Washer/Extractor

[GVFD5 Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close GVFD5]

Hey guys! Quick question. We have purchased our first washing machine/extractor for washing our turnout gear. The directions on this machine say to fill the base (a steel box that is about 8 -10" deep) with concrete. I was wondering if some of you that have machines like this could tell me if that is REALLY needed. Our plans were to achor it to the floor through the concrete floor. Just thought I would get some advice here too. Thanks!

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FD5

[islandfire03 Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close islandfire03]

Hey guys! Quick question. We have purchased our first washing machine/extractor for washing our turnout gear. The directions on this machine say to fill the base (a steel box that is about 8 -10" deep) with concrete. I was wondering if some of you that have machines like this could tell me if that is REALLY needed. Our plans were to achor it to the floor through the concrete floor. Just thought I would get some advice here too. Thanks!

Stay Safe

FD5

how thick is the floor slab in your station? Most are no more than 4-6 inches. The manufacturers installation instructions should be followed. Go look in a commercial Laundromat , theirs will be mounted into a concrete pedestal, for a reason. Commercial extractors produce a lot of torque and will move and possibly tip if not mounted properly.
Failure to follow manufacturers instructions could void the warrantee.

[BillST Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close BillST]

Yes...

When we built the new station we had to have a 12" thick pad poured to accommodate the new extractor. IIRC extractors spin at 3-4 times the speed of conventional washing machines hence the need for the additional support.

[GVFD5 Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close GVFD5]

Thanks guys. We will be pouring concrete! I appreciate the inputs

[MZFD216 Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close MZFD216]

I watched ours when it was installed and they def used the concrete. It does spin like crazy so like everyone else has said you should.

I love ours btw

[LFD2203 Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close LFD2203]

I have heard that an unsecured extractor with an unbalanced load is quite a menacing sight when it starts dancing around during the spin cycle.....

[tree68 MembersZone Subscriber Find all posts View Profile Close tree68]

I have heard that an unsecured extractor with an unbalanced load is quite a menacing sight when it starts dancing around during the spin cycle.....

My home washing machine does that. I can imagine what a "high horsepower" machine like an extractor would do.

And, as I recall, there is a concrete block already installed in my home washer...

[DeputyChiefGonzo Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close DeputyChiefGonzo]

I have heard that an unsecured extractor with an unbalanced load is quite a menacing sight when it starts dancing around during the spin cycle.....

It's also loud.... wicked loud!

[RxFire Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close RxFire]

My dept purchased a soft mount Continental brand machine a few years ago on a grant. All we had to do was add in a 3" drain for this, and it was ready to go. No drilling into the floor or having to pour an extra pad. And I can't say it has moved from where we set it down.

[LVFD301 MembersZone Subscriber Find all posts View Profile Close LVFD301]

Does that contintental have a true extractor built into it? Not spin cycle, but a true extraction mode.

I would not want one without a hefty anchor

[WD6956 Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close WD6956]

Unbalanced loads can cause damage, mmkay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TqBS...eature=related

[RxFire Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close RxFire]

LVFD, it does have the true extraction. We had to go with the non-bolt down model due to having heating coils in the floor, and no way to get around them.

[Rescue101 Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rescue101]

LVFD, it does have the true extraction. We had to go with the non-bolt down model due to having heating coils in the floor, and no way to get around them.

You can get around that by pouring an appropriate slab on top of your floor. We were able to bolt ours down(no in floor heat) but there are USUALLY alternative mounting methods. T.C.

[slackjawedyokel Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close slackjawedyokel]

Me and my ex used to pile wet towels in one side of the washer to get it out of balance and "do laundry" - the new self balancing ones ruined that -I bet an extractor would be a ride.

[fireinfo10 Forum Member Find all posts View Profile Close fireinfo10]

Hey guys! Quick question. We have purchased our first washing machine/extractor for washing our turnout gear. The directions on this machine say to fill the base (a steel box that is about 8 -10" deep) with concrete. I was wondering if some of you that have machines like this could tell me if that is REALLY needed. Our plans were to achor it to the floor through the concrete floor. Just thought I would get some advice here too. Thanks!

Stay Safe

FD5

Why the heck isn't the supplier installing it? That is "normal". Eliminates all the issues when you have warranty work come up. Sometimes cheapest isn't least expensive.