Author Topic: Powerclean Industries (Read 2433 times)

Mike M · « **on:** November 01, 2010, 06:53:41 AM »

Is Powerclean officially out of business?

Just saw something related on another forum.

Anyone that needs help with their machine can post here. I had two of their machines and ran them without support for years.

Most parts are readily available so don't panic. You just need to know where to look.

Bill Martins · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2010, 05:55:27 PM »

Yes they are out.

kingjoelking · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2010, 06:53:28 PM »

I know on some of the boards people have been complaining for a while because many of there parts were backordered for months.

Mike M · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2010, 07:05:21 PM »

I had customer service and parts issues way back when and I was dealing with the owners.

Got tired of it and sourced the parts myself. Most are readily available elsewhere. The few that weren't I had a machine shop make out of stainless.

Have mixed feelings about Powerclean. Jim has some good design ideas and Keith was good to work with. Warranty coverage was almost non existent even though I bought 2 machines from them. The designs and chemical line have merit. With some tweaking and real service they could do well. Not sure what is going to happen to the company but I wish them the best.

kingjoelking · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2010, 07:45:00 PM »

I agree. I wish them well also. I like there DXT model. I would like to see more competition out there for truckmounts.
I would really like to see someone build a quiet truckmount.

Mike M · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2010, 08:13:23 PM »

Got a feeling the economy put a squeeze on most truckmount manufacturers.

Powerclean may not be the only victim.

kingjoelking · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2010, 08:19:02 PM »

Supposedly Blueline is going to discontinue their blueline models and only be Saphire Scientific. They have also discontinued the Vortex big trucks.

Mike M · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2010, 08:45:27 PM »

I thought Blueline had bought Vortex and Sapphire was a separate company started by the ex owners or Prochem?

If what you say is right then Blueline will be next?

Mike M · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2010, 08:55:13 PM »

OK - I just clicked on a link to Blueline and it went to Sapphire so I take it they own it now?

Also found some info on the Vortex being discontinued.

So I guess that leaves one manufacturer of monster truckmounts?.................Steamaction. Can't think of any others?

Bill Martins · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2010, 09:52:34 PM »

Aerotech is still in business.

Sapphire and Blueline are owned by Legends Products, who also owns unsmoke and dri eaz.

kingjoelking · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2010, 11:07:04 PM »

Saphire and Blueline are built in the same factory up in Prescott. Mo has probably driven by them half a bazillion times.
Everybody forgets that Blueline's tale of start up was that they were the disgruntled ex-prochem engineers that wanted to build a real truckmount.
So im pretty sure same ex Pro-Chem engineers started a second line of truckmounts because everybody was getting irritated with the blueline problems which were similar to the pro chem problems.

Mike M · « **Reply #11 on:** November 02, 2010, 06:03:15 AM »

Haven't really been keeping up with what is going on in the truckmount world in recent years. A lot of the "new" has already been done in the past but forgotten.

Blue line wasn't even around the last time I bought a truckmount. Had heard about Vortex and aerotech but considered them way overpriced for what they were.

There are some changes going on at Steamway. Things haven't been the same since the Bloss family sold it. Guessing the new owners bought the company for the chemical lines?

I'm guessing some of the other small manufacturers will go by the wayside during this downturn too?

Powerclean was a company full of promise but has evidently bedome a victim of the recession.

I would probably still buy a Powerclean 5.9 if I had a need for something like that. It had the ability to pressure wash, had good heat and available pumpout. I would NOT spend big money for it and would buy it knowing there is no support for the machine.

Mo · « **Reply #12 on:** November 02, 2010, 10:30:18 AM »

Yup Blueline is right here in this little town. But I have to order from distributors in Phoenix if I want to buy something. I remember when it was Vortex and I would see guy pick their trucks up. They were like little kids that just got cool new toy.

Mike M · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2010, 10:55:19 AM »

What ever happened to Shawn York? Wasn't he the guy that started Vortex. I knew he sold to Blueline but that's the last I heard about him.

kingjoelking · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2010, 11:09:35 AM »

There are rumors that he is going to take Vortex back or something. He is still out there as far as I know. I think he is reconditioning old ones. I could be wrong though.

Carpet America · « **Reply #15 on:** November 14, 2010, 02:29:23 PM »

Looking for diverter gaskets and water box float for Freedom. Anyone know where i can get these ??

Thanks...Mike

Mike M · « **Reply #16 on:** November 14, 2010, 03:40:04 PM »

Not familiar with the diverter on that system. Got any pics? I had two Powerclean units but there were no gaskets in the diverters.

Try this place for a float switch. http://www.fluidswitch.com/

bojangles · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:21:55 PM »

Had one of the first problems with my Powerclean freedom xt today. I noticed the vacuum had been down on a job this morning, and i thot my tank filters were getting clogged. On my second job this afternoon i noticed the exhaust heat exchanger was a bit loose. Not having a wrench handy, i proceeded anyways. Just as i was hooking up the rotovac, i noticed there was no vacuum. Went out to the truck to see the exhaust HX cherry red, which apparantly burnt the belts to the blower?? That's all i can figure, cause the blower belts were toast, yet i can spin the blower by hand, i think it's still working. How much trouble am i in. Praise God the customers aren't home. I've got to call them in the morning on my way to Allen Equipment to try to get this thing running.

Any suggestions? I got 970 hours on my machine.

ChemBright · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:56:34 PM »

Allen equipment in Chandler? If so....Man! do you have a drive!

davendana · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2011, 12:44:41 AM »

When were the belts last changed? I have changed mine 3 times with 910 hrs on the unit. BTW you can get them from NAPA
the P/N's are:
2 13-BX32 35" BX V-BELT TYPE BX32 Blower
1 13-B37 40" B V-BELT TYPE B37 5L Pump
1 13-AX40 42" AX V-BELT TYPE AX40 Pump Out

Also, http://www.surpluscenter.com has them for future ref.
Also if your exhaust HX starts leaking (and it will) there is a place in Vegas that will rebuild it including R & R or John at John's heat exchangers in FL can repair for 350-400.00

kingjoelking · « **Reply #20 on:** February 18, 2011, 01:21:02 AM »

How many times has Allen Equipment told you your machine sucks and you should have bought a ProChem?

Mike M · « **Reply #21 on:** February 18, 2011, 06:35:05 AM »

Hopefully just the belts need to be replaced. Sometimes when things get hot it blows other things. I had to replace the thermostat and temp gauge more than once when things got overly hot due to diverter failure.

The blower exhaust goes through the exchangers as well. The lack of extra air could be why they got hot?

I also got all my belts at NAPA. Check and change regularly.

bojangles · « **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2011, 08:51:50 AM »

Quote from: ChemBright on February 17, 2011, 11:56:34 PM

Allen equipment in Chandler? If so....Man! do you have a drive!

yep, all the way in chandler... it'll definitely put you asleep at the wheel.

bojangles · « **Reply #23 on:** February 18, 2011, 08:52:55 AM »

Quote from: davendana on February 18, 2011, 12:44:41 AM

When were the belts last changed? I have changed mine 3 times with 910 hrs on the unit. BTW you can get them from NAPA
the P/N's are:
2 13-BX32 35" BX V-BELT TYPE BX32 Blower
1 13-B37 40" B V-BELT TYPE B37 5L Pump
1 13-AX40 42" AX V-BELT TYPE AX40 Pump Out

Also, http://www.surpluscenter.com has them for future ref.
Also if your exhaust HX starts leaking (and it will) there is a place in Vegas that will rebuild it including R & R or John at John's heat exchangers in FL can repair for 350-400.00

i'll swing by napa first, thanks for that info, may save me a 4 hour round trip?

bojangles · « **Reply #24 on:** February 18, 2011, 08:54:29 AM »

Quote from: kingjoelking on February 18, 2011, 01:21:02 AM

How many times has Allen Equipment told you your machine sucks and you should have bought a ProChem?

welp, i've never had a problem with my machine till now....so hopefully i can get this thing back in the saddle and they can keep their mouths shut....but seriously i've had nothing but good from them...

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Author Topic: Powerclean Industries (Read 2433 times)

Carpet America