Masterblends El-Diablo Customer Review

Discussion in 'Truckmount Ratings' started by VCS, May 27, 2008.

  1. VCS New Member

    Member Since:
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    Keith
    So I got my hands on the El Diablo at Connections in Florida. When I first walked up I noticed it had a small footprint. I liked that, more room for other tools! The unit was attractive, especially the red Honda 670CC Honda V-Twin engine. I must admit, I have had several Honda products through the years and I really liked the El-Diablo train of thought by Masterblend.

    I have rebuilt a 60 year old home and it had an oil burning furnace. Even though I installed a heat pump I decided to leave the furnace and I am glad I did. When I need quick heat I just turn on the furnace and presto it is really warm! This is how I felt about the El-Diablo kero/diesal burner heated machine. It gets hot FAST and STAYS that way! Unlike some of the big name competitors it never lost heat even at high flow. The more you asked from it the more she gave you, no matter how long you left the wand triggered. The unit is perfectly ducted so there are no smelly odors left in the van. She burned really clean too!

    Now onto vacuum. It was screaming. And no wonder the she was sporting a Kunkle valve, not the dated leaky spring valve thingy I despise. It made the 45 blower feel like a 56 blower. When I put the wand to the carpet, it grabbed hold like pitbull and wouldn't let go. It can support dual wands with heat and vacuum without having a big gas guzzling engine.

    Another nice feature is everything is easily accessible and spaced for easy maintanace or repairs. Did I mention it only weighs 700 lbs?

    Last but not least is it simple to work on? We all know breakdowns lead to downtimes which are extremely costly, especially to small business owners. Well I must say the El-D gets an A in this department. There are no heat exchangers to challenge your waste tank with bypass dumping of hot water or any diverter valves with solenoids and moving parts to drive you or your distributor’s service department nuts as to what is wrong with this thing. Not to mention less strain on the Honda ensuring years of trouble free service.

    So overall I must say I was quite impressed with this little pit bull unit. Seemed very well thought out with the carpet cleaner in mind. So if your in the market for a nice meduim sized unit I don't think you can go wrong with the El Diablo! ;)

    Keith Shaw.

    PS:Masterblends owner Larry Haack and salesmanager Mark Jennings we're helpful and knowledgeable. They seemed to be the kind of people who really want to help you. A definate plus!


    Preview rating:

    HEAT:5 Stars
    Vacuum:5 stars
    Accessibility:5 stars
    True dual wand:4 1/2 stars
    Attractiveness:4 1/2 stars
    Simplicity:5 stars
    VCS, May 27, 2008
    #1

  2. Rob Allen Administrator

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    I remember one time on ICS that a guy complained about a problem with his machine. They answered publicly and fixed the issue immediately. Now that's what I call service!!!

    Rob.
    Rob Allen, May 28, 2008
    #2

  3. Big_Dog New Member

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    Good review Keith,

    I played with a demo unit last week, except for my dislike of honda engines, it was a good unit.

    The vacuum must have really impressed you, its only a Roots 45 DSL, not a 47.
    Big_Dog, May 29, 2008
    #3

  4. VCS New Member

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    Ummm...good point big dog (45)

    Keith.
    VCS, May 30, 2008
    #4

  5. Big_Dog New Member

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    After 22 days with the El Diablo, here is my review.

    1. Easy to access all parts of the unit for maintenance (just did our first oil change a couple of days ago on the engine).

    2. Suction with the 45 and a single wand, PC quad jet-glided, was fantastic. With 2 wands, the second wand is a 12" CMP that came with the unit that is now glided, is great....as long as the wands are in action. We are dual wanding any job over 5 areas, and have been very happy with the suction and heat.

    3. Heat-quick and hot, have run it over 250 deg. (the maximum the TM temp gauge allows-it should have a 300 deg temp gauge) at the unit and the wand just pops. No spikes or drops in temp.:p We are keeping a log on gas and diesel usage and will report back when we have enough data to be more relevant.

    For the price, its a good solid choice.:D

    Scott Moody
    Big_Dog, Aug 21, 2008
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  6. Grifft New Member

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    Nothing but great things to say about MasterBlend and its staff and the El Diablo. Not to mention there chemical line also great products.
    Grifft, Aug 21, 2008
    #6

  7. Rambo New Member

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    Just purchased the El Diablo (now what's a good Southern Boy doing with a truckmount with a Spanish name?) It is definitly a "Pit Bull" Heat is unbelievable comming from the small diesel heater and never lets you down, even at 260. Gloves are not an option at hat temp. Masterblend has great service. There is nothing on the mkt. that can dual wand at that price 15.4K I got the 100 gallon water well and APO for 18K. I have 30 hrs on it so far. My only dislike is the hot exhaust blowing directly out on me as I make adjustments. (of course the first week we had it, it was over 100 degrees outside) I am going to re-route the exhaust thru the floor and it's not the quietest on the planet, but maybe I can remedy that after I check with Masterblend. Did I mention it has the CRI Gold Seal.
    Rambo, Aug 23, 2008
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  8. Duane Oxley MIA

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    Glad you're happy with it. I can see it's well- made, but the part I quoted above isn't accurate A stock Accelerator 2545 can keep up with it in every regard, including heat, for $2,000 less.
    Duane Oxley, Aug 23, 2008
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  9. johntalley Elite Member

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    the same TM for $13.400 ??

    You will sell about the same for 13.4k ........ If so thats a great deal

    johntalley, Aug 23, 2008
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  10. eagle New Member

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    I have a question. The Accelerator 2545 has two heater options 120,000 B.T.U. Propane Heater (Upgradeable to 250,000 BTU). The El Diablo a 195,000 BTU Kerosene heater or a 125,000 BTU propane heater, (and Rambo in his post said he was using diesel for heat with his El Diablo.) Would it be worth paying $2000 more to stay away from propane and have the ease of use of kerosene or diesel?
    eagle, Aug 24, 2008
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  11. eagle New Member

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    Thanks for the gentle correction, Duane. I was in error.

    I would still like to hear comments about the two choices of heat for the El Diablo.
    eagle, Aug 24, 2008
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  12. Big_Dog New Member

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    I don't know anyone who has chosen propane for the Diablo, the diesel heater is rated @ 195,000btu and the propane is rated @ 125,000 btu. Also, the propane model is listed @ $500 more than the diesel model.
    Big_Dog, Aug 24, 2008
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  13. Big_Dog New Member

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    One other good comment, yesterday, we had to do an empty.

    No power and it needed a good vacuum.......

    So we started up the Diablo and plugged the vacuum into the generator that powers the diesel heater. Plenty of power for a quick vac.

    No power

    No water

    No problem:p
    Big_Dog, Aug 28, 2008
    #13

  14. eagle New Member

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    Now that is pretty cool. I like what I've read so far about the El Diablo.
    eagle, Aug 29, 2008
    #14

  15. JCoviello New Member

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    Wow, that sounds just like my Steamway Legacy 2100 but with some minor improvments on the blower and pressure side.

    Same thing, oil burner, good pressure (1500psi), 2500w generator etc etc.

    The only thing I would miss is my 110gal wastetank...I have box truck with a 130 fresh tank and can pretty much go 8-10 hours without a refil or dump. (I dump anyway to remove weight)

    Does MB have a larger waste tank option for guys like me?

    I would like to compare the El Diablo to the Steamway 4100 which is very similar also and retails for about $12,999. My gut says the extra couple thousand for the MB gives you better vacuum and pressure than the 4100 though.

    [IMG]

    Either way, I can't go back to an HX machine - I just can't. LOL
    JCoviello, Oct 9, 2008
    #15

  16. Rob Allen Administrator

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    QUOTE:JCoviello["Either way, I can't go back to an HX machine - I just can't. LOL"]
    Rob Allen, Oct 9, 2008
    #16

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