Advantages of a Chemical Mixing System

Last week's post discussed the Clarke chemical mixing system, which automatically mixes concentrated chemicals stored in an on-board container with clean water stored in the machines solution tank. The mixed solution is then delivered to the brush deck for scrubbing application. What are the advantages to this type of system?

• Eliminate concentrate usage from residual buildup in the solution tank due to unused solution at the end of the shift.
• No over usage from mistakes in computation or measuring. 
• Achieve the required consistent cleaning results without rework or penalty.
• Faster filling time over wall mount mixing units. 
• Minimize unnecessary trips back to the refilling area where the concentrate is located; just fill the solution tank where water is available. 

What is a Chemical Mixing System?

The Clarke chemical mixing system is available for use on all mid-size and large walkbehind autoscrubbers, and on the Focus Rider Scrubbers. The chemical mixing system is an automated system that automatically mixes concentrated chemicals stored in an on-board container with clean water stored in the machines solution tank, and delivers the mixed solution to the brush deck for scrubbing application.  How Does It Work?
Concentrated chemical is pumped from the Chemical container on command from the machines controller to a mixing point with clean water from the solution tank. A proportioning valve regulates the mixture by command from the controller.

What Does It Do?
Automatically mixes concentrated chemicals stored in an on-board container with clean water stored in the machines solution tank, and delivers the mixed solution to the brush deck for scrubbing application. Concentrate is mixed at an operator preset amount of zero to 3.5 ounces per gallon. The machine control maintains this proportion through the full range of the machines solution setting.

What Does the Operator Do?
The concentrate container holds enough chemical to last for several tanks of water. The operator should simply fill the concentrate tank with the appropriate chemical at the beginning of the shift, and check to see that the concentrate knob is set to the associated color setting for the required ounces per gallon proportioning. Then fill the solution tank with clean water. No measuring or math is required.

Stay tuned for next week's post on the advantages of the Chemical Mixing System!

BBB Recommends Tennant Discontinue Certain Claims for ec-H20

The National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB) has recommended that Tennant Company, a manufacturer of commercial floor cleaning equipment, discontinue certain claims promoting the superior performance of the company’s “ec-H20” technology. Nilfisk-Advance, Inc. challenged the following claims at issue before NAD:

• ec-H20 “electrically converts water into a superior cleaning solution.”
• “Independent studies show that ec-H20 outperforms [many] conventional chemicals.”
• “ec-H20 technology makes water perform like a powerful detergent.”
• “Tennant ec-H20 is proven to reduce environmental impact by up to 98%”

The advertiser asserted that it had permanently discontinued some of the claims at issue, prior to the challenge, including “Tennant’s ec-H20 is proven to reduce environmental impact by up to 98%” and “ec-H20 technology makes water perform like a powerful detergent,” measures NAD deemed necessary and proper.

Following its review of the evidence in the record, NAD determined that the remaining advertiser’s claims, “ec-H20 electrically converts water into a superior cleaning solution” and “ec-H20 outperforms [many] conventional chemicals” were broad superiority claims of floor cleaning performance that were not adequately supported by the evidence of comparative testing in the record. NAD recommended that these claims be discontinued.

NAD determined that although the advertiser established that ec-H20 technology can help customers reduce costs of chemicals, a message the advertiser is free to communicate, the evidence in the record was insufficient to support the advertiser’s quantified save “up to 100%” claim. NAD recommended that the claim be discontinued.

Tennant, in its advertiser’s statement, said the company “stands behind the advertising claims it has made about ec-H20 technology and does not agree with all of NAD’s recommendations. However, since the advertising claims at issue in this challenge have run their planned course, Tennant Company will consider the NAD’s recommendations in future advertising.”

Read the full press release at nadreview.org or download at http://www.narcpartners.org/DocView.aspx?DocumentID=9024&DocType=1

Tennant Abandons ec-H20 Advertising Claims

Nilfisk-Advance recently announced that ongoing efforts to expose Tennant’s misleading advertising claims regarding the performance of its ec-H20 technology have resulted in Tennant’s abandonment of those claims.

Upon launch of its ec-H20 technology, Tennant for years widely boasted on its website and in its marketing materials that “ec-H20 converts water into a powerful detergent.” Following the public disclosure of extensive third-party scientific testing that concluded ec-H20 performs no better than plain tap water, Tennant modified its advertising claim to “ec-H20 converts water into a superior cleaning solution.” Recently, Tennant has even abandoned that claim, and no longer asserts in its advertising that ec-H20 is a “powerful” or “superior” cleaning solution. Tennant has not produced any reliable and independent scientific evidence that proves that its ec-H20 technology cleans floor surfaces better than plain tap water, or as well as chemical detergents.

Industry critique of Tennant’s false claims first publicly surfaced when Nilfisk-Advance announced the results of independent testing November 2010, December 2010 and March 2011. Other industry players also questioned the veracity of Tennant’s claims, including industry leaders Diversey and Karcher. Karcher, a German company, has also brought legal action in Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom against Tennant alleging misleading advertising. Those proceedings are pending, and a decision in the German case is expected in late April 2012.

Read the full release here: http://www.clarkeus.com/aboutus/NewsAndEvents/News/TennantAbandonsec-H20.aspx

Stay tuned for more news about this topic!

The Benchmark for Professional Drum Sanding Equipment

The American 8 & 12 Drum Sanders represent the worldwide benchmark for professional drum sanding equipment. With rugged cast aluminum construction, a powerful, fully-enclosed motor and unique operating and drum leveling control, these drum sanders deliver the most aggressive and productive drum sander solution.

Learn more: http://www.americansanders.com/products/sanders/american812drumsanders.aspx

Dust Containment Vacuums

Clarke American Sanders Dust Containment Vacuums give you the ability to eliminate dust when refinishing hardwood floors. It’s a safe and greener way of controlling dust. Clarke American Sanders Vacuums give contractors the ability to work in compliance with EPA regulations regarding dust control. Easily refinish your own floor with fewer headaches associated with clean up.

Learn more about our Dust Containment Vacuums: http://www.americansanders.com/products/dustcontrolvacuums.aspx