Richard Rohrbacher: The West Point Engineer Who Revolutionized Pressure Washing
When you think about innovation in surface cleaning, one name deserves the spotlight—Richard Rohrbacher.
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1962), Rohrbacher brought military discipline and engineering brilliance into the commercial cleaning world. In the early 1990s, working from Tempe, Arizona, he began developing what would become the patented Cyclone head—a cleaning system that used wind force for water recovery, eliminating the need for noisy, energy-intensive vacuum systems.
What made it unique? No external vacuum. No chemical runoff. Just ultra-high-pressure cleaning and instant water recovery, all in a compact and efficient design. Rohrbacher’s invention was decades ahead of its time, addressing environmental concerns long before “green cleaning” was mainstream.
Rohrbacher’s early commercial success came from the aviation industry. Airport runways, notorious for rubber buildup from aircraft tires, needed safe, fast, and efficient removal methods. The Cyclone system delivered—and then some.
Airports across the United States began adopting the technology for rubber and paint removal, with some facilities reporting cleanup rates of over 20,000 square feet per hour. Though exact numbers aren't public, the contracts were large, and Cyclone machines became trusted workhorses at major airports coast to coast.
The original machines—like the CY210 walk-behind—were designed to clean tight areas like parking garages, stadium walkways, and athletic surfaces. But Rohrbacher didn’t stop there. Over time, Cyclone expanded into ride-on and truck-mounted systems, some capable of recovering water and debris while operating in high-speed, high-traffic environments.
Photos of these early machines:
In 2008, global cleaning brand Nilfisk acquired Rohrbacher’s company—Cyclone Environmental Technologies—to expand its portfolio into sustainable outdoor cleaning systems. While the buyout price was never publicly disclosed, based on industry metrics and estimated revenue of $4–5 million, the valuation likely landed between $6.75 million and $13.5 million.
In 2016, Blastrac Global acquired Cyclone Technology from Nilfisk, continuing the evolution of the brand with new models and expanded industrial applications.
Today, Cyclone equipment is used across airports, military bases, municipal centers, and commercial sites, a lasting tribute to the vision of one man who combined military engineering with practical innovation.
Explore More:
Read the full blog on Pressure Washing Institute:
When you think about innovation in surface cleaning, one name deserves the spotlight—Richard Rohrbacher.
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1962), Rohrbacher brought military discipline and engineering brilliance into the commercial cleaning world. In the early 1990s, working from Tempe, Arizona, he began developing what would become the patented Cyclone head—a cleaning system that used wind force for water recovery, eliminating the need for noisy, energy-intensive vacuum systems.
What made it unique? No external vacuum. No chemical runoff. Just ultra-high-pressure cleaning and instant water recovery, all in a compact and efficient design. Rohrbacher’s invention was decades ahead of its time, addressing environmental concerns long before “green cleaning” was mainstream.
From Military Precision to Runway Contracts
Rohrbacher’s early commercial success came from the aviation industry. Airport runways, notorious for rubber buildup from aircraft tires, needed safe, fast, and efficient removal methods. The Cyclone system delivered—and then some.
Airports across the United States began adopting the technology for rubber and paint removal, with some facilities reporting cleanup rates of over 20,000 square feet per hour. Though exact numbers aren't public, the contracts were large, and Cyclone machines became trusted workhorses at major airports coast to coast.
From Walk-Behinds to Ride-Ons
The original machines—like the CY210 walk-behind—were designed to clean tight areas like parking garages, stadium walkways, and athletic surfaces. But Rohrbacher didn’t stop there. Over time, Cyclone expanded into ride-on and truck-mounted systems, some capable of recovering water and debris while operating in high-speed, high-traffic environments.
Photos of these early machines:
Acquisitions & Market Evolution
In 2008, global cleaning brand Nilfisk acquired Rohrbacher’s company—Cyclone Environmental Technologies—to expand its portfolio into sustainable outdoor cleaning systems. While the buyout price was never publicly disclosed, based on industry metrics and estimated revenue of $4–5 million, the valuation likely landed between $6.75 million and $13.5 million.
In 2016, Blastrac Global acquired Cyclone Technology from Nilfisk, continuing the evolution of the brand with new models and expanded industrial applications.
A Legacy That Lives On
Today, Cyclone equipment is used across airports, military bases, municipal centers, and commercial sites, a lasting tribute to the vision of one man who combined military engineering with practical innovation.
Explore More: Read the full blog on Pressure Washing Institute:
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