op/orbital/osilation machines

Considering getting an op/orbital/osilation machine--for commercial and residential-encaping and to use for pad capping- does it really matter which machine since they all have the same orbital/osilation motion. I would think it would not really be a big deal-But hey, what do I know. Thats why i'm asking, lol

The OP machines with the wheels on the ground are a lot smoother and easier on the body.

Like any tool, the motion is the same, but the ergonomics are different. Some are heavy or bulky and some have reliability issues. It just comes down to what features you want and at what price.

I still use my old Orbot, which has been updated a few times, and it is a great versatile tool. That being said, I think I would probably like that Oreck low-boy just as well for what I do with them.

If you are just planning on using them for encap / padcapping, then I would go with the one that is the lightest...you can always add some weight to it later on if needed. IF you were planning on also using it for scrubbing tile or something, then that Orbot stands out.

Cimex for commercial is still hard to beat, but dragging it around residential will make you old very quick. Even the Orbot will test you on residential with its weight. "Go light, and sleep well at night" is my advice.

That's a good price point for that Low Boy too.

Mo is right about the wheel on the ground machines being easier on the body. But if you will be doing a lot of furnished residential, a regular free floating handle machine will be what you like.

But (trust me) with your CRB and 175 combo you can do everything as well or better then an OP alone.

The only advantage an OP would give you is for large commercial (wheel on the ground machine with spray system a must)

SO for now forget about the OP machine just focus on mastering the 175 and see where that takes you.

IMO, from what experience I have.....

I would have a CRB and a 175 before I would an OP machine. The CRB just digs up the gunk WAY to well to not want/need/use one.

We, as an industry, NEED CRB's that are MUCH more affordable!

I second Freemind1 I had an op and sold it. My 175 will clean as well, make less noise, break down less often and it is more versatile i.e. wood floor cleaning.

Get a 175 and a selection of pads and brushes with the money you save.

Whoa Mo, you should be charging admission for all this info.

I am going to disagree in this one guys, from my experience with VLM (I own a Cimex, a Brute op machine 21" with spray pump tank and wheels on the ground and a 175 with shampoo tank as well) I notice a big difference in the soil removal when I use my op machine in the residential area (commercial only Cimex). Of course you can achieve very good results with the 175, but for speed production (only one pass) and soil removal IMO an OP machine is better. A CRB (I also have a Host machine) and 175 is a good combo to start if you already have both, but if you need to invest money from the beginning to go serious in this system I suggest to shop around for an used OP machine without wheels just for residential.
The deep orbital agitation from an op machine is not the same as the spin around on top of the carpet with 175, just from my point of view.
That Oreck Low Boy is a very nice looking machine.
Good to know that there is a lots of folks with so much experience and knowledge in this field. Very good topic going on here.
Keep in touch.

Well thanks for all the input gentlemen. I do already own a 175 with solution tank, a pad driver and a carpet brush, Also have a CRB that i just bought a spray system for and a mytee big boss sprayer I just oreded on line, also ordered various pads to try out and experiment with, so i guess i am all set. Ordered some Vacaway and releasit chems to try out as well

Don't forget to order some of Joe's S/O-Encap cleaner.

kevinj6121 wrote:Well thanks for all the input gentlemen. I do already own a 175 with solution tank, a pad driver and a carpet brush, Also have a CRB that i just bought a spray system for and a mytee big boss sprayer I just oreded on line, also ordered various pads to try out and experiment with, so i guess i am all set. Ordered some Vacaway and releasit chems to try out as well

Looks like you have things covered...like Davey said, give the S/O/E a run as well.

For encap, Ill stick with SOE. I tried release it stuff and didn't like the smell or results.

I had some good results with the releasit, but ya, that smell was bad. Vacaway has some nice stuff and they all smell pretty good, but S/O/E became my chem of choice in the end.

I can't help much on the pads / bonnets...never found a "favorite", just many that worked okay.

I've tried many encap cleaners, and S/O/E has worked the best for me, and doesn't have an unpleasant or strong odor like some of the others.

It's hard to beat it's price also!!

a 175 and a crb will do a great job

mostly everything will given enough time.

if you are going for a orbital

skip everything else and go right for John's machine.
I have put enough time behind it to learn how to properly use its advantages

yes it totally blows away the other 3/8's machines in everyway.
I used modded orbots for what close to 4 years? Probably longer.
The drive shaft is over twice as thick as what orbot uses....

Yes it spins faster with a large oscillation but what most people dont know is its also offset so has a tamping action. Really helps to dig up extra crap.

cimex? yes I own one but dont use it anymore as this machine will get the same results - faster and using less solution, much less in fact.

Dont believe me? I really dont care! LOL.
After the zip per ( wow real mature guys still blocking the name) thing I realized that some people have trouble learning and using new pieces of equipment so it is what it is.
but it might be worth it to take a serious look.

Have you seen the new version that John is working on? Even tougher drive assembly, folds down and is now the best looking machine on the market, in my opinion anyway.

That is a cool looking machine. My hats off to G for that .

I respect Dustin's review on these machines,

But PLEASE Dustin,,, DO NOT SELL YOUR ARROTECH. lol

Lol ooooo lol
Andy, I'm not that hack guy.

Won't happen

How much did you pay for it Dustin?

Is there a Floater going on?

The reason the Zip per was not accepted has little or nothing to do with certain people having trouble getting used to it.  I bought one and gave it to over a dozen competent, experienced cleaners, including you.  All had for as long as they needed, including you, some close to a month.  The fact that it's still floating says it all.

SO, will there be a Floater on this machine?  
If not I would highly recommend no one buy it.
Not that it's not a good machine, as it probably is but because the Floater concept is the way of the future.
Did Geurkink disappear on purpose or is he a stand up guy.
Speak up John.
If not, who is in charge of that Project?
You Dustin? How much did you pay?

In the future all expensive equipment like this will be tested by numerous cleaners before it is ever sold, and I don't mean prearranged tradeshows, probably the least effective way to intro/demo a new piece of equipment.

I'm in on that, no more buying expensive equip without field testing it first!!

Hell, I was almost ready to buy the Crapper based on looks and what the manufacture claimed. Thankfully Joe bought one and let us try it, saved me 2k+ dollars!! Turns out it just did not work well for me, and was slooow. And trust me I adjusted the $hit outa it (even changed the jets), on every job to get it setup just right....still wasn't worth $500 let alone 2k!!

Only people I see that talk good about it are the ones that paid 2k+ for it......I wonder why?!

I'll say this, I like the looks of it.

I have been running my Orbot for about 7 years and at the time, being able to fold it up and to flip it wheels up when cleaning made it the best choice out there. It doesn't do any good to have a machine that you can't fit on the truck and folding these type of machines into a small space (normally carry it between the seats) is awesome.

I would be interested in seeing one of these in person, but I don't use an orbital all that much any more to warrant buying another.

I had an Easy Glide from John G and would never buy another one. I wouldn't buy another orbital or an orbital from JG. Mine was never better to any measurable degree. One customer even asked me if I was aerating his carpet or cleaning it. This new one may be quieter/smoother but my 175 was/is just fine for how often I use it.

no floater that I know of Joe.

Lol im in as much charge of that as I am soils and oil
He's working on some new stuff I believe, only so much time in the day.

same price of an orbot Joe.... ( dont know about new model)
thats like paying what a prochem titanium costs for a portable wand... ouch

Can I clean with a rotary ? yes
Does Johns machine make me way more per hour then said rotary ? yes

kevin there is another board that is more into OP cleaning you may want to also ask there.


to the zip for a sec.  Has anyone noticed that the guys that were happy with the zip no longer post here? hmmm
I dont own one, yet.  Still want one one day.  
Some guys cant get the zip per to work or rotary extractors or crb's or even encap gear. If it did we would all be running judsons or something lol.
Have you guys heard of project whirlwind? The new ( we think ) rotary extractor being announced at connections? OOOOOOOO

For the third time, how much did you pay for it Dustin?

lol I bought it used from a friend that needed some tlc, its an older model with allot of miles on it.

orbot and rock are both 49 I believe.