I am new to both carpet cleaning and this forum....Im sure this is a topic thats been covered but my search came up with nothing..... Wondering what the operating cost diference is between a Hydramaster 4.8 CDS and a comperable slide-in with its own motor... Also, is there any advantage to a CDS?? Thanks form the newbie!!
A CDS refers to a (Clutch Drive System), it is a power take off that is ran with a driveshaft connected to the main operating motor. I cannot tell you how much the CDS Costs to Run in fuel, but I have heared it is resonable for a direct drive unit.The other advantage to a Direct Drive is it tends to take up less space in you van or cube. I am sure others here will be able to give you much more feedback on its preformance. A very good mechanic from a large distributer once told me that the CDS was the best made machine in the industry for reliability. He went on to tell me that they never seem to have to work on them if they are properly maintained. I hope this helps!
Hi Tony I just got a CDS it only has 118 hrs on it. Prior to that I ran a slide in with an 18 HP engine and propane heat for 8 yrs. I can tell you that I am spending less money on gas these days, not to mention I don't have to buy propane. The CDS doesn't make the heat the slide in does, but it is very simple to operate not as many things to monitor. So far I really like it, but I could have bought 2 slide ins like my old one for what the CDS cost. Also I had the slide in in a extended van I think you need the extra room to make it really functional, I put the CDS in a regular lenght van my brother custom made some shelving that I designed and I have plenty of storage space. Bobby Hales
As much as i love my CDS i doubt i would have another one. I have been through a crankshaft, 2 motors in the van and numerous alterations to the set up which were lacking when installed. Your entire livelihood is at the mercy of your van motor. With any other set up if your van needs major overhaul you can take your machine out and put it in a trailer if you have to. I am fortunate to have a mechanic/machinist where i live that took an interest in my set up and did a lot of alterations over the years to improve the performance. They are a good machine IF you can service it yourself, the Uni Joints in the motor end of the drive shaft should be greased at least each second week as the heat of the motor dries them out. Mick :ballchain:
I've only had my CDS 4.8 in service for a month now. Still trying to gauge about how much it uses, but I seem to get quite a few jobs in without getting gas. I think they run like 1.5 Gal per hour I think. I've had good luck with mine, and my CDS from 1987. I did all the regular maintenance on it, and never had much of a problem with it. I like how much room in the van you have. And its easy to operate, which is a bonus if you have employees. I think if you do get a direct drive, I'd still go with a Hydramaster, I think they are the best all around made direct drive out there. I think the vacuum and heat is just fine on them for regular residential and commercial work. I run a single wand, so its just fine for what I do.
I have a 2006 CDS 4.8 salsa with close to 1,000 hours now. I bought it brand new so I feel I have a decent understanding of how it works. I will say that it has been reliable and easy to run and very little maintenance. However I'd say it's mediocre in performance. The vacuum isn't the greatest it's not bad though. The heat does fine with the cds. I run a 10 flow greenhorn wand and it will pull 220 ATM+ 230ish the summer but I live in florida. The bad thing is that the machine generates a lot of heat and when you go to cool down the van it can make the engine pretty hot so you don't want to turn it on while you're packing up. Also I get check engine lights from time to time that go away and I hear O2 sensors go out frequently with PTO sytems in gas burning vans. As far as fuel I'd say it burns more than 1.5gph in my chevy....my best guess is about 1.8 gph. They are a good machine....good for technicians however I wont be replacing it with another PTO. I'm wanting something bigger to dual wand with. I'm thinking of a Powerclean Genesis DXT in a smaller height box van if I can find one, or a used vortex. I think I like the powerclean better since it seems simpler and less expensive for repairs.
No I'm running just 2" hose. I haven't noticed enough performance increase to warrant upgrading to 2.5 hose by running 4 to the door. I would like it however I am going to wait till my next TM. Keep in mind that HM restricted the plumbing to the tank to 2.5 hose and put the relief valve in a place that's not very smart if you ask me. It's all in the name of heat you know...... I'm not saying it has lousy performance. I use a hole glide myself and it's not hard to push. Within 20 minutes the carpet just feels cool to the touch. And the heat is good for a PTO. I just need a bigger machine for 2-3 months a year and I'm looking for a way to need one for 2-3 months more a year. Plus the DXT that I'm looking at is expected to use less fuel with much more performance and longer life expectancy and an ability to move the machine from truck to truck.
just keep in mind Tim that it's a brand new machine, it's only been out a year, but my concern is, how long is that big diesel gonna take to heat up? And with the vac, I turned up my relief valve and got better heat and killer vac with 4 to the door. I run 2.5 on my old CDS (standard heat) and its ok, but when I was running the 4.8 it'd just about kill my arm. Just food for thought.
It shouldn't take very long at all, especially if you work the diesel. On my first job of the day I cover the vac ports and force the diesel to keep up while pre spraying. By that time it's plenty hot. I don't have a DXT, but they all work the same.
