orbot the 20 inch driver moves along fine, again with added weight I bet it go faster, but after 14 years with a 320 speed 20 inch rotary operating it in my sleep is and understatement.

Rick I'd like to try the scrub 3 but the low gear in my buffer does not work.

David

My issue may have been MY OP machine was not suited for CGD/speed. It also pulled really hard to the right alwyas and that caused me to stop often.

I also changed some variables such as:

I use Ricks Fiber Pads alot.

I use a carpet brush...alot.

And I have way more experience now than before.

I like 175 use, I can drive it like a sports car and am comparing it ONLY to the OP machine I used to own.

A cimex or breeze or any other machine may be very very different.

But dont knock a 175 till you try it. The simplicity of use is staggering once you dial in the 'how-to' portion.

Speed matters only when time matters. Quality is something I can charge for.

Phil, I'm down to just 2 rotaries a 13" and a 19". I had enough of rotaries in the Navy.

I don't run a rotary side to side. I move it in ovals. I run my OP the same way.

If your OP was pulling to the right something was wrong with it. That would sour me on OP's in a hurry. The lack of physical effort to run the OP is a big draw for my dad - no issues with his wrists and shoulder. He is good for about 2 hours with a rotary. He can run the OP all day. Guess who gets the OP and who runs the 19" rotary.

I have been told that running a rotary is almost effortless because of the fact that you don't manually move the machine around while cleaning. I thought a rotary was basically self propelled and the only effort required by the operator was a slight movement of the handle.
Is this not right? Remember, I have no rotary experience.

The number one reason I love my 175 is how effortless it is to drive.

I can talk on the phone when using it. (do not tell my wife)
'sorry honey, I am cleaning'

My wife knows everything we run can be operated and be able to talk at the same time, Blue Tooth is a great tool also.

Once you know how to run a rotary it is easy. I just find the OP easier and easier to learn especially if you get a wheels on the ground OP.

As for my dad, he has issues with his wrists and one shoulder. The OP doesn't stress him to operate. I can operate either with ease, but, the easy glide/Defender/Orbot OP is VERY easy to run.

Watch this Easy Glide demo video. I tested one using the cord as shown in the video and even more.

imglink:geurkink.com/video/easyglidecon.wmv