Let's talk about Prochem Truckmounts Chemicals Tools (Now w pics/videos!)

[rob allen]

OK so when I first entered the TM scene I was inundated with the name Prochem. Anyone know when they first started making them? Who made them? Which models came first? Any background information along with your experiences with Prochem would be nice to hear. here is mine;

Machine; I ended up buying a Prochem Legend. It was decent for short hose runs and the heat was ok but temperamental. It was tough to work on but it lasted a long time and made me a lot of money. I still have a Prochem Performer which to me has been the best model they ever made. But even though it claims 2 wands it is only good enough for one. But as a one wand machine it is a beast. But like the legend, working on it is a bear.
Tools;I bought the Quad wand, a bit heavy but man it was a cleaning work horse. I also bought the furniture tool. I like the spray and adjustable vac features. But it's little on the heavy side but we are still using them. Eventually we bought the Ti wands and that is what we use the most now.

Chemicals; Ultrapac is a great prespray. But you better rinse it well. It smells a little strong and some customers complained. Many of my techs won't use it for that reason but some still swear by it. The Dry Slurry left way too much residue for us. Really haven't tried too many of their other products.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqbLf21FU9I"]YouTube - PROCHEM MOVIE[/ame]

 

[Glides-R-Us 1-757-486-3532]

The Prochem Quadjet and Titanium wands are still the 2 best made wands in this industry IMO. Why? Because they use cast construction instead of welding. That leads to smother contours internally and better airflow. More consistant dimensions wand for wand as well which really helps when you are fitting a glide to them as well.

The new polymer rotationally made wands show great potential as well, but right now they do not have enough tortional stiffness for me to recomend them yet.Maybe in future that will change, but right now the 2 Prochem models offer the best bang for the dollar in my book.:bigsmiley:

 

[Richard Dunn Cleans]

Prochem

I switched to the liquid slurry some time back for the tough ones, I meter at about 2 1/2 and that seems to cut down on the residue. I also use prochem fiber rinse and all fiber deep clean, (great product imo). Went to a marketing class and received a prochem spotting kit free, ( that was a good decision) I also have a everest 408. It is a great machine, good vacuum and heat, (around 240) For whatever reason the ultrapac mint does not seem to leave as much residue as the regular. I by no means use just prochems products even though they bring consistent results. I use bridgepoint as well as pros choice. As far as the 408 is concerned I have had some minor issues with it but it is a bear to work on. RIchard

 

[ttkcollectibles]

Prochem Carpet Stair Tool

I just purchase a $400 stair tool from Sun Belt. It is made by Prochem, the problem is that it is easer to use my upho tool. This new Prochem stair tool is too wide to get into the sides under the steps. Am I useing this tool incorrectly? It seems to also hit the sides of the walls!!!!:AddEmoticons04259::AddEmoticons04259:






Thanks Tom

 

[Glides-R-Us 1-757-486-3532]

I just purchase a $400 stair tool from Sun Belt. It is made by Prochem, the problem is that it is easer to use my upho tool. This new Prochem stair tool is too wide to get into the sides under the steps. Am I useing this tool incorrectly? It seems to also hit the sides of the walls!!!!:AddEmoticons04259::AddEmoticons04259:








Thanks Tom

The over-spray onto the walls can easily be solved by changing the jet spray pattern to a more narrow angle or reducing pressure abit. IMO you also need to carry a 2nd smaller tool on the truck for use where the big one will not fit. There is no perfect all round tool out there, but with 2 you can do well.:AddEmoticons04233:

 

[kevin mccreary]

Prochem uses too many propitiatory parts for me. When some unnecessary part (sensor, Governor, Air pump) brakes you have to buy it from your distributor who marks it up and charges you to put it on. I want a machine that, when something brakes, which it will because I run them hard, I can go down to Grainger or Northern Tool or Lowe's and get the **** part and fix it myself over a 6 pack!

 

[Jason Whaley]

I also use the Prochem stair tool, quad jet wand and a Legend. I have been very pleased with them all. The way I get around the size of the stair tool is to spray the area I can't get to and use the hose only to extract the water. Its usually only when a staircase curves at the top or bottom.

 

[Ara Klujian]

Prochem uses too many propitiatory parts for me. When some unnecessary part (sensor, Governor, Air pump) brakes you have to buy it from your distributor who marks it up and charges you to put it on. I want a machine that, when something brakes, which it will because I run them hard, I can go down to Grainger or Northern Tool or Lowe's and get the **** part and fix it myself over a 6 pack!

Kevin, a governor and air pump is necessary.

 

[rob allen]

What about the Prochem heat exchangers? I think they are made well but can't they make them so that they are repairable? I mean it's a bear to get in and out but then it has to be thrown in the garbage if it leaks. How about making them accessable or putting a drain plug on them for winter storage? I realize it would take a little reengineering but doesn't seem that hard to me.

 

[rjfdube]

I agree with Kevin; To much Proprietary Mark up And not enough competition. I use a lot Of Westpak Wands and Stair tools; They are better Price and that is the only difference I have ever seen.

Also as far as maintenance goes on machines; I prefer Simplicity as an engineering Hallmark. Manufacturers Like EZ T/M's have everything a working cleaner needs in a system. More and more I see cleaners with real machines that are designed to make us cleaners money instead of the local repair guys.

 

[SDSinc]

All I can tell you is I have a Pro Chem Blazer Plus (I know, I know a baby machine) and I have been pleased with its performance so far. Takes a while to get real hot, pain to work on but so far a good little unit. But take that with a grain of salt because I have never cleaned with anything else. I do love my quad jet.

 

[scuba455]

Rob try the ultrapac lvc, It cleans well and I haven't had any complaints about the odor.

 

[Chris Sheldon]

What about the Prochem heat exchangers? I think they are made well but can't they make them so that they are repairable? I mean it's a bear to get in and out but then it has to be thrown in the garbage if it leaks. How about making them accessable or putting a drain plug on them for winter storage? I realize it would take a little reengineering but doesn't seem that hard to me.

It depends where the heat exchanger breaks as to whether it is repairable or not. This is true on pretty much any coil-type HE.

I use to take broken Procem HE's to a fab shop for repair, but it is expensive and then the customer is pissed if it starts leaking again in a different spot, which is all too common in a freeze situation. I got tired of being the a-hole, so now I recommend a new one or I tell the customer that they can take the HE on their own to get it repaired.

I am with you Rob on the new Radiator style HE's that Blueline, Hydramaster and others are using; when they break, they are done, with no way to really repair them. I also like the idea of drain ports. It would be nice to have a drain port located on each of the major (expensive) components!

 

[kevin mccreary]

Kevin, a governor and air pump is necessary.

In 1990 it was necessary. That was 19 years ago, lets replace
all that stuff with a computer, Because we all know computers love
heat, moisture, and vibration.

 

[C Pennington]

From Prochem my fav's are a Ti wand,Powerburst, prochem tile cleaner,stair tool...cant beat that.

 

[Certified Carpet]

The first Prochem mount I ran across was in 1977 (Prochem 400). Whats funny is that after 6yrs in the Air Force, came home and ran that same machine for the guy who owned that company and gave me a job....the rest is history 22 yrs worth. I use their products up until about 89'. Use some products now but not like I did in ancient yrs.
I had a 150, 150A, 200, and 3 400's. I still have the Model20A, I used it for dry cleaning furniture & drapes.

 

[rob allen]

Michael was the Prochem 400 truck mount an oil fired burner unit??

 

[rob allen]

How about Prochem Ultrapac. Good stuff? has it changed? I heard that it was not as good as it used to be. Anyone been using Prochem Ultrapac for a long time care to comment??

 

[C Pennington]

I use to use when I first started cleaning and slowly realized there is much better out there....especially in powders.

Ultrapac IMHO is overpriced and overrated.

Here is what we use:


PH under 10- First step

PH over 10 -Grease Eraser...best stuff Ive ever used and more cost effective than Powerburst.

enjoy.

 

[kevin mccreary]

I use to use when I first started cleaning and slowly realized there is much better out there....especially in powders.

Ultrapac IMHO is overpriced and overrated.

Here is what we use:


PH under 10- First step

PH over 10 -Grease Eraser...best stuff Ive ever used and more cost effective than Powerburst.

enjoy.

Grease Eraser from Chemiesters works well!