The Cimex claims to be safer on carpet due to its unusual movement. While this may be easier on the operator, is it easier on the carpet? When I have seen the Cimex operate, it has left cleaning swirls in the carpet that appear much harder to remove than a rotary, so let’s look at the math.

Both the Mini Max and the Cimex have a similar sized solution tank. A 6 gallon for the Cimex and 5 gallon for the Mini, so we will not include this measurement as the tanks can be filled to different levels at different times. So it's not a fixed measurement.

The Mini Max weights 89 pounds with the 50 foot cord and a 19” Cimex 105 pounds.

The surface area of the three 8” Cimex pads equals 150.81 square inches

The surfaces area of one 17” Mini Max pad covers 226.98 square inches or 33.57% larger

If this were the only variable then it would be easy to see the extra 33% on the Mini Max`s pad would distribute the weight over a larger area thus reducing the weight per square inch, being safer on the fibers. But when you add to the equation the difference in the machines weight the numbers get even a larger distance between them. .696 Lbs per inch or 100.22 pounds per foot on the Cimex and only .394 Lbs per square inch or 56.73 pounds per foot on the Mini Max, The Cimex is a 76% addition of weight per unit measured.

Let’s use this example. You have two skid steers or Bobcats. One uses 4 wheels and the other has tank type tracks. The unit with the tracks will do much less damage to the lawn due to the dispersion of weight over a greater area. They both get the job done but the one with the tracks is much safer on the job site surface. The same can be said for the Mini over the Cimex. The lower machine weight and larger cleaning area provide a safer load on the carpets fibers.

Some might say you need the extra weight to clean better. Do you? When stripping a floor weight adds to the performance of peeling or scrubbing off the floor finish layers in conjunction with the stripper. This is much less a factor with carpet cleaning. You're not dealing with solid masses of finish. Dirt or soil is an accumulation of very small particles and sometimes liquids that for the most part act as individual substances not a solid. In this case the cleaning chemical is what breaks the bonds of the soil to fiber relationship. The agitation is secondary. Extra weight might help in a very small percentage of the very worst jobs, in other words a very small percentage of work. On most carpets I do not think you would see the difference. Personally, I think the Cimex with its very old fashioned pull handle on a shampoo tank would have a tendency to over wet the carpet, which on one hand might help to flush out soil but on the other could prolong dry times and increase chemical usage. The Mini uses a completely controllable solution system that not only increases your job speed but also adds efficiency due to the fact that your solution is always put down at the same rate (provided you didn’t change your cleaning speed), the rate that you selected either for yourself or an employee. (Your Mini is equipped with a lockable solution setting).

Why settle for basically one pad, one way. Get many more options and conveniences with the portability of the Mini. A variety of bonnets or pads that reach right up against the wall in a lighter and safer package.

The Carpet Max has even a lighter head pressure with full floating head technology and can service up to 10,000 feet per hour.

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