New portable for my situation

 

I have to replace my aging 200 cold psi Castex.  It is too unwieldy to move up stairwells, even with a custom built stair climber.  Turning the machine for 180 turns in the stairwells with landings can be near impossible.  The solution and revocery tanks are adjacent to each other, and it forms a low profile, and long box shaped cleaner.  I got it cheap, and barely used.  Cheap was an understatement as the restoration company was unloading everything it had.  The dual vacuums are also extremely loud, but that could be par for the course.  I haven't had any problems cleaning, I always pre-spray, and have an excellent chemical provider who is a walking encyclopedia of how to clean a carpet when I encounter a particular situation, and always has any chemical (or even absorbent powders) needed in stock.  Unfortunately, the franchise system he is in, sells machines that are 60% above MSRP's.  This unweildy things makes me pass up jobs now.  I really need something I can pull up stairs, not carry over stair hand railings.

 

I am looking to boost by cleaning ability by getting a heated machine, or an in-line heater if that makes better sense, and a more maneuverable machine.

 

1..  Not sure if I need 500 psi.  Talking to a dealer, he told me to go for a 220 psi machine, as the 500 psi machine moves alot of solution, and is best applicable to greasy restaurant carpet.  My chemical dealer, who used to operate his own truckmount system, also tells me a 500 psi systems is unnecessary.  I know many people want as much psi in a machine as possible, but I also see alot of literature that 500 pis is only needed in extreme cases.  The 220 psi machines are also lighter, probably because of lighter vacuums not needed to recover the solution flow from 500 psi.  I understand the 500 psi can be turned down, but why pay and carry it when its not needed.  I know with a smaller power, it takes longer to do a job, but the day I have to do two jobs in one day, I'll get a truck mount.

 

2.  Seems that American Products (solus 500(r) et. al.) are over engineered and over costly.  More than one dealer told me their replacement parts and kits are far more expensive than other manufacturers.  Seems that the Ninja's are on the light side.  Seems to have some mechanical issues, and heating issues.  And, the small solution tank opening bugs me.  More than one dealer has said that the quality has been reduced since they were bought by another company.  Are these assessments correct?

 

3.  I am looking at a Mytee 1001DX-200 (220 psi (or is it really 200 psi limited), dual heat selection) as a cross between the higher end Solus and what seems to be the lower end Ninja's.  About 95 lbs.  There are other machiens recommended here, even a small manufacturer builds machiens for sale, but that manufacturer's website is extremely inconsistent and I can not compare specifications between his machines, if they are even available on his website.  Any thoughts on this Mytee 1001DX-200?  The Mytee's manufacturers says there are auto-fill and auto-dump available for their M-5, but its not in their parts life, or sold as an accessory.  Can this be bought someone and used on non-M5 machines like the above?

 

4.  Rotovac 360's look awesome.  Seems everyone has them, and that you just suck for not having one.  So, in the future, could a Rotovac 360 be used in a process where I have seen listed at places ;where carpets are pre-sprayed and clean water rinsed or rinsed with an agent?  (not sure if that is a good process).  I plan on getting a 400-1200 psi machine for tile and grount cleaning soon and may be able to team it up with a 360.

 

5.  Outlets.  Seems to me, in my area, there are few 20 amp outlets available, of the 20 amps are ont he same circuit, hoime building is done cheap now, and the odler homes still have older specs  Even using the converter to use laundry outlets in a problem.  I can't remember seeing a plug to use, almost all the laundry machiens woul dneed to be pulled out from a wall.  Just the way things are built here.  Is this just soemthign in my area, or are there building specs in places oto have the laungry pluds open and visible?

 

6.  Any other thoughts?  I am not trying to be a truckmount, I am not trying to compete with them.  This is really for upselling, and an extra product people can pick from when lookign at our main services.  I do Adwords and have carpet cleaning in it - but lets face it the market is saturated with carpet cleaners.  My niche is I offer everything to a client and they only need to call one place to get most of their needs fulfilled, and that is where the majority my business will be.  But I still want to offer an excellent service.