Dexter T1200

[E&R]

Anybody has any experiences, opinions, etc on Dexter T1200 75# washer?

[ajay]

The only opinion I have is little more general: Customers rather split their clothes in 2-40lb machines than to put them all in a 75lb machine. Statstically, a laundry owner gets more turns from 40lb machines than he does on any other washer. Also, it's a less shock for a customer to put $3.25 in a 40lb machine than to put $6.50 on a 75lb machine.

I'm currently am not sold on large size washers greater than 50lb.

If you have some commercial account, etc.. ofcourse, it makes sense as well as justfying the purchase.

75lb dryers are greater in demand and don't cost much more than 50lb.

In general Dexters are great machines; don't see any reason why 80lb would be any different. I've owned them for about 12 years now and also SQ/hubesch, maytags.

[pete f]

I have no experience with 75# washers, other than observation of a new mat whom has them. IT looks bold on his sign out front, "Biggest washers in town" but when looking inside at the big iron sitting there I get the feeling it is not really worth it.

I agree with ajay, and take the math further. You can always split loads down. If you have many big washers, you may not be able to service those with small loads. If you have that much density, and do not need those customers, great. In my area, I need them all. I know there is a market for 75 pound washers, they told us so. To me, 2 halves (40's) are better than a whole(75's)

[E&R]

Appreciate your opinions. I'm thinking about a 75# now because the space I now have can accommodate a 75# but not wide enough to fit either two 50# or two 40#. I have heard that when customer underload these big washers, it cause the bearing of these larger washers to fail at a higher rate. Does anyone has any experience with a 75# or larger washer in their mat? Also, how good are dexter's coin acceptors in rejecting slugs?

[mike]

E&R,

In your case in particular (space wise), I would put in the largest machine that would fit in the space. (but I would think twice about having only ONE of any size washer or dryer, people get p____d off if they make a trip for nothing.)

However, in general, I don't believe you need to have any washer larger than the largest washer of your competition.

[E&R]

Checked out the Dexter T1200 (75#) today at a distributor show today ($6,525.00). This washer is similar to the T900 (55#) except for the size; new stronger door hinge which allows the door to swing open 180 degrees; soap box is mounted in the front; dual hot & cold water inlet valves.

My closest competitor mat 1/5 miles away just added two 50# and charging $5.00. Three miles away, another mat has two 80#@$6, six 50#@$4.25, eighteen 30#@$2.50 & twenty-four toploaders @ 69 cents (thank goodness it's 3 miles away). Their mat is newer, bigger & fully attended. My mat is older, smaller (1300 sq ft.), unattended, and seen better days.

Mike... good point about not just getting one. I need to decide if I should just add two 50# to match my competitor or should I add two 75# washer. Widthwise, both 50# and 75# are the same.

Currently, my mat has the following equipment mix:

10, Maytag toploaders @ $1.25
15,softmount 16#, $1.75
03, softmount 30#, $3.50
04, 35# Milnor, $3.50
----
32 washers

10, Dexter Stack 30# dryers, quarter for 12 minutes
5, SQ slimline 30# dryers, quarter for 12 minutes


Thinking of upgrading existing (8) double loaders with either Dexter T400 (25#) V series ~ 100G-force or Dexter Express T400 (25#) ~ 200G-force washers. The determining factor is the cost of tearing out the existing concrete and pour in a 6" concrete base; the price difference between the 100G vs. 200G washer is about a $100 after the rebate from the utility company. Is it worth it?

Possible revised equipment mix :
08, Maytag @ $1.25
04, softmount 16#, $1.75
08, Dexter 25#, $2.50 or Dexter Express 25#, $2.75
03, softmount 30#, $3.50
04, 35# Milnor, $3.50
02, 55# Dexter at $5.00-$5.25 or 75# Dexter at $7.00-$7.25
----
29 washers

10, Dexter Stack 30# dryers, quarter for 10 minutes
5, SQ slimline 30# dryers, quarter for 12 minutes

Opinions WELCOME.

[mike]

E&R,

Re:

"The determining factor is the cost of tearing out the existing concrete and pour in a 6" concrete base;"


Are you aware of the chemical anchors that will allow you to put new bolts in cement, for machine with a different bolt pattern ?

Is that the reason you are saying new cement ?

[E&R]

Mike,

I need thicker concrete. Mine are only 3 to 4" and if I went with 200G hard mount washers, I need a minimum of 6" to keep these washer bolted to the concrete.

[ajay]

I used special anchoring adhesive for the 200G along with grout around the frames - A must for these machines.

I high G-force - would mean clothes will come out dryer, your customers will put less quarters in dryers , will get the appearance of hot dryers, will result in greater customer satisfaction. Well worth it in my opinion.

Question: how are you getting the rebate from your utility company? Is that local to your state?

tx

ajay

[E&R]

Ajay,

Rebate funding is provided by local water district as a incentives for improving water efficiency in the commerical sector.

As for anchoring these 200G washers, are you telling me that by using special anchoring adhesive and grout around the frames, you are able to bolts these to standard 3"-4" concrete?

I agreed that adding high G-force washer is good providing the cost of investment is not prohibitive.

My analysis of adding higher G-force washers is to to go with option #3:

Option 1: no changes to dryer temp. or dryer time. Effect: positive customer satisfaction, dryer revenue decrease, reduced dryer gas consumption; marketing advantage~ customer wash & dry in less time; reduced dryer bottleneck during peak times.

Option 2: Lower dryer temp., no change on dryer time. Effect: no change in customer satisfaction; dryer revenue stays same; reduced dryer gas consumption. No marketing advantage~ customer wash & dry in about the same amount of time; no impact on dryer bottleneck.

Option 3: no change to dryer temp.; reduce dryer time. Effect: positive customer satisfaction (noticed less dryer time but also noticed clothes comes out of washer much drier); dryer revenue stays same; reduced dryer gas consumption; marketing advantage~customer wash & dry in less time; reduced dryer bottleneck during peak times.

Opinions welcome.

[ajay]

quote "As for anchoring these 200G washers, are you telling me that by using special anchoring adhesive and grout around the frames, you are able to bolts these to standard 3"-4" concrete?"

No you'll have to follow manufacturer recommendations - sorry I wasn't clear.

if you have combination of these machines 200 G versus 80 G. You can vend them at higher price, plus the V-series have the superwash capability. if you normally price your 25lb at $2.50 you can certainly go to $2.75 atleast if not to $3.00 - making sure you advertise why they are higher. Customers do notice how fast these machines spin.



ajay