Well with all the good reviews coupled with the old Hix 24/14 really being outmatched by a big auto I took the initiative and bought a used minty M&R Heatwave locally (sorry Sqslabs, I had already made the deal when you put yours up for sale)
I'm looking forward to the dryer not being a bottleneck on larger orders of big prints, and even if we bury the belt on the heatwave we can feed the Hix with from the unload station at the same time and throw every 4th shirt down it if need be.
I will say the old Hix sure owes us nothing as we've been running up to 45doz/hr of small to medium prints including some DC/WB through it for many years now, but the big prints were a problem. Our unloaders have become very efficient at making the most of a small belt, so I have no doubts we'll be able to live with the Heatwave for the foreseeable future.
The Heatwave will have a good life and see all sorts of interesting stuff, from apparel, to wineglasses, and everything from cowbells to $2000 metal bezels for military helicopter displays (seen to the left on the rack).
Many thanks to 244 for his tireless answers to my questions while I made my decision and shopped for the right used dryer.
...now to find a gas-fitter who isn't busy working on furnaces in this cold-snap.
