Hydro-Force SX-15 User manual

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SX-15 Gekko Tool
HARD SURFACE CLEANING TOOL
AR51S SX-15 Head Assembly with Gekko Handle AR51A
Revised:
03.14.2019
LMANAR51S

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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the SX-15 hard surface cleaning tool.
Years of experience, engineering, and planning have gone into the design and manufacturing
of the SX-15. We take a great deal of pride in the SX-15; our goal is no less than your
complete satisfaction.
The SX-15 can be used with portable or truck mounted extractors to clean tile, concrete and
stone floors. The larger cleaning area and superior water recovery of the SX-15 will make your
tile cleaning faster and more efficient.
This manual will provide users with the knowledge to operate and maintain the SX-15.
Any questions pertaining to the operating or servicing of this unit should be directed to your
nearest Hydro-Force distributor.
This manual is written specifically for the SX-15 tile cleaning tool manufactured by:
Aramsco
4282 South 590 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84123
801-268-2673
801-268-3856 FAX
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Hydro-Force, its parent or affiliated companies.

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Model AR51S SX-15 Tile Cleaning Head:
Cleaning Head: Width: 15 inches, Height: 3.13” w/ Hard Boot & 3.50” w/ Brush Ring
Weight: 7.9 lbs.
Shell Construction: Glass Reinforced Nylon
Handle Adapter: Nickel Plated Aluminum
Hard Boot: HDPE
Brush Bristles: Nylon
Maximum Solution Pressure: 2500psi
Minimum Solution Pressure: 700psi
Model AR51A Gekko Tool Handle:
Length: 49.75” to Vac Hose Connection / 57.5” to top of Spray Gun
Weight: 6.6 lbs.
Handle Construction: Stainless Steel
Coupler: Nickel Plated Aluminum
SX-15 MAI NTENANCE
Your SX-15 requires very little maintenance. To keep your SX-15 looking and working its best
for the longest period of use:
After each use rinse the Inner Shell of the SX-15 to remove accumulated dirt & debris. The Inner
Shell can be separated from the Outer Shell to clean the air flow channel between the two shells.
(See instructions for changing the Hard Boot & Brush Ring for procedure to separate Outer and
Inner Shells on Pages 5-7.)
Rinse & wipe down top of head assembly & handle.
Rinse & wipe clean the Brush Ring if used.
Examine the Brush Ring –Replace Brush ring if bristles are excessively bent, worn or if too
many bristles are missing.
Check and clean the stainless steel mesh filter between the quick connect and valve to
prevent a reduction in water flow and tool efficiency. See item NA0803 in the parts diagram on
Page 16.
Check the spray pattern of the jets and clean or replace the jets as needed to assure even
spray pattern.
Check solution hoses for wear or damage. Replace Solution hoses as needed.
Check vacuum hose for holes or cracks. Replace Vacuum hose as needed.
SPECIFICATIONS

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Connecting Handle to SX-15 Head
Connecting the Gekko Handle
AR51A to the SX-15 Head is a
simple procedure:
Thread Gekko Handle coupler
onto male threads of SX-15
Adapter NM5640.
Connect the SX-15 solution hose
to the Gekko Handle Solution
Hose by snapping the 1/4” male
quick connect and the 1/4”
female quick connect together.
The SX-15 can easily be removed
and the Gekko Handle can then be
used with any of our other Gekko
Tools. (See Gekko Tools on Page 9).
Vacuum Relief Vent Adjustment
The SX-15 has vacuum relief vents on top of the head assembly. To increase the water recovery,
move the vacuum relief slide to the left to close the three vents. To prevent the SX-15 from
sticking to the floor and to make the SX-15 easier to move, push the vacuum relief slide to the
right to open the vents. Try different slide position settings to get the best movement and recovery
for your equipment and the type of floor being cleaned.
Vacuum Relief Slide –Moved Left
Vacuum Relief Vents - CLOSED
Vacuum Relief Slide –Moved Right
Vacuum Relief Vents - OPEN
Vacuum
Relief Vents
Gekko Handle Coupler
NM5855
SX-15 Adapter
NM5640
Gekko Handle Solution Hose –NM5856
SX-15 Solution Hose –NM5857

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Using the SX-15 with extractors with higher air flow will generally require the vacuum relief vents
to be opened more. Using the SX-15 with smaller portable extractors may require the vacuum
relief vents to be closed for the best water recovery. When using the Hard Boot the vacuum relief
vents will usually be opened more than it is when using the Brush Ring with the same
extractor.
Brush Ring Use
The SX-15 comes with a Hard Boot and Brush Ring.
Use of the Brush Ring will help prevent scratching of soft surfaces.
Truck mounts with higher air flow will get excellent recovery with Brush Ring.
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

Changing the Brush Ring
Changing the Brush Ring can be done quickly
and easily without tools.
1. Disconnect the solution hose from the
swivel.
2. Lift the three retainer levers on top of the
SX-15 head to release the retainers.
3. Turn the deck over and turn the three
rectangular retaining nuts on the retainers
to align with the holes in the bottom of the
Inner Shell, so they can pass through the holes.
Swivel
Brush Ring –AB53
Solution Hose
Three Retainer Levers

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4. Pull and separate the Inner Shell from the Outer Shell.
5. Lift up and remove the current Hard Boot or Brush Ring from the bottom lip of the Outer
Shell.
6. Place the desired Brush Ring back onto the bottom lip
of the Outer Shell.
7. Place the Inner Shell back onto the Outer Shell with
the rectangular retaining nuts going through the
openings in the Inner Shell. The flanges on the Inner
Shell set on the edge of the Brush Ring to hold it in place.
8. Turn the rectangular retaining nuts perpendicular to the
slots in the bottom of the Inner Shell. Retaining nuts
may need to be tightened so that they each contact the plastic surface of
the inner shell when the retaining levers are pushed back down to assure
that the SX-15 assembly is secured properly.
Three Rectangular Retaining Nuts
Retaining Nut Aligned for
Inner Shell Removal
Remove the Brush Ring or Hard Boot
Separate the Outer & Inner Shells
Place the Brush Ring on the Outer Shell

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9. Turn the head assembly back over & snap the three retaining levers back down to secure
the Outer & Inner Shells. Check the retaining nuts to be sure all three are in contact with
the plastic inner shell. Open retaining levers and tighten retaining nuts as needed to assure
that the inner shell is properly secured when the latches are pushed down.
10. Reconnect the solution hose to the swivel, and the change is complete.
Retaining Nut Aligned to Secure Inner Shell

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Extraction Equipment
The SX-15 will work with portable or truck mounted extractors, but the water recovery may be
better with higher powered extractors with more air flow. The extractor solution pump must
provide a minimum of 700psi of water pressure with a flow rate of 1.5gpm (Gallons Per Minute).
At 1000psi the flow rate must exceed 2.0 gpm & at 1500psi the flow rate must exceed 3.0gpm.
The recommended pressure for SX-15 operation is 700 to 1500psi.
Set-up Procedure
1. Connect the SX-15 Tool to the Gekko Handle. (See instructions on Page 4)
2. Install the Hard Boot or Brush Ring on the SX-15 as needed. (See instructions for changing
Hard Boot & Brush Ring on Page 5.)
3. Connect the vacuum hose from your extractor to the vacuum pipe on the Gekko Handle.
A 2” cuff will fit over the pipe, a 1-1/2” cuff will fit inside the pipe.
4. Connect the solution hose from the extractor to the quick connect on the Gekko Handle valve
assembly.
5. Turn the extractor ON. Adjust the water pressure to the desired pressure. Minimum Pressure :
700psi Maximum Pressure: 2500psi
6. Adjust the Vacuum Relief Slide for best recovery & ease of movement.
Basic Cleaning Procedure
Remove all furniture from the area you are going to clean. Use tools and aids that will make your
job easier and safer. Gliders walk off mats, furniture protector tabs and foam blocks can help with
moving and placing furniture away from areas to be cleaned. Depending upon the customer’s
wishes, it may be alright to leave some furniture or appliances, such as refrigerators, in place and
clean around them. Begin by sweeping or vacuuming the floor to remove dust and grit, pieces of
glass, sand, etc.
You can use the Gekko accessory brush head to vacuum to your truck mount (Remember to use
your Dust-Downer to prevent dry abrasives from getting into your blower.).
It is important for you to show utmost care for your client’s home and furnishings. Place Corner
Guards when moving your hoses about and use furniture skidders or floor guards for moving
heavy appliances. Note any places where other surfaces border the floor. Carpet, cabinets, delicate
wall covering, or painted surfaces need to be protected from all types of over spray.
USING THE SX-15

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Caution and care in spraying is generally sufficient, but masking or use of a spray shield (like those
used by painters) works well and may be necessary in high-risk areas. Use removable painter’s tape
to avoid damage to wood finishes when masking is removed. If the pre-sprays are over sprayed on
the carpet they can simply be rinsed using your carpet wand.
Select the appropriate pre-spray and apply to the floor. Usually, a 5 minute or less dwell time is
ideal. Excessive dwell time may actually retard the cleaning process by soaking in deeper and
requiring more drying time before sealing. You could inadvertently begin a process of
efflorescence by over-wetting. Avoid letting the pre-sprays dry on the floor by extracting within
the five minute time frame. A helper can assist you by spraying three to five minutes ahead as you
extract for highest efficiency.
Begin by going over large areas with the SX-15. Recommended pressure is 700 to 1500 psi, and
temperature up to 200°F. It is usually easiest to move at a moderate rate forward and backward.
You need only overlap enough to assure complete coverage. You will be surprised at how quickly
you can clean with the SX-15. Moving too fast will create a spiral pattern in the grout or tile. Slow
down so this pattern does not occur. Get air movers going where you have just extracted to get
the grout dry as quickly as possible, especially if you plan to seal the grout the same day.
Do the detail work last. There are five other Gekko tools for edging, corners and cleaning in tight
places, all of which will connect to the AR51A handle. The Gekko tool with the Edge & Corner
attachment works great for cleaning the tile coving and edges. For heavier soiling not removed by
the SX-15, use the Gekko tool with a four inch head straight on, blasting the soil off of the grout.
Gekko SX-7 Head
AR51G
14” Gekko Brush Head
AR51H
14” Gekko Squeegee Head
AR51E
Recommended Tools for Tile Detail Work
Gekko Edge Corner
Coving Head
AR51C
4” Gekko Head
AR51D

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SX-15 Gekko Tool Parts
GEKKO HANDLE COMPLETE
AR51A
(Parts Detailed on Pages 16-18)
SX-15 GEKKO HEAD COMPLETE
AR51S
(Parts Detailed on Pages 11-15)