View Full Version : Soft-Mount Options
Hey all,
I'm considering replacing some of my older top loaders with soft-mount front loaders.
Anyone have experience with the Wascomat WE16 model?
http://www.wascomat.net/pdfs/coin_opl_td_we_16.pdf
How about this offering from Continental Girbau?
http://www.continentalgirbau.com/uploads/H5020A.pdf
It doesn't appear that Dexter has any soft-mount offerings, and although my shop is currently Mayatag, my personal experiences with a non-commercial Neptune has soured me on the brand.
Are there other soft-mount options I'm missing?
Cheers,
SDL
IPSO,SQ also offer soft-mount,I don't like any soft-mount.I know a few people have SQ soft mount,they like them.
Silent Roo
08-01-2006, 10:52 AM
SDL,
I sell Continental, I will tell you none of these machines are a Industrial Strenght machine. I talk to very few owners who truly like them. THey are not the quality you need for a busy coin laundry. You will have a similar experence that you have had with your neptunes. There are places we use them, and recomend them however I am clear that there will be issues. Dexter does not make one and from what I hear has no plans to because of the issues everyone else has with theirs. To make a quality soft mount machine will make it cost more than a hard mount.
SDL,
I sell Continental, I will tell you none of these machines are a Industrial Strenght machine.
Wow,honest dealer!
I will never heard those from the salesmen or dealers in my area.When I found problems,asked them ,they always told me I am the only one have the problems.
Of course with my current turn rate of 1.0 and ancient machines, do I NEED industrial strength?
The problem with hard-mount is the extra cost of installation, concrete requirements, and dealing with landlord. (sigh)
It's never simple, is it?
pete f
08-01-2006, 08:44 PM
I think you need to examine your mix first, maybe you do not need any soft mounts. I have Neptunes at 3 stores, they are the least TPD, one store they get 2-4 turns a WEEK, and are only .25 more than a top. I also have IPSO 12# HF-55's, they are built the toughest of any soft mount, cost about the same as a hard mount though. At one store I get 10 TPD sometimes on them. They do have some issues, like out of balance all softmounts have, but people use them. I did not put softmount in my last 2 stores, really, if you can avoid them do that.
Of course with my current turn rate of 1.0 and ancient machines, do I NEED industrial strength?
The problem with hard-mount is the extra cost of installation, concrete requirements, and dealing with landlord. (sigh)
It's never simple, is it?
If you use steel base,your landlard won't care.
I saw a lot people put base under the soft mount washers anyway,so they can look biger,just like Pete said,you may want to see what you have first.
This is a very simple business once you get them all set up .
laundryboy
08-02-2006, 07:55 AM
NO - Don't get the WE16. My first store had them when I bought it. Nothing but a pain. Lots of pumps, door latches, doors (they get pulled off the machine), and soap drawer replacements.
Oversuds and no spin complains and the time (you can't pump suds).
Also, they are only slightly bigger than a top.
They do save a lot of water
Thanks all for the input!
Just had a long conversation with a Wascomat rep, and his comments pretty much jive with the postings here.
I may just hold off on any replacements for a bit till turn rates come up. I don't necessarily believe that new equipment = higher turn rate. For now just getting the rest of the 'mat in shape is a big enough project. :)
pete f
08-02-2006, 08:11 PM
Thanks all for the input!
Just had a long conversation with a Wascomat rep, and his comments pretty much jive with the postings here.
I may just hold off on any replacements for a bit till turn rates come up. I don't necessarily believe that new equipment = higher turn rate. For now just getting the rest of the 'mat in shape is a big enough project. :)
what equipment do you have now? What type location, ie, basment?
When I take out a top, I generally have taken out 2 and put in a #35, #40 washer in it's place. Many older mats were built with to many tops, not enough bigger washers.
Hi Pete,
We have 24 tops, 2 35#Fronts, and 14 dryers.
12 Tops are ancient, non-programable Maytags. Model# LA23CS Series: 02
12 Tops are almost-ancient programmable Maytags. Model# MAT10PDAAW
2 Fronts are ancient Maytags. Model: AT35MC1
All 14 dryers are antiquated 30# Huebschs Model:30XG
Location is in a dated strip mall. Turn rate currently is 1 for all machines.
SDL,
I would only consider industrial softmount washer such as Continental H3020 and possibly IPSO if I were to buy soft-mount front loader. My personal experiences are that cheaply made softmount such as Wascomat WE-16 or Contiental H5020 break down a lot if used by not-too-gentle customers. Just too many problems with those light-weight soft-mount washers.
I currently have Continental coin version of H3020 (30# OPL softmount); they take the abuses and have worked almost flawlessly since day 1 - they are $$$$ to buy.
You need more big washer,your machines are not new but not that old.
Check out large front loader maybe the way to go.
Ken,
You may be right...but it seems like the revenue would be greater from 5 newer, more efficient machines vs 1 big machine.
SDL
pete f
08-04-2006, 08:02 PM
Hi Pete,
We have 24 tops, 2 35#Fronts, and 14 dryers.
12 Tops are ancient, non-programable Maytags. Model# LA23CS Series: 02
12 Tops are almost-ancient programmable Maytags. Model# MAT10PDAAW
2 Fronts are ancient Maytags. Model: AT35MC1
All 14 dryers are antiquated 30# Huebschs Model:30XG
Location is in a dated strip mall. Turn rate currently is 1 for all machines.
I agree with my friend ken
I do not know the overall demo of your mat.
You have 26 washer, in which 95% are tops. Thsi is a bad number, but common in circa 1973. If you feel you have customers within 1 mile ( city) or 10 miles (country) then a revamp is a possibility. At this point buying softmount sound like throwing money away.
Post very specific info on overall site area or email me and I/we can give you some options. Without knowing anything it looks like a you need to trash 1/2 of the tops and put in hard mount big washers, 25-50#
Problem is, it may change your dryer mix, you need 1 dryer for every 23# of wash capicity. Is it worth the risk? that is what the demographics are for, to an extent..
Ken,
You may be right...but it seems like the revenue would be greater from 5 newer, more efficient machines vs 1 big machine.
SDL
THE SO CALL EFFICIENT IS OVERRATE FOR THE SOFE MOUNT!They may save a little but HOW TO INCREASE YOUR BUSINESS is what you should worry about!
Have a plan,slowly remodel,see how the new(big) machines work out for you,you don't have to change all at once,now you should read some old post about "what is the best front loader".
One of my friend has a small store,he didn't believe 50# would do well in his market,I told him to try one,now he just love his 50#s.
Silent Roo
08-07-2006, 10:44 AM
Ken,
As a dealer I am going to disagree some what on the slowly work on redoing this store. At one turn even a few big machines may not have much of an impact. If the demographics support it I would look at doing at least 50% of the store if not a total redo.
I can tell you when I am in a market I look for store like this one. If the owner has the mentality that one or two machines will make a difference they will lose generally lose everything. I talk to 100's of people a year who want to be in this business. Who have money and want to own a business. If I can not help a potential customer buy and redo this store. I would look to be with in 1/4 of a mile with the new store If it is Demographically sound area. I know new and shiny will put a top load store out of business. I have seen it happen far too often to worry about the risk.
It all comes down to the numbers. Adding 5 front load soft mount 16lb -18lb machines priced even at 2.25 will not help bring many new laundry customers. Adding 25-35-55-70lb machines in a good mix with dryers to match will. Todays laundry customer wants multi load machines.
You make a good point Roo, but my gut tells me that gradual change in my demographic is a good thing.
On a more pragmatic side, no dealer will help me with payments if I re-do 50% of the store and insufficient customers show up. I'm not risk-adverse, but I am cash-lean. :)
By the time the students come back, the marketing campaign will be in full swing. If we go to positive cashflow at that point, we will look at adding additional, bigger machines. Swaping the maytag 35# for newer 50's may be where we start.
SDL
pete f
08-07-2006, 07:18 PM
You make a good point Roo, but my gut tells me that gradual change in my demographic is a good thing.
On a more pragmatic side, no dealer will help me with payments if I re-do 50% of the store and insufficient customers show up. I'm not risk-adverse, but I am cash-lean. :)
By the time the students come back, the marketing campaign will be in full swing. If we go to positive cashflow at that point, we will look at adding additional, bigger machines. Swaping the maytag 35# for newer 50's may be where we start.
SDL
Don't swap the 35# for 50#'s. That is the mistake. Get rid of 2 tops and add a 50#! You got way to many tops to be a competive store in the real market. Trading them for 18#, 20# softmounts is a waste of money. Sounds like the store need to be reconfiged. I do agree with ken, you can do it over time, but not 1 machine a year.
You can go used and make a nice redo for 1/2 of the cost of new, and with a low turn store that may be the better option.
vBulletin® v3.7.4, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.