New to this....but in game for long time.

[Mijaalga]

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to say that I have gained a lot of knowledge from all the experiences people on here. I have been on my own for 9 years and I have always been a portable cleaner and basically I have got my small extractor with heat for small jobs and backup. Have my 175, spinner and accessories And now I am looking for my main guy, 1200 psi multi surface for carpet, upholstery, tile and grout amongst other hard surfaces. I like portables mainly because I know how to fix them very easily. But I know I am a great cleaner and the porty with me and sometimes a vac booster does the trick and my customers are very happy. So what I am asking is what you think is the best portable for me as my biz is 60/40 carpet to tile so need proficiency in both. Had an old Tennant, worked great and used a water hog with my spinner for grout. 175 to scrub and agitate. Three jobs a day and my average is 750 per day with about 100 in overhead per working day with porty equipment and I am beyond happy with it. So again if you can help me with these new portables out there and which would be beneficial for me I would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

 

[SamIam]

Welcome got any before and afters or as we like to say

Carpet porn?

 

[SamIam]

 

[SamIam]

Just kidding all and all ask @Willy P and @Cleanworks

They’re porty enthusiasts

 

[Mijaalga]

Thank you sir I hope they see this post. I will send some porn lmao

 

[Bob Pruitt]

I have a Ninja portable that will go to 1200 psi. The problem with portables seems to be 2 circuits aren't enough. Something has to give and if you are doing tile it will be water volume ... so less water going down to rinse which means smaller jets and less vacuum to recover the water...and less heat = twice as long to do it right. I mean I have a portable but there is no comparison to using the Butler. I have it because there are wealthy people in high rise beach condos that I sometimes service. I'm not recommending the Ninja but it's what I bought. Hope you are able to find something better.

 

[Mijaalga]

I was thinking the nautilus or ninja warrior both are 1200 psi. Thoughts on those two?

 

[Bob Pruitt]

Thoughts on those two?

The Nautilus is very heavy but I have used one and it is a very good machine. I would buy it over my Ninja. But a good used truck mount would be a way better way to go.

 

[Russ T.]

You sound like you know what you’re doing with the portables.

BUT, you might be surprised what you can get into for 20K. A well cared for but older truck driven system would have you hating portables.

Butler
Cleanco
Hydra master

I bought a used Cleanco a few years ago for 27K (with van).

I sold over 1/2 million in it, alone in the van in about 4 years time.

It still works awesome and I bet I could get almost 20k for it.

I couldn’t produce like that with a porty.

I know a truck mount isn’t for everyone but thought I’d throw it out there.

I wish I had someone to advise me in that direction almost 10 years ago, when I moved to IA.

Glad you chimed in, don’t be a stranger.

Those porty guys mentioned above really know their stuff!

 

[Mijaalga]

I have read up on butlers and other ones, I have heard that a lot more upkeep and if I invest into a used truckmount and I invest 20gs and get a lemon then up shit creek, at least I know porty is a safe bet. Maybe interested in leasing option for butler, have any info on that?????

 

[Willy P]

I'm not a big fan of the warrior as I've found the propitiatory vac motors are expensive and die within less than a year. I've had 2 and both gave me the same grief. I have a powr flite perfect heat that I quite like, easy to work on and amazingly hot. The downside is the 2 vacuums are set up for series and I much prefer parallel, so no runs over 35 feet and I had to add a cord because of circuit breakers going off. Research my posts and you'll see a vacuum booster I redneck engineered. It gives me pretty awesome suction. Ed Valentine at Cross American builds a good machine not to far away from you. Maybe cross over and go talk to him. You have to watch most US builds as the are set for 20 amp circuits.
I can't speak to the Nautilis as I haven't tried one. (Hey Scott - send me a test unit ). They're all pretty much the same, most with pumptec pumps for the low amp draw so it's just the configuration you want, although Mytee builds one with a General pump. You can buy a stand alone pump for tile and grout.

 

[Willy P]

PM your phone number. Talking is easier than typing.

PS - ignore Chavez. He's like a small pimple on your ass. Not fatal, just annoying.

 

[Mijaalga]

I have had a tennant portable for the whole 9 years and always had to repair or replace. Elec brushes, switches, wiring, vacs, pumps, etc. List goes on. That's what I like about portys is that I would never have to have it serviced and pay labour. And I know what I am getting. I know truckmounts that RUN off the truck are more powerful than my portys due to limitation of circuits within a residence but I always believe the talent of the cleaner and the a vac booster always did the trick. The only thing I am asking is that out of the several multi surface 1200psi portys out there is there one that stands above the rest. Maybe utilize a 500psi and use my stand alone pump for psi to spin my tile machine or if I can get an all in one am I asking too much on that.

 

[Nomad74]

I don’t know how you porty guys do it everyday. I don’t know how I did it when I first started.

 

[Mijaalga]

What do you think of hydramaster boxxer 318hp? It would fit for what I need. Water in from house and recovery tank in truck. What's your thoughts on this item?

 

[SamIam]

What do you think of hydramaster boxxer 318hp? It would fit for what I need. Water in from house and recovery tank in truck. What's your thoughts on this item?

It’s a good starter unit.

But not easy to work on yourself!

A small truckmount with a propane heater,

Judson, TCs the have smaller units and lots of heat and suck.

And allegedly easy to work on yourself.

 

[Mikey P]

Welcome aboard!


When Chavez show up and pokes fun at your equipment, just ignore him.

 

[Desk Jockey]

PM your phone number. Talking is easier than typing.

PS - ignore Chavez. He's like a small pimple on your ass. Not fatal, just annoying.

My New Year's Resolution is to refrain from poking fun at low life, bottom feeding, porty posing, carpet cleaners.

Otherwise I'd say something negative.

 

[SamIam]

Old Millers camel back 100 psi two three stage vacs 220 inch of lift vacs in parallel.

Servasteam

When we had 12 shop doing 12 million a year in SoCal this was our portable truckmount!

Ps I sold mine and got a truckmount!


Sorry Dad!

 

[Dolly Llama]

you've been at for 9 years?
full time or part time?

if full time, get an entry level slide -in TM w/at least a 36 blower
You'll think you died and went to heaven

One of the simple, uncomplicated open design TMs like TCS, or Judson.
If you can service and rebuild a porty, it shouldn't be beyond you to learn TM care, maintenance and replacing worn/broken parts .
The simple ones aren't all that more complicated to understand than a higher end porty

The squirt part of them are essentially the same.
Plumbing for the water to the pump and out to the tools
Vac side really isn't all that different either ..instead of electric vacs, they're a single vac pump called a blower

everything is just more heavy duty/industrial and driven by a gas motor instead of electric

yea TMs are more expensive and cost more to run
If you're full time, you make far more than the additional costs to buy/run a TM in efficiency gains

If you're part time, or work mostly where TMs aren't practical, (like lots of hi-rise buildings or com where doors can't be unsecured), then pay attention to Willy and Goomer

..L.T.A.

 

[Willy P]

My New Year's Resolution is to refrain from poking fun at low life, bottom feeding, porty posing, carpet cleaners.

Otherwise I'd say something negative.

Just like a zit, squeeze Chavez and out comes the pus......

 

[Cleanworks]

Welcome to the board. Sounds like you've figured out a good system. Adding a TM is great but I feel the 318 is too small and not enough heat. There are several 1200 psi portables out there and they all work about the same. Select one that suits you according to use ability. Weight, size, auto features, etc. You already know to use a vac booster. You will need one with any 1200 psi portable as they usually have 2 underpowered vac motors on one power cord. Use your vac booster with a separate cord for carpet cleaning. For tiles it will be okay on its own.

 

[Mijaalga]

Thanks guys. I am leaning towards boxxer 318hp really because more psi then the 318 original. Dimensions fit my already graphiced and detailed SUV. Any other help please let me know.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I wouldn't put it in an SUV. You'll hate it. Your vehicle will smell of gasoline and exhaust. Get a trailer or a van.

 

[Mikey P]

Probably illegal too

 

[Russ T.]

I have read up on butlers and other ones, I have heard that a lot more upkeep and if I invest into a used truckmount and I invest 20gs and get a lemon then up shit creek, at least I know porty is a safe bet. Maybe interested in leasing option for butler, have any info on that?????

If you want a true lease, Butler is constantly advertising a 3 year lease for $799. It would get you a well outfitted rig ready to make money. If you’re used to working with a porty, you would feel as if you went from the
S house to the penthouse.

I’m not in love with a payment that big if I don’t own anything in 3 years but everyone’s business is different.

Last year I found a used Butler that we settled on 18k for. It is an ‘02 with very low miles and hours on the machine. This is WITH the van.

There are deals to be had out there but you have to know how to hunt and be prepared to jump when the right deal comes along.

If low maintenance is a concern, you won’t beat a Butler or another van driven system like Cleanco or Hydramaster.

Yes, you MUST be careful. The truck I bought was in Philly. The guy selling it said it was ready to clean. It most definitely wasn’t.

I ended up replacing several parts with the most expensive being the high pressure Cat pump.

I was shocked at how easy the pump replacement was as well as each item I serviced.

 

[Mijaalga]

I think I am going this way. Again please let me know your thoughts as I take it very seriously. Remember that I am in canada lol. Cold brass and components are not good. So this is what I was thinking. I have a 90 lb 6 gallon porty with a 3 stage vac and 200 psi with heater, gets it to about 210 at jet. I have the mytee air hog, which then I get to about 100 feet with great suction but find after that not good, going to get the water otter and already have my 175 and as well get the rv 360i plus I already have my tile spinner which I find works great at 1000-1100 psi and at least 2 gpm. With all of that I have my oreck orbiter for my bonnet cleaning and encap, Hardwood, etc. Plus continue on with carpet repairs in the exact same manner I have been. Kneekicker gets used a lot and I get a lot. I think I am set. The air hog and otter give me the auto fill and dump. Use the SUV for the 3-4 years left in it plus the money already put into the SUV with graphics and alterations. Then my next vehicle I go full out and get the hydramaster titan with van. What's everyone thoughts. Thank you!!!!

 

[hogjowl]

One thing you need to learn is to shorten your posts and use paragraphs.

 

[Nomad74]

I think I am going this way. Again please let me know your thoughts as I take it very seriously. Remember that I am in canada lol. Cold brass and components are not good. So this is what I was thinking. I have a 90 lb 6 gallon porty with a 3 stage vac and 200 psi with heater, gets it to about 210 at jet. I have the mytee air hog, which then I get to about 100 feet with great suction but find after that not good, going to get the water otter and already have my 175 and as well get the rv 360i plus I already have my tile spinner which I find works great at 1000-1100 psi and at least 2 gpm. With all of that I have my oreck orbiter for my bonnet cleaning and encap, Hardwood, etc. Plus continue on with carpet repairs in the exact same manner I have been. Kneekicker gets used a lot and I get a lot. I think I am set. The air hog and otter give me the auto fill and dump. Use the SUV for the 3-4 years left in it plus the money already put into the SUV with graphics and alterations. Then my next vehicle I go full out and get the hydramaster titan with van. What's everyone thoughts. Thank you!!!!

Get a van and a tm. Rage, prochem legend, or SS 370 will change your life, income, production, and general outlook.

You’re obviously looking to make some improvements, so just do it exponentially. It’s time for you to step up your game. 9 years of porty work is a prison sentence.

 

[Dolly Llama]

Tell us about yourself, Mike

are you full time or part time, Mike?
"full time" meaning you work 30 to 50+ hours a week and it's your primary source of income
if full time, has it been the whole 9 yrs you mentioned?

what's the make up of your jobs?
Mostly residential?
mostly com and restaurants ?
mostly apts/rentals ?
equal mix (give or take) of all the above??


.LT.A.