Thread: Back and shoulder burned out?

Wanted to know what rotary tool would be the best/easiest to operate for someone who no longer can throw a wand around? 16 years and ready to let a rotary tool do the work. I have 2 vans, both with Apex machines so plenty of power. I use a blueline 2inch wand with hole glide and still just cant handle the up and back motion anymore! I do run 4 to the door and I insist on very fast dry times for our clients so vac is humming! I use to have old roto vac and did not like that one. Bit into carpet to much and did not handle well IMO. Wondered about the 360? Any suggestions would be great! Thanks in advance.

I've been cleaning carpets about 30 years total now and I've mainly used a wand and about half those years with portables. I finally bought the RX-20 about 4 years ago. It is an extremely heavy duty machine built for the professional carpet cleaner. With the new style cone jets I actually use less water and generally get faster dry times than I do with a standard 2 jet wand. The RX-20 is very durable and makes many jobs that would work you to death far easier to handle. It is fairly heavy at 70 lbs., but I have no trouble getting in or out of the van. I cannot really advise you on other rotary tools. I am considering adding a Rotary Drimaster mainly for residential cleaning to make some jobs easier and as a marketing tool. I have not gotten to use one of them but it looks super easy to use and looks like it would be a lot easier just to grab and carry into homes. I think it only weighs in at about 46 ibs. The RX-20 is clearly the more heavy duty and more aggressive of the two and is more suited to heavy soil conditions while the Drimaster is more suited to light to medium soil conditions. http://www.hydramaster.com/accessori..._extractor.asp

I can't really speak about the Rotovac 360, but most of what I've heard has been very positive. I didn't like the old style Rotovac either. I tried one in the late 90's and sent it back after a few days.

Bad back and shoulder ouch previous post is correct Rx20 is heavy and unless u can ramp it out of the truck it will pull on the back. The Rx 20 has somewhat smaller wheels IMO making it more difficult to lug up stairs which will also pull on the back. The Drymaster most likely your best bet at 42 pounds but wont work on a commercial job. Perhaps you should look at the Zipper Jr. wand on wheels go to http://www.zipper-it.com/ and go to the Video Presentations link and check that out.

My suggestion would be either a 360(39 lbs) or a Titanium wand and glide(9 lbs). They are the least punishing options for the body IMO.

Thanks guys for all the input. Wanding is out of question as it is a repetitive motion problem, not heavy weight lifting problem. Wanding carpets & surfing all my life and muscles in back are burned out! rhomboids are the muscles that flare up & push on nerves which cause terrible pain! Ken, I do currently have a light wait wand and a hole glide and still same motion. I am leaning towards 360 as seems like it will work well in residential jobs & thats what I do the majority of. Anybody out there with same/similar problem? Been to acupuncture, massage, physical therapy & anti inflams which tore my stomach up after a year or so living on them. Anyway, please keep suggestions coming and I do really appreciate them.

Hey Ken, does the 360 run real smooth or should I put glides on it and will they help with ease of operation/dry times? I think I can do side to side motion, just not up & back anymore. Thanks

Originally Posted by bill

Hey Ken, does the 360 run real smooth or should I put glides on it and will they help with ease of operation/dry times? I think I can do side to side motion, just not up & back anymore. Thanks

Bill;

I have my customers that tell me that Teflon glides do make the machine turn easier and handle better.

I have not tried out the 360i so cannot comment on that one. If that is the one you have I would listen to Rob's recomendation.

Thanks Rob. I am looking for whatever makes it work as smoothly and easy as possible so are you sure I should not glide it and why? Have you tried both ways? Thanks in advance

The Rotovac 360 is very easy to use. Even easier than the Rotovac Powerwand.
You can try one without any obligation by contacting Rotovac. If you don't like it
just send it back. What could be easier?

Check out the new 360i, it is even better than the original 360.

360i is now sold with swhoos heads. No glides are made for this one.

Originally Posted by CCWorks

360i is now sold with swhoos heads. No glides are made for this one.

Not yet.