OP Pad Drivers

[Mike M]

John G. has finally zeroed in on why some pads don't last and others do...........The pad driver. This is something I've suspected since I started to use OP equipment.

None of the machines on the market have the same style pad driver. Its unrealistic to expect pads to last or work the same on all machines.

No one style pad driver will do it all. The ability to run different style pad drivers on a machine will make for a happier operator.

Thinner cotton, Glads or whatever should work better with velcro drivers. Thicker pads, Tuways, Micro or whatever should work better with a bristle driver.

I preferred the bristle driver in our commercial carpet cleaning biz because of the pads we used. At the time we used mostly Tuway synthetic pads or a floor pad. These drivers are also great for the occasional VCT if you do any of that. We did own a machine with velcro driver and it ran the thinner cottons well.

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[jeffvanburen]

I've known the pad driver made a difference quite soon after using OP and reading threads. I prefer the full velcro for the reason the glads lasted much longer.

[bigchuckie]

MF pads as well as Tuways act like they are glued on  when I use them on my Challenger

[Mike M]

MF pads as well as Tuways act like they are glued on  when I use them on my Challenger

Those pads might work better with the bristle style driver.

[ChemBright]

Speaking of a "bristle style" driver.

What did you think about BonnetPros driver for the MiniMax? If those bristles don't break down like they say, they have a winner. Nothing worse than spinning a bonnet on worn flatened bristle and the pad keeps coming off balance.

[Bonnet Pro]

Ive used that same vendor since 2004 for my Carpet Max and still have the originals on my prototype that still gets run. I have never had a single complaint or problem with them. They grab really well but because of the thicker filament diameter they don't pull at the pad to much when you peel them off. that's why I stand on it in my Mini Max video. I have had some of the plastic hook type that after only a month of in and out of the van the nubs wore to the point that the bonnet would shoot off of the drive. That's one reason my machine costs more. I look for the best components I can find. As a smaller manufacture I cant afford to put out junk.

[G Kleen]

Bonnet Pro is right. I have run practically every kind of pad on the Mini Max without any problems whatsoever. Glads, SuperZorbs, Tuways, Tuways with scrub strips, microfibers with and without strips, and fiber pads. Hangs onto the pads without damage of any kind.