Thread: Truck Mount VS Portable Carpet Cleaning Equipment

Times are changing and each year we see Portable carpet cleaning equipment improving by a mile with heat, suction and much more.

What do you think of the advantages/disadvantages of both styles of carpet cleaning equipment for 2010?

low cost, ecofriendly, capable of good heat, good suction but still it can be improved.

Originally Posted by cleaning lady

There are so many different truck mount options out there. Which one would you buy if you are new to the business.

Personally I think one TM that has the best bang for the buck is the MasterBlend El Diablo. It can keep up with units that cost twice as much as it does. If you search around on this board, you'll find that people have plenty of good things to say about it.

Regarding portable equipment, there are several very good manufactures in today's portable extraction market, US products, Mytee, Masterblend, just to name a few.

The best advice I can give anyone in the market for new equipment is to demo the units if possible. Most manufactures and suppliers are more than happy to show the goods in regards to there equipment.

Stay away from new models, or units that have no track record in the field. You might end up being the guinea pig for someone, and a lot of times it's on your own dime. Also, buy from a reputable company, and not someone putting equipment together in their garage.

All things being equal, no matter if the equipment if the best in the world and cost 100k, it's only as good as the operator. Though my career in cleaning is short, I've already gotten jobs to fix what another company already cleaned with their state of the art truckmount. My porty can out clean anyone with a truckmount if they don't know what they're doing.

That brings me to my last point. If you are new to business, get some training, either by working for a company to start before you go into business for yourself, or by taking some IICRC classes.

Something used if your new keep cost low, a used prochem legend $5000.00 on average. Generally if it doesnt work out you can resell the used machine for close to what you paid for it.

My dad and his brothers started Millers carpet care in 1974 in L.A. we only used portables, we manufactured the Serva steam machine 2 three stage vacs and a 100 psi pump. fiberglass housing about 60 lbs you can reach anywhere with a portable.

older house's with bad wiring,fuses can be a problem you have to turn off one vac to prevent problems.

the truckmount you bring hoses in usually and a wand and sprayer once you start theres no stopping and empting or refilling so time is saved with a truckmount and dry times are still better with the truck, and less operator wear and tear also.

I would think new portables that do more have added weight and and more electric need to operate would require 2 power chords and finding 2 seperate circuits not a problem but if the house is older becareful.

also I've had a syeam genie sgs36 a prochem 150 a lengend se and a 405

my 405 is by far and away the most reliable 8200 hours in almost 8 years and it works great.

I called a local dealer and was checking on the masterblend machine he heard I had a 405 and discouraged me saying there was more wear and tear and downtime that I should look at the everest 650 they had a used one in a van for $40000k with under a 1000 hours.
still you cant beat the heat of a diesel fired machine my 150smoked.