What Can YOU Do with YOUR Dyna-Probe?
The Dyna-Probe is an American Caddy Vac exclusive, and one of our most popular tools. Why? Because it is so versatile! The Dyna-Probe is our go-to tool for so many cleaning situations. Useful for brushing out the smallest dryer vent, up to the largest duct work, the Dyna-Probe combines high pressure air washing with high velocity spinning capability to create a perfect cleaning tsunami! (See our introductory video about the Dyna-Probe here). Combined with the right brushes, the Dyna-Probe is the perfect tool to clean metal or flex duct. Nylon brushes work perfectly on more sensitive duct work, while carbide brushes do the job on hard materials. Nylon brushes are available in 4", 7", 10", 18", and 21" lengths to suit any size cleaning job. Our silica-carbide brushes come in 4", 12", and 24" lengths. If any of these brushes wear down you can refill the brushes, rather than repurchasing the full brush head. Of course, like most of our tools, the components of the Dyna-Probe are all replaceable. From hose control assemblies, to forward and reverse air washes, and everything in between, you can replace any part that wears out. The good news is that your Dyna-Probe [...]
Reliability
Every business counts on the reliability of their technology. At American Caddy Vac, we take the reliability of our cleaning units and our tools very seriously. We have a duct cleaning business of our own so we know how disruptive it is to have an equipment failure. Having said that, we're very happy to say that we don't have a lot of equipment failures because our tools and trucks are built with reliability in mind. Recently we posted a video about our local manufacturing process for our cleaning units (click here to see the video). A key to reliability is that our cleaning units are constructed entirely of heavy steel. Obviously there are other building materials options available to us. But years of experience have taught us that other materials, like aluminum, simply do not hold up well to the rigors of heavy duty duct cleaning. Our steel construction will last for decades with proper care, long enough to outlast multiple trucks and chassis. Of course, another factor in the longevity and reliability of these units is the fact that we weld all those steel components together. This is critical for the integrity of [...]
Quality Components
In our last article we took our readers through the American Caddy Vac construction process. In that article (and corresponding video) we looked at the local construction process that takes place at a trusted facility very close to our headquarters. In this article, we're going to more specifically discuss the materials that go into that construction. We've been in the duct cleaning business even longer than we have been in the cleaning unit business, so we have an informed understanding of the type of pressure exerted on every square inch of these units during the cleaning process. The powerful Northern Blower fans we use to create the suction needed to properly put the air duct system in a house or business under consistent negative pressure also puts a tremendous strain on the cleaning unit. If the materials used to build it aren't up to that strain, along with all the other strain of daily use, it simply won't last very long. That's why at the structural level, all of our components are made of heavy duty steel sheets. The walls and inner frames of the unit are all heavy, thick, steel... [...]
Start to Finish, Built for You!
As a family owned, "Built in America" business, American Caddy Vac has always tried to keep our production of trucks and tools as local as possible. It's difficult to maintain quality assurance if our product is built hundreds of miles away. That's why every one of our units is produced from start to finish by people we know and trust, in a facility only a short drive away from our offices in Lewiston, Idaho. We know the folks who build our trucks. We sit down and have coffee. We plan and implement new ideas together. We can walk into the production facility any day and see how the production of a particular cleaning unit is proceeding. You see, at American Caddy Vac, quality control is a core value. Every unit we sell needs to meet very strict quality criteria. And we have a great relationship with our production team. They begin with heavy steel sheets, and cut them to specification with a precision water jet. This amazing tool cuts through half-inch steel with speed and incredible precision, creating the individual elements of our cleaning units. Any parts that need to be further adapted are rolled [...]
Just Call!
American Caddy Vac builds the very best, longest lasting, most powerful and reliable cleaning units in the industry. We have a reputation for simply building the best. But we also have a reputation for offering the best customer service! You see, we build these units, but we also run these units in our own duct cleaning business. So we work with the same cleaning units and tools that you are using. It's not just something we sell... it's something we use. And that means that when you call with a question about your American Caddy Vac, the person who answers the phone has answers. Customers call us all the time with questions about service, operations, tools... any kind of advice. And we really like to answer those calls. We consider the folks who buy our trucks to be part of the American Caddy Vac family. So we want to help. If you're tackling a cleaning job that is new to you, just call! We are happy to advise you based on our extensive experience. If you want to talk with someone about the best tool for a particular cleaning situation, just call! We've been in the business long enough that we have [...]
Spring and Summer Marketing
Moving from spring to summer can be a time many air duct cleaning businesses stop thinking about marketing. Bookings are solid, business is... busy! In fact, it can be tempting to think this is a time to back off marketing efforts simply because your crews are already booked out so far! But don't let the busy-ness of this time of year lull you to sleep. Now is the time to make sure your name rises to the top of customer awareness. Your competitors are looking to grab pieces of your market share! But if you maintain a strong marketing and advertising presence, you'll keep them from getting a foot in the door of your existing customers, and you'll have greater opportunity to grab the lion's share of the new customers. One of your most valuable marketing assets is your American Caddy Vac cleaning units. Many of our customers talk about the fact that these trucks are like owning a mobile billboard. Think about it... if you're driving down the road and you see guys rolling out portable units from a trailer at one house, then down the street you see an American Caddy Vac at [...]
Power Gets the Job Done
It's a common theme with our customers... American Caddy Vac is known for being the most powerful cleaning unit on the market. And let's face it, every cleaning job is simpler if you have the power you need. With the American Caddy Vac's powerful vacuum and high pressure air, it makes duct cleaning go faster, reducing man hours. By not having to zone off areas and by providing all the power you need, you can move dislodged debris from the ducts and into the dirt box faster. Saving time saves you money and ultimately makes every job more profitable. If you aren't using an American Caddy Vac in your business yet, please consider how much difference reliable suction and reliable high pressure air could make in your business. American Caddy Vac owners love this power and it's one of the things we hear about more than any other feature. Power is why Anthony Paterno (Owner, Anthony Paterno Air Duct Cleaning in Fairfield, New Jersey) purchased his first American Caddy Vac: "We were at a NADCA convention and Mac was there (Mac Mattoon, owner of American Caddy Vac). Mac started up their truck and Luigi (Paterno's long time co-worker) and I, we [...]
The Best Tools!
At American Caddy Vac we don't just make it, we make it better! That's how we build our cleaning units and that's how we build our tools. For example, look at the subject of the April Tool Special: Rods. Rods have historically been part of the tool arsenal in any serious cleaning business. Rods extend the ability to apply high pressure air to areas you can't reach with air hose alone. At American Caddy Vac, we offer the standard, white rods which are ideal for shorter, straight runs. But what about really long runs? Or what about curves and corners? What about flex duct? Early in the life of our own air duct cleaning business (B & F Power Vac in Lewiston, Idaho) we loved using these white rods, but we thought of a way to make these tools even better: variable flexibility. We began to make rods that were very rigid, to accommodate long runs, and rods that were very flexible to accommodate curves and corners, and flex duct. These new rods meant that we could really get air to just about anywhere, even on very large jobs. We color coded these rods so it's [...]
SO MANY OPTIONS!
American Caddy Vac just wrapped up another great show at the 33rd Annual NADCA Annual Meeting and Exposition. As we talked with clients (new and old) one subject kept coming up... options. American Caddy Vac is the company in our industry that really allows our customers to finely customize every Caddy Vac they purchase. That's because we run our own duct cleaning business and we know how critical options can be for any particular job, any particular emphasis your business may have. American Caddy Vac Display at the recent NADCA Exposition Some of our most popular upgrades include:Qunicy 370 compressor, providing virtually unlimited air.Electric hose reels which save time, along with wear and tear on your air hose and your crew!Motorized bag doors also save wear on your crew in addition to being a great convenience and providing an added safety benefit.Deluxe shelving units are one of our most popular upgrades, providing easy access to all your tools. To check out all of our options, just go to our web site at caddyvac.com and click on "options" under the "Air Duct Cleaning Trucks" tab (or click this link: https://caddyvac.com/options/). You can find so [...]
Whips for Every Cleaning Challenge
Every duct cleaning job brings it's own challenges. At American Caddy Vac we use our extensive experience in our own air duct cleaning business to make sure we stock the right whip tool for each situation. Whips have been used for decades in the cleaning business, but we have improved on some designs and developed new designs to make sure we are using the best tools for our business, and offer the best tools for your air duct cleaning business as well. It's important to create the proper agitation for each application. For example, removing dust from rectangular ductwork requires a different level of agitation than removing creosote from a chimney, or removing lint from a dryer vent. At American Caddy Vac, we offer a great variety of whips so your crew will be ready for whatever greets them on the job site. The classic 8-whip is a great tool to have in your arsenal for main trunk lines. It's an extremely efficient cleaning machine! For those times when you can't access commercial laterals because the 8-whip is a bit too large to fit through a vent opening, we developed the original micro 5-whip with a [...]
Hoses and Accessories
Having the right tools for the job makes everyone happier! The business owner sleeps better at night knowing their trucks are well prepared for whatever comes up. Technicians are more comfortable going to a new job knowing that they can tackle any situation. And the customer is happier when they see their home or business is being cleaned by a business that shows up with exactly what they need to get the job done right! Keeping extra hose, or different sized hose in your American Caddy Vac is critical for those long or split runs. Every Caddy Vac is designed with an extra large storage area for hose so you can keep extra hose on hand. At American Caddy Vac we recommend Kana Flex Hose for it's durability and reliability. We offer it in 8" and 10" sizes. The Y-Box is the ideal way to split the suction from your truck so you can clean two systems at the same time. Whether you need to run two crews on a large commercial job, or just save time while you're cleaning that large residential, the Y-Box is an efficient tool to keep [...]
Maintenance: Why Not Make it Simple?
American Caddy Vac is well known for it's reliability. And everyone loves a truck they can depend on. But even American Caddy Vacs need routine maintenance. What is special about the Caddy Vac is that it was designed from the ground up by people who have been in the air duct cleaning business for many years. That includes many years in the early days (when they were using rigs from other manufacturers) that required their trucks to be taken off the job for routine maintenance! Seeing how disruptive this was to their own Air Duct Cleaning business, Mac and Donna Mattoon knew that was one thing that had to change when they formed American Caddy Vac in 1998. Designing a truck that could withstand the rigors of the job it was designed to do was first priority, along with power, power, power! But equally important to the Mattoons was making a truck that would be low maintenance, along with ease of maintenance. So they went about designing units with easy access to common maintenance features. With American Caddy Vac you simply open a door and can easily check the oil in the compressor, check fan [...]
Switching from Portables to Caddy Vac?
You’ll Never Go Back!!!
When air duct cleaners make the jump from portable units to the American Caddy Vac we are never surprised at the response. They are thrilled with the power, the ease of use, the reliability, the productivity of the American Caddy Vac. It's to be expected. Portables, while they can certainly be useful in certain applications, are not the all-around tool that the American Caddy Vac is. Kurt Presley, President/Owner of Dalton Environmental Cleaning Kurt Presley is the president/owner of Dalton Environmental Cleaning in Whitmore Lake, Michigan. He has five employees he runs as two crews, with three American Caddy Vac trucks. “Back in 2001 we switched from portable equipment. We had portable gas-powered equipment, which was decent, but hard to move around. We would roll them around the backs of the houses or the shortest distance to the furnace. I used disposable bags on them because they would breathe better, but they also let dust come puffing out while we were working, and that’s not good. They were hard to start, you had to start two different motors. They could be very finicky in cold weather. Also, we set them close to the [...]
Still the Best!
American Caddy Vac has been the industry standard in Air Duct Cleaning units for decades. Other manufacturers have come and gone. And of course, there will always be competition. At American Caddy Vac, we don't fear competition, we just keep building the best, most reliable, longest lasting unit in the industry. You can buy cheaper, but you cannot buy better. We build the best units because we want to use the best units. American Caddy Vac has a sister company, B & F Power-Vac, in Lewiston, Idaho. As a company that actually uses these cleaning units, we know what works, and what doesn't work. We make design changes based on what we discover on the job. Many of the older units we started with back in the 1980's would rust out and begin to fall apart after just a few years. That's why we build our cleaners from galvanized 12 and 16 gauge steel. Now, our units can outlast multiple cabs and chassis! Like most cleaning companies, we do all our own maintenance. And after lots of bruised forearms and bloody knuckles working with other cleaners, we began to design our [...]
Santa Does NOT Like Soot!
No one appreciates a clean chimney as much as the guy who has to scamper up and down chimneys of all shapes and sizes every year. Frankly, he would take a clean chimney over a couple more cookies and a glass of milk every time! As business people in the duct cleaning business, we may think of chimney cleaning as a classic "up-sell". But it is so much more than that. We've all heard the stories, and many of us have seen the results... chimney fires can seriously damage, even destroy homes. So as you book jobs this winter, be sure to inquire about your customer's chimneys. Have they been cleaned recently (or ever)? Are stove pipes leaking smoke? Does smoke ever back up into the fireplace or stove? If customers aren't sure, offer to take inspect their chimney while the crew is on site. The question always comes up: "How often should I have my chimney cleaned?" There isn't a simple answer to this one. The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, [...]
Power Through Stubborn Materials with the Single-Whip!
Every once in a while you come across a cleaning job that defies your normal arsenal of whips and spinners. Stubborn materials adhered to the inside of ducts affect air-flow and collect dust and dirt and really do need to be eliminated. At American Caddy Vac we know the importance of getting things really clean. So we offer the single-whip, our whip tool with the most aggressive agitation profile in our arsenal. If you need to break up stubborn materials, this is the tool for you. The standard Single-Whip is the most commonly used model, but we do offer it with forward and reverse jets. Of course each model is color coded for quick identification. The blue tool jets forward and the green tool in reverse. When using a tool like the single-whip, strong, consistent pressure is a must in order keep up the whipping action in this thicker, less pliable, whip. It works best with a quick-recovery compressor operating between 200 and 250psi. You don't need this tool every day, but when you need it, it's the only tool that will get the job done. As usual, we try to [...]
12-Jet Nozzles
Not every duct work job is just dealing with dust and microscopic particles. Sometimes you can run into some significant materials that won't be coaxed out with normal vacuum and scrubbing. That's where the 12-Jet Nozzle comes in! 12-Jet Nozzles are a great tool for moving heavy materials through air systems. At American Caddy Vac, we offer 12-Jet Nozzles with forward or reverse sweep action. Push those materials toward your suction point from vents in other parts of the building using the forward sweep. Or access those materials from your suction point and pull them toward your vacuum hose using the reverse sweep action. Our 12-Jet Nozzles are color coded for quick identification. The blue nozzles sweep forward and the green sweep in reverse. These nozzles are also available in a micro-size 9-Jet for easier access through vents, also available in blue for forward sweep and green for reverse sweep. Keep a set of 12-Jets and Micro 9-Jets with every unit so you can quickly snap on the best tool for every situation! These handy tools work best with a quick recovery compressor operating between 200 and 250PSI. During the month of November, buy any [...]
Words of Advice from Our Customers
At American Caddy Vac our customers have to be at the core of all we do. Of course our customers use our rigs every day, and they have a lot of wisdom to share. Here's a few samples we've gleaned over the years... Upgrade to the Quincy 370 CompressorEric loves the (optional) Quincy 370 compressor because it allows him to run two different crews at the same time. That extra power really makes a difference on commercial jobs. Eric Farrell Operations Manager, Stanley Steemer Delmar, Delaware Paul Welhouse President and Owner Well-House Air Duct Cleaning Oneida, Wisconsin Purchase high quality tools you can rely on.Paul is a big fan of the tools that American Caddy Vac builds. “There are specialty tools in our industry and everyone needs them, but I regularly buy tools from American Caddy Vac. I buy my work material from American Caddy Vac because I can easily make replacements because they make tools that can be repaired! They hold up well, but these tools get used heavily every day and its nice to be able to just replace what wears out. Calling with any need, it’s always a [...]
Make the Most of Your Suction with Extra Hose and Accessories!
At American Caddy Vac, we understand how important efficiencies can be in the world of Air Duct Cleaning. That's why we create our cleaning units with lots of room for storage. It's also why we offer so many tools and accessories to make one unit a powerhouse of capability. Depending on what model Caddy Vac you use, you may have substantial room for additional hose. Add 10" hose in 25 foot increments, or 8" hose in 50 foot increments. Additional hose allows you to reach greater distances, which can be a great help in so many applications. Add a Y-Box to that equation and you can split your suction, giving you the option of cleaning two systems at the same time. You can run two crews from one truck on a large commercial job, or just speed things up on a large residential job. The Y-box is also a great way to speed up insulation removal jobs. Our Y-box is made of welded aluminum, so in addition to being extremely sturdy, it is also light weight. Your crew will love it! If you do add additional hose to your [...]
Save Time and Money: Go with a Kit!
At American Caddy Vac, everyone on the team has worked and many still work in the Duct Cleaning business. We are familiar with all the tools we sell. And we know what tools and parts and accessories work well together. So we have put together various kits and packages with elements that work well together. And because we sell them as a package, we can offer them at a discount compared to buying the elements separately. Some of the combinations we offer are: Two different air duct cleaning tool packages. The standard kit includes 5 rods, 30" blow gun, 60" blow gun, thumb valve with fittings, 12-jet forward skipper ball, 12-jet reverse skipper ball, flex duct ball, triple whip and single whip. The large kit includes all the tools in the standard kit but adds an 8-whip. Two different Dyna Probe packages. The BASIC package includes everything you need to get started with your Dyna Probe. The COMPLETE package provides a more rigid air line, ideal for commercial applications. It also adds additional brushes and whips to extend the usefulness of your Dyna Probe in diverse applications. A dryer vent package is also available to [...]
Make a Statement
Your American Caddy Vac is more than a powerful duct cleaning tool. It is also tells your customers and potential customers a lot about your business! Just driving your American Caddy Vac down the road says that you offer the best in the industry! Your American Caddy Vac in the neighbor's driveway is a billboard for the whole neighborhood! These units are impressive and everything about them communicates quality, power, longevity, and professionalism. While the competition is still offloading their portables and trying to get things up and running, your crew is already hooked up and cleaning away! And because of the heavy duty components used to build every American Caddy Vac, you won't be driving around a rusty, beat up looking rig. Let's face it, if you're driving a cheap truck made with cheap components, it shows. And customers can see the difference! But when you drive an American Caddy Vac with a classy paint job and high end graphics, your rig is a moving billboard that tells everyone who sees it that your company is the top of the line. Steve Underwood, owner of Mighty Ducts in Cheyenne, Wyoming puts [...]
The Support You Need
A handshake can say a lot more than a document. A smile can provide more information than any brochure. And the voice of experience can instill confidence that cannot be matched by any university degree. At American Caddy Vac, ours is a business that has been built on handshakes and smiles. The voice on the phone is the voice of experience. All of our staff have extensive experience in the duct cleaning business, operating the very cleaning units we sell. They have used every whip, every rod, every spinner. They have installed duct flanges and used hose cuffs. They have used a Y-Box to run two hoses on the same job. They have extensive experience with the Dyna-Probe and all it's accessories. They have run air lines in extremely cold weather, and removed insulation in the heat of summer. In short, whatever you run into, these guys have lots of experience and are happy to share that experience with our customers. And because they have all that experience, they also have a really good idea what it is like to need a part or a tool and not have it. That's why at American Caddy Vac we work hard to keep [...]
Replacement Parts for Your Quincy Compressors
At American Caddy Vac we know that our customers want to be able to extend the life of every element of their cleaning units. That just makes sense. We design every element of the American Caddy Vac to last, but nothing lasts forever. Still, if you can extend the useful life of any piece of equipment by replacing worn or broken parts, it just makes financial sense. And if you have the ability to maintain your equipment, it won't be difficult for you to replace parts. One of the most important elements of these cleaning units is the air compressor. The American Caddy Vac comes with a Quincy 325 compressor, but many of our customers upgrade to the 340 or 370. These are hard working, reliable compressors and an essential element in the cleaning process. American Caddy Vac maintains a full stock of the most commonly required maintenance, repair, and replacement parts for these compressors. For regular maintenance we stock air filters and oil filters specifically designed to work with Quincy compressors. And we offer Quincy's own 20wt oil, "Quin-Cip" in quart and gallon quantities. For repair and replacement parts, we [...]
Cuff’em!
Sometimes the shortest distance between two points is still too far for one vacuum hose! Make those long reaches with Hose Cuffs from American Caddy Vac! Hose Cuffs are a quick and easy way to couple two hoses together. Couple two hoses of equal size, or couple a smaller hose to the larger hose that is attached to the fan inlet. Our hose cuffs are available in 12" to 10", 10" to 8" and 10 inch and 8 inch sets. At American Caddy Vac, our cuffs are designed for a heavy use in challenging environments. We run our own air duct cleaning business, so we know how important it is for every component to be able to withstand the rigors of commercial and industrial sites. Our hose cuffs are made from a durable custom poly blend. This means they are strong, but won't shatter like inferior plastic cuffs. And unlike metal cuffs, they bounce back into shape after being dented.Our hose cuffs will last for years of regular use. They are tough and reliable. And you won't need directions to use our hose cuffs. Simply slide one end into [...]
Suction the Easy Way
Central to air duct cleaning is the need to provide suction to the air cleaning system. American Caddy Vac duct flanges provide a clean, low-profile access point for attaching your vacuum hose to any duct system. The American Caddy Vac duct flanges are available in 8" and 10" diameters. Just slide your vacuum hose on the flange and then secure it with a compression clamp for a solid seal that you won't have to worry about during the job. Duct flanges prevent material buildup near the access point, so your crew can keep working, rather than spend extra time clearing jams. Each duct flange comes with two cleaning access points to give you access to the system for your air hose without drilling additional holes. American Caddy Vac duct flanges are sturdy, but are easier to handle and weigh a lot less than other duct flanges because they are made of high grade aluminum. The material can take an incredible amount of strain, and the seams are welded so they will last for many years of daily use. We've been using these duct flanges for [...]