Three of a Kind: A Quick Review of Upright, Cylinder & Backpack Cleaners

Last year we published guides to three of the main types of vacuum cleaner used by professional cleaners. As this latest New Year comes around, we are revisiting the main selling points of each cleaner type and the reasons they are favoured by the professional cleaner.

The Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner

Excellent if you have tricky areas that you need to tackle, such as under desks or stairs, cylinder vacuum cleaners offer the benefit of being light in weight and versatile. With accessories stored on board, these machines offers a portable, all-in-one solution that is easy to store and transport from one job to another.

The highly powerful motors make cylinder vacuum cleaners ideal for all sorts of floor types such as hard floors and carpets, and a range of applications including industrial cleaning and flood management.

The Upright Vacuum Cleaner

The upright vacuum cleaner offers benefits such as good volume dust capacity and top performance on large carpeted areas. This is a cleaner that finds it easy to transition between carpet and hard floor, often automatically.

With its larger head, the upright vacuum cleaner is able to tackle a larger surface area, reducing vacuuming time and in turn boosting efficiency. 

Lastly, the powerful brushes of the upright make it possible to get deep into the pile for an effective deep clean.

The Backpack Vacuum Cleaner

Where cleaning efficiency and user comfort are important, backpack style vacuum cleaners make the perfect choice. These machines are lightweight and designed to rest comfortably on the user’s back courtesy of an adjustable harness. With the wand and hose crafted with ergonomics in mind, users experience the least possible stress on their wrists and back.

The Pacvac is one of the most popular models in this range, combining comfort and wear-ability with exceptional performance courtesy of a premium quality motor that is reliable and super-powerful.

Other backpack cleaning machine brands include the Makita Cordless Backpack Vacuum and the Numatic RSB and RSV ranges.

Professional Grade Vacuum Cleaners – from a Nationwide Supplier you can Trust

For the professional cleaner, choosing the right commercial vacuum cleaner is vital. At Anderson Trade, we stock a huge selection of commercial vacuum cleaners of all types. All of them come with a complimentary onsite demonstration, providing customers with total reassurance that their chosen model will match their precise requirements. We also provide a comprehensive range of parts and spares for all leading brands of commercial and industrial vacuum cleaners. To learn more, or to arrange your free demonstration, you are welcome to get in touch.

Your Guide to Engineering Environment Vacuum Cleaners

In an engineering or mechanical facility and anywhere where there is an output of mixed wet and dry materials that need to be cleaned up and disposed of by controlled means, a special piece of kit is required. That piece of kit is known as an engineering separator vacuum cleaner.

Numatic produces a range of premium engineering separator vacuum cleaners with top level features offering exceptional performance and reliability in situations where swarf and coolant fluids need to be collected separately.

All models have a dry capacity for swarf of 30 litres, and a wet capacity of 70 litres. They all have large wheels for ease of mobility and chassis constructed from Structofoam, a unique, incredibly tough yet lightweight material that is resistant to dents, scratches and cleaning chemicals.

Let’s take a closer look at the individual machines.

The Numatic SSIVD1800DH is powered by double high performance by-pass Twinflo motors and fitted with a stainless steel mesh basket which sits in the 30 litre drum. The basket captures all particles larger than 1mm, whilst the liquids pass through into the separate 70 litre bottom tank. The liquids are easily discharged via the fitted dump hose. There’s a 38mm Multiflo wet kit included, and the machine can accommodate hoses from 32 to 76mm.

The Numatic SSIVD1800AP is again powered by two high performance by-pass Twinflo motors. Features are mainly the same as the 1800DH, apart from the outlet for the liquids which works via a fitted automatic pump system with a 10 metre dump hose, making the process automated and far more quicker and straightforward. Again there’s a Multiflo wet kit and hose sizes from 32 to 76mm can be accommodated.

Numatic’s SSIVD1800PH matches its sibling models as described above, but differs again in its liquid discharge system which this time works via a fitted, manually switched, high output pump system.

So when it comes to choosing your engineering separator vacuum cleaner, really your main differentiator is going to be the method by which you prefer to dump the waste. The 1800AP model commands the highest investment due to its automated pump system. The convenience makes it one of the most popular machines for this purpose.

Engineering Separator Vacuum Cleaners – Expert Advice

Anderson Trade supplies all three Numatic engineering separator vacuum cleaners. All are supplied with a complimentary onsite demonstration so customers can have complete peace of mind that their chosen model will match their exacting requirements. We also stock an extensive range of parts and spares for all leading brands of commercial and industrial vacuum cleaners. To learn more, or to arrange your free demonstration, you are welcome to get in touch.

Dealing with Hazardous Dusts: A Guide to H-Class Vacuum Cleaners

Certain dusts are hazardous to health if inhaled. These include asbestos, carcinogens, finely divided silica, active pharmaceutical products and soot. In environments where these dusts are present and need to be cleared, it is necessary to use highly specialist equipment to do so.

H-class vacuum cleaners are purposely designed for use with hazardous dusts. They are built to safely and effectively pick up toxic dust and debris in a safe manner.

H-class vacuum cleaners are equipped with three stages of filtration. The first is a sealed, disposable paper bag. The second is a high efficiency cloth filter, and the third is a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) cartridge which is contained in a sturdy module. All hazardous dust vacuum cleaners are tested in line with British Standard BS5415 to ensure they achieve a filtration efficiency of at least 99.97 per cent.

Numatic manufactures a range of specialist hazardous dust vacuum cleaners in a variety of capacities up to 40 litres, and with a choice of Twinflo single 1200 Watt or double 2400 Watt motors built into an all-steel, low-noise power head. All models are available in both 240 volt and 110 volt options and feature a HEPA filter with a primary pre-filter and microflo dust bags to meet the required filtration efficiency.

The Numatic HZ200 and HZ250 are the smaller models in the range. These have a 10 litre steel container.

In the small to medium range, featuring a 15 litre polypropylene container, are the Numatic HZ350 and HZ370.

The Numatic HZD570 is a medium sized model offering a 23 litre super tough structofoam container. For higher capacity needs, the Numatic HZ750 single motor and HZD750 twin motor models offer a 35 litre steel container.

For even greater capacity, the Numatic HZ900 single motor and HZD900 twin motor feature a huge 40 litre super tough structofoam container.

All models come with an accessory kit including a 2.5 metre hose, small and large dusting brushes, a steel gulper, a crevice tool, 10 disposable paper bags and 20 polythene sacks.

High Filtration Vacuum Cleaners – Specialist, Tailored Advice

At Anderson Trade, we offer a vast range of specialist commercial and industrial vacuum cleaners, including H-class machines purpose designed for dealing with all types of hazardous dust.

All our commercial vacuum cleaners come complete with a complimentary onsite demonstration, allowing customers total reassurance that their chosen model will match their precise requirements. We also stock an extensive range of parts and spares for all leading brands of commercial and industrial vacuum cleaners. To learn more, or to arrange your free demonstration, please get in touch.

When Filtration Matters – A Guide to Specialist Cleanroom and Hazardous Dust Vacuum Cleaners

For those in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device or life science sectors, or in critical process manufacturing such as optics, aerospace or military, cleanrooms are all part and parcel of the manufacturing process.

Cleanrooms operate a controlled level of contamination, with a key component being the High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter used to trap particles upwards of 0.3 micron.

Cleanrooms are classified according to the number and size of particles allowed per volume of air, with Class Ratings extending in multiples of 10 from 1 through to 100,000. The lower the rating, the less the tolerance of contaminant particles.

You may wonder how cleanrooms are kept clean: it is a good question. There are in fact vacuum cleaners specifically designed for this purpose.

The Numatic CRQ370 for example is designed for use in environments with Class 100 ratings. The compact nature of this cleanroom vacuum cleaner makes it perfect for routine cleaning. Features include a long power cable that is easy to replace; a metal head for boosted durability; a bumper ring to protect the front wheels from causing damage and a five-stage filtration system guaranteed to remove 100 per cent of particles right down to a size of 0.1um without any loss of performance or suction power. This performance is 100 per cent certified.

This model is supplied complete with a full professional accessory kit in stainless steel, allowing the user to access and thoroughly clean the typical objects and surfaces found in a cleanroom environment. There are two options available: 110 Volt and 240 Volt. Both have a powerful 1200 Watt twinflo motor.

The Numatic CRQ370

It is not only cleanrooms that call for exceptional filtration and efficiency. Computer rooms, operating theatres and clinics for example all require maximum, guaranteed levels of filtration. The Numatic MFQ370-22 is a machine that fits the bill when it comes to cleaning such environments.

This model again offers a 1200 Watt twinflo motor and comes in both 110 Volt and 240 Volt options. There is a choice between high and low operation and, crucially, the HEPA micro filter offers an outstanding 99.997 per cent certified efficiency, tested to EN1822 standard. Compact in size and featuring a professional specification and steel motor head construction, the machine comes complete with an accessory kit allowing the user to access and thoroughly clean a range of spaces.

The Numatic MFQ370-22

High Filtration Vacuum Cleaners – Specialist, Tailored Advice

At Anderson Trade, we offer a comprehensive range of specialist commercial and industrial vacuum cleaners, including machines purpose designed for cleanroom use.

All our machines are supplied with a complimentary onsite demonstration. This means you can have complete peace of mind that the model you choose will match your individual needs. We also stock an extensive range of parts and spares for all leading brands of commercial and industrial vacuum cleaners. To learn more, or to arrange your free demonstration, please get in touch.

The Carpet Cleaner Buyer’s Guide

Vacuuming carpets is a good way to remove loose surface dirt, but what about all that ground-in grime that gets pushed deeper and deeper into the pile every time it’s walked on? Plus there are all the airborne pollutants such as dust and chemicals.

Carpet cleaners are designed to remove dirt, stains and allergens and are renowned for their deep cleaning properties with a focus on health as well as cleaning. But what are the most important considerations to make when buying a carpet cleaning machine for commercial use? Let’s take a look.

Steam Power

Steam is well known for killing off the bacteria that lurks deep in carpet pile. Dust mites and other allergy inducing bugs can be wiped out with steam. What’s more, the use of steam rather than water will reduce the drying time needed, which helps prevent mould and mildew from becoming a problem.

The Coccinella steam cleaner is a popular model. It offers professional performance thanks to its continuous dry steam for deep cleaning. There is no pressure cap with this model, which means no waiting for the pressure to drop before you can refill it, unlike with other models.

Rinsing Ability

Most carpet cleaners need the help of chemicals to properly attack grime and bacteria. The key thing is to make sure these chemicals are thoroughly removed from the carpet once the cleaning is done, otherwise they could be responsible for inducing allergy symptoms. For this reason, it is vital to choose a carpet cleaner that thoroughly rinses the fibres once they have been washed.

Simplicity of Use

This is one of the most important considerations. You’ll need to think about various factors. Firstly, the weight of the carpet cleaner. If you have large areas to cover, is it easily manoeuvrable? Can you lift it up and down stairs? Transport it easily from one contract location to the next?

Think also about the length of the power cord and the available attachments. Does the machine offer sufficient flexibility for your specific needs?

Water Reservoir

Is the water reservoir of an adequate size so that it will deal with the area you need to cover? Larger areas need bigger tanks, otherwise you will be travelling backwards and forwards to a water supply over and over again.

Specific Requirements

Think about how you will be using the carpet cleaner. Will you need it for the odd spill as well as larger jobs? If so, something that is easy to deploy quickly and offers flexibility could be a good choice. If you need to deal with regular ground-in, stubborn stains, then you will need to choose a model that can cope with such a requirement. Also think about drying time: some machines will clean carpets using lower quantities of water, allowing the carpets to dry faster.

Product Suggestions

The HOS Orbot SprayBorg Orbital Cleaning System is a multifunction machine suitable for hard floors and carpets. It uses an encapsulation water based solution, providing deep carpet cleaning using Zorb cotton pads. It uses very little water, leaving the floor virtually dry. It’s also easy to transport from floor to floor and up and down stairs.

The Numatic George is the classic all-in-one cleaning machine offering deep cleaning properties for carpets. The powerful motor and pump system make this machine the ideal choice for even the toughest cleaning needs.

The Vax Commercial VCW-06 offers excellent cleaning power to remove most stains and also lift the pile, leaving the carpet clean and dry. The tool kit allows for easy cleaning of stairs and upholstery.

Carpet Cleaners - Tailored Advice

At Anderson Trade, we offer a comprehensive range of carpet cleaning machines. You can browse all our carpet cleaners here.

All our machines come with a complimentary onsite demonstration, so you can rest assured the model you choose will match your individual needs. We also stock an extensive range of parts and spares for all leading brands of commercial vacuum cleaners and carpet cleaners. For more information or to arrange a free demo, please get in touch

A Guide to Buying an Aircraft Vac

What’s important when buying a vacuum cleaner specifically for aircraft use? It’s a good question, especially in situations where turnaround and reliability mean everything. So let’s take a look at the key things to consider when making such a purchase.

Run time

It’s important that your aircraft vac keeps on going to get the job done in your short timeframe. If you’re going for a battery operated model, always check the runtime of the battery. You should be looking for something in the vicinity of 40 minutes.

Some models will store two batteries so you have a back-up, crucial if you are hopping from one aircraft to another in a short time span. Also check out the charge time. Too long and it could cost you in turnaround when it matters most.

Some models, such as the I-Vac Battery Operated Vacuum Cleaner, have a smart charger that shows the voltage and a time clock, making it easier for you to see how long you’ve got till full charge.

If you don’t want to rely on battery charge, go for a model that runs on the aircraft’s power supply instead, but make sure the machine is designed specifically for the aircraft current: a regular vacuum won’t do.

Mobility

The weight and size of your aircraft vacuum cleaner are key considerations. Can you easily lift the machine up the stairs and onto the aircraft? Does it manoeuvre well through the aisles, under seats and into small spaces?

Consider this when you are making your choice. If you hone your search specifically to aircraft spec machines, you should tick all these boxes.

Toolkit

What does the aircraft vacuum cleaner come with? The toolkit supplied could make all the difference. 

For example, the Numatic ANV180s Aircraft Vacuum Cleaner comes with an orange, hi-vis anti-kink cable; a full aluminium kit; a large Tritex filter and five HepaFlo bags. Always check precisely what you are getting when you buy your aircraft vacuum cleaner.

Health and safety

Think about your operatives and how handling a vacuum cleaner within limited spaces and up and down staircases could affect them. You may wish to consider a backpack style cleaner.

The Pacvac Superpro 700 is a battery operated, backpack style vacuum cleaner that is ergonomically designed for the ultimate in comfort and safety in use. There’s no lifting of heavy or cumbersome machines and a smooth and effortless clean is guaranteed every time. It’s lighter than any other backpack cleaner on the market and has a patented Hypercone Hepa filter system for maximum efficiency. Two batteries, each with a 30-minute run time, deliver excellent reliability.

The Numatic Rsav200 Aircraft Spec is another ergonomically designed backpack style machine featuring a comfortable harness that provides the operator with good mobility into awkward to reach locations.

Wet or dry?

If you want complete flexibility, consider a wet and dry model. The Numatic Awv380 Aircraft Spec Wet Vac uses the aircraft’s power supply. It acts as both a regular dry aircraft vac, and doubles as a wet vac for dealing with spillages and stains.

Aircraft Vacuum Cleaners - Tailored Advice

At Anderson Trade, we offer a comprehensive range of aircraft specification vacuum cleaners. You can browse all our aircraft vacuum cleaners here.

All our machines are provided with a free onsite demonstration, so you can rest assured the model you choose will match your specific needs. We also stock a vast range of parts and spares for all leading brands of commercial vacuum cleaners. For more information or to arrange a free demo, please get in touch.

3 Reasons Why Professional Cleaners Love Cylinder Vacuums

For the professional cleaner, there is always the dilemma of whether to opt for an upright vacuum cleaner, or a cylinder model. Last month we looked at the benefits of the upright, so now, in the name of helping you make an informed and balanced decision, it is time to turn our attention to the benefits of the cylinder vacuum cleaner.

Flexibility

If you have awkward locations to cover like stairs and under desks, or unusual shaped spaces, the cylinder vacuum will usually be the favourite option of the professional cleaner.

With the dust collector separated from the head of the vacuum via a hose, you instantly get lots more flexibility when working with areas that are a challenge to access, basically because all you need to move is the hose, rather than the entire machine. There’s also the advantage of a larger cleaning radius compared to that of the upright.

Mobility

If you need to move across large areas then the lighter weight and compact design of the cylinder vacuum will usually suit you best. Accessories are often stored onboard, making the machine a nicely portable, all-in-one solution. The compact size also makes the machines a lot easier to store and transport from one contract to another.

Versatility

Cylinder cleaners offer all-round cleaning features. Relying on powerful suction rather than motorised brushes, these machines have highly efficient motors. By adding simple accessories, they suddenly offer a whole new realm of versatility, making them suitable for a vast range of applications including flood management and industrial cleaning.

For this reason, cylinders are also a good choice when you have a range of flooring types to tackle such as carpets, rugs and hard floors.

So there we have the key advantages of investing in a cylinder vacuum cleaner. But which model to go for?

Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner Buyer’s Guide

Numatic and Truvox are two of the most renowned brands of cylinder vacuum cleaner widely used in the commercial cleaning sector.

In the Truvox cylinder range, the VTVe Tub Vac offers exceptional performance and an A energy rating. It’s a dry vac only and perfect for educational establishments, offices and care homes. The machine is light and easy to transport from one contract to the next. For detail cleaning and hard to reach areas there are optional accessories. Another plus point is that the VTVe is compatible with all Numatic Henry tools and bags.

The Numatic family is possibly one of the most well-known and widely recognised cylinder vacuum cleaner ranges in professional circles. We introduced you to Henry, Hetty, James, Charles and George in a previous post. These low-noise, high-power machines offer a range of benefits such as energy saving features; enhanced filtration; a wide range of accessories; ECO-technology and, courtesy of Charles and George, a selection of options including wet, dry, scrubbing and hard floor drying capabilities. Henry comes in both mains and battery models.

Numatic also produces a range of slightly less endearingly-named but just as powerful and advantageous cylinder cleaners, including the ProSave Vacuum Cleaner which is fitted with a professional TwinFlo motor and NST sound reduction. There are three models available ranging in size and power.

The Nuvac is another model in the Numatic range. It comes with a range of floor vacuuming tools, wands and hoses for the ultimate clean. This lightweight model is particularly good where there are allergy sufferers thanks to its high quality filtration system.

You can browse all our cylinder vacuum cleaners here.

At Anderson trade we offer a free onsite demonstration on all our professional vacuum cleaners so you can be certain the model you choose suits your particular needs. We also stock a vast range of parts and spares for all leading brands of commercial vacuum cleaners. For more information or to arrange a free demo, please get in touch.