Simple New Way To Steam Clean Equipment

Simple New Way To Steam Clean Equipment FARM SHOP Tools 6-6-23 On-the-farm steam cleaning could become a common practice with the help of the new Steam Jet steam cleaner imported from Australia by the Air Products Co. It develops high pressure steam in the spray wand itself, completely eliminating bulky boilers and high maintenance coils, motors and pumps. "Unlike other steam cleaners, the Steam Jet is completely portable which lets you bring the cleaner to the work and not the other way around," says Dave LaBonne, Air Products representative. "The cleaner weighs just 140 lbs., has no moving parts, and can also be used as a hot water cleaner, or a cold water, high pressure washer." The key component of the cleaner is the steam "gun". Compressed air is mixed with LP gas in a manifold and the mixture fed into a combustion chamber on the gun. A battery-powered "igniter", which is similar to a sparkplug, is activated by a button on the gun and explodes the gas-air mix, instantly turning water, which flows past the downstream end of the combustion chamber, into steam. All controls ù the ignition button and flow-control valves for the air/ gas mixture, water and detergent ù are located at the gun so the operator can presoak with cold water, hot water or detergent water and then instantly turn on the steam. The gun is insulated to protect the operator. Other components of the Steam Jet are an LP gas tank and a detergent tank, both mounted on a two-wheel dolly. To operate, you simply hook up to the compressed air and water hoses. LaBonne notes that the detergent, if used, is injected downstream of the fire so it'll use most any type of soap or solvent. "It also burns clean so there's no toxic fumes and a much lower operating cost since there's no wasted energy going up and out the stack. The Steam Jet requires minimum air pressure of 35 to 60 psi, and consumes anywhere from 30 to 120 gal. of water per hour. Fuel consumption at about 50 cents per hour is about half that of a conventional steam cleaner, according to LaBonne, and the retail cost of $1,650 is also about half that of a regular steam cleaner. LaBonne says there has been interest from farmers both for cleaning field equipment and for cleaning and disinfecting livestock equipment and barns. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Air Products Co., 9250 Grand Ave. So., Minneapolis, Minn. 55420 (ph 612 888-5537).

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