SS4E-15 vs SS4E-Pro

SS4E-15 vs SS4E-Pro

As a company that offers different solutions for portable roofing panel roll formers, one of the most common questions we receive from our clients is – “How do I know which roll former suits me better – SS4E-Pro or SS4E-15?” In this article, I would like to dig deeper into the topic of portable rollformers and speak a little bit about the implications of each of these two machines.

Let’s start with the basics. Both machines are designed to produce roofing profiles. They can both be used either stationary in a workshop or on a trailer. The technology is very similar: you supply the metal from your coil into the machine, from there the panel gets formed, and is cut to the appropriate length. So, what is the difference? And how do you know which machine will better fulfill your needs? There are several layers to the answer, so let’s peel it back slowly by comparing these machines to see which machine wins more points!

Round 1- Versatility

The first significant difference lies in versatility. SS4E-15 roll former can only produce Double Lock Standing Seam profile, either 1” or 1.5” high. SS4E-Pro, on the other hand, can produce a huge variety of roofing and siding profiles, such as Snap Lock, Board and Batten, Flush Wall panels, Double Lock Standing Seam, you name it! This factor plays a very important role, especially for companies that get many orders for different types of standing seam metal roofs.

Without a doubt, in this round, the point goes to the SS4E-Pro Roll former.

SS4E-Pro – 1
SS4E-15 – 0

Round 2 – Size

In this round, it is not as simple as it might seem.

Dimensionally, SS4E-Pro is almost twice the size of the SS4E-15 machine. So now the question becomes – is it good or bad?

The first thing that we have to consider is the number of rollers in the line. As we all know, the more rollers we have in the line, the smoother the production becomes. In fact, this rule also applies to roofing roll formers. Since the SS4E-Pro is bigger, the panel is formed more gradually, which gives you a high-quality result.

On the other hand, the large dimension might be a problem for some people. What if I don’t want my rollformer to take up a lot of space in my workshop? What if I do not want to carry a heavy rollformer on my trailer? In this case, the SS4E-15 machine will be a better option.

Summarizing this round, we can conclude that the size of the roll former can be an advantage, just like a disadvantage. This round ends in a draw!

SS4E-Pro – 2
SS4E-15 – 1

Round 3 – Price

This is the most straightforward round for today.

Even with all optional items installed, the price for the SS4E-15 barely reaches $35,000. However, for the SS4E-Pro machine, even with no optional items on it, the price will be at least $57,000. Even though at Stan Roll Forming Machines, we always keep our prices as low as possible, we understand that the cost for the SS4E-Pro machine can be unreachable for people who just started their roofing business.

In this round, it is an easy win for SS4E-15!

SS4E-Pro – 2
SS4E-15 – 2

Round 4 – Quality

The quality of the panels is one of the most (if not THE most) important factors that people consider when purchasing a roofing roll former.

Both SS4E-Pro and SS4E-15 machines produce high-quality panels that are built to last for decades. Both machines are equipped with clip reliefs and bead rollers that make striations on the panels. Both machines are easily adjustable, which puts you in control of the quality of your product.

However, as mentioned earlier, the number of rollers on the machine plays an important role in this discussion. Therefore, the SS4E-Pro machine gets the point in this round!

SS4E-Pro – 3
SS4E-15 – 2

Round 5 – Simplicity of adjustments

When working on a roll former like this, you have to be prepared to adjust it to a different panel width and metal thickness. It is crucial to implement these regulations to get the most out of these machines.

So, what is easier, to readjust the SS4E-Pro or the SS4E-15? Now the size of the machine comes back into our discussion again. A simple rule: the more parts you have on the machine, the more parts you will have to adjust.

For this round, the conclusion is as straightforward as the adjustments on the SS4E-15 roll former. SS4E-15 wins!

SS4E-Pro – 3
SS4E-15 – 3

Conclusion

In this article, we compared two popular roofing machinery solutions, and got a draw.

At the end of the day, each of the two machines possesses unique qualities which might be preferable for one business, but not so much for another. Generally speaking, if you own a small roofing company and do not want to make a large initial investment, the SS4E-15 machine is the way to go. Even though it does not offer as much versatility, it still produces the most demanded metal roofing panel in Canada!

If you own a larger roofing company and want to expand your production options, SS4E-Pro would be the right choice for you since it will decrease the roofing panel cost for you, as well as make you more independent as a business owner.

FAQ

1) What is the lead time for your roofing roll formers?

At Stan Roll Forming Machines, we always keep roofing roll formers in stock for our clients. For both SS4E-15 and SS4E-Pro roofing roll formers, the lead time is between 3 and 6 weeks.

2) For the SS4E-Pro, how long does it take to change the tooling set from one type of panel to another?

Changing tooling sets on this roll former is definitely a skill that can be developed. When readjusting the machine for the first time, it might take you one working shift (8 hours) to readjust the machine properly. However, once you get more experience, this time can go down to a couple of hours.

3) What type of trailer will I need for my roofing roll former?

There are several technical specifications that your trailer must meet:

• At least 10,000 lbs of weight capacity
• Tandem axle for better stability
• 4 stabilizer jacks, one at each corner of the trailer, to level the machine.