1st Portable Extractor - Buying Decisions

Hello, I am new to the carpet cleaning business and new to this Forum. Although, I worked for a carpet cleaning company 4 years ago for 8 months using truck mounted units that I vaguely remember much about.

I am going to start with a good portable extractor at first. I have been educating myself about them for 4 days, And I feel as if I have searched the end of the internet researching them.

I know they are more time consuming that a truck mount, I also know that if and when I run into a situation where a vacant apartment is without power I will be without electricity and hot water for the machine. In this situation I would want a Generator on the truck with plenty of extension cords, And A portable with a built in heater to fall back on as a source of hot water.

Another concern of mine is a customer raising an eyebrow or frowning upon the fact that I would be brining in a machine, using their water And electricity. Although, I know a certain percentage of locations will be un-attended.

Why would I want a portable that has a 20 gallon fresh water tank and 13 gallon waste tank? By the time You dump the waste tank, You might as well fill your already low 20 gallon fresh water tank. That 20 gallon tank in terms of specifications does not impress me for this very reason. So....Why am I seeing these high and lows. Would'nt it make more sense to have a equal combination such as 16.5 gallon fresh / 16.5 gallon waste making thus optimizing the operating time?

What does everyone think about the Olympus FX88hp?

I'm considering these machines:

Diamiond back
Dirt Invader
Olympus

Is it true that I would lose suction with a 50ft hose as opposed to a 25ft hose?

Would I really want to operate a rotovac wond with a portable?

Is there a portable that can produce steam? Do I really need steam?

Should I feel confined more towards residential & apartments with a portable, Or would I be capable of doing commercial jobs also?

Realistically how many times would I refill a portable in a average 3-4 bedroom house?


Thanks In Advance,
Chris

Maxima: You would not need a generator for power if the electric was off as there is power next door that you could purchase or plug into. Just carry a 50 ft heavy duty extention cord.

 

The olympus is not a good choice. It blows fuses and breakers. Either of the other 2 would work well. Both would work well with a rotovac machine. You do not need steaming hot water with a portable. Far more important are good agitation and good extraction, plus good chemicals for good emulsifing of the soil in the carpet. Small commercial cleaning jobs are very possible as well as long as water supply is not a problem.

 

 

 

Ken

Edited by Ken Harris

I have not commited myself to any certain portable just yet.

Infact, Today I was reading this wonderful forum even further and ran across a post that caught my attention:

A guy was using a Recoil 3 W/ 40 gallon Auxillary tanks.

Im now thinking about a recoil 3 W/ Auxillary tanks. 1 1/2 inch hoses. Generator & Propane heater. I will leave the portable in the truck.

Does anyone else have this exact modification? How well does it seem to work for You?

Will all of that equipment fit into the back of a Chevy Silverado 2500 pickup truck?

Thanks In Advance,
CHRIS

Sure that is the goal I am with You on that. Money is NOT the issue. I have other businesses I'm currently involved in.

The issue is having enough business calls rite now to justify paying to have a dedicated company truck in the begining. I know I will add trucks later, But at the moment I am looking for the best portable setup to begin with.

It is easy for someone in your position to say that, But I am being very agressive and the phone book deadlines in my area are in 7 days. I have a 2nd cellphone for this business, So the phone book AD number will be different from my other business.

I will have full color UV COATED front/back business cards made. from
www.gotprint.com

I already have my foot in the door with 110 restaurants in my area, AS I know the managers and owners on a first name basis ,from one of my other businesses.

I will check out the Mytee & Timbucktoo as you suggested, And it is important for me to know if the modifications I talked about above can be done with most any portable.

I would want 40 gallon auxillary tanks, propane heater & generator to be compatible with most any portable I decide on, Or am I confined to the recoil 3 with those modifications?

Thanks In Advance,
CHRIS

I guess if I was going to spend all my time cleaning greesy spoons for next to nothing I wouldn't want to waste money on good equipment either. Personally I like to get my wand in the door not my foot. It is the wand that makes me the money. 110 dives and you want a portable?? You should have posted in the portable section.

Better buy more than 1 if you have that much work ahead of you.

R-3 Quad pack is what I'm seriously considering.

How much more conveinent would the 40 gallon auxillary tanks be? Can 40 gallon tanks last... 3 bedroom house without refilling?

What would be the best choice for heating water, Propane?

Can someone point me in the rite direction for propane heating machine to be used in conjunction with the recoil 3.


Thanks In Advance,
CHRIS