SSH vs. SSR: Reviewing NTM’s Residential & Light Commercial Roof Panel Machines

For those in residential or light commercial metal roofing, just starting a metal roofing business, or new to portable rollforming equipment, purchasing the right portable roof panel machine is essential to help you sustain and grow your business. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly machine that’s great for entry-level work or start-up businesses, learn about two residential and light commercial roof panel machines: the SSH™ MultiPro and SSR™ MultiPro Jr.

At New Tech Machinery (NTM), there are two portable roof panel machine options for residential and light commercial metal roofing projects (besides our flagship SSQ II™ roof panel machine which is capable of producing all of NTM’s residential and commercial profiles). When deciding which machine is best for your business currently, it’s essential to know their differences to ensure that you’re getting one that is both affordable and that can efficiently handle your projects now and in the future.

In this article, we’ll discuss how NTM’s two residential and light commercial roof panel machines, the SSH™ MultiPro and SSR™ MultiPro Jr., compare in these ways:

• Price
• Standard features
• Machine specifications
• Coil widths, finished panel widths, and materials you can use
• Accessories available with each roof panel machine
• Available profiles and roller sets
• Who is the best fit for both the SSH and SSR

Notable Standard Features: SSH vs. SSR

NTM’s two residential and light commercial standing seam roof panel machines, the SSH and SSR, have many of the same features, like polyurethane drive rollers, length control limit switch, three-year limited parts warranty, and your choice of one pair of minor rib rollers (bead, pencil, striation, or v-ribs). Both machines also come equipped with push-button jog and run controls at both the exit and entry ends of the machine.

However, some distinct features set the SSH and SSR apart. 

SSH MultiPro Roof Panel Machine

• Utilizes a hydraulic drive and shear
• Includes a PLC programmable batch and length computer controller
• Your choice of a gas or electric (220V or greater motor) Quick-Change™ Power-Pack
• Your choice of a profile roller set

SSR MultiPro Jr. Roof Panel Machine

• 110V electric motor and 100-foot, 10 gauge, 20 amp extension cord
• (2) 10-foot run-out tables
• Utilizes a forward-pulling manual shear
• Equipped with overhead reel rack
• Equipped with one expandable arbor / reel
• Choice of profile roller system with shear dies

Conclusion

The above notable features set the SSH and SSR apart from one another. If you’re looking for a metal roofing machine with more ease of use, the hydraulic drive and shear, versatility of the modular power Quick-Change Power Pack, and comes equipped with a computer controller, then the SSH machine is an obvious choice. If your budget or market demand doesn’t warrant purchasing a more automated machine, the SSR may be the way to go. Also, accessories are always available for you to add to your machine at the time of purchase.

Starting Price: SSH vs. SSR

SSH MultiPro Roof Panel Machine

The SSH starting price is $71,600 and includes any one of the seven profiles the SSH can produce and also what is mentioned above in the notable standard features section. Note that this price does not include any other add-on options available for purchase for your machine.

SSR MultiPro Jr. Roof Panel Machine

The SSR starting price is $44,900 and includes your choice of one of seven available panel profiles and all of the items listed in the notable standard features above. As with the SSH, this price does not include any other add-on options available for purchase, other than what is listed above.

Conclusion

The price of a portable roof panel machine can vary depending on the machine’s configuration and design. Factors that can increase the starting price of a roof panel machine include:

If the machine has hydraulics – Since the SSH has a hydraulic drive and shear, that increases the speed of the machine and helps automate the shear when you go to cut the finished panel. 

The SSR is electrically driven with chain, sprocket, and gears limiting the speed and drive power. The SSR also requires manually shearing the panel. Both of these factors contribute to its lower cost. 

If the machine utilizes computerized controllers – The SSH comes standard with the PLC batch and length computer controller, which allows for a more efficient and more straightforward operation of your machine. It also has help screens for quick user assistance and troubleshooting and can program up to 99 different jobs or panel lengths. The PLC also includes touchscreen operation, material tracking, calculating coil length, and auxiliary shearing. 

The SSR, on the other hand, only operates using the push-button run and jog controls at either end of the machine. However, you also have the option to purchase the EZ-Counter computerized length controller. It doesn’t have the same capabilities as the PLC controller, but it can allow you to program up to 50 different panel lengths and automatically run the panels to the specified length. This option is not included in the starting price, but you can choose to purchase it later.

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Machine Specifications: SSH vs. SSR

SSH MultiPro Roof Panel Machine

SSH Dimensions

• 12’ 10” long
• 4’ 10 1/2” wide
• 4’ 3”  high with overhead rack
• 2’ 0” high without overhead rack
• Weighs 2,360 lbs. 

SSH Dimensions on a Trailer

• 18’ 11”  long
• 7’ 2 1/2” wide
• 6’ 3” high with reel
• Weighs 4,620 lbs.

SSH Speed

• The SSH runs approximately 60 ft./minute approximately using gas power. (10’ to 15’ slower when using an electric motor.)

SSR MultiPro Jr. Roof Panel Machine

SSR Dimensions

• 12’ 6” long
• 3’ 10” wide
• 4’ 3” high with overhead rack
• 1’ 10” high without overhead rack
• Weighs 1,715 lbs.

SSR Dimensions on a Trailer

• 18′ 11″ long
• 7’ 2 1/2″ wide
• 6’ 3” high with reel
• Weighs 3,975 lbs.

SSR Speed

• It runs approximately 30 ft./min.

Conclusion

Knowing the different dimensions and speeds of a portable roof panel machine helps you choose and purchase the best equipment for your business needs now and in the future, if you plan on expanding your operations. When comparing the SSH and SSR machines, the speed of the SSH allows you to run panels faster and utilize gas or electric power for increased efficiency. If you’re looking for a smaller machine for limited residential and light commercial metal roofing, or to use inside a shop with electric power, the SSR is worth considering.

Coil, Finished Panel Widths, and Recommended Materials to Use: SSH vs. SSR

SSH MultiPro Roof Panel Machine

• The SSH will accept coil widths of 14” to 24”.
• The SSH can produce a finished panel 10” to 20” wide (depending on the panel profile selected).
• The maximum coil diameter you can use with an overhead reel rack is 32”.
• The maximum coil diameter you can use with a free-standing decoiler is 45”.
• Recommended materials you can use with the SSH include:
  • 28 ga. to 24 ga. painted steel, galvanized, or aluminized (.4mm to .6mm)
  • .027” to .040” painted aluminum (0.7mm to 1.0mm)
  • 16 oz. to 20 oz. 3/4 hard copper (0.5mm to 0.7mm)
  • 26 ga. terne-coat stainless steel (0.6mm)

SSR MultiPro Jr. Roof Panel Machine

• The SSR can accept coil widths of 15” to 20”.
• Depending on the panel profile chosen, the SSR will produce finished panels 10” to 16” wide.
• The maximum coil diameter accepted with an overhead reel rack is 32”.
• The maximum coil diameter acceptable with the free-standing decoiler is 45”.
• Acceptable metal materials you can run with the SSR are:
  • 28 ga. to 24 ga. painted steel, Galvalume, or coated galvanized (0.4mm to0 .6mm)
  • .027” to .040” painted aluminum (0.7mm to 1.0mm)
  • 16 oz. to 20 oz. 3/4 hard copper (0.5mm to 0.7mm)

Conclusion

While both machines can run similar thicknesses of metal material, the main differences between the SSH and SSR machines are the coil widths you can use and the finished panel widths you’ll produce. The SSH is the better option if you want to make wider panels.

Optional Accessories for SSH and SSR Portable Roof Panel Machines

SSH MultiPro Roof Panel Machine

The SSH machine utilizes many of the same portable roof panel machine accessories as the SSQ II MultiPro. 

Available accessories for the SSH machine include:

• Machine cart 
• Remote four-button start
• Machine cover
• Trailer
• PVC strippable film applicator
• Hand seamer
• Dual overhead reel rack
• Hot melt sealant pump interface
• Free-standing decoiler
• Variable height run-out tables
• Expandable arbor

SSR MultiPro Jr. Roof Panel Machine

The SSR metal roofing machine also has similar accessories you can add to your machine at the time of purchase or later on, including:

• Machine cart
• Remote four-button start
• Machine cover
• PVC strippable film applicator
• Trailer
• Hand seamer
• Free-standing decoiler
• Expandable arbor

The SSR, on the other hand, has some add-on options that are exclusive to this machine only, including:

• Specifically-designed variable height run-out table in connectable 10-foot sections
• EZ Counter computerized length controller

Conclusion

The SSH machine uses many of the same accessories as the flagship and top-of-the-line SSQ II MultiPro, so if you choose to upgrade to that machine in the future or as your business expands, you may not have to buy new accessories.

The SSR has specific add-on options exclusive to that machine, like the smaller run-out tables and the EZ Counter controller, that you can’t use with other roof panel machines.

Available Metal Roof Panel Profiles: SSH vs. SSR

Both the SSH and SSR machines can produce the same seven metal panel profiles, in different widths. 

The profile tooling systems inside the SSH and SSR can make these standing seam profiles:

• 1” mechanical seam (SS100)
• 1.5” mechanical seam (SS150)
• 1.5” Snap-Lock (SS450 and SS450SL)
• 1” Snap-Lock with slotted flange (FF100)
• 1.5” Snap-Lock with slotted flange (FF150)
• T-Panel

All of these profiles are designed for residential and light commercial applications. However, choosing between the SSH or SSR to make these panel profiles depends on what widths are specified by the architect or to fit the project requirements.

Who Is Best Suited for the SSH and SSR Portable Roof Panel Machines?

To help you determine if you are best suited for an SSH or an SSR roof panel machine, consider the following:

SSH MultiPro Roof Panel Machine

• The SSH has many of the same features and accessories as the SSQ II MultiPro Roof Panel Machine (like the Quick-Change Power Pack and hydraulics), but was designed specifically to run residential or light commercial panel profiles.
• The SSH with the Quick-Change Power Pack can run using gas or electric power, making it more versatile in the field so you don’t have to plug in your machine or use a generator.
• The SSH is easier and more efficient to use out of the two options as it doesn’t require manual shearing.

This machine best fits someone who:

• Currently does residential and light commercial metal roofing.
• Wants to upgrade from an SSR machine to something that’s still budget-friendly but has versatility, improved efficiency with a computer controller, and can run panels quicker.
• Works with architects or engineered roofing systems that often have panels specified wider than 16”.
• Wants to expand their current operations into chop and drop but not looking to spend the money on a bigger / commercial machine.
• Wants the ability to run their machine on modular power, using either a gas or electric motor.

SSR MultiPro Jr. Roof Panel Machine

• The SSR is perfect for small and select numbers of residential and light commercial metal roofing projects where you don’t need panel widths larger than 16”.
• If you only need 110 volt electric power to use your machine in a plant or in the field, the SSR is an affordable and more straightforward machine.
• The SSR can utilize a length control limit switch or the optional EZ-Counter computerized length controller so you can set the panel lengths you need; however, this option does not include batch control or shear automation.

The SSR is best for:

• Companies without tight deadlines or timeframe for projects that can work within the 30 ft./minute speed of the SSR.
• Companies that only do the occasional residential and light commercial metal roofing project and don’t require a machine that offers higher capacity or more sophisticated features.
• People transitioning from another business, like gutter installation, who are familiar with the workings of a manual shear and electric power.
• Entry-level or start-up companies that may be limited by current budget or finances.
• Someone who doesn’t want or need a roof panel machine with automated technology or add-on options for their projects.

Final Thoughts

When considering which residential or light-commercial portable roof panel machine to purchase, New Tech Machinery’s SSH and SSR machines are viable options depending on how much you want in a machine.  It all depends on where you see your business now and in the future.

The SSR is worth looking into if you’re looking for a roof panel machine for select metal roofing projects and don’t need the speed or technology. If you’re looking for something more robust, want to expand your current business now or in the future, or possibly upgrade to a more sophisticated and versatile machine, the SSH might be a better option.

As a manufacturer of portable rollforming equipment, New Tech Machinery knows that there are many things to consider when choosing and purchasing such an investment for your metal roofing business. We want to ensure you’re getting the best equipment for your budget, business, and future growth. Talk to us today; we’re happy to help!

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