[Steve Chapman]

Hi all,

having another problem with the recently aquired steamway tm after sorting the

burner out.

There basically is no suction on the hose, it seems to me to be a problem with

the kohler engine not turning fast enough, but has been for a tune up today

and has come back exactly the same?

Is there anything else i should be looking for, have done the obvious looking for

blockages etc but now i'm stumped.

Not that well up on blowers etc, maybe a problem here i dont know?

Any help appreciated!

regards
steve

[*paul_moss]

Steve give dave Leaona a ring he should be able to advise
email me for his number

[alan lewis]

Steve

When you say there is no suction, do you mean none at all? Is it belt or coupler driven?
Is the blower actually turning?

Im sure Mick Halliday could help you out.

Alan

[Mike Halliday]

if the engine is running then follow the problem to the end.

is the engine turning the blower.

is the hose from the blower to the tank connected

is the hose from the wastetank to the hose connector connected.

is the waste tank lid closed.

is the waste tank allowing in air ( leaking)

there are not alot of things that will cause a total loss of vacuum.

[richie]

As what Mike  has already said.....plus you could try......take the waste tank lid off and disconnect the filter inside the tank where the blower hose connects,  start the machine & put it up to full revs.....see if there is suction there.  Start the engine and put your hand half over the hose and see if there is suction there.  If not check the hose that connects the blower & waste tank.  It may be kinked or it may have collapsed.  Depending on how the blower is connected to the engine....are the belts on tight enough?  if its direct drive then it the coupler sound?

Which Steamway machine is it?  Model?  if i know this i may have a better idea of the machine.

As mike has also noted,  there is not much that would stop suction from the blower.

Richie.

[Steve Chapman]

Thanks all for the info,

 will have a thorough check through tommorrow, have spoken to dave liahona

and he has given some pointers as well, hoping its something silly like the lid

being off  :

its a steamway 4200 mastermatic, direct drive to the blower, does any one

know what max rpm these should run at, its a kohler 20 hp engine?


regards
steve

[Mike Halliday]

max 3600rpm but might be limited to 2800rpm by manufacturer ( i think)

[colin thomas]

i was half-way through a job once and was convinced that my machine was foaming and i hadn't got any de-foamer on board so i spend an hour driving to a supplier and back and when i got back the first thing i noticed was that my vac pipe was kinked going over a roof parapet to the first floor, the air was very blue,

   colin

[Dave_Lee]

Another obvious thing to check (But I have done it) is your emptying valve closed.
Dave.

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

HA! HA! HA! did that on my portie last week took a couple of min's for my brain to catch up

[Buster Ingram]

Steve
If your machine is sounding quieter than before this problem started it’s a fare bet your direct drive couplings have broke.

Dave Lee
If you left your drain valve open on your new machine I’d doubt if you’d notice, with all that air you’re pulling with that wind turbine you have fitted.
 

[john rees]

Hi Steve,
              One of my machines is a steamway Equinox, have you left the blower oiler valve open?

                     All the best
                                       John

[Mike Osbourne]

isn't it a relief though when it turns out to be something silly you have done. I can live with mild embarassment over opening my wallet.

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

i was half-way through a job once and was convinced that my machine was foaming and i hadn't got any de-foamer on board so i spend an hour driving to a supplier and back and when i got back the first thing i noticed was that my vac pipe was kinked going over a roof parapet to the first floor, the air was very blue,

   colin

colin why drive to a spplier should of gone to the cornor shop and got a bar of soap or abottle of hair condisher they do the same 

[colin thomas]

susan, i didn't know that, what do you do with the soap or conditioner, i mean that in the nicest way possible!!!!

colin

[Karl Wildey]

When i first started out we had a bottle of comfort we used as a defoamer and it works. just pour a little in waste tank.
I had on times run out and got some from the client.

[Dave_Lee]

Dave Ingram,
Hi Dave, yeah your spot on, it would just feel like I was dual wanding. Are you going to the CCDO, I hear its a lovely place. 
Dave.

[Steve Chapman]

Hi all, thanks for all the replies !

re inspected today and it turns out the direct drive coupler has murdered

itself, 

Oh well, it could be worse i suppose, am ordering a part in from the states, at

least its a secondary machine and not the main one we use otherwise I'd be

really cheesed off

It was good to have all the input tho, its funny how logic goes out of the

window when your panicking about something.

Still wish it was something silly tho

regards
steve

ps - I think the fitting of it is going to be a bit of game, but educational 

[Jason Hedges]

Hi Steve,

Had the same problem with my promount. Mine went half way through a job though. Took it to woodbridges where they put it down to a gunged up blower. They spent half a day cleaning the blower and fitting the new coupler, cost over £300 for the privilege.

I bought a spare incase it happened again it cost about £80 if i remember rightly. Having watched them do it I'd be confident doing it myself if it happened again.

How much was it from the states if you dont mind me asking?

All the best,
Jason.

[richie]

Hi matey,

At least you know it is something minor.  Im glad that i put the coupler down as one of the probable problems 

Richie.