Top Brushes

[DavidM]

We have not had any issues with front wipers. I have not seen the top brush even lift a front wiper.

 

[TEEBOX]

I have a Hanna Top Brush since 2005. I have not replaced a motor and only issue was a hydraulic hose leak that was easily repaired. Wipers are never an issue unless they come in loose already. I have replaced sections of the top brush but not the whole thing. I'm looking for foam now. Gallop has a now has a replacement foam for our top brush but requires replacing core as well.

 

[hkim310]

Actively looking at this forum post as we are also in the market of adding a top brush to our wash tunnel. I've noticed that some top brushes start lower (actually clean the front bumper) and others seem to start at the hood. Is this just a setting that can be adjusted on all top brushes? Is there a reason why an operator would not want the top brush to start as low as possible to try and clean the front bumper versus just starting on the hood?

 

[Earl Weiss]

Actively looking at this forum post as we are also in the market of adding a top brush to our wash tunnel................ I've noticed that some top brushes start lower (actually clean the front bumper) and others seem to start at the hood. Is there a reason why an operator would not want the top brush to start as low as possible to try and clean the front bumper versus just starting on the hood?

1. If you are in the mrket my question would be "What do you need to accomplish that isn't being done / can't be done with mitters?" Such as space limitations.
2. You would have to confirm this with a car wash equipment engineer but as far as starting lower goes, I have had them with the brush jsut above the track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLocWkswP3U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPxHw_2mqlk

The longer arm / Lever makes it "Heavier," requiring more counter weights and the issue of fronts is typicaly addressed sufficiently with wrap arounds.

 

[JimmyJaffa]

It depends on what kind of vehicles you have. Our market has a high percentage of pickups, and we have found it is best to start these on the hood, also the top brush does not go in the bed of a pickup as mitter curtains do.

 

[TEEBOX]

It depends on what kind of vehicles you have. Our market has a high percentage of pickups, and we have found it is best to start these on the hood, also the top brush does not go in the bed of a pickup as mitter curtains do.

I have to manually retract my top brush from coming down in pick up beds. It starts in the lower position hood level. Does you top brush have a sensor not to come down?

 

[JimmyJaffa]

We have a Kesseltronics with an ultra sound detector. It automatically can tell the difference between a car and a pickups, pickups with an open bed or covered. omit excess soap in an open bed, turn dryers when there is an open bed, it can do lots of cool things. Our second top brush does not go on the lowest wash, not many mitter curtains can do what top brush can do. Granted a mitter might clean a little better, but there are more benefits with a top brush.

 

[Hoser06]

Jimmy, do you use the standard retract kit that MacNeil offers for their top brush?

Any issues with custom pickup cages and racks? I would assume that the ultrasonic wouldn't detect them given the lack of a solid surface to detect.

Thanks

 

[hkim310]

We have triple mitters here at our wash. I feel as though a top brush would just clean better on the front end and windshields. We are either going to replace 1 of our mitters with a top brush or actually move equipment around to add a top brush. We have a 150 ft tunnel so we do have some space. We have bugs that are difficult to remove and I know that a top brush isn't going to remove them all but I do feel that it will remove more than a mitter. I do understand that the extra cleaning power of a top brush does come with a higher chance of damage than a mitter. I guess I am just willing to accept that increase for a cleaner car on most vehicles. When we install the top brush we would definitely upgrade our controller to include the sonar sensor to have it automatically retract for pick up trucks. More money up front but anything that can automate the process is a positive in my book!

 

[JimmyJaffa]

We have extremely low damage from our MacNeil top brushes, maybe 1 or 2% of all claims. Mitter curtains grab rear wiper blades so you have to bag them, not with a top brush.
As far as MacNeil top brush retract, we used in our first location the MacNeil 4500, MacNeil now recommends using a Kesseltronics r.TC to control their equipment, and we have been more than happy with the r.TC. Most controllers should be able to control them.
There is no sonar problem with a wire dog cage, properly installed after market roof racks are no problem. Pickup racks depend on the type, but as a whole we reject only a very small number of roof racks that come through.
Don't count on a top brush being the cure for bugs. If bugs are left to dry for a couple of days, it takes some extra effort to remove them, even with 2 top brushes. We have and are training our customers to come in right after a road trip. Wish they would mind us!

 

[Earl Weiss]

.................... Mitter curtains grab rear wiper blades so you have to bag them, not with a top brush.

FWIW. I have AVW, Sherman, and Belanger mitters. No issues with wipers. That is typically a wrap around issue for rear wipers.

All in all still a rare occurrence.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

I find that the mitter curtain sometimes extend the rear wiper outward.
If the wraps followed after the mitter curtain the wraps could brake the rear wiper off.
Putting the wraps in front of the mitter curtain helps reduce this problem a lot.
Either way chemical lubricity matters.
I also found over the years that a top brush very seldom caused any damage to vehicles.
But the fact that the customer views this huge brush rotating over the top of the car gave them a "reason" to question any marks or scratches on the top surfaces of the car.