Hydrotek with 120 degree gain, or Pressure Pro with 100 degree gain...on a budget?

[Blue Carpet]

I have a limited budget and need a skid, and trailer setup...so the Hydrotek SC Series 7.7 GPM 3500 PSI skid will take my entire budget, but I really want the extra heat. It will force me to go over my budget to get the trailer, reels and tank ect. I was going to have Pressure Pro install green spring unloader just like the Hydroteks, so I can dual wand or easily reduce GPM flow (thank you Russ Johnson for the tip, when other dealers said it couldn't be done)...but when I realized the heat limit after calling the factory I'm leaning toward the HT. What would you do?

 

[Sirocco Jerry]

never get caught short on heat..
nothing replaces it.

Buy for coil size, and burner type..
an "18" coil can have an actual "pipe content" of 30ft to 200ft..
guess which one delivers the BTU's better.

..a friendly reminder.. especially in "this" industry..
NEVER judge a book by it's cover..
A stainless shell doesn't always mean sterling results.

Every heater we've ever sold had a PILE of pipe in it.

 

[Guy Blackmon]

Greg, I noticed you said "I Need a skid" is this truly a Need or Want? We have run 8 gpm units for a while now so let me just say that Splitting the flow for 2 gun operation is useless unless you're popping a bunch of gum, and I mean a bunch. You have 2 reels ($$$)2 hoses ($$$)2 Swivels ($$$)2 Guns ($$$) flow spikes between guns.... its really just not worth it IMO.

I look at it this way...If you're depending on a piece of equipment to make a profit ($$$$) for your Company why not go with a better built brand..Hydro-Tek.

If you're "Testing the Waters" with this addition to your business and not (Let's Say) totally committed....Pressure Pro.

Hope this helps.

 

[Christopher]

Greg, I noticed you said "I Need a skid" is this truly a Need or Want? We have run 8 gpm units for a while now so let me just say that Splitting the flow for 2 gun operation is useless unless you're popping a bunch of gum, and I mean a bunch. You have 2 reels ($$$)2 hoses ($$$)2 Swivels ($$$)2 Guns ($$$) flow spikes between guns.... its really just not worth it IMO.

I look at it this way...If you're depending on a piece of equipment to make a profit ($$$$) for your Company why not go with a better built brand..Hydro-Tek.

If you're "Testing the Waters" with this addition to your business and not (Let's Say) totally committed....Pressure Pro.

Hope this helps.

Great post guy.


Greg, what specifically are you wanting to use this hot water skid for cleaning?

Do you already have commercial concrete jobs lined up? Lots of gum to clean? Lots of degreasing?

Talk to us on what you want to do so you can get some great advice here before you spend a dime as there are a lot of options out there, some that you don't need now or even down the road and you don't want to waste money on things you don't need or will even use.

What are your plans and how hot of water do you want/need?

 

[Blue Carpet]

Greg, I noticed you said "I Need a skid" is this truly a Need or Want? We have run 8 gpm units for a while now so let me just say that Splitting the flow for 2 gun operation is useless unless you're popping a bunch of gum, and I mean a bunch. You have 2 reels ($$$)2 hoses ($$$)2 Swivels ($$$)2 Guns ($$$) flow spikes between guns.... its really just not worth it IMO.

I look at it this way...If you're depending on a piece of equipment to make a profit ($$$$) for your Company why not go with a better built brand..Hydro-Tek.

If you're "Testing the Waters" with this addition to your business and not (Let's Say) totally committed....Pressure Pro.

Hope this helps.

Great post guy.


Greg, what specifically are you wanting to use this hot water skid for cleaning?

Do you already have commercial concrete jobs lined up? Lots of gum to clean? Lots of degreasing?

Talk to us on what you want to do so you can get some great advice here before you spend a dime as there are a lot of options out there, some that you don't need now or even down the road and you don't want to waste money on things you don't need or will even use.

What are your plans and how hot of water do you want/need?

You are right, I don't need 2 sets of hoses and reels, that is for future proofing. I am serious and want a serious system. I don't have any contracts yet, but want to take on anything that comes my way within my ability, like mid size commercial concrete ect. Both of your advise is helpful, and I was hoping for all the advise I can get. Thank you.

 

[Blue Carpet]

Ok after rereading Guys post, if 2 guns are needed at some point, it would be better to get another system. That makes since, and we all hope to grow, and that is good to know going into it.

 

[Blue Carpet]

Guy...what do you mean that I might not need a skid? Isn't a skid just a power washer that you mount to the trailer?
So much to learn!

 

[Kristopher Pettitt]

Guy...what do you mean that I might not need a skid? Isn't a skid just a power washer that you mount to the trailer?
So much to learn!

The skid is the term used that houses all of the parts. Like the picture I posted. The frameworks and everything in the frame is the skid. The heater, gas/diesel tanks, Generator, pump. battery, heater, and the list can go on and on.

Also check with the city of commerce where your located and see what their water regulations are. You can also Google it. I know I have California's in PDF file as well as the water regulation in my local city. I had to get a vac system and two tank set up for this purpose. Now I don't want to steer this conversation in a different direction, but there is a fine line between what the state says you can or can not do and what the job is. In my area of work if I am no where near a storm drain I don't have to pick up my run off, but if there is a potential of entering a storm drain I must collect recycle and dispose of it. However there are situation in which I must pick up the water. My advice is to learn the water regulations and go from there. Then again I know many that don't follow that and their never caught.

 

[Christopher]

Ok after rereading Guys post, if 2 guns are needed at some point, it would be better to get another system. That makes since, and we all hope to grow, and that is good to know going into it.

Greg, you can adapt a system later on, it is really simple if you need to do it, just better with 8gpm so that each guy has 4gpm each, running less gpm will not give you a lot of cleaning power, most of the vendors can sell you the green spring unloader and fittings you will need if you choose to do this later on.

Something also to think about is if you are running 8gpm, your 200 gallon tank when full will only last about 25 minutes or less, depending on how low the bulkhead fitting is and if you have water going into the tank at the same time.

Running 5.5gpm with a 200 gallon tank will give you about 36 minutes, depending on how low you take the tank and if you have water running in at the same time.

If you have some water flow and you don't need the 8gpm flow yet, you can make it with the 5.5gpm hot water rig until your business grows.

There will probably be a time when your company grows and you need two of the 5.5 gpm machines, a 300 or 500 gallon tank with hose reels and other stuff on the trailer, at that time it might be a good idea for a larger/ stronger van or truck to pull that trailer as when it is empty, it can easily weigh about 4000 to 4500 pounds with only 100 gallons of water in the tank. Until then the van will probably work with the smaller trailer and hot water skid.

 

[Blue Carpet]

The skid is the term used that houses all of the parts. Like the picture I posted. The frameworks and everything in the frame is the skid. The heater, gas/diesel tanks, Generator, pump. battery, heater, and the list can go on and on.

Also check with the city of commerce where your located and see what their water regulations are. You can also Google it. I know I have California's in PDF file as well as the water regulation in my local city. I had to get a vac system and two tank set up for this purpose. Now I don't want to steer this conversation in a different direction, but there is a fine line between what the state says you can or can not do and what the job is. In my area of work if I am no where near a storm drain I don't have to pick up my run off, but if there is a potential of entering a storm drain I must collect recycle and dispose of it. However there are situation in which I must pick up the water. My advice is to learn the water regulations and go from there. Then again I know many that don't follow that and their never caught.

I thought that's what a skid was, so that's what I want. Since my van has a carpet cleaner with 60 gallon recovery tank in it, I can extract if required, but am limited.

Greg, you can adapt a system later on, it is really simple if you need to do it, just better with 8gpm so that each guy has 4gpm each, running less gpm will not give you a lot of cleaning power, most of the vendors can sell you the green spring unloader and fittings you will need if you choose to do this later on.

Something also to think about is if you are running 8gpm, your 200 gallon tank when full will only last about 25 minutes or less, depending on how low the bulkhead fitting is and if you have water going into the tank at the same time.

Running 5.5gpm with a 200 gallon tank will give you about 36 minutes, depending on how low you take the tank and if you have water running in at the same time.

If you have some water flow and you don't need the 8gpm flow yet, you can make it with the 5.5gpm hot water rig until your business grows.

There will probably be a time when your company grows and you need two of the 5.5 gpm machines, a 300 or 500 gallon tank with hose reels and other stuff on the trailer, at that time it might be a good idea for a larger/ stronger van or truck to pull that trailer as when it is empty, it can easily weigh about 4000 to 4500 pounds with only 100 gallons of water in the tank. Until then the van will probably work with the smaller trailer and hot water skid.

I want a green spring unloader more for the ability to reduce GPMs since I am limited with my water tank, at least that's what I was told is best way to adjust. 2 guns ability in the future is icing on the cake. That way if I get an 8 GPM system I am flexible to run whatever I need. So many decisions...so little money. I'll solve the puzzle with help. Thank you

 

[jon chapman]

I've got the two gin hydro tek. Its not as convenient as you think. Concrete with lots of gum, work great but not so much for other stuff. That being said, its a great
unit while I can't say 1 positive thing about the PP skid unit I had.
If you don't have the budget for it, consider picking up a used one, or a cold water portable unit and a got box, then when you have done contracts, get a high quality unit that will last many years.

 

[Guy Blackmon]

Guy...what do you mean that I might not need a skid? Isn't a skid just a power washer that you mount to the trailer?
So much to learn!

I'm sorry that's not what I meant all all Greg. Depending on what type of work you're going after you may not need a Hot Water unit, what we call a skid.

I base things on "wants" and "needs"....Do I really "Need" this or that.....or is it that I really "Want" this or that....."Need" is necessary....."Want" may not be necessary. There's a difference.

Sorry for the confusion, I don't explain myself very well sometimes.

 

[Blue Carpet]

Great post guy.


Greg, what specifically are you wanting to use this hot water skid for cleaning?

Do you already have commercial concrete jobs lined up? Lots of gum to clean? Lots of degreasing?

Talk to us on what you want to do so you can get some great advice here before you spend a dime as there are a lot of options out there, some that you don't need now or even down the road and you don't want to waste money on things you don't need or will even use.

What are your plans and how hot of water do you want/need?

I'm shooting for 200 degree heat for gum, oil ect. I am only assuming I will need that heat at some point, and I want to be equipped. I am thinking that I should drop the 8 GPM idea and go with 5.5 or 6 GPM, considering my budget and towing limits. I think that would be the wise move.

 

[Blue Carpet]

never get caught short on heat..
nothing replaces it.

Buy for coil size, and burner type..
an "18" coil can have an actual "pipe content" of 30ft to 200ft..
guess which one delivers the BTU's better.

..a friendly reminder.. especially in "this" industry..
NEVER judge a book by it's cover..
A stainless shell doesn't always mean sterling results.

Every heater we've ever sold had a PILE of pipe in it.

It don't even see units listing what size coils...unless i'm missing something.

 

[Sirocco Jerry]

"old school manufacturers" used to promote heater size on their literature.
Alkota, Electromagic, Aaladdin, and American Cleaner all used to boast "more coil for real heat".
Now that "the bean-counters run the place"..
they usually don't tell you anything about coil size, because it won't help them "sell" you a machine.
Coil size,
length of pipe in the coil,
thickness of sheetmetal around the coil,
thickness of the blanket protectin the paint on that coil, or the battery sitting next to it is an issue.
Heck.. some mfr's don't have mor than 4 sheet-metal screw holding the coil to the frame of your system..
and you want to bounce it down the road on a trailer !??

I believe we might be the ONLY mfr on the planet which uses grade 8 hardware
..from the stack on top of the heater, to the frame and mounting hardware.

These thing "matter" to your productivity, profitability, liability, and sustainability.

 

[pdmcali]

"old school manufacturers" used to promote heater size on their literature.
Alkota, Electromagic, Aaladdin, and American Cleaner all used to boast "more coil for real heat".
Now that "the bean-counters run the place"..
they usually don't tell you anything about coil size, because it won't help them "sell" you a machine.
Coil size,
length of pipe in the coil,
thickness of sheetmetal around the coil,
thickness of the blanket protectin the paint on that coil, or the battery sitting next to it is an issue.
Heck.. some mfr's don't have mor than 4 sheet-metal screw holding the coil to the frame of your system..
and you want to bounce it down the road on a trailer !??

I believe we might be the ONLY mfr on the planet which uses grade 8 hardware
..from the stack on top of the heater, to the frame and mounting hardware.

These thing "matter" to your productivity, profitability, liability, and sustainability.

So you are saying it is both "size and how you use it" that matters.

 

[Russ Spence]

In my opinion you rarely will use the 220 degree mark, we pop gum with much less heat, usually in the 150 to 180 range is sufficient enough to get it, when you get over 200 the water starts to steam and reduces the amount of water that will impact the surface.

Still I would buy the Hydrotek, personally I dont like the Pressure Pro units, I have had 3 over the years and they are NOT or at least a few years ago they were not put together well at all, I have personal experiences with wiring problems and I have knowledge of wiring problems with other local guys. I once had an issue with an ignitor and I opened it up and flipped open the cover and all the wires in there were just sitting there twisted together with no wire nuts, no butt connectors, no tape ..... NOTHING! So I opened up the second unit only to find the same problem, they were bought a year apart! So this was an ongoing issue I assume and when I called them about it over a dozen times to let them know of course they never called back.

Not the only issues either, I have had stuff just fall off the Pressure Pros going down the road and no it was not the road because they were sitting right next to other units namely Alkotas and not one part ever came loose or fell off and they were sitting side by side. BUY quailty, your family depends on that quality!

I had one issue one time with a Hydrotek and it was handled the day I called them and the new part was sent that day and sent to me over night at their expense.

 

[Ron Musgraves]

Hey Greg

 

[Steven Rowlett]

The biggest drawback about having a two gun system is if it breaks you are down. If you have two smaller machines and one breaks you still have the other one to continue working. Have you considered an Alkota? I like the way they are designed, easy access for maintenance and repairs.