A rotary is an older mode of scrubbing. Rotary machines have ben around since the beginning of floor care. Some of the cheaper ones can be purchased for $1,000 or even less.
By comparison a Cimex is a newer alternative. The Cimex came on the scene in 1933. It was originally built for the British Navy so they could have a SAFE machine for working on the tight quarters of the ships and boats. The planetary design was originally intended for safety, but what they also got was SUPERIOR scrubbing performance.
A rotary machine takes time for a new tech to learn how to balance. With a rotary you lift up to steer right, and you dip down to steer left. This can create a 3 Stooges episode until someone learns how to control the machine. On the other hand, a new tech can turn on a Cimex and begin working immediately. If they can walk in a straight line, they can run a Cimex.
There's a also a difference in the fatigue factor. If you are cleaning a large job (a few thousand feet) with a rotary, eventually your upper back, your shoulders, your sternocleido-mastoid (muscle that runs from the shoulder to the base of the neck), and even your arms will eventually get sore. And if you run a rotary for YEARS like I have done, you may even develop some permanent damage to your hip from pivoting with the machine on your hip. With a Cimex there is absolutely no torque against your body.
And then there's the cleaning difference... With a rotary you have 1 driver turning at 175 rpm's. If it's a high speed rotary it may be turning as fast as 350 rpm's. The Cimex has 3 drivers spinning at 400 rpm's. In case you're not good at math --- that's more! Plus the pads are spinning in one direction while the drive deck is revolving in the opposite direction. So there is no comparison in cleaning performance...
A rotary machine is a decent option for smaller jobs. It's a simple low-cost alternative. But most SERIOUS commercial cleaners will opt for a Cimex. The advantages of a planetary machine are obvious. Added to that, you have a 6.6 gallon tank. It is simply a monster when it comes to commercial carpet cleaning.
There are alternatives to a Cimex (rotary, cylindrical, OP). But no other machine can match the performance of a Cimex for a heavy load of commercial cleaning. The Cimex can scrub commercial carpet extremely efficiently. It can scrub and strip floors quicker and easier than than a rotary. It can clean tile and grout with the appropriate brushes. It can even be configured to grind and hone marble. You get what you pay for.
Rick Gelinas
rick@excellent-supply.com
