I like my machine...the Mytee M5!!! It doesn't have heat though and from what I've seen in looking at portables you won't get a good one with heat at $2k *if* you want two 3 stage vacs and 500 psi (which are quickly becoming the standard).

In most cases at 2K you can get two 2 stage vacs, auto fill and pump out with heat at around $2K. There are alot of good machines out there but you cant go wrong with Mytee, or Ninja.

Inform them... but make them do their homework and draw their own conclusion so they can't blame you.

I think all the big porty companies are good nowadays.

If I had a budget of only 2k, I would get whatever my nearest carpet supply sold and serviced. If you had a local supply place, they would even let you demo all the machines before you made your purchase. Not sure if this answer helped you or them Rob, it's just what I would do if I did it all over again.

I suggest US products advantage series "$2000" if you want the best warranty on the market. Kens Titan series and the Mytee speedsters "$2000+"are not bad. Recoil is also good but very expensive.

Cold Water Cleaning
John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather in a very secluded, rural area of Georgia.

After spending a great evening chatting the night away, John's grandfather prepared breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.
However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate, and questioned his grandfather asking, "Are these plates clean?"

His grandfather replied, "They're as clean as cold water can get them. Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!"

For lunch the old man made hamburgers. Again, John was concerned about the plates as his appeared to have tiny specks
around the edge that looked like dried egg and asked, "Are you sure these plates are clean?"

Without looking up the old man said, "I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them.
Now don't you fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!"

Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog started to growl,
and wouldn't let him pass. John yelled and said, "Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car".

Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching on TV the old man shouted ...

"COLDWATER, GO LAY DOWN

The Olympus M3-200 comes in right at $2,000. Dual 3 stage vacuums, 200 PSI water pressure. Add a heater and the cost goes up $500+, but is a good investment in my opinion.
Rot-molded body, 12 gallon fresh water and waste tanks, includes 25" vac and solution hose and wand. I like the large rear whells for going upstairs and the overall manueverability of the unit.

I think Scott W just confirmed my opinion in regards to machines in that particular price range. Ex: "You can get this for $2,000 , but add $500 additional for a heater. That takes it well over the $2,000 limit that Rob's requesting.

If anyone wants to find a HWE under $2,000, that can clean carpets, they can pick them up from $1,000 on up. If a machine can squirt & suck, it can clean carpeting. However, I would think that common sense would suggest that if someone wanted to start a ----Professional---- cleaning business they had better figure on spending a touch more than the bottom line. Or, they could technically purchase a pail and a brush (!).

Although this question deserves an answer and/or opinion, it reminds me of a "professional" Carpet Cleaner today complaining that the competitor down the street is advertising $4.95 per room and stating correctly, that "he can't possibly offer long term quality and service for that"! Well, the same is true when it comes to ones common-sense investment too.

In 1971 I remember that it cost me $2600 - 2800 for a Karpet Steam (Bane) machine; which I considered the bare minimum back then in order to provide a decent clean. In 1972 I purchased a Certi-Jet (Certified Chemical Co) for $3400.00.

And, I would further guess that this same principle would apply to a Gasoline/Petro TM as well , because if not, why would one purchase a $25-85,000 TM when you could get one for $4,000-5,000 ?? There has to be a difference and most definitetly is.

It is my opinion and experience that if a person doesn't have the money to spend on a Great portable, then they should do something else besides being in this business (for a lot of reasons!)

Quality and/or performance has never gotten cheaper over the past 40 years either; only cheap does. Sometimes paying alittle more can be of greater value in achieving success instead of failure and discontent.

Anyways, that's my take on it.

Interesting answers above, Gentlemen!
Ed Valentine

Originally Posted by peterszuba

I think Mytee makes the best portables for the price. You can get a porty with heat for around $2,000. I disagree with those who suggest heat is the "least" important element in cleaning. Dip your hands in mud...let them dry, run one hand under cold water for 30 sec., then the other in hot water....there's no question that heat increases your cleaning ability...and significantly (imo).

I am going to agree with Peter. Heat is important!

Yeah heat is important, but sometimes the question is, how much heat do i need? I had clean with my portable with 150 or 180 *F, and sometimes is enough, of course if i clean with 50 *f water temp is bad, but something decent hot and good chemicals and agitation will help a lot.

Mod, please close this thread!!! LOL!

Rick covered everything in that ONE post!!!

Awesome post Rick tons of info in that read!

Well if I was limited to around 2k; CA Kwik Steam and a booster; for $2390 plus tax shipping and all that; you have an expandable, compact, and powerful system. It can be upgraded later when funds permit to an auto fill/dump system; and of course propane heater, external 1200 psi electrical pump for t&g. A system like this one could be operated for a hatchback car. Now for the forward thinking businessman would be thinking economics right now; and by all means this is just my 2 cents worth!!

Originally Posted by ECOPRO

Cold Water Cleaning
John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather in a very secluded, rural area of Georgia.

After spending a great evening chatting the night away, John's grandfather prepared breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.
However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate, and questioned his grandfather asking, "Are these plates clean?"

His grandfather replied, "They're as clean as cold water can get them. Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!"

For lunch the old man made hamburgers. Again, John was concerned about the plates as his appeared to have tiny specks
around the edge that looked like dried egg and asked, "Are you sure these plates are clean?"

Without looking up the old man said, "I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them.
Now don't you fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!"

Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog started to growl,
and wouldn't let him pass. John yelled and said, "Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car".

Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching on TV the old man shouted ...

"COLDWATER, GO LAY DOWN

now thats funny..........

Originally Posted by rjfdube

Well if I was limited to around 2k; CA Kwik Steam and a booster; for $2390 plus tax shipping and all that; you have an expandable, compact, and powerful system. It can be upgraded later when funds permit to an auto fill/dump system; and of course propane heater, external 1200 psi electrical pump for t&g. A system like this one could be operated for a hatchback car. Now for the forward thinking businessman would be thinking economics right now; and by all means this is just my 2 cents worth!!

Ricky the budget is 2k, man.

http://www.steam-brite.com/store/myt...nd-p-6253.html

Mytee: Speedster 1003DX, fits the budget perfectly 2000 watt heater, 2/3 vacs, 450 psi comes with hoses and wand.

Drop another $300 into a 13" 175 machine. Buy a stainless pump up sprayer for $50, then buy the Orange Force 123 start up chemical package for $110.

You have the bare minimum to do a good job, on residentual, nastys, and wall to wall wool for around 2500. Porty alone cost right under $2000.

Good suggestion Ryan. Let me know where I can find a 13" buffer for $300, I've been looking for one.

I understand the budget; but you can get something with a proven track record, American Made, and equal to an M-5 for a few hundred bucks more that can be run from a hackback Honda car. Seems the gas from the car saves would wll be worth it.

Thanks Jim. We have a 17" PowerFlite that we have been using for a while now but want something smaller for upstairs and tight areas. We have searched high and low for a 13" one with no luck. We might just break down and buy a new one. Will keep my eyes open.