How Many Direct Drive Users Here?

Scott_S 2016-04-12 18:42:13 UTC #41

Yeah my guys like running the pro1200se a lot more than the rage.

duanelhouse 2016-04-14 05:00:40 UTC #42

We opted to not get the salsa. two reasons with the old Workmaster( propane heater) some times would get off and temp would get to high would spill live steam which did not clean anything and some reports of salsa plugging and cutting air flow. ( if maintained proper should not be a problem We found right prespray + dwell & agitation. worked just as well and our solutions line pumps etc lasted mush longer. Everyone does it a little differently to get the results they want.

duanelhouse 2016-04-14 05:04:53 UTC #43

Our biggest problems with direct drives is the heat build up under the vans causing heat breakdown of seals on power steering pumps & lines. Premature oil drips which can be expensive to have fixed.

duanelhouse 2016-04-14 05:05:42 UTC #44

that what happens to when you get old. LOL

Jonathan 2016-04-14 05:59:10 UTC #45

Seems to me PTO/Direct Drive manufacturers are missing the boat by not capturing all that lost heat. Makes you think.

Scott_S 2016-04-14 11:38:27 UTC #46

how many RPM's does the salsa run? on low medium and high?

msags 2016-04-14 12:13:41 UTC #47

Butler actually does work to make the van as reliable as their cleaning unit.

They change up the front fan to a different flex fan, trim off some of the fan shroud

Few other changes so that they are not just cooling the van motor...they are cooling everything all the way to the back of the van while we are cleaning.

I had a fan clutch go bad, and found one locally that would work to run the van, but the R&D department at Butler did not want me to run the unit without the proper TESTED fan clutch.

Because of what they have tested, we have been very fortunate to get thousands of Road Miles out of our units and thousands of Butler hours on the entire package.

One unit (currently still in use part time by a friend of ours) has over 250,000 road miles and over 11,000 Butler hours on if for more than 619,000 equivalent miles on the original motor...and still not taking any oil.

We also change out our oils every 1000-1500 road miles and change fluids in the Butlers more than suggested (500 hours suggested) so we are pretty sure our diligence to maintenance also might help here too.

And as I type this, I have one van I should be having the fluid in the transmission change and filter changed as we try to do that every year too....

Scott_S 2016-04-14 12:41:55 UTC #48

So butler changes the fan, and cuts part of the shroud, but how are they cooling everything all the way to the back of the van as your describing? additional fans, shrouds, skid plates?

one thing that i do notice is that these other units tend to run a lot higher rpm's than my pro1200se. almost a 1000 rpm higher.
The higher rpm of these other units do generate more heat under the hood.

msags 2016-04-14 22:39:05 UTC #49

Bigger fan blade (flex fan) and the fan clutch is not activated by heat, but always direct and solid mount (not spring loaded) so moving way more air. They have done a lot of testing on it...

Ryan 2016-04-15 00:25:17 UTC #50

Look who just showed up to the party.

duanelhouse 2016-04-15 04:11:37 UTC #51

Have to agee butler does seem have a little less heat problems then the Hydramaster. The big problem with Hydramater is aluminum tanks rotting out. The old Bultler has over 20,000hr on machine and about 160,000 miles on the van. We changed the oil every 3 months (longer then we should.) Original engine and blower and the stainless steel tanks are like new. I kept trying to talk to Hydramater to make stainless a extra cost option but no go. if you do keep for ever guess it does not make any diff.

Whistle 2016-04-15 05:07:56 UTC #52

Good info. I'm glad you guys are talking about maintenance and problems with the units.

Yes. If Hydramaster would make stainless steel tanks they wouldn't sell as many. I think the cheap aluminum tanks are by design with the motivation of profits not longevity for end users.

Whistle 2016-04-15 05:11:53 UTC #53

To tell you the truth,.....

I HATE CDS UNITS. !!!!

I've actually overheated in the drive way.
I was cleaning for an M.D. in Federal Way Wa. and he looked out his big bay window overlooking the beautiful Puget Sound, and says; " is black smoke suppose to be billowing from your van? "

I said "WHAT"!!!!

I run outside to shut off the van.
What a nightmare!!!!

Of course, the van had to be towed away.

msags 2016-04-15 11:03:39 UTC #54

The Butler also has an overheat system that will shut the van down as safety if problem occurs.

Also, I ran my new Butler at the Experience show this past September in Las Vegas at the Mirage Hotel outside for 4 hours straight...three days in a row....very little shut down time if any in 105 degree heat and not issues of any nature.

Another thing, some people say "Run with the hood open" and that is actually bad for the Butler Set up because things are taken in consideration for maximum cooling with the hood closed.

And Stainless tanks are really wonderful as other options I understand with other manufacturers does limit longevity of the units.

Scott_S 2016-04-15 11:38:54 UTC #55

The Pro1200se also has this safety feature. Does hydramaster?

Scott_S 2016-04-15 13:21:03 UTC #57

I'm gonna stick with what @msags says, monthly oil changes, will still keep track of mileage though.. sapphire says 35 miles per every hour on engine. but the pro only spins 1400 rpm on high.

Whistle 2016-04-17 20:50:40 UTC #59

I still hate CDS UNITS.
I've owned 4 Hydramaster CDS.
No more CDS of any kind.

NoahsArk 2017-02-21 00:37:12 UTC #60

I bought out a competitor, and got his one van with a 2002 Hydramaster CDS w/Salsa. It impressed the heck out of me: I'd made my first 3 yrs on an old Prochem Blazer Plus. My guys love the CDS because it's quiet and the water is hot. I have to admit, it has put a beating on the Chevy Express 3500 van motor. It revs the motor hard. I would have thought for a huge V8, that it could have a bigger PTO pulley, and just barely idle the van's motor.

Just setting up a brand new PC Legend GT. It's quiet. Seems about as quiet as the Hydramaster, even though it's a slide-in unit! I'm having a few issues with the Legend, but I love it, and it should be rocking soon.

Scott_S 2017-02-21 00:54:46 UTC #61

Pro1200se noe has soft start system, still kicking ass and cleaning like a mad man.

prodrying 2017-02-23 16:02:01 UTC #62

I have to agree with msags with the Butlers. I have ran them now for 25 years. Both when I worked for someone else and owning my on fleet of Butlers. You should be able to dual wand or dual rotovac no problem. Personally, I don't ever get mine with the high heat option because the regular heat of 210 atm is fine. I do like the bigger blower and 2" hose all the way to the wand. Right now I have a 2003 and a 2015 Butler and both work great. I also just sold a 2004 Butler and it is going strong in Colorado right now.