Talk me out of another CDS 4.8

[Bryce C]

I need to get a second van/truckmount so I can keep rolling when serious repairs come up. Going from a portable to a Hydramaster CDS 4.8, and learning to do a lot of the basic mechanical work from folks here and going for it... I'm thinking about getting a second CDS 4.8 in a Chevy Express. Something used for under $30k that has a lot of life left in it.

How spread out and easy access the whole system is to work on, the only major weakness seems to be the aluminum waste tank (which so far my gas tank epoxy is holding), many larger fleets opting for them, it seems like a solid choice. I'm already familiar with it, it is cost effective, it's easy to work on and operate, reliable, and if I have 2 identical setups I can then stock some critical parts.

But!!! If I get a second CDS 4.8, I'll probably just keep getting them for the rest of my glorious days wanding carpet. So now I am at a crossroads. It is the only truckmount I have ever used. If you were in my position would you get a second CDS 4.8 or something else? If something else what would you go for, and why? Also keep in mind I am moving to a more populated area soon, so there will be less driving miles...

 

[hogjowl]

Go with what you know. Don’t change just because of personal quirks of posters on the quirkiest board on the interwebs.

 

[Dwain Ray]

The hydramaster pto is a good machine, my suggestion is maybe this time put a little more upfront and get a newer/ lower hour/lower milage van and machine and just maybe you'll spend less time wrenching and more time cleaning. The more you clean and the less you repair, the more you make, the more you make the better the investment. How about a used van with under 30k miles and under 2000 hr machine as a goal??? I would spend a little more and get newer more reliable instead of another project. That's my advice. Talk to suppliers look for a repo keep your eye on classifieds on Mikey's board, tmf, (illness ,divorce ,moving forces sale) if not already join hydramaster groups on Facebook. I would look for equipment used outa your area ie south midwest west coast (no salt road areas) even if it adds 2k to the sale to check it out and ship you could be tens of thousands ahead. I can go on and on but i think you get what I'm saying. Don't buy someone's worn out pos because its all you think you can afford. Your better off sticking with what you have and wait till you can afford more that taking on a second project cus it was in or under budget....

.. YOU'RE ONLY AS GOOD AND RELIABLE AS YOUR TOOL!!

 

[Mikey P]

stick with them IMO

I had at least a dozen CDS' during my COIT years, lots to love about the design.

 

[BIG WOOD]

If you’ve already got one, stick with it.

I’ve never owned two of the same design and I regret not keeping my little fleet in uniform

 

[Bryce C]

Thanks y'all, good tips. I think I'll stick with my machine. Maybe save up for a really young one.

 

[Dwain Ray]

Ive always had the same, but then again ive always ran steamgenis. When i ran slide ins i ran a hydro1 and 2 hydro 2s the had the same engine water heater pressure pump etc etc only difference between the two was the hydro1 was built on top of a 100gal waste tank and had 2 blowers and the hydro2 had a 50gal tank and 1 (same) blower. When i stepped up to ptos they were all the same except blowers but even they were all interchangeable . This stream lined spare parts inventory and made troubleshooting over the years a breeze. The hydramaster cds system has been in continuous production since around 1985. So un like most of there (and any other company's) slide ins they haven't changed much, only small refinements here and unlike slide ins there's been no total model discontinued and complete redesign every couple of years. That really goes for most all pto's, not just hydramaster. The one big problem with ptos is the vans. Sooner or later GM gunna stop producing vans capable of being converted same as ford did in the 90s when they came out with the triton series of engines and were no longer adaptable. But at that point you'll just need to double down on a few spare parts to keep your fleet running for decades after. Thats what ive done and its working very very well for me. Frankenstein started his life as a 1998 steamgeni pto with a 2001 steamgeni optional 50gal wastetank (standard was 100gal) with any luck (with the van) he'll be around to see 2050! My only suggestion is whatever you get and whenever you get it modify it right out gate to handle the heat. Heat has killed and or shortened the life of more ptos than anything

 

[Cleanworks]

I need to get a second van/truckmount so I can keep rolling when serious repairs come up. Going from a portable to a Hydramaster CDS 4.8, and learning to do a lot of the basic mechanical work from folks here and going for it... I'm thinking about getting a second CDS 4.8 in a Chevy Express. Something used for under $30k that has a lot of life left in it.

How spread out and easy access the whole system is to work on, the only major weakness seems to be the aluminum waste tank (which so far my gas tank epoxy is holding), many larger fleets opting for them, it seems like a solid choice. I'm already familiar with it, it is cost effective, it's easy to work on and operate, reliable, and if I have 2 identical setups I can then stock some critical parts.

But!!! If I get a second CDS 4.8, I'll probably just keep getting them for the rest of my glorious days wanding carpet. So now I am at a crossroads. It is the only truckmount I have ever used. If you were in my position would you get a second CDS 4.8 or something else? If something else what would you go for, and why? Also keep in mind I am moving to a more populated area soon, so there will be less driving miles...

Nothing wrong with a CDS. I have a 2000 CDS 4.2 that still runs great. If you do the maintenance, they will outlast the van they're in.

 

[Joseph Petrichor]

I’d go with a Butler system over a CDS.

 

[Bryce C]

I’d go with a Butler system over a CDS.

Why is that? They are much more expensive. What are their virtues?

 

[Joseph Petrichor]

The engineering is simpler, parts are better, and materials are designed to last. I was once real close to buying a used CDS that appeared immaculate only to find the waste tank was corroded and leaking through the floor board. I’ve had two Butlers so far and will most likely be buying another soon.

 

[Bryce C]

How is the engineering simpler? Can you point to one system on a Butler that has a simpler design?

 

[Joseph Petrichor]

I’d be more than happy to record a YouTube video to better explain, but i’m bushed and going to take a nap now.

 

[Dwain Ray]

Im glad i built my machine rather than buying a butler. Originally i was buying a butler in a box truck but in the last minute i backed out because the box truck didnt fit in my shop. What i do know now about butlers is that some systems are made far more complicated than needs to be. For instance. Priming the chem pump. Compare their procedures to the hydramaster, sapphire scientific (pretty much all other manufacturers) youll see what i mean. Also how they stacked the hose reels and run live vacuum hoses. The major problem i would have had with butler is, you have to deal with butler direct, no distributors and they're located on the right coast and im on the left. Making a longer waits and higher shipping cost for parts. The simplest pto in my opinion on the market today is the cleanco when building Frankenstein i used alot of cleanco's components. (Modified engine & rear driveshaft mounts, heat exchangers, and coolant taps)The main 2 things that sold me against buying a new cleanco was#1 aluminum wastetank and #2 dated 70's-80s looks. Hydramaster 3 things that sold me against it was aluminum wastetank and#2 multi piece open drive shaft. #3 orientation of components between driver/ passenger seats. Although i did give hydramaster credit for having the most freed up space in the cargo area a of all the machines in researched . In the end after shopping for a new pto at the Las Vegas show i left pissed off and went home empty handed venting my frustration at my good friend and supplier, who gave the best advice in my situation. He said that he'd sell me whatever i decide to buy. But he went further and said that no single company makes the best of everything. All machines have pros and cons. One company will have the best drive system while anothers heat exchangers are the best while another Company will have the best ordination (how it fit and utilized the space). He looked at me and said but you Mr Dwaino are in a unique position your abilities and resources allows you ,if you want to, to take the best from each company and put into a single machine and have the best of the best. For me that worked great but its not for everyone. So unless you're willing to go down that rabbit hole every machine on the market has pros and cons. That need to be weighted to find the best match for you and your skills, needs, and situation. My advice is take time, listen to everyone and take all our comments as opinions rather than facts, do your own research and when the time comes to choose, you'll choose wisely

 

[Bryce C]

Im glad i built my machine rather than buying a butler. Originally i was buying a butler in a box truck but in the last minute i backed out because the box truck didnt fit in my shop. What i do know now about butlers is that some systems are made far more complicated than needs to be. For instance. Priming the chem pump. Compare their procedures to the hydramaster, sapphire scientific (pretty much all other manufacturers) youll see what i mean. Also how they stacked the hose reels and run live vacuum hoses. The major problem i would have had with butler is, you have to deal with butler direct, no distributors and they're located on the right coast and im on the left. Making a longer waits and higher shipping cost for parts. The simplest pto in my opinion on the market today is the cleanco when building Frankenstein i used alot of cleanco's components. (Modified engine & rear driveshaft mounts, heat exchangers, and coolant taps)The main 2 things that sold me against buying a new cleanco was#1 aluminum wastetank and #2 dated 70's-80s looks. Hydramaster 3 things that sold me against it was aluminum wastetank and#2 multi piece open drive shaft. #3 orientation of components between driver/ passenger seats. Although i did give hydramaster credit for having the most freed up space in the cargo area a of all the machines in researched . In the end after shopping for a new pto at the Las Vegas show i left pissed off and went home empty handed venting my frustration at my good friend and supplier, who gave the best advice in my situation. He said that he'd sell me whatever i decide to buy. But he went further and said that no single company makes the best of everything. All machines have pros and cons. One company will have the best drive system while anothers heat exchangers are the best while another Company will have the best ordination (how it fit and utilized the space). He looked at me and said but you Mr Dwaino are in a unique position your abilities and resources allows you ,if you want to, to take the best from each company and put into a single machine and have the best of the best. For me that worked great but its not for everyone. So unless you're willing to go down that rabbit hole every machine on the market has pros and cons. That need to be weighted to find the best match for you and your skills, needs, and situation. My advice is take time, listen to everyone and take all our comments as opinions rather than facts, do your own research and when the time comes to choose, you'll choose wisely

View attachment 134328

Well, there goes a lifetime of experience that distills down the meaningful pros and cons of the major direct drives in just a few paragraphs. Thanks Dwain-o

If it's not too much trouble, can you say one more nice thing about the CDS. I'm asking for a friend..

 

[Dwain Ray]

Well, there goes a lifetime of experience that distills down the meaningful pros and cons of the major direct drives in just a few paragraphs. Thanks Dwain-o

If it's not too much trouble, can you say one more nice thing about the CDS. I'm asking for a friend..

It has a pretty and modern looking control panel (but no room for a second chem jug). The salsa afterburner is one of the best and easiest adaptable blower heat exchangers ive found to date ( Frankenstein's got one). A side note if you go to buy a salsa unit, don't buy a complete unit. Buying it as parts and assemble it yourself its around 175.00 cheaper that buying the complete assembly and just requires you to bolt on the side plates and sticking it in its cover.