[from edge2edge]

A question for you guys that have prowlers.In winter how easily can you get your prowler out of your van and into the garage for the night to save the hassle of heaters etc.Also having bought one do you ever actually use it as a porty or is it just in the van all the time.Regards Alan(swindon)

[Joe H]

Hi Alan
there is a 13hp red machine, and a 15hp yellow machine. Different designs and the yellow one is the heavier.
When I picked up my yellow one off John Kelly he used a set of ramps to get it in through the back doors and shuffted it around to point out the side door. I also have a set of ramps (I use to get the Cimex R48 in and out), takes a 600lb load, very lightweight.
I have not took the machine out of the van - it will clean carpets up to 400' (although I only have 150' or so) therefore not many jobs at all where you would need to move it out - but with the ramps it can be a one man operation.
As to moving it in and out each day during the winter.... well I have no garage so it stays in the van for that reason........ but I suppose it could be done.
Dont forget though you may have other stuff in the van (fluids & hoses) that need frost protection so heat will still be required in the van so why not leave the machine in.
Obviously security is another issue that may want you to put the machine in the garage.

In short, can be done.

[from edge2edge]

Thanks for that Joe i am waying up the pros and cons of the prowler against a standard truckmount at the moment with a view to getting one around october time depending on budget and availability.I know you got a good deal on yours but i dont see many ever coming up secondhand(which in itself shows people like them and hang on to them)Regards Alan(swindon)

[davep]

I took mine out to clear van last week, no ramp and took 2 of us to get it out, then 3 of us to get it in.  Cant see you taking it out each night, easier to put a heater in the back and cover it with a duvet 

[from edge2edge]

Thanks for that too Dave .From your posts i see you are impressed with your prowler which i believe is the 13hp one.It does seem they have the suitable power i will require just really down to availability and price really.Might end up with a fixed truckmount if i cant run to a new one.Regards Alan

[Joe H]

and Daves is the lighter 13hp!
you need ramps - one man operation..... if one man tries to lift it - one man will need an operation  

[Mike Osbourne]

 

[Shaun_Ashmore]

How long does it take to put ramps on the back of your van at night? saying that I once lifted my Bane out of my van on my own and I'm sure one of my eye balls popped out and rolled down the street.

Thanks

Mart Feldman

[mark_roberts]

I cant imagine the hassle,time wasted and stess on your body of moving a Prowler out of your van every night.  You need to get a heater for your van.

Although it has wheels its not a portable.

Mark

[Dennis]

Although it has wheels its not a portable.

Mark

I bet if you stood at the top of a hill and let go it would be. 

[Len Gribble]

I wish my TM were as portable that way I wouldn’t need two trailers.

Len

[carpet_care]

Alan you coud always change your van I have the prowler in a vauxhall vivaro which is big enough for the prowler ,ninja ,turbo dryers ,hoover ,sprayers chemicals hoses etc and fits in the garage .


 Thats the main reason I whont get a bigger truckmount would need a bigger van and then calnt drive in the garage of a night ,if your garage is big enough it would certainly save all the hastle of taking it off of a night ,believe me you would soon get fed up doing that everynight with the prowler.



 Regards Andy locke.

[from edge2edge]

Thanks for that Andy i really have alot to think about before i make my mind up but at least the practicalities are clearer now  Regards Alan

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Andy do you use a hose reel? or do you know Dr Who? best thing about the Prowler is that it is compact and if anything were to wrong you can take it off the van to look at it, the amount of times at Xmas when the TM starts playing up and I do my contortionist routine.

Shaun

[heritagecleaning]

"Tankless - As You Clean, It Pumps Out!"

To where?

[Joe H]

Its alright doing contortionist routines Shaun, if you thin enough to get in to do the contortioning  :

Thats one reason I like the Prowler, it can be taken out of the van easily (ramps) to get at components.

The way mine is mounted with the 400 litre water tank behind the bulkhead, if I take that out, then wheel the Prowler about a foot nearer the side door, I can get all around it to do a lot of work. Out with it for major stuff would make it easier, but ut can easily be swung round 90 degree so it in line with the lenght of the vehicle so you have cover from the rain and the sun still..  

Its better then trying to find someone with a fork lift - and if you find someone - where do they put the unit when its lifted out..... its on their property. You better with it being at yours.

Answering Heritagecleaning question about where does the sucked up water go to.
You get 100' of extra suction hose for this (different colour). You can run it to a kitchen/bathroom water drain on the out side of the house.
Maybe easy access to a sewer drain so straight into that.
Can always modify a wheelie bin to collect it if drains are not handy. At end of job wheel it to a dirty water drain.
Or like I did yesterday, run the hose into a hedgerow or something similar.

[clinton]

Andy

You must have a large garage as i would sruggle to get a vivaro in mine,think thats the best way getting your vehicle in a garage mind you spec for security and keeping it a bit warmer in the winter

Joe

Spot on with the post  and like you said you an always get it out your van if you have any prob s

[Dennis]

Could you winch the Prowler in to the van up the ramps?

http://www.winchsolutions.co.uk/index.asp?action=showproducts&catid1=0&catid2=0

[Joe H]

Good thinking Dennis. I would think the £65 one would do the job. Shop around and you get it cheaper maybe.

Mind you, John Kelly pushed it up the ramps by himself to get into my Citroen Relay..... but he does have 3 Weetabix for breakfast

[carpet_care]

Shaun No I dont use a hose reel the way my van is kitted out that would actually take up more room than having the hoses on bunjees on the sides of the van.

 Clinton I suppose my garage is pretty big and could take the lenght of about one and ahalf vivaros as it was built by us at a later stage so runs along the side of most the house ,not one of these short change ones the builders put on the new builds that just about fit a ford ka in



 Regards Andy Locke.