PW Hot Water Skids

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Dannyboy81

New member
Has anyone purchased equipment from a company called Water Cannon Inc. before?? I'm currently going to purchase a hot water unit from Hydro-tek through Hotsy listing a 9gpm @ 3000 psi w/a 25-hp Kohler engine for about 9.5k. When I originally asked for this unit from Hotsy they listed it as 12-13.5k for the same unit and said that if I found a similiar unit they would match it. So I looked around and found Alklean selling it for 9.5k. So I guess Hotsy skipped Alklean and went straight to Hydro-tek for the unit. Anyway, I found Water Cannon Inc. who is factory direct and they have a similiar unit for 5.3k rated at 8gpm @ 3600psi. Infact, all their pw equipment is really marked down low. I have also found that it only costs 2.5-3.5k to make a hot water unit with specs of 4-10gpm @ 3k-5k psi if someone was to order their parts from their respective factories or DIRECT distributors. If this is the case what does the extra 6k pay for. Again, I'm asking if anyone has purchased PW equipment from them and how long has it lasted (any problems so far?) so that I can make a wise decision. Hotsy was giving me reasons not to go with Water Cannon such as their machines don't last as long as theirs along with Hotsy meeting or surpassing expectations of Federal Regulations, UL 1776 (ETL), NFPA, NEC, and CETA certified while Water Cannon does non of these. He also said that Water Cannon will not take reponsibility of their product if it harms someone/something due to an assembly problem of the machine and Hotsy would take responsibility. They also went on and on about the service and expectations of Hotsy are alot higher than theirs because their CETA certified and Water Cannon is not. In reality of it, I could buy 2 units for the price of one even if they only last 75% of the time Hydro-tek would last. Can someone give me feedback of the company so I can make the right choice to save my money or go with Hotsy. Thanks!! :confused: :confused:
 
Don't know about the specific machines you have listed above but here's two other guys to throw into your shopping.....

www.rowlettpressure.com Steve Rowlett has good units
www.acrproducts.com Tom Vogel can put one together for you from the ground up.

Both of these guys are/were contractrors at one time and know their stuff well.

Celeste
 
Water Cannon has been around awhile. The reality is that most hot water units come with very similar engine, pump, unloader, fuel pump, charging system, burners, etc. The difference is in the warranty/support, bells & whistles, frame construction, ease of accesibility for maintenance, etc.

You could spend $250 & fly to Orlando for the day to see first hand what their facility is like, meet their support people, & get your questions answered in person.
 
I'm not knocking Water Canon - never dealt with them. I just know that I can pick up the phone ANY day of the week and get Steve or Tom on the phone for whatever I need to ask them. Like I said, I'm just throwing out other options (that I have first-hand experience with)

Celeste
 
Isnt DELCO in your back yard in Texas? Delco cleaning systems in Fort Worth TX.
Not to take away from the other companys mentioned Im shure there fine companys.
Thought it would be easier if ya had support in your neck of the woods.
I personally havent delt with Delco. But if you find there site and click around its a wealth of information.
 
DannyBoy & Dankes,

Would you put your names and phone numbers in the signature line please :)

Celeste
 
Im aware of Delco with Robert and Larry. I've asked for a specific unit with 8gpm @3k-4k psi but they said they would'nt make it. I have seen their units for like 5 gpm @ 3500 psi listed between 4-5k. I know how much parts are to build your own hot PW and that would be 2k-3.5k (depending on what kind you want).

Why would adding 3 gpm to a unit make it double in price?? for 10-11k I could have well bought a Water jet Engine and the whole nine for that price!! :mad:
I'm just concerned why and how their is a major price difference between the units from Water Cannon and Hydro-tek. Just concerned with the realibility of their units from Water Cannon because I don't know of anyone who bought units from them. Hotsy 's been telling me all these bad things about them. Stuff like they have a lot of suits againest them and that their work is cheap quality (of course he wants to sell his own machine but I still take it for something). I was planning on purchasing a unit (or 2) today but I'll probably hold off on that for just a bit till I gather more information from the boards and reports about Water Cannon I'm fixing to pull today. Thanks for the continuing input from you guys on the board!! :)

Imagine doing business or runnning one without the use of the Internet!!!
That'll be crazy!!! :eek:
 
I was told that Water Cannon Inc. get their units from Pressure Pro; while Pressure Pro get their assemblies from Alkota. Do anyone knows if this is true???

I still want to know why they charge at a real low price??!!

Thanks!!
 
Dannyboy, I havent researched this throughly but Harbour Group owns several PW manufacturers. Hotsy, Landa, Rhino, Tuff maybe even Alkota. What I mean by this is simular components different brand names. They even own their own competition. If it was me I wouldnt buy a Hotsy just because of the salesman badmouthing everyone else. Isnt it amazing how Hotsy would come down on their price? It seems they have a lot of markup in their pricing. When you do make a purchase, let us know how it goes and what kind of service you are getting.


On another note. Celeste, give it a rest. I dont see anywhere in your title "moderator". If people comply, good, if they dont, its not your problem. Half of your posts lately have been asking for compliance.

Now Ill probably get blasted for this last comment.
 
Michael, I'm only doing what I've been asked to do. If folks would just read the request and put it in, I could give it a rest and would - gladly.

Celeste
 
Celeste is doing as was requested by admin, as I do with the forums I moderate. This is not asking too much from anyone, except a little time and validation of who is asking questions of professionals. I think you're way out of line, MichaelT. Celeste, keep on keeping on. We know what's expected of professional people. Maybe some fly by night is popping up in your back yard, Michael. Do you want to give advice to a future pain in your ass?
 
Russ, There could be a better way of communicating this. Sorry I dont have a suggestion. An Email blast to all users? I dont know how to fix this problem. But the constant nag was just getting to me. And I dont mean that as derogatory in any way. You may be right about me being out of line. I stand corrected. Im not threatened by giving infomation to competition. The p.i.t.a. will always be there.
 
Sorry for not posting a signature or a company name. Didn't mean to get people made or upset.

I didn't know this message board was so sensitive (I would expect this from a sports message board; not a "business" message board) !!

Anyway, I hope I corrected the "problems" with to whom it may concern.
Don't know how it works. Its like asking -stat my favorite team and team colors please (maybe not quite the same).

I don't have an established business yet and a phone number for it, sorry.
As far as being concerned with business competition and location; only the one's who feel threatened of some way would reply like that. I look at it as their's always going to be customers out their for everyone. Networking with other PW cleaning businesses from time to time ( in my opinion) could only help both sides if properly used toward the same goal!! It's not like two superstores like Wal-mart and Target going head-to-head with one another. The odds are its just two small businesses performing services within the same area.

Michael, I have found out that Delco's manufacturer is Aaladin Cleaning Systems and Water Cannon uses Pressure Pro. Pressure Pro uses assemblies from Alkota. Harbour Group has opened up a new company specifically for pressure washing - C-Tech Industries established in 2001.

I guess one would think that Water Cannon's PW's are O.K. since the purchase their units from Pressure Pro (Ceta certified among others) and the assemblies come from Alkota. What do ya'll think about the risk of purchasing one from them knowing this at $5,300 and comparing it to Hydro-teks $9,500 unit for almost the same unit?? I would also check if parts for it is in my local dealers shop and probably sign up for a monthly maintenanced schedule.
Their going to be kept out of the rain in the enclosed trailer and I also have routine maintenance checkups set-up for my business to ensure I take good care of the units.

My best guess as to what I'll do about this is probably try and finance atleast one of the units through Hotsy or Hydro-tek listed at 9.5k while also purchasing/financing the other unit at Water Cannon for 5.3k.
To me I will feel more confident handling a maintenance problem knowing atleast one of the units has support from my local dealer. I will probably get an extra pump/parts for the Water Cannon unit only if my local dealer doesn;t carry them.

If the Financing goes through with atleast Hotsy/Hydro-tek the local dealer will be more compelled to help rather than I didn't buy from him (thats the part I hate and it eats me up that they won't treat me the same). After I have these units I'll just see and record any problems incurred during the lifespan of the units, and if Water Cannon checks out, the next unit will be purchased from them!! Any of you favor with the decision I'm probably going to take?? Please help if ya'll think its worth trying to get both units from Water Cannon or not?? Thanks!!
 
Dannyboy81 said:
Sorry for not posting a signature or a company name. Didn't mean to get people made or upset.

I didn't know this message board was so sensitive (I would expect this from a sports message board; not a "business" message board) !!

Anyway, I hope I corrected the "problems" with to whom it may concern.
Don't know how it works. Its like asking -stat my favorite team and team colors please (maybe not quite the same).

I don't have an established business yet and a phone number for it, sorry.
As far as being concerned with business competition and location; only the one's who feel threatened of some way would reply like that. I look at it as their's always going to be customers out their for everyone. Networking with other PW cleaning businesses from time to time ( in my opinion) could only help both sides if properly used toward the same goal!! It's not like two superstores like Wal-mart and Target going head-to-head with one another. The odds are its just two small businesses performing services within the same area.

Michael, I have found out that Delco's manufacturer is Aaladin Cleaning Systems and Water Cannon uses Pressure Pro. Pressure Pro uses assemblies from Alkota. Harbour Group has opened up a new company specifically for pressure washing - C-Tech Industries established in 2001.

I guess one would think that Water Cannon's PW's are O.K. since the purchase their units from Pressure Pro (Ceta certified among others) and the assemblies come from Alkota. What do ya'll think about the risk of purchasing one from them knowing this at $5,300 and comparing it to Hydro-teks $9,500 unit for almost the same unit?? I would also check if parts for it is in my local dealers shop and probably sign up for a monthly maintenanced schedule.
Their going to be kept out of the rain in the enclosed trailer and I also have routine maintenance checkups set-up for my business to ensure I take good care of the units.

My best guess as to what I'll do about this is probably try and finance atleast one of the units through Hotsy or Hydro-tek listed at 9.5k while also purchasing/financing the other unit at Water Cannon for 5.3k.
To me I will feel more confident handling a maintenance problem knowing atleast one of the units has support from my local dealer. I will probably get an extra pump/parts for the Water Cannon unit only if my local dealer doesn;t carry them.

If the Financing goes through with atleast Hotsy/Hydro-tek the local dealer will be more compelled to help rather than I didn't buy from him (thats the part I hate and it eats me up that they won't treat me the same). After I have these units I'll just see and record any problems incurred during the lifespan of the units, and if Water Cannon checks out, the next unit will be purchased from them!! Any of you favor with the decision I'm probably going to take?? Please help if ya'll think its worth trying to get both units from Water Cannon or not?? Thanks!!
Click to expand...


Dannyboy,
I just bought a 5.6 gal/min Hydro-tek unit through my local dealer. I bought it for $7500 ( 10.25% sales tax included) and got him to throw in a new ANT27 surface cleaner. He quoted me around $8300 to $8400 tax and all on the same unit you described. I wouldn't buy from the hotsy guy myself if he was bad mouthing the competition like that. Most machines are put together with the same parts, so one is not better than the other. My dealer talked me up to a local trucking company and really helped me land a BIG contract so I bought from him even though I knew I could get one a couple of thousand cheaper somewhere else. Take care of whatever you buy, and read up on these boards. There really is not that much to a skid pressure washer ( I built my last skid myself and am planning on building another this winter, but needed another unit now), they are really pretty simple to work on.
 
Hello Everyone,
I was told that C-Tech bought Hotsy, Landa, Tuff and one or two others. I bought a Hotsy last year after a lot of checking around locally and out of town. I was flat out lied to by a couple of dealers (not mentioning any names or brands) and was led to believe a lot of stuff that would have cost me a lot of money and regret. I am very glad I purchased a Hotsy and have received excellent service and advice. Anytime I need something or have questions, they make time for me. The Owner even spent many hours on the phone with me before I even decided to get into the business. He gave me names of others that had purchased Hotsy machines so I could call them and even trained with them and learned a lot. I am very impressed with my machine and definately will buy another when I am busy enough. You have to watch out for salesmen because sometimes they will downtalk other brands to try to make theirs sound better. I found it was better to talk to other company owners and find out what problems if any they had and what they like best about their machines. I was lucky to buy from a dealer that is honest enough to tell you the truth even if it means no sale for him on different pieces of equipment and chemicals. I have heard some good things about the Hydrotek 8gpm 3000psi hot water machine. I have talked to a couple of owners of this machine and they love it but some others I have talked to said it is a p.i.t.a. to work on but they are good machines. Hope this has helped.
 
Here is the link to the Administrative Request for infomation. This board is not "sensitive" as you would put it - it's for professionals or those who wish to become so. It is not unreasonable to ask for legitimate information from posters. If you're trying to get into business, there's no need to hide behind a screen name. This is a form of advertising (and a free one at that) It would behoove everyone to put up your company information and keep the forums professional PERIOD.

http://www.pressurewashinginstitute.com/board/upload/showthread.php?t=6086

Thanks to everyone who graciously complied with the request from those who provide this invaluable place to us FREELY.

Celeste
The Naggy Signature Request Chick
 
Dannyboy, be sure you're comparing apples to apples. I know the Hydro Tek has a generator and 120 volt burner. Does the Alkota? I would definitely favor a 120 volt. Much less troublesome. Both are good machines, but I prefer the Hydro Tek. Alkota has always used the burner control pressure switch to start and stop the whole burner, while Hydro Tek's pressure switch activates a solenoid. Makes for a cleaner fire up and shut down.

If you buy from a local distributor, the warranty should be better, too. (at least it is with me) Warranties usually cover repair or replacement of defective parts. No labor. You diagnose the problem, remove the part, send it in , and wait. If it's warranty, they fix it and send it back to you to install. A local guy who sells you a machine, although the manufacturer's warranty does not cover it, will usually supply the labor for diagnosis, removal, repair, reinstallation, and testing. And he will usually have parts on the shelf to get you up and running quickly. I'm not a Briggs warranty center, but instead of sending my customer to a Briggs center and making them wait 2 weeks to get a repair done, I have installed parts from my inventory to keep them happy. Major problems (complete engine replacement, rare, but does happen) and I have a friendly relationship with the Briggs guy. He gets me the engine, I get my customer's machine fixed free and quick, and he gets to write up and be paid for the warranty claim.
 
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