is a 15hp tm with a 33 blower big enough???

**onthespot** · 09-01-2010, 11:47 PM

just wonder what everyones thoughts are on a 15hp steam brite or amtex inferno 15hp both with a 33 blower. is it big enough to be a tm?? i am currently using a porty, so i know it will be a big improvment, but will i be kicking myself for not going bigger?? my budget is a big factor on this one. just a fyi!!

**Jan Sullins** · 09-01-2010, 11:53 PM

Brian 15 horsepower is plenty of power to turn a 33 Roots blower up to 3600 rpm. It will actually do this with power to spare.
I built a truckmount and put a 13 horsepower honda motor to power both the Sutorbilt 3M blower(same as Roots 33) and
a Hypro twin piston pump. It did it easily and with no problem at all.

Jan Sullins
American Kleen Pro

**nextlevel** · 09-02-2010, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by onthespot

just wonder what everyones thoughts are on a 15hp steam brite or amtex inferno 15hp both with a 33 blower. is it big enough to be a tm?? i am currently using a porty, so i know it will be a big improvment, but will i be kicking myself for not going bigger?? my budget is a big factor on this one. just a fyi!!

Brian,
I have the Amtex Prowler 13hp (older model) and it turns a 24 blower with pumpout. I can tell you that after using a Truckforce 3500 portable for a time cleaning carpets using almost ANY TM will be a huge improvement in cleaning efficiency, which equals higher productivity, which leads to more dollars.

I had the same reservations myself, but after I did the due diligence, I set my mind out to purchase a certain machine and rolled with it. I stopped reading about blower sizes and made my own mind up. I bought a machine I could afford and would be easy to maintain. For me that was the Prowler 13hp. I would make the same decision again today, if I had the same money.

Don't get me wrong, I would love a bigger blower, but it won't get you more carpet cleaning jobs. Marketing, Advertising, Customer Service, Solid cleaning ability does. Buy a solid machine, learn it, learn how to pull into a job and inspect the carpet, quote the customer, lay out a plan of attack (scope out water hookup, pumpout and hose placement, etc) and execute it. The sooner you do this the sooner you'll forget about having a bigger blower. Dollars will be on your mind.

Now get out there and start cleaning. LOL.

**sbsscn** · 09-02-2010, 01:41 AM

I agree with Thomas. Although it be nice the reality is that bigger wont get you more jobs

**Dbonezny** · 09-02-2010, 01:46 AM

Even if the blower isn't king sized, you as a professional need to make due with what you have. If you feel the blower isn't big enough and it will affect your dry time because of lack of suction, buy an air mover or two. Do an extra dry pass, less PSI, more dwell and proper solutions.

Works for me!

**Larry Cobb** · 09-02-2010, 01:55 AM

Brian;

A #33 blower will do an adequate job of cleaning carpet.

The #45 blower with more airflow, will allow two 12" wands for larger cleaning or flood jobs.

The larger engine required by a #45 blower will generate over 200°F of heat w/ a well-designed Heat Exchanger.

The larger engine will also allow more water flow for operating new Tile & Grout cleaning rotary tools.

Larry

**locko-fabara** · 09-02-2010, 04:07 AM

Thomas coudln't say it better!

**brian3180** · 09-02-2010, 09:15 AM

Whatever you buy, if you buy brand new, you may need to wait for the warranty to expire in order to make modifications. I have a 15hp w/ 33 blower. I do not know for certain, but I am sure that my machine is working to it's potential now. On the other hand, the more jobs you get the more you learn. I have become very thorough with my cleaning and the use of my equipment. Regardless of the variables, you must figure them into the equation to get your formula.

**Ara Klujian** · 09-02-2010, 12:29 PM

How you setup the water pumping system will greatly effect the output of that motor.

**Gnu** · 09-02-2010, 06:08 PM

you guys are on the money. I seen a custom TM in the works at interlink in medford a few months back. Hugest blower I ever saw. I have not even seen one that big in any mill I worked at. It was no joke 2 foot long lobes. I am thinking OVERKILL!
Just like a porty can clean like crazy, a 33 roots will clean with no problems what-so-ever. keep the water flow to a minimum with a 11002 jet and dry times will be within minutes. and the tank will be full of black putrified water I guarantee it.

**locko-fabara** · 09-03-2010, 02:40 AM

I saw a couples of guys cleanig a carpet with a butler machine. heat was really good maybe 240 degrees farenheit, but the suction was not the greatest almost the same as the old salsa 4.6 or 7.
the suction was the same as the prowler 13 hp.
maybe the filter was clogged, because they not pre vacuuming the carpet.

**sandstormli** · 09-03-2010, 10:41 PM

correct me if i am wrong but you mentioned that a 3.3 blower makes 285 cfm and i think those are specs for 3.6 blower and the 3.3 blower actually makes about 160cfm

**onthespot** · 09-04-2010, 12:11 AM

yes i think the 3.3 blower puts out about 195 cfm and the 3.6 puts out 285 cfm.

**Larry Cobb** · 09-04-2010, 12:38 AM

Brian;

The design figures for a #33 Blower are 15" max lift.

At 3000 RPM & 15" = 122 CFM

The design figures for a #45 Blower are 16" max lift (~7% higher).

At 3000 RPM & 15" = 270 CFM

221% more Airflow.

This is why the #4 Blower is used on the majority of new TM's purchased.

Larry