Udor Zeta Zeta 85 P and Zeta 40 Roof Cleaning Pumps ?

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

Beware of these so called Udor Zeta 40 and Zeta 85 P roof cleaning pumps. Yes, when they are new, they spray very well, but then, so does a roller pump!

But they will soon fail, even if they are rinsed out after every use. I still have one, in pieces in my shed. 

These pumps are not very good for pumping chlorine, and the makers of these pumps are quite well aware of this too.

I bought 3 of these pumps years ago, feeling safe, since Udor had a 1 year warranty on them. After 4 failures in 3 months, Udor flat out refused to honor their warranty to me! 

That's right guys, Udor refused to honor their warranty, and put the blame on US, for the pumps failures.

Back then, we rinsed these pumps out quickly and faithfully, after each and every job! 

All we do is clean roofs here in Tampa. I can afford ANY roof cleaning pump I so desire. You don't see these so called roof cleaning pumps on any of my trucks, and there is a very good reason for this.

Been there, done that, got ripped off for nearly 6 grand!

LOL, now, HYPRO is getting into the act!

One of these pumps with the engine and transmission can easily cost 2500.00 and more!

This means that the distributor selling these so called roof cleaning pumps stands to make over 1000.00, on the sale of one of these!

When they fail on you, do not say you were not aware of my experiences with these Udor Zeta Pumps.

The roof cleaning chemicals will attack the stainless steel valve springs and the plastic manifolds will soon leak.

Based on my experiences, my advice is to stay far away from these pumps.

 

[Liberty SoftWash]

I could not do a anchor text

 

Kappa pump

[Advantage Roof Cleaning]

Thanks for the warning Chris.

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

I could not do a anchor text

 

Kappa pump

Just post the whole url Eric

[richard bond]

Hey Guys, Chris isn't joking, I was in Tampa last week and almost broke my foot tripping on this old Udor pump being used as a door stop in Chris's shop. I'd stay far, far away from these until someone reputable posts better field tests.. I was talking to Paul and Bill from "The Power Wash Store" about adding one to a rig they're building for us but it's a little pricey ($2500.00) for something that has a sketchy track record. If we negotiate a better price I'd love to get it and field test it for a summer and post the results for all RCIA members to see. Several guys at the show last week thought we were definitely getting it and were begging us to post the results to the forums because they were more than a little leery of Udor's past history. I'll let you know if it goes through, in the meantime it makes a helluva door stop..

The picture won't post, said the file was too large, I'll try to post it on the other forum and I'll email it to Chris and see if he can get it to load. Apologies!

[Liberty SoftWash]

The pump Paul is selling for chemical is the Kappa pump.

[richard bond]

Hey Eric, Hope you had a safe trip back from FL! We left Tampa at 4:00 PM and rolled back into the office by 5:15 the next morning. The whole trip was a little short for my liking but work (and the wife..) were calling. The pump Paul and I were considering was a Udor, still hammering out the details.

[richard bond]

Eric, Just checked my notes, seems we're both correct. It's a Kappa series, made by Udor. Sounds like your thinking about trying one out?? Let us know if you do, I'd love to know how they hold up to SH. Maybe the Kappa Udor is capable, I just don't know if I want to shell out $2500.00 to find out. It's not even the money that's holding me back, it's the headaches of breakdowns in the middle of jobs I hate. If I wanted those issues I'd just stay with a 12V system.. Lol.

[Liberty SoftWash]

I was told for 100 dollars to repack the pump every yr.

[richard bond]

Eric, you are a man of few words! I'm looking forward to seeing you guys again in Atlantic City next month. I heard a basic rebuild was about 150.00 with a major rebuild about 250.00, Not bad if you can go hard all summer with them..

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

Eric, you are a man of few words! I'm looking forward to seeing you guys again in Atlantic City next month. I heard a basic rebuild was about 150.00 with a major rebuild about 250.00, Not bad if you can go hard all summer with them..

LOL, I had to fix the same pump nearly every month! They kept failing, often in different ways, until I finally gave up.

 

I was told for 100 dollars to repack the pump every yr.

LOL, and I was told by both UDOR and the huge local UDOR distributor I bought the pumps from, that I had a 1 year warranty!

Common sense will tell you that these pumps will not hold up.

They use thin stainless steel for the valve springs, the chlorine attacks it, it breaks, and bye bye pump!

[Spray Force]

Thanks Chris, great info!

[richard bond]

The pump Paul is selling for chemical is the Kappa pump.

I talked to Bill a couple days ago and he told me they had a Zeta down in FL, he said the Kappa is only for spraying water to rinse.. He also said Udor has been selling these same Zeta's for years..

[bwilson]

Guess who?  Update after I'm sure you guys already know by now.  The Kappa is for only water(rinsing) due to its aluminum head.  The Zeta has the poly body and we've had nothing but success with them.  Udor may have had issues with these pumps awhile back but they are a company that takes feedback very seriously and very well may have made the necessary changes.  Eric has had his for a season and I'm sure he can attest to that. As well as many others on these boards that have put trust in our advice and came out smelling like roses.  The 12v pumps will do the job for residential work.  But on big jobs and commercial work these gas powered systems save so much time and chemical use without the restrictions of the 12v.  I'm becoming more familiar with the air diaphragm systems and agree with Chris they are another dependable system.  Both will cost more but I believe they are worth every penny.  It was great seeing you guys back then and hope to one day meet you as well Chris.

[Liberty SoftWash]

This is my opinion! i ran air for 5yrs and never had one problem with the air pump, we had problems with the compressors. We went though 3 in 5 years, 2 of these were ridgid and the last one was custum built. We have used the udor for a yr and not one problem and we went though some bleach this yr. I like the udor because of the size, so we will see.

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

Guess who?  Update after I'm sure you guys already know by now.  The Kappa is for only water(rinsing) due to its aluminum head.  The Zeta has the poly body and we've had nothing but success with them.  Udor may have had issues with these pumps awhile back but they are a company that takes feedback very seriously and very well may have made the necessary changes.  Eric has had his for a season and I'm sure he can attest to that. As well as many others on these boards that have put trust in our advice and came out smelling like roses.  The 12v pumps will do the job for residential work.  But on big jobs and commercial work these gas powered systems save so much time and chemical use without the restrictions of the 12v.  I'm becoming more familiar with the air diaphragm systems and agree with Chris they are another dependable system.  Both will cost more but I believe they are worth every penny.  It was great seeing you guys back then and hope to one day meet you as well Chris.

 

 

This is my opinion! i ran air for 5yrs and never had one problem with the air pump, we had problems with the compressors. We went though 3 in 5 years, 2 of these were ridgid and the last one was custum built. We have used the udor for a yr and not one problem and we went though some bleach this yr. I like the udor because of the size, so we will see.

 

Perhaps UDOR have improved their pumps ? It was quite some time ago that we used them. Still, it was fucking dirty for Gordie of UDOR to refuse to honor the 1 year warranty that made me buy their pumps, in the first place!

He pretty much told me that I was fucked

After we spent nearly 6 Grand in good faith with them.

 

I just met with the engineers from Northern Tool who are also up in Minnesota, and they tell me that Gordie is still there

The UDOR Dealer he refused to stand behind does a LOT of volume with them, so I felt secure in my purchase.

I was totally unprepared for the "Fuck You" way he chose to handle a simple warranty matter.

 

I can't tell everyone exactly how much money he cost us, but it was during the peak of our season.

I was forced to sit and watch plenty of thousand dollar roof cleaning jobs disappear, because those poorly designed and unreliable pumps basically nearly put us out of business.

 

Rightfully so I think, I asked for a full refund, and he refused that too! 

 

If actions speak louder then words, here is what he said to me, loud and clear, IMHO.

 

"Chris, UDOR has your money, and though we said you would have a one year warranty, you really don't, because we refuse to honor it, OR refund your money either".

 

Bill Wilson, you and Paul are IN this Industry. I do not know you, but I have met Paul Kassander, and I can tell you this.

No freaking WAY would Paul Kassander allow this kind of shit to happen.

 

However, the UDOR Dealer I bought from are called Florida Sprayers here in Tampa. They are NOT "in our industry", more all about Pest Control and Ag Sprayers.

 

They chose NOT to "go to bat" for me against  UDOR

 

Basically, their response to all of this was "Chris, you are spraying bleach, so WTF did you expect".

 

When I reminded them that they assured me I was covered by the UDOR warranty, they basically said "That's between you and UDOR", and refused to step in

 

I was Hung Out To Dry

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

This is my opinion! i ran air for 5yrs and never had one problem with the air pump, we had problems with the compressors. We went though 3 in 5 years, 2 of these were ridgid and the last one was custum built. We have used the udor for a yr and not one problem and we went though some bleach this yr. I like the udor because of the size, so we will see.

Air compressors unfortunately are another component to go wrong:(

One reason smaller wheelbarrow style air compressors fail is this, the tanks are too small! 

These wheelbarrow style air compressors benefit greatly from an add on air tank, so the pump isn't always running straight off the compressor.

You can get an 11 gallon add on air tank from Harbor Freight for under 50 dollars, but then, it takes up more room.

The larger air compressors are called "hot dog style", and have a single 30 to 40 gallon air tank.

 

They have proven to be way more reliable, but do cost more.

[Roof Cleaning Jacksonville FL 904-304-0810]

Taking notes....

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

Here are some pictures of the broken UDOR Roof Cleaning Pump

 

 

HOW the fuck UDOR has the nerve to market these pumps as "roof cleaning pumps" is beyond me ?

For one thing, the valves, diapraghm bolts, and hold on tight, the freaking valve Springs are made out of Stainless Steel. 

 

Guys, Stainless Steel is NOT, I repeat NOT good for Sodium Hypochlorite use, and has only  "C" Rating for chlorine use, read this!  

 

Selection of stainless steels for handling sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) Introduction

Sodium hypochlorite only exists in solutions.
The solution can be unstable, giving off chlorine gas.
Sodium hypochlorite is not stable as a solid chemical.

The hypochlorites, although alkaline, are oxidising.

Commercially concentrated Sodium hypochlorite is around 15-wt %.
Household bleach solutions are around 5.25% sodium hypochlorite.

Corrosion resistance of stainless steels

The hypochlorite ion (OCl-) is aggressive to stainless steels, acting in a similar way to wet chlorine gas, and like the chloride ion (Cl-), is a dangerous pitting corrosion hazard. 
Pitting or crevice corrosion can occur on most stainless steel grades in a 5% solution at ambient temperatures.
There is an additional risk of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) at higher temperatures.

Stainless steels should not be considered suitable for storage or transport tank applications with concentrated (15%) hypochlorite solutions or bleaches (5%).

Contact with household bleach

Pitting corrosion has been reported from household bleach spills on stainless steel (304 type) sinks in domestic environments.
If this occurs immediate dilution by rinsing should avoid pitting, but if left overnight, pitting can result.

Disinfecting or sanitising 304 or 316 stainless steel items with dilute hypochlorite solutions can be done with care, but it is important that the temperature and contact time is kept to a minimum and that the solution is thoroughly rinsed away afterwards.

Safe residual water chlorine levels for sterilization

As a guide, 15-20 ppm (mg/lt) residual chlorine solutions at ambient temperatures should be safe with 316 types for a 24-hour maximum contact time, if followed by rinsing.

Sources

1. Sodium Hypochlorite Corrosion Data

 

Yes, really thick stainless will "work" for sodium hypochlorite, but valve springs in the UDOR Pump are THIN, and not Thick.

The roof cleaning chemicals ATTACK the thin stainless steel springs, they weaken and break, then good bye pump.

 

And, just because the heads of these UDOR Pumps are Poly, is not the best for roof cleaning chemical resistance either. 

 

Especially if it is the fiberglass reinforced Poly UDOR uses, because the chlorine and it's gas attack the fiberglass, then weakens it.

 

I replaced the manifolds of these pumps 3 times in 6 months, because they leaked roof cleaning chemicals all over, and flat ruined my trucks.

 

I spit a driveshaft at 65 mph on the freeway in one of my trucks, because the leaks from these pumps found it's way to my U Joints, and then a spring mount let go on me about 7 months later.

 

Do not underestimate what a leaking pump can do to your truck. Even if you rinse things off, the damage once started is irreversible. 

 

The materials a roof cleaning pump are made out of are very important, if you expect it to last. You want KYNAR and TEFLON, not Stainless Steel, and Poly.

 

These UDOR Roof Cleaning Pumps are nothing more then plain old ag spray pumps, that IMHO have been mislabeled to sell to unsuspecting roof cleaners, who don't know any better.

 

There is quite a lot of money to be made by selling these pumps, because not only do you need the UDOR Roof Cleaning Pump, you also need an expensive transmission to go between the gas motor, and the pump itself.

 

And, get this - The UDOR Transmission will only work with another UDOR Pump, so when your pump fails, guess what ?  You can't simply put a different brand of pump, on a UDOR Transmission.

[Roof Cleaning Jacksonville FL 904-304-0810]

I think it says a lot that they won't honor their warranty. If it breaks and they don't stand behind it, I'm not really inclined to spend money with them. It's terrible that they don't. Maybe some people have it good, but it seems there is a better way! 

[bwilson]

I can definitely agree that pump has seen better days.  But as I said before Udor has come along way in 8+ years when that happened to you.  We've been supplying these for years now and haven't had a single pump head failure, gear box failure, not one.  As a matter a fact the only replacements I've had to deal with were small parts from user error over tightening a fitting or a bad gauge.  And it only took a phone call by me to Gordy(from Udor) and the part was shipped immediately to customer.  In the gauge instance it was no charge.  This pump, the engine are just as susceptible to the effects of  sodium hypochlorite as the air compressors used in other roof cleaning systems.  As we tell everyone that purchases one of our units a $270 complete rebuild kit for the pump should be done once a year as preventative maintenance to ensure long life of the pump.  This is a significantly less annual cost of business then the amount of time and replacements of 12v pumps or any compressor that would have to be replaced.  Not to mention the abilities you have at your fingertips with one on your trailer.  Don't take my word for it.  Venture outside this forum to other and ask the contractors using them.  We've had nothing but success with these and Paul puts his name on them.

[Spray Force]

Thanks bill, see you in Orlando. Let me know your ETD Sunday or Monday

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

I think it says a lot that they won't honor their warranty. If it breaks and they don't stand behind it, I'm not really inclined to spend money with them. It's terrible that they don't. Maybe some people have it good, but it seems there is a better way! 

Yes Adam, it was almost unbelievable the way that Gordie at  UDOR Treated me. I was shocked when he told me I no longer had a warranty.

But, I also want to say this, my experiences with UDOR Pumps was quite some time ago, ,maybe they have improved them ? I know my friends Eric Seitz and Doug Rucker have said they have had good luck with them, I did not 　 However, I know Paul Kassander and Bill Wilson to be stand up guys, and if they are willing to stand behind them, perhaps other peoples luck with them will be different then mine was ?

 

I take no "delight" in voicing a bad experience of mine with the UDOR Roof Cleaning Pumps. And, to tell the truth, I wish my experiences with these UDOR Pumps was different, because it puts me at odds with some of my friends who clean roofs, that use them.

[Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777]

I can definitely agree that pump has seen better days.  But as I said before Udor has come along way in 8+ years when that happened to you.  We've been supplying these for years now and haven't had a single pump head failure, gear box failure, not one.  As a matter a fact the only replacements I've had to deal with were small parts from user error over tightening a fitting or a bad gauge.  And it only took a phone call by me to Gordy(from Udor) and the part was shipped immediately to customer.  In the gauge instance it was no charge.  This pump, the engine are just as susceptible to the effects of  sodium hypochlorite as the air compressors used in other roof cleaning systems.  As we tell everyone that purchases one of our units a $270 complete rebuild kit for the pump should be done once a year as preventative maintenance to ensure long life of the pump.  This is a significantly less annual cost of business then the amount of time and replacements of 12v pumps or any compressor that would have to be replaced.  Not to mention the abilities you have at your fingertips with one on your trailer.  Don't take my word for it.  Venture outside this forum to other and ask the contractors using them.  We've had nothing but success with these and Paul puts his name on them.

 

Well Bill, I have reported my honest experiences with these UDOR Roof Cleaning Pumps, for what it is worth.

But I am open to the possibility that UDOR has improved them, since I owned them.

 

My local distributor did not stand up for me against Gordy and UDOR, when he refused to honor my warranty.

Nor did my local distributor offer to help me out in any way with the 2 failed pumps,, despite all the money my company spent with them either.

 

Needless to say, I don't buy shit from them anymore. 

 

However, if, as you say, Paul Kassander puts his name on these pumps Bill, that is saying a LOT.

 

They do spray like a Male Cat, when they work, and as long as Paul Kassander will see to it that any warranty is honored, and the pumps are fixed properly and promptly, should they break, I am cool with that.

 

My whole purpose Bill Wilson in posting all of this,  was simply to possibly keep another roof cleaner from having the same bad experiences I did, with these pumps.

[bwilson]

We appreciate your honesty regarding this.  I can assure you Udor is one of the best manufacturers I deal with, if not the best.  Very few problems, if any, are handled immediately.  It's truly a pleasure to supply their equipment and work closely with them on the research and development of products.  They are one company that is not afraid to hear about issues and make a better product.