cleaning up mud
Member
Does anyone have a 5 brush max, if so how do you like it? Problems? easy to work on etc. thanks
How long do the wheels last?
How long do the wheels last?
Ryco Softgloss Max
- Thread starter cleaning up mud
- Start date
Scrub Free
Member
I would like some opinions also
Last edited:
DiamondWash
Well-known member
As a Ryko equipment owner I would have to say the SoftGloss Maxx is a solid machine with proper maintenance of course, it will wash over 100,000 vehicles no problem from what I own SoftGloss XS 2 to the new SoftGloss Maxx alot of changes have happened over the years I have heard such as appearance wise the covers have been modified for a more mainstream look as for the mechanical and electrical mods I will leave that up to Darin from Ryko to answer that. But my opinion is that Ryko makes the best friction system out there to date.
Ryko CS
Active member
Thank you Steve. While we've implemented a lot of new features on the current Softgloss MAXX model, we have retrokits available to add most of those options to older equipment as well including photoeye bayplate, rear arm oscillation, RainShield and Color Wave options.
When we went to the Softgloss MAXX, one of the changes we made was moving to the Mitsubishi FX3U PLC, and with that, an optional touchscreen controller. With the touchscreen, it allows a hands-on operator much more flexibility in working on the machine as it allows access to the setups and timers, 4 digit machine diagnostics, etc. that you could only access on older units using the HPP hand-held programming console.
When we went to the Softgloss MAXX, one of the changes we made was moving to the Mitsubishi FX3U PLC, and with that, an optional touchscreen controller. With the touchscreen, it allows a hands-on operator much more flexibility in working on the machine as it allows access to the setups and timers, 4 digit machine diagnostics, etc. that you could only access on older units using the HPP hand-held programming console.
cleaning up mud
Member
Darin Robertson Ryco CS, I do 99.9% of my own work on my machines JC 2.0 and D&S I 5000. I have looked at 2 new softgloss Maxx not the Maxx 3! I want wheel scrubers, will dual wheel pickups fit in this machine? And how hard are the wheel brush motors to change? our 2.0 has wheel brushes and our customers love them! But I hate working on them! They run into them bend the stainless shafts etc! How long do the drive wheels last? AND how hard are they to change???? Thanks.
Ryko CS
Active member
Great question, but unfortunately a dually won't work properly on a Softgloss with wheel scrubs. I think it would squeeze in there, but it would have to be perfectly straight, so most likely you would have a lot of damage. I like them too, but to wash duallies, you are probably better off with the on-board tire chemical sprayer with the high pressure option. It has a spinner that does a great job.
If you do the wheel scrub option, it wouldn't be too hard to get to the motor. Just drop the air to the machine, pull on the assembly until it's fully extended, and you have easy access.
For the drive wheel? Usually I would recommend doing wheels and tracks at the same time, and rotating the track every 10-15,000 washes. If you rotate it regularly, it helps to prevent he grooves that eventually wear the wheel out. Most sites can get 65-75K washes out of a set of wheels before needing to replace them. Some less, but it depends on how it's maintained. The hardest part of wheel replacement is pulling off the drive reducers. If you can drive out the keystock first, you can usually use a pry bar to remove those. After that, it's easy. Just jack the machine up a few inches, and unbolt the pillow block bearings from the frame of the machine. The wheels come right off as an assembly with the bearings. Install the same way. If things come apart easily, it takes maybe 3 hours to do the machine max.
If you do the wheel scrub option, it wouldn't be too hard to get to the motor. Just drop the air to the machine, pull on the assembly until it's fully extended, and you have easy access.
For the drive wheel? Usually I would recommend doing wheels and tracks at the same time, and rotating the track every 10-15,000 washes. If you rotate it regularly, it helps to prevent he grooves that eventually wear the wheel out. Most sites can get 65-75K washes out of a set of wheels before needing to replace them. Some less, but it depends on how it's maintained. The hardest part of wheel replacement is pulling off the drive reducers. If you can drive out the keystock first, you can usually use a pry bar to remove those. After that, it's easy. Just jack the machine up a few inches, and unbolt the pillow block bearings from the frame of the machine. The wheels come right off as an assembly with the bearings. Install the same way. If things come apart easily, it takes maybe 3 hours to do the machine max.
Last edited:
slash007
Well-known member
Darin, can you explain what "photoeye bayplate, rear arm oscillation, RainShield and Color Wave options" are?" I have the rear arm oscillation, but am interested in learning about the rest.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Ryko CS
Active member
Rear arm oscillation happens as the machine is at the rear after it does the dwell. On tall vehicles, the right brush will move in, the machine drives forward which allows it to overlap slightly. The machine backs away, the left one comes in while the right moves out, and it moves forward to overlap again. A sedan would also get the overlap, but only with one arm. Being shorter, both aren't needed to still optimize wash quality.
Rainshield This product is more effective and longer lasting than waxes or clear coats, and will maximize the beading effect of water on the vehicle. RainShield can be applied in place of a wax or clear coat, or can be foamed on. RainShield can last over 30 days, and does not contain any oils that would smear on the windshields.
ColorWave is an application of a foaming wax chemical (your choice) that covers the car with an illiminated wall of wax. Similar to what others market as a "lava arch", etc., it blankets the car in chemical. Great coverage and show for your customers.
The photoeye bayplate is our newest upgrade for the Softgloss and it eliminates the floor mounted bayplate and backup airhose or tape switch. The retrokit adds two sets of photoeyes to the gantry. As the vehicle enters the bay, once the first set of photoeyes become blocked, this is the bayplate input. This is something that we've been asked a lot about in the past, and it's now available.
Just as an FYI, if you talked to your local territory right now, I've heard they have some specials on some of the upgrades...
Rainshield This product is more effective and longer lasting than waxes or clear coats, and will maximize the beading effect of water on the vehicle. RainShield can be applied in place of a wax or clear coat, or can be foamed on. RainShield can last over 30 days, and does not contain any oils that would smear on the windshields.
ColorWave is an application of a foaming wax chemical (your choice) that covers the car with an illiminated wall of wax. Similar to what others market as a "lava arch", etc., it blankets the car in chemical. Great coverage and show for your customers.
The photoeye bayplate is our newest upgrade for the Softgloss and it eliminates the floor mounted bayplate and backup airhose or tape switch. The retrokit adds two sets of photoeyes to the gantry. As the vehicle enters the bay, once the first set of photoeyes become blocked, this is the bayplate input. This is something that we've been asked a lot about in the past, and it's now available.
Just as an FYI, if you talked to your local territory right now, I've heard they have some specials on some of the upgrades...
slash007
Well-known member
Thanks for the details. I already have a clear coat option, so I guess that is probably a similar function to the Rainshield but with different chemical applied.
I was very interested when I hear "photoeye bayplate" as I hoped it was as you described. The one issue that I cannot figure out on my soft gloss is the problem where a customer drives too far, is told to backup and then it keeps saying backup until the machine eventually just resets. If the photoeye fixed that issue, it would save me so much grief. Has it been working reliably since it has been introduced? I have 0 issues with the photoeye setup on my OHD2001, so hopefully it is similar.
I was very interested when I hear "photoeye bayplate" as I hoped it was as you described. The one issue that I cannot figure out on my soft gloss is the problem where a customer drives too far, is told to backup and then it keeps saying backup until the machine eventually just resets. If the photoeye fixed that issue, it would save me so much grief. Has it been working reliably since it has been introduced? I have 0 issues with the photoeye setup on my OHD2001, so hopefully it is similar.
Ryko CS
Active member
For the sites that have the photoeye bayplate installed, I haven't heard of any issues. Steve may want to comment here though as he's had it installed now for a few weeks.
DiamondWash
Well-known member
The new Ryko Photoeye bayplate option is AWESOME! it's a innovation I have been waiting for years from Ryko to introduce and now that's it's available it's well worth the investment to install it, no more mercury switches to deal with no more back up hoses to fix no more issues to deal with, I too had the problem with the back up issue you describe and Ryko has addressed that and fixed it, the only maintenance you really have to do is wipe the photoeyes clean once in a while it's so simple a caveman can do it.
Last edited:
soapy
Senior Member
Glad to see that Diamond wash and Ryko are getting along again.
