Which would you do

[Slim Pickens]

Hello All
I was wondering what you would do.Right now I have a Alto Simpson belt driven 2000 psi @3.5 gpm cold water machine and I was thinking of getting a hot box.Should I get the hot box or Should I get a new machine with more gpm and psi because don't have the money for a big machine.


Thanks

 

[John B]

If you do concrete you need at least 4 gpm to run a good surface cleaner.. Hot water always helps.. If you clean vent hoods get the hot box.. Northern tool has one for about 1000.00 bucks .. I think like 180 degree rise.. Capable of 250 degrees.. We use whitco machine and at 3000 psi at 4 gpm we can just barely clean concrete good. For vent hoods we rock.. It's up to you .. But a good machine will run 4000.00 to 6000.00 ( hot Water ) alot of people may disagree with me on this but I would spend the extra and get the 110v burner because you usually get an extra recept. on the generator where you can plug some other stuff in like lights and such....

 

[Slim Pickens]

Thanks john

Right now we are doing vinyl siding and some sidewalks.

 

[John B]

3000 psi @ 4 Gpm

This is a sidewalk with the whitco machine
3000 psi @ 4gpm
With 200 Degree Hot Water

Using an aladdin 30" Adjustable Surface Cleaner

The adj. was set about midways Down

I have cleaned concrete and siding with my little machine 2750 psi @ 2.5 gpm
and 200 Degree Hot Water .. It works pretty good with a small surface cleaner.. that you can get at northern tool for about $300.00 .. And it also works great on siding But remember the less gpm the longer it will take to rinse.

 

[Slim Pickens]

John
Are using chemicals with the steam?.

 

[John B]

Chemicals with steam

For Concrete Cleaning I Dont use Chemicals , Just Hot water and a surface cleaner.. Most of the time I use the 30 " Surface Cleaner and then the 16" Surface Cleaner for corners and Dumpster areas this works good without chemicals.. Vent Hoods I use Caustic Soda Beads mixed With Hot water in a pump up sprayer.. Then Wash With Steam about 220 degree.. Houses and Gutters I use water and tide mixed together and siphon thru the machine with hot water.. Swimming pools i spray down with straight bleach in a pump up sprayer and the wash with hot water..

Roofs I use the little steamer and bleacb and jo max mixed together and siphon thru machine at low pressure..

If you use cold water machine , use a surface cleaner and spray caustic flake mix with water on to the concrete and then wash..