Hoss 700 Impression

Anyone else running a Hoss 700?  I am curious what you think of it.

So far, my take is this:

1.  I love how easy it is to clean out the jets, vac slots, and hose cup by easy removal....very well thought out.
2.  Very well balanced and seems to float instead of dig like the RX-20, yet pulls up a lot of junk in the cleaning pass.
3.  Still leaves the carpet wetter than a wand unless you go back over with a few dry passes.
4.  It will use a lot of water in the cleaning process as well, so you need a good deal of water on-board if away from a spigot,
5.  There was zero throwing of water outside the head like on an RX-20, so you can go right against the walls without worry.
6.  Makes for a really relaxed posture as you walk it around without any wrestling.

The only real complaints that I have so far are the handles and the way that it rests on the drive face in storage. The handles sort of hook like on a motorcycle and when you carry it through doors, you tend to hook the door the frame (at least I do so far).  The main complaint is the second part, the way that the weight of the machine rests on the drive plate instead of on the frame like an RX-20.  I ended up getting a small rock wedged in the vac slot after setting it down on the customer's porch that I had to clean out.  If I hadn't checked, it would have probably damaged the carpet.

I might have to figure out some kind of ring base to set that Hoss on when in storage to protect the base and vac shoes.  Even if it was an inner tube

Guess I should have listed it in equipment reviews guys...sorry.

Gotcha covered

Thanks for the backup Ryan

Interesting to hear of your experience. Those spray bars seem pretty well seated below the head, how do they keep getting busted?

As for the heat, I will have to install a thermometer on that thing to find out. So far, I really can't tell as I don't see the water / steam under the head. I was running it with 210 at the van and 450 psi, but I am still experimenting. I still use my RX as well, still a great machine, but this Hoss just looked more impressive and maint. friendly.

I bought a demo model during a factory rep. show for $1700 under warranty, so I couldn't say no. Now you have me a little less optimistic....

Good grief...I'm talking to myself now.

Dang, just did it again.  

I might be getting one to demo for a few weeks, so I will try to add to this thread.

I demoed two years ago. I does a great job lifting compacted heavy traffic areas. Better than the 360i.

Draw backs for me was the foot print. Weight, which is why it cleans and lifts the pile well. Also I broke a marble thresh at a bathroom door way with the vac cleats. Operator error, I got a little to cute with edging.  

I cleaned one of my customer's house with it... I didn't like it. I also tried out the wand they make and I felt like throwing it.

Yep, that is a gawd aweful wand. The Hoss is growing on me, but I generally prefer a wand, so it is still used sparingly.

Curious Gene, what didn't you like about the Hoss...the wand is obvious.

milspec6 wrote:

I might have to figure out some kind of ring base to set that Hoss on when in storage to protect the base and vac shoes.  Even if it was an inner tube

I'm pretty sure mytee makes one, don't they?

I have had my 700 since April. It is a very good cleaning machine. However its abit awkward to carry around. I feel it really retains heat, I have been using the gallon per minute disk- to cut back on the water. After using the 20in brush pro- it is akiller operation. However I must confess, now since we are using the 20in brush pro on almost every job and using a wand at 325 psi, the Hoss does not get used mush. Tuesday was the first day in over 2 weeks that I have used the Hoss. The brush pro and wand is doing since a great job.

I picked a Hoss up last night to demo it for a few weeks. I used it on two small jobs today. Very heavy compared to the Rotovac. Still have to tune it in with the disk to see what water flow I need for my machine.

William, don't you work twice as hard by using the brush pro and then going over the same area with the wand? Is it easier and faster to use the 700, once?

Juan

@juan
I'm the say way. Since getting a crb my rotary stays in the truck a lot more. We can clean alot faster with the wand and crb than the rotary extraction and the results are more consistent. However I run with an assistant which allows for one person spraying and crb and the other keeps the wand moving. As an added bonus no grooming after with wand crb combo. Or at least I dont unless stain guard is applied.

If its really messed up we will crb rotary combo. That right there is a miracle worker on nasty carpets.

i just got done demoing it....

i just couldnt get myself to like it...

heavy....and for me instead of floating, it was ALWAYS trying to fight me...made for a tired boy at the end of a job...

the jets were odd...took them all out to clean them, blew them out with a compressor both ways....just never sprayed well for me (maybe my black pipe heater gave off to much "silt")

i really really wanted to like this machine... but in the end, its just not for me....time for a new 360

This proves that there is no perfect method nor machine that works for everyone. I didn't really like it at first either, but I decided to give it an extended test in hopes that it makes my life easier. Once I got used to it and slowed down a little, I came to really like it on residentials...and I am a die-hard wand guy.

I think we all adapt to what methods we are comfortable with and avoid changing. If you are used to the weight of a 360, then anything else will feel way too heavy, but if you are used to hauling an orbital, then the Hoss seems pretty light. It just depends on what people are used to when it comes to cleaning (The island is only an island to the guy in the boat).

I will still wand most residentials, but the Hoss is in the rotation when it they need added agitation. It saves me a step and lets me leave the orbital in the shop, that is a win-win to me.

i dont wand much anymore, because i have a bad shoulder...

just doing a basement that is virtually clean...just about fries me....

360 on 95% of my jobs

These rotary extractors are extending the career of a lot of carpet cleaners just like the glides have done.

Any of you guys interested in trying the Zipper when it floats by?
We just need more honest input especially from sore shoulder guys.
I can see it really helping Milspec and Floorguy, maybe TimM.
RX guys are giving Zipper the nod. Most agree it's faster, easier and just as effective.
With nothing but dual Teflon glides in contact with the floor, you're gonna be way less likely to damage thresholds etc.
Training helpers is a piece of cake. I even picked it up quick.
Add your name to the Zipper Floater if you want in on it.

how much has it changed in 3 yrs???

I used drapers when he had one, i think it was about 3 years, ago...

didnt blow my skirt up... and for me to want to spend that amount of money (see hoss demo) then it had better blow my skirt up

not to say it is bad.....I just dont like that style of hammer in my tool box   

Not sure what's changed if anything.
Price is good though and you get a free thermometer.
I'm more worried about your shoulder and how Daddy's gonna take care of those 5 little girls.
Zipper's gonna distribute the strain to other areas of your body ya know?

Very good points Joe. I'm gonna give that thing a work out when it arrives in the Carolina's.

I'll be taking notes while I work. My part in this floater will be paid in full. I want to encourage distributors to find guys like us to get their raw field exposure.

rotaries save the day...

360 for res....rx on commercial.....

my biggest thing now....planters fasciitis...

and i need to give you a call on a few things....just cant get my head straight so i dont ramble....a few questions, a few things to order...

only 175 i have is a heavy 20"....and like i said...the shoulder doesnt like wanding....

year old carpet a few sats ago....only did the basement (it was big) but the shoulder was fried

ill take slower, and doing more jobs with a rotary over the wand...