Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: davep on January 18, 2008, 03:53:35 pm
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Afternoon,
Do many of you lads run a porty from your Van?
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No
perhaps I should have a potty in my van tho!
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From previous posts it sounds like this is inefficient, unless the hose lengths can be kept to a reasonable minimum, which is unlikely. Then there's the issue of clean water fill up and waste disposal. The front door is probably the next port of call and from this location all factors greatly improve. Any thoughts of a budget TM seem unreasonable.
Regards
Pete (JS2)
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Some years ago I tried this, but after a few attempts gave it up as a bad idea.
The biggest problem: Carrying the buckets into the back of the van. So as said earlier it got moved to the front door which eased the problem no end.
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Works to great effect for us. We run a Mytee in the van for normal houses (3 bed semi's etc) without any problem. For bigger mansion type places we take it inside for obvious reasons. The best of both worlds ;D
We have a 250ltr tank fed into the Mytee using connections that are detatchable and feed it via a 12v 100psi pump. Waste is simply discharged using dump hose.
Will be using the same set up when we get round to upgrading to a prowler.
Kev
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What's the big deal? if you have a midi size van you can park up within 10ft of where you would plonk it anyway. If it's not possible then you always have the option to take it out.
50ft of 2" hose plus a 1.5" short whip would allow you to do the average semi no probs.
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we used extracta excell from our van for about two years on 100 ft of hose no probs at all, filled from a water tank in van, occasionally it needed to come out for bigger properties or awkward parking, but can be done effectively.
In fact although we run a tm now have thought about doing this with a second van as is the next best thing.
regards
steve
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Gary ( Cleaning Co ) posted photos of his van and details of his storage tank, water pump, in line heater on here a couple of years ago He had linked two machines withn his little Diahatsu and could take it to places others couldn't access.
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Just watch out for weight restrictions, when I worked at a Cleaning Company we had a Suzuki and one of the other cleaners tipped it over when he was carrying water to go to a job where they had none.
Shaun
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I looked into this before upgrading to a t/m.
The expence and complications of running an electrically powered rig compared to buying a truckmounted machine were minimal.
Being able to offer a completely mobile cleaning solution not dependant on electric or hot water being supplied was crucial to my work (lots of end of tenancy cleans).
If you need to work quickly and give good results a t/m is perfect.
I agree you can give as good a result using a porty, it just takes a lot longer!
My advice is: If you've got the work to justify a t/m, go for it!!! ;D
All te best,
Jas.
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Kevin,
When you upgrade to your prowler, I would recommend upgrading to a 400ltr tank as well
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i use extracta excel from the van its a nissan vannet i just fill it by hand
bill
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Bill
Can't you get a tank in the Vanette? Not filling with buckets and independence is a key reason to put it in the van.
Mike
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Just watch out for weight restrictions, when I worked at a Cleaning Company we had a Suzuki and one of the other cleaners tipped it over when he was carrying water to go to a job where they had none.
Shaun
If it was one of those small Suzuki van's then I'm not surprised ::) We run a Renault Trafic - 2900kg weight limit. Did the owner not check that it was safe?
I looked into this before upgrading to a t/m.
Being able to offer a completely mobile cleaning solution not dependant on electric or hot water being supplied was crucial to my work (lots of end of tenancy cleans).
Know what your saying, but the only thing we have to do really is run the cables - the rest is self sufficient and we have heat ;D
Regards
Kev
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Hi Guys
There are strict rules about running electric cables actross public thoroughfares, maybe someone can elabourate.
Cheers
Doug
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Strict rules about ; Parking
Water usage
Water waste dumping
Loose cargo
Placing warning signs
Trailing hoses / Cables
Etc
and one that just occurred to me. Was legislation not introduced about running an engine in a static vehicle. Yes I know it was probably aimed at the vehicles driving engine, but !!!!!!!!!!!!
Trailing cables could be a major problem. In Spain last year contractors went to extaodinary lengths to " protect " the public by not only Sheathing cales with high visibility covers, but fencing / caging them in.
Then again, a smaller smaller van could be easily parked in a driveway, or if the machine had the portable option the probems simply don't exist. Bring on the Prowler.
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Do any Prowler owners bring it out of the van when needed?
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I have never need to run prowler out of the van but know some have.
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Steve
I know Johns a mate but how good is the Prowler performance and whats it like on upholstery.
Cheers
Doug
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I would imagine taking the prowler out of the van is a bit like taking vac motors out of the advantage as was designed. Its a pain in the butt.
Mark
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Steve
I know Johns a mate but how good is the Prowler performance and whats it like on upholstery.
Cheers
Doug
Performance is as good as the blazer I had,Obviously it has it limitations say against a boxer 421 but then you haven't paid £14000 for one of those.A lot better than an electric portable.
On upholstery with cfr tool can get suite dry in 2 to 4 hours depending on fabric sometimes quicker.
It's a 2 man job to take it out of the van,me and my 15 year old son manage to take it out no bother.
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Hi Guys
There are strict rules about running electric cables actross public thoroughfares, maybe someone can elabourate.
Cheers
Doug
Wouldn't do that anyway Doug. Most of the time its on a private drive, if on the odd occasion we had to park in a street it would be taken inside. Common sense I guess ;)
Kev
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Not my set up. ;)
Just an example of an electric machine running from the back of a van.
Aux fresh water and waste water tanks are fitted.
regards
Chris
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more
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I really can not see the point of running a Porty from a van you loose performance with the extra hose lengths. How long really does it take to whip your Porty of the back of the van and fill a couple of buckets which gives you a chance to chat to the custy and ask for referrals.
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It saves your back, saves you time.
Every time I see the Recoil it reminds me of the Stimvac, which I just found out, is still being made in the UK, surprised they have'nt increased the power to match the imports.
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Mark
There is this strange assumption that literally 10ft of extra hose will make such a humongous difference that somehow you are going to do a percievably worse job. I don't think that is the case especially if you use 2" hose.
The time saved setting up can be easily 10-20% of the job. And I don't know how many times I've been thwarted by a p1ss weak boiler and low pressure supply. Not to mension custy washing up her breakfast at the sink when I just want to get on.
With regard to costs that have been raised. If you have a decent porty already what is required?
A decent sized van, water tank, pump er and probably one or two other things, but generally nothing major.
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I know from experience it's feasible to run 200 feet from a twin vac and even 150 feet, from a single, 3 stage vac. Adding an inline heater would obviously be of benefit.
This would be exceptional circumstances, but the modern powerful portable has a lot going for it and represents exceptional value for people who will be 99% domestc cleaners.
There is a market for all methods, machines, chemicals, in this industry and whether people make choices according to their budget, or knowledge, or physicality matters nought, it's what they do, with their equipment that matters.
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Bill
Can't you get a tank in the Vanette? Not filling with buckets and independence is a key reason to put it in the van.
Mike
mike what would i need to do it is it easy to set
bill
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Carpet Guy the Recoil is a ugly beast. I also have inch hose which i often use at75-100 ft and agree its not all about power and a good cc can get the best from any machine.
If i had a bigger van i would probably, looking at some of your impressive setups, give van mounting ago.
At least we have the choice to remove as needed.
Thinking about it van mounting would be a benefit in this weather and safer maybe i am just a jealous wet carpet cleaner :'(
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Mike
I don't have a van mounted portable, but have run hoses for long distances in large properties, with the machine outside.
Some others have been very successful in running from their vans, particularly Gary ( cleaning co ) who ran two linked portables, with aux water tank and pump installed .
Regarding the Recoils looks............I agree, but, if a square box on wheels does the job better than a sleek, painted cutie, I know which I'd go for!
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Just thought i would add my 2 penny,s worth to this post, having read with interest over the last couple of days,
I for the last couple of years regularly ran my porty from my van , a raptor 100ft no prob, heat good, pressure good , the advantage been it did save the hassle of unloading , loading etc, the disadvantage been you still have the problem of filling buckets, electric cables and extension cables , eespcially in the rain.
It did a good job, custy was happy and i was happy , and if I needed to unload then so be it.
Having said this, I now run a t/m and I can see why a true t/m is called a t/m the time and effort saved is so advantagious I am not really looking forward to the day I have to get my porty back on the road,
" Tks Mike , for that referal ;) " in other words what I am trying to say is , by al means run your porty from your van, i cannot see any reason why not! it will save you time .
One thing is for certain though, t/m is effortless and I am pleased I took that step, please dont think Im knocking porty owners , far from it as you will see from previous posts in the past the issues that have been raised.
geoff, H/C now 15
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If you got a decent inline heater a lot of customers have a hose pipe so use that to fill.
After ive done a room I like to check machine anyway so empty refil with hose pipe away you go again whats the problem.
When I met Dave agrere he was near end of job by time I got their shame but he had his lad doing the work and he was playing with his truckmount.
A little unfair as I know they cleaned a lot of carpets that day.
Dave must be do for a reclean I like to spend a bit longer with ypu ;D ;D
Despite there being 7 truckmounts within 7 miles of the Gig Dave got the job and he is in Bristol