1st Portable Extractor - Buying Decisions

One thing that often gets overlooked when choosing a portable extractor is that the specifications have to be considered as a complete system. PSI by itself doesn’t tell you much, and neither does the number of vacuum motors.

For carpet cleaning, recovery performance is extremely important. The pump puts solution into the carpet, but the vacuum system, airflow, hose diameter, wand design and hose length determine how efficiently you recover it. A machine with impressive numbers on paper can perform poorly if the components aren’t properly matched.

Hose length also shouldn’t be treated as having a fixed maximum. A properly designed high-performance portable can operate effectively at considerably more than 25 or 35 feet. There will always be some loss as hose length increases, but how much depends on the vacuum configuration, airflow, hose diameter, restrictions and the machine itself.

Electrical requirements are another major consideration. Dual- and multi-vacuum machines may require two separate circuits, especially when heat is added. Before buying, it’s worth understanding exactly what can be operated simultaneously and what electrical service will normally be available on the jobs.

Tank capacity is mostly about productivity. Larger solution and recovery tanks mean fewer trips to the sink, but they also add weight and make the machine harder to move. Equal-sized solution and recovery tanks aren’t particularly important because you rarely recover exactly the same volume of water that you put down.

For someone buying their first professional portable, I’d concentrate on vacuum/recovery performance, electrical requirements, build quality, availability of replacement parts, ease of service, tank size and the type of work the machine will actually be doing. Those factors matter far more over the life of the machine than chasing the highest PSI number.

I use a Mytee Vortex. I have a powerful generator to run it because if you connect both of the electrical cords to someones home it will pop the breaker. I have both a tm and electric. I prefer my Vortex as it sits in the van like a tm and I can run about 175 feet of hose. When something breaks its easier to fix. With the vortex I mostly do tile and carpet. They both have their place.

Yeah!! I think  Propane would be the best choice.

annfully wrote: Just go buy a Hoover and be done with. I think that will be even more than you are capable of?

I doubt that.

So there are so many different suggestions and methods pointed out, but none that seem to be at the forefront of a decision.

For me, I am looking for a portable that will work well to clean my rentals, personal home, and do auto as well. I'm looking for something that will do the job WELL.

What do you recommend for this? I've been looking for quite some time, but not  sure.

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He hasn't even sold his first job and he is complaining about costs?  Some go into this business assend first!