A rotary extractor matched with a porty will beat a TM with a wand every day of the week all over the country every single time (all right the last claim is bluster but WTH).
That statement may be true if only considering the end results, but when all the other intangibles involved are factored into the big picture (setup, power, water mgmt) overall efficiency and productivity often take the hit.
I think that ones market of operation, especially relating to the demographics of it's residential structures, is a big factor in considering matching a RE to a porty.
I notice a common denominator in most of the successful RE porty guys out there, including yourself Art, and it has to do with the available "sprawl" of your market.
The ability to conveniently "stage" your setup and operation from such close proximity to a residence such as a driveway or front/main entry can lessen some of the burdens otherwise involved.
As I recall, most of your videos show you setting up your equipment conveniently right at a entryway in close proximity to your van.
This is a huge plus, and gives you easier access to a broader range of tools at your disposal having your van so close.
A exterior hose spigot nearby, as well as the ability to pump out into the nearest bush is another advantage when servicing single family individual homes that makes it easier for you to use a RE.
Newer construction and generally larger sized homes will often compliment power requirements better with dryer hookups, garages, etc.
The filter capacity of your Airhog takes care of the last obstacle that I find to be an absolute necessity when running an active pump-out.
So I guess running a RE porty combo is somewhat feasible, but only under very specific conditions, and the question still remains as to weather it is worth the extra work involved.
Not going to happen in my market.
Rarely do I have the luxury of being within close proximity to my van, so that alone is a deal breaker.
My residential market forces me to live by a key 15/20 rule that must be a factor in any equipment consideration I have.
I can never assume I will have more than ONE 15amp circuit and ONE 20amp circuit available to me, and even that can be a challenge sometimes with older construction and awkwardly divided units.
With one cord pulling 12+amps for one vac, and the other cord pulling 16-17 amps, every setup needs consideration of this, and leaves little room for any additional equipment that must run simultaneously with my main system.
A 500spi adjustable pump and 2 3-stage high performance vacs is something I will not compromise for any reason, and unfortunately it already pushes the limits of the available power on most of my residential jobs, so unless I go with smaller vacs and a smaller pump, I'm shit outa'luck, and that ain't happening.
Does any benefit gained from a underpowered heating element remain if overall flow/suck has to be lowered to compensate?
The benefit of agitation is that my pump and vacs do not have to be running at the same time, and this keeps my under the 15/20 rule.