There are over 40 different models with a variety of options that can be added to the basic models. All of these different models either fall into the brush SkyPro category, the high pressure “touchless” Skydrowasher, or the new BMU SkyPro for buildings over 60 stories tall.
SkyPro units clean by spraying filtrated water on the building just before the revolving brush makes contact with the windows and exterior. Because the brush makes contact with the building, the SkyPro is limited to cleaning generally “flat” buildings with recesses and protrusions of no more than 6 inches. Recesses and protrusions would include such things as overhangs, window frames and ledges.
No, SkyPro and Skydrowasher can be used to clean without filtrated water. However, to get a crystal clean “spot free” drying of the windows and exterior, a filtration system of some sort will probably be necessary. We recommend using D.I. (de-ionization) tanks which can be easily moved from building to building and can be rented from a local soft water company. In other cases, a combination of D.I. and R.O. (reverse osmosis) system can be purchased to filtrate the water.
First, a 220 volt single or three phase outlet with adequate amperage is required on the roof deck. Secondly, a water tap is required; city water pressure is fine. Third, a rigging unit of some sort to raise and lower the cleaning unit. And lastly, a step-up pump to create high-pressure water for the Skydrowasher only. SkyPro does not use high pressure.
Usually two people are required to operate our equipment; one on the roof and one on the ground. The person on the roof will usually operate the rigging motor to raise and lower the SkyPro or Skydrowasher and move the rigging equipment laterally across the roof deck as each section is cleaned. The person on the ground will assist in moving the cleaning disc or brush from drop section to drop section and in some cases operate the rigging motor remotely via radio frequency.
Yes, a rigging unit of some sort is required to raise and lower all our cleaning units up and down the face of the building. Many times an existing hoist or crane on the building roof can be used to raise and lower the SkyPro machine. If there is not an existing rig on the building, a mobile outrigger can be brought to the building and used to raise and lower the SkyPro. The Skydrowasher requires a custom, 3-arm roof top rig which has been designed exclusively for use with only the Skydrowasher. This rigging is included in the purchase price of every Skydrowasher and can also be taken from building to building.
Yes, all of our equipment can be easily disassembled, loaded onto a truck towed trailer and taken from site to site. We recommend using a standard 14 foot long trailer which can either be open or closed.
No, the vast majority of buildings can be cleaned by simply using cold filtrated water with the SkyPro’s revolving brush or the high-pressure water delivered by the Skydrowasher. If the building is extremely dirty you may have to clean each section a couple times. In unusual cases a hot water heater can be put “in line” to heat the water to remove stubborn stains. Likewise, an environmentally friendly detergent can be added “in line” to attack those stubborn stains.
Yes, if either or both of these are available at street level, they can be sent up the building to the cleaning unit. This may be advantageous if access to the roof is difficult or there is not a water tap or electrical outlet on the roof deck. Keep in mind, however, it is always easier to pump water downhill as opposed to uphill; so the correct pump used at street level will have to be sized correctly.
The use of our equipment is limited to weather conditions and good common sense. Generally speaking, if it is unsafe for manual window washers to go on a building, then in all likelihood, the SkyPro products should not be used. This would include pending thunderstorms, high winds, or the freezing temperatures.
For the Skydrowasher, optional rear mounted fans “push” the cleaning unit toward the building. In addition, two high tinsel nylon guidelines extend from the roof to the ground ballast cart. These guidelines pass through the rear mounted rack on the back of the Skydrowasher, thereby creating “rails” on which the Skydrowasher rides. These two devices keep the Skydrowasher parallel to the building and prevent it from wandering from side to side.
Yes, SkyPro and Skydrowasher products and technology have been patented by Mr. Mick Lange and covered under 12 different United States and International patents. If another company claims to hold patents on the same technology, ask them to prove it by providing the patent numbers.