Advice for "new to me" portable

[Kevin Lietz]

Okay so my truck just went the way of the fishes, and I'm up shit's creek without a paddle..... So going into wintertime, I am going to get a portable to get me by until we can afford to get another truck mounted system... Here's the options that I have found locally, that are within budget.

don't laugh at me this is serious LOL. Unless someone has a portable they are willing to part ways with for a decent price.

Also, what changes do i need to make to my cleaning process by switching? I am hoping to still use my RX-20 so that my back doesn't suffer anymore than it has to. Should I switch to an electric sprayer?

 

[Kevin Lietz]

there is also a black Extractor 3 in town, and a masterblend truckforce extractor. If I need to keep looking let me know guys! I trust my tmf family more than anyone else!

I have a 175. should I consider getting the carpet brush for that, and using it as a agitator? I don't know much about the portable cleaning process.....

 

[keep it clean]

First what is your budget exactly. Maybe someone does in fact have the machine for you.
Second. No on all those machines. Youll hate them. The walk behind idk. Guess it depends on the situation. But they are not known to be strong. Maintenance they are fine.

Third if you're used to high heat and no scrubbing. Get ready to scrub. Scrubbing is a necessary part of using a portable. Skipping that step i always ended up regretting. Floor buffer, crb, oreck orbiter, brush on a stick...

 

[Kevin Lietz]

First what is your budget exactly. Maybe someone does in fact have the machine for you.
Second. No on all those machines. Youll hate them. The walk behind idk. Guess it depends on the situation. But they are not known to be strong. Maintenance they are fine.

Third if you're used to high heat and no scrubbing. Get ready to scrub. Scrubbing is a necessary part of using a portable. Skipping that step i always ended up regretting. Floor buffer, crb, oreck orbiter, brush on a stick...

make sense! I am trying to stay around 1000 ish or less. We are moving on some carpet repair and stretching to compliment our services, and I'm not waiting on that any longer ha ha

 

[keep it clean]

Move on it. Repairs and restretching can bring in good money. Money most guys dont care to touch. Not even installers. The home box stores will keep you busy fixing wrinkles those guys dont even seem to try and get it right. Still bring in 75 to 100 per hour or more.
1k for used equipment would be a tough find. Youd need to find a 2 cord machine no heat included in that. Those 2 cords just power vacs and hopefully a good pump capable of 500 psi and 2 gal per min at least. Otherwise it will be slow rinsing. That will drive you nuts. Youd be limited to 4 flow and 25' of vac hose otherwise.

 

[Jim Davisson]

Move on it. Repairs and restretching can bring in good money. Money most guys dont care to touch. Not even installers. The home box stores will keep you busy fixing wrinkles those guys dont even seem to try and get it right. Still bring in 75 to 100 per hour or more.
1k for used equipment would be a tough find. Youd need to find a 2 cord machine no heat included in that. Those 2 cords just power vacs and hopefully a good pump capable of 500 psi and 2 gal per min at least. Otherwise it will be slow rinsing. That will drive you nuts. Youd be limited to 4 flow and 25' of vac hose otherwise.

Definitely look at other portables. I can say that 30-40% of our carpet sales are non cleaning repairs or odor control. Doing the things your competition does poorly or not at all is what will get you referrals that you should tack on 10% off the top on those. We service a carpet cradle to the grave with no need for anyone else to be involved... cleaning, dyeing, repairs, bleach free cl02 encap, etc.. We also are not afraid to ask customers that love us for referrals to friends, family and neighbors along with cleaning for where they work. You will be shocked at what "actually" talking to folks that are flipping out at results that you just gave them will do for you. You only need to ask.

 

[Prestigecarpetclean]

None of those porties in the pics are good and deff cant run a rx20 with good results. Get you a portable with atleast 2 3 stage vacs. Prefferably 500psi adjustable. Or atleast 220psi. For 800-1000 range start shopping for a mytee or sandia. Possibly even a namco husky. I started with a powerflight extractor just like the one in second picture blue box style mine had 2 2stage 100 psi and a weak sauce heater. Your best friend will be that 175 for agitation prior to extraction to get good results

 

[Anderson]

are you cleaning commercial or homes??

 

[Luky]

there is also a black Extractor 3 in town, and a masterblend truckforce extractor. If I need to keep looking let me know guys! I trust my tmf family more than anyone else!

I have a 175. should I consider getting the carpet brush for that, and using it as a agitator? I don't know much about the portable cleaning process.....

I sold my Mytee Speedster just recently, that would be your great buddy. I would say, if you see any portable laying on its side while being sold, run. Any portable, newer or old shouldn't be scratched up, dented, with a mismatched wheels, etc.
Mine was 0-500 psi, dual 3 stage vacs, no heat. I was running 50-75 ' vacuum hose ( 2") reduced to a 1.5'' vacuum port barb. Sufficient suction, enormous for a portable. Now, some guy is happy with it. He got it for less than $1000 . Newer vacs, 205v pumptec, newer wheels, casters, pressure regulator, everything ready to work for next 5 years. That's what you looking in quality portable.
This is the one at age of 14..

 

[Kevin Lietz]

Picked up a rx express?!??! I didnt even know it was a thing. An RX 20 with a portable attached to it. Pure genius.

Anyways, its not a long term fix but itll get me through the winter. My plan is to focus more on commercial clientele and service whomever of my normal customers call in the meantime.

Should I post endcap to make sure that i am getting as much out as i can with a less than ideal system? Favorite endcaps?

 

[keep it clean]

Picked up a rx express?!??! I didnt even know it was a thing. An RX 20 with a portable attached to it. Pure genius.

Anyways, its not a long term fix but itll get me through the winter. My plan is to focus more on commercial clientele and service whomever of my normal customers call in the meantime.

Should I post endcap to make sure that i am getting as much out as i can with a less than ideal system? Favorite endcaps?

Just run cotton bonnet after rinsing to speed dry. Just dont spin a bonnet on dry carpet. Make sure there is moisture there or it will burn. You can padcap (bonnet and encap) your commercial jobs. I like ones that contain hydrogen peroxide. They help with stains. You can look up vac-away and excellent supply. They both will ship you out samples. Bonnet pro is another good one.
Pad cap you lightly prespray not soak carpet. Then run your cotton bonnet to remove moisture and filth. This works great on glue down carpets.

 

[The Magician]

Whats wrong with the truckmount? You can get help here fixing your tm.