OK, here comes the up front stupid question everyone hates. What is the best tub, stand and pump station and spray equipment set up anyone has found or likes for a good reasonable Dog Wash. I have looked at a couple and some seem to come with vend stations attached others not. Pros and Cons from you guys is the best test I know of. What say you? Thanks in advance
Dog wash question
- Thread starter Gabriel
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Does this lack of response mean that no operator is having good luck with any system available. I have looked at National Pride and the K9000 system. Please offer any suggestions or advice that you may have in purchasing or using the new Dog Was concept.
Waxman
Super Moderator
I'll be checking some out at the ICA Show in Vegas this coming May. For a small fee I will compile some data, take some pictures and get some references for you.
bigleo48
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Gator,
Simple is my preference. I have the KR version...it's really simple (no pump), reliable and cheap to repair.
The biggest issue with any of these is the install. Making the room easy to clean, providing consistent warm water, easy to work on, etc. So I guess its not what you buy, but how you install it.
Big
Simple is my preference. I have the KR version...it's really simple (no pump), reliable and cheap to repair.
The biggest issue with any of these is the install. Making the room easy to clean, providing consistent warm water, easy to work on, etc. So I guess its not what you buy, but how you install it.
Big
I.B. Washincars
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Gator, with your title giving no useful info at all, many people may not click on it. I did just out of curiosity, but have no interest in a pet wash at all...go figure.
mjwalsh
6 bay SS w/laundromat
Gator,
With the higher walls of the Nat'l Pride's deluxe tub you gain I believe with the clean up. I know with our 15-20 second free disinfectant the customers are really nice about washing or squirting the walls also besides the floor of the tub. This seems like a gain in overall cleanliness. I believe a lot of other manufacturers have the higher walls. My 2 locally fabricated tubs are approx. 40 inches higher than the tub floor.
My friend Big Leo may disagree with me on this one but it seems that with the lower walls there is a greater danger of a dog stepping out on one of the 3 low sides.
IB Washin (Pat),
You are missing out on a whole lot of fun by not being interested in a dog wash. But then again I thought that 150 pound Burmeez Mountain Dog was enjoying himself the other day but the lady master said "No, he is not having fun ---- he is just well behaved ---- I'd know if he was enjoying it!!!"
Mike
With the higher walls of the Nat'l Pride's deluxe tub you gain I believe with the clean up. I know with our 15-20 second free disinfectant the customers are really nice about washing or squirting the walls also besides the floor of the tub. This seems like a gain in overall cleanliness. I believe a lot of other manufacturers have the higher walls. My 2 locally fabricated tubs are approx. 40 inches higher than the tub floor.
My friend Big Leo may disagree with me on this one but it seems that with the lower walls there is a greater danger of a dog stepping out on one of the 3 low sides.
IB Washin (Pat),
You are missing out on a whole lot of fun by not being interested in a dog wash. But then again I thought that 150 pound Burmeez Mountain Dog was enjoying himself the other day but the lady master said "No, he is not having fun ---- he is just well behaved ---- I'd know if he was enjoying it!!!"
Mike
Pat my mind was typing Dog Wash--my fingers just forgot to move! Thanks for all of the good information. Is this a thumbs up deal or a thumbs down deal. I would like to do it, but I am not sure about the return on investment. I also like the idea of fabricating a SS tub and walk. Just have to look into that a little further. I also think I like the idea of no pumps with only a water pressure type chemical draw. High walls of SS seems smart to me since the clean up would be much better and durable. Thanks again!
I.B. Washincars
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MEP001
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I can think of several reasons why you didn't get many responses:Gator said:
1) Even "Dog wash" as a thread title isn't fully descriptive of its content. The title should be a summary, like a newspaper headline.
2) You asked for "what's best." That's a subjective question and cannot be answered objectively. If you want good info, ask what type people have, whether they're happy with it, the pros and cons, etc.
3) You're basically asking for someone to tell you what to buy instead of doing your own due diligence.
If I had wanted to ask someone to tell me what to buy I would have asked what to buy. An even better idea would be for you to post for yourself and respond to the things that you think you know something about or are interested in. If you find that challenging and have nothing to contribute don't.
Waxman
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Gator are you attending the ICA show in Vegas? Great opportunity for due diligence tasks!
bigleo48
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Gator,
I'll take Meps side on this one but with a different slant. When I use to teach college level electronics, I would at times ask my students to submit their questions on paper (or email).
The purpose of that request is to make the student think carefully about what he/she was asking and thus phrase the question properly. One of two things would generally happen...one, during the process of trying to ask the right question, they would find their answers, or two, the question was much more to the point and clear.
I guess you get what you put into it.
Big
Big, I have little doubt that you are probably correct. On the otherhand sometimes less is better. I have read 5 years of post, done the work, and I was hoping that some sweet little ole dog lover would have found something new and exciting. I like the 9000about as well as anything I have seen except for one set up fabricated by an individual SS fabricator. Actually, I am pretty happy with the responses I got since I have already read everyone elses. Simple is better, tall SS Walls are a must, no electrical plug in for safety. Clean up seems to be the major concern. There are a great number of pictures on the Web of good set ups and some not so good. I guess I should have asked the simple question--Do Dog Washes make any money? I love the concept even if it is just for a place to take my Boxers for a bath. I have the Wash, plenty of room, and have the traffic. I have the degrees, taught the classes, and happily stepped aside to enter private business 30 years ago. I just don't have a Dog Wash in my repertoire.
bigleo48
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Gator,
Yes they do make money...mine is growing every year and does better than my vacs now (for about the same expenditure).
For cleanup, I have a mechanical timer wired into the coin switch and just turn on the tub for a quick rinse. For messy cleanups, I installed a separate hose hidden under my tub (that is controlled in the equipment room) that I can connect a short hose to and wash down both tub areas. I then squeegee the floor and suck the excess hair with the pet vac. Takes but a couple of minutes for the worst messes.
I also use a chem spray can to spray the room with disinfectant daily. That takes care of any smells. For instant smell relief I just turn to the fragrance machine and spray in the room for a few seconds.
I NEVER get complaints about my pet wash.
Big
Yes they do make money...mine is growing every year and does better than my vacs now (for about the same expenditure).
For cleanup, I have a mechanical timer wired into the coin switch and just turn on the tub for a quick rinse. For messy cleanups, I installed a separate hose hidden under my tub (that is controlled in the equipment room) that I can connect a short hose to and wash down both tub areas. I then squeegee the floor and suck the excess hair with the pet vac. Takes but a couple of minutes for the worst messes.
I also use a chem spray can to spray the room with disinfectant daily. That takes care of any smells. For instant smell relief I just turn to the fragrance machine and spray in the room for a few seconds.
I NEVER get complaints about my pet wash.
Big
pitzerwm
Active member
Bare in mind, that no matter how much due diligent you do, things might not work. In 85 we were in an economic disaster where I live. I was looking for something to add as another profit center. I thought about a UPS counter, so I talked to UPS, I talked to a dozen people that were doing it in other towns. They all said that I couldn't lose as I would be the only one anywhere around. With the computer and build out and advertising, I was in it about $10K. I got open in November in time for the Xmas season. I think that I grossed about $1500 that year. It took years for it to be a decent return on the money.
Just don't do anything with borrowed money, then if it is slow to get going, you won't die.
Just don't do anything with borrowed money, then if it is slow to get going, you won't die.
mjwalsh
6 bay SS w/laundromat
My thoughts
I agree with Bill & it is refreshing that he has given this same advice before so it is also consistent. One of the compelling reasons for us to put in our Pet Wash was that we are hoping to change the dynamic or synergy or whatever to possibly build our launderette business & self service car wash business back up. In other words, we are hoping those same people we attract for the pet wash will also check out the quality & cost of our other two services. Time will tell whether the plan holds. We are at the mercy of the local public for the most part. We are hoping to continue to get good publicity & word of mouth.
We were hoping to have a website that would show a few of our dvr cameras (via video splitters) "live" so the people would be reassured that they probably will have zero wait. I checked with a local website designer almost 2 weeks ago but they seemed to be psyched out when it came to that feature & no estimates or call back from them so far. This probably should be a separate post but does anyone have suggestions on the "live" camera bit? Are there major upload issues? ---- I have less than 1 megabit upload & no static IP. It seems like it would only take bandwidth when they view it & there could be a time out on the viewing to avoid the taking of too much bandwidth.
I agree with Bill & it is refreshing that he has given this same advice before so it is also consistent. One of the compelling reasons for us to put in our Pet Wash was that we are hoping to change the dynamic or synergy or whatever to possibly build our launderette business & self service car wash business back up. In other words, we are hoping those same people we attract for the pet wash will also check out the quality & cost of our other two services. Time will tell whether the plan holds. We are at the mercy of the local public for the most part. We are hoping to continue to get good publicity & word of mouth.
We were hoping to have a website that would show a few of our dvr cameras (via video splitters) "live" so the people would be reassured that they probably will have zero wait. I checked with a local website designer almost 2 weeks ago but they seemed to be psyched out when it came to that feature & no estimates or call back from them so far. This probably should be a separate post but does anyone have suggestions on the "live" camera bit? Are there major upload issues? ---- I have less than 1 megabit upload & no static IP. It seems like it would only take bandwidth when they view it & there could be a time out on the viewing to avoid the taking of too much bandwidth.
Mike, I don't have the answer you are looking for, but I would bet that Galen does. He has some pretty cool real set ups. I have looked at Tru Blu K9000 and Tri Star Stainless Steel Dog Wash Frabricators and they are each great in their own way. Hugh priceing differential, but the less expensive solution would be great with a good coin system. I like the idea of customers being provided with real time information. Got a picture of your system?
mjwalsh
6 bay SS w/laundromat
Gator,
Hopefully this cut & paste link will help. I notice you can fast forward to the middle of the video clip to save time. You could also fast forward backwards slightly too if it forwarded too far or to just replay the 30 seconds. If I look stressed out it probably is because I was & still am!!! If I continue to get zero help on my proposed unique website it won't help matters any.
http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_video.asp?news=35564 --- 60 seconds into the video --- 30 seconds of actual video
Mike Walsh
Hopefully this cut & paste link will help. I notice you can fast forward to the middle of the video clip to save time. You could also fast forward backwards slightly too if it forwarded too far or to just replay the 30 seconds. If I look stressed out it probably is because I was & still am!!! If I continue to get zero help on my proposed unique website it won't help matters any.
http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_video.asp?news=35564 --- 60 seconds into the video --- 30 seconds of actual video
Mike Walsh
Big, I talked with the K9000 guys and they said their unit is made by Jim Coleman. They were telling me about the terrific and super expensive pump system used for the units chemical injection and double hair catching drains (I think these are common). The thing I was wondering about is the pump set up for chemicals. Basically I hate chemical pumps. I was thinking that you or someone was using a simple Dema or Induction valves to draw chemicals into the water line simply based on a tip size and induction. Is that what you do or do you have pumps. Our Automatic system a few years back did away with pumps for chemicals altogether and we have never had a problem since in 5 or so years. It seems like the way to go with the Dog Wash as well. Got any input on the pump elimation for chemical in the set up for this system? I will re-read all of the post on chemical set up for Dog washes and see what I come up with. Also they mentioned an onboard hot water heater in the system itself. Is that necessary or could a separate stand alone hot water system work as well or better. Clean up was also a big selling point, but I found nothing that improved on the cleaning procedures that yor are using. Would you mind just listing what you think is needed for a good tub and chemical set up. I would like to have as great a system as possible without overkill.
