[Robin Ray]

Hi, Im considering using my porty which is a Ninja twin vac 150psi as a TM on jobs I can get close enough too. I will use water from my TM water fed pole system to feed it and at some point maybe set up an auto empty. I hope to get a third vac at some point and upgrade the pump as well to perhaps 400-600psi if I can get it in.

The machine is new but after a few jobs im realising that not having to get it all out and keep filling and emptying will save about 30% of time alone.

Just wondering if anyone else uses a porty as a semi TM? How do you get on? Is this a good idea or will it produce problems?

Thanks
Rob

[Jim_77]

Real world is that way -------------------->


Forget the idea

[Robin Ray]

Why?

[robert meldrum]

Basic Ninja is definitely not up to the task, but there ARE a few machines that will do what you want and plenty posts about them on here.

[Robin Ray]

On a job you can park close to the door. Whats the difference between having the machine in the back of the van or on the ground just outside?

[Jim_77]

Well whats the point of leaving it in the van then?!!!!!

Basically unless you can park in the front hall of a house, a twin vac portable needs to be used the way it was intended.  Some people have set up triple vac portables to stay in the van such as the scorpion, airflex turbo or alltec.

[Robin Ray]

Well whats the point of leaving it in the van then?!!!!!

Basically unless you can park in the front hall of a house, a twin vac portable needs to be used the way it was intended.  Some people have set up triple vac portables to stay in the van such as the scorpion, airflex turbo or alltec.

As I said at first I intend to add a third vac.

And the point is not lifting it out, filling it up, and lifting it back in.

[Jim_77]

3rd vac booster will just increase the lift, not the airflow.... 2 vacs in series is plenty of lift, it's more airflow you need.

Your machine probably will not be suited to transplanting a bigger pump into it, and to be honest with that amount of vacuum available you don't want too much more pump performance because you'll be putting down more than you can pick up.

Aside from that, the internal electrics might not account for the rise in current draw of a bigger pump.  You could fry your electric circuit or start popping fuses.  Running too hot on the electrical side due to too much current shortens the life of everything, including cables and plugs.

OK so say the machine is facing out the side door which is the most sensible way for connecting hoses and emptying - the switches are up against the bulkhead of the van and you can't see them or get to them very easily.  The exhaust is also blowing round the inside of your van

Turn the machine round any other way and the hose connections won't be facing outwards, nor will the waste outlet which is the main concern.  You'll also still have a problem not being able to get to switches or flow regulator depending which way round it is.

A portable is a portable, not a truck mount, use it the way it was intended!!!

[Robin Ray]

Thank you for some constructive points.

I had not considered the airflow vs lift argument,

Im sure the other matters will not be a problem as the ninja also comes as a 400psi as standard.
The vac exhaust problem can be solved by simply re directing the exhaust out of the van.
And untill I can merit joining the illustrious band of TM owners, I think I could cope with reaching in to turn it on and off etc.

I think I will give it a go, after all I havent got much to loose. If it doesnt work well ill just take it out the van.

Ill let you know if it works....or not.

[james roffey]

The Ninja is not Powerful enough for the task i had one but it is possible to leave it at the front door and work 50ft of hose its not heavy so i dont understand the problem.
I find that its just easier sometimes to just unload even my Airflex which is heavier than the Ninja filling it etc in the van is a pain sometimes so i just unload it its easy but you definately need a triple vac machine to make that setup work

[Colin Day]

I agree with James... I can use the advance from the van if I like! But it's less bother taking it out and using the 50ft waste hose IMO!!!

[Robin Ray]

Thanks for the input,

Theres no problem im just trying to make things faster and easier.

[clinton]

Its more trial than error mate with your set up mate.

[Jamie Pearson]

Can you still join Ninjas together?

Double them up for more performance kinda vibe?

Remember seeing something like this some time ago.

[Jim_77]

Robin trust me it will be awkward as hell trying to leave the machine in the van!

How are you going to fill it?  If you plan on bucketing water into it, it will be really tricky and awkward because you need to be above the machine to do so.  That's almost impossible in a smaller van like scudo or combo, and even with more headroom of a transit you aren't going to be tall enough, you'll have to climb into the van.  Then you'll spill some and get the floor all wet, so it will need waterproofing otherwise it will rot.

Filling with buckets also means you'll have to walk further back and forth to the machine.

But you could use a hosepipe, most TM setups have a hozelock self-retracting hose reel fitted to the inside.  You could leave the loose end long enough to drop into your tank, and then just pull off enough hose to go to the customers outside tap.

But then you're putting stone cold water in the tank.  In winter you're looking at nearly an hour to heat a tank full of mains-cold water, in summer still a good 40 mins or more.

You see how this is just making more hassle and not saving you any real world time at all?

Bottom line is 50ft max hose run on a twin vac, the booster is a crock of  because it boosts the wrong element of the system so it will do you no favours and will be yet another cable to plug in.

Sometimes it's 25ft to the front door from the van, and both jobs I did today I had 50ft to the front door.  Not many houses I get to use 50ft straight from the side door to all the carpets.  So for al that effort setting it up you'll still be dragging the machine off the van a lot.  The only place whwre it would be a benefit would be terraced streets with narrow paths.  But then you'd need a hose ramp, £300 worth of kit there so you see how this isn't adding up??!!!!

I used to run exactly the same machine as you and now run a TM so I'm pretty sure about what I'm saying

I actually used to use two ninjas with a Y junction on the vac hose so they ran in parallel.  Was a stupendous difference over one machine, but a hassle to lug around and set up so only worth it on bigger jobs where it would save me at least 30 mins of extraction time.  Awesome for suite cleaning though, compared to 1 machine.

[Robin Ray]

Hi Jim

I wasn't planning on filling it with buckets. I've got a 500l hot water waterfed pole system already mounted in my van. The water from this can fill the ninja automatically via a ballcock or solenoid mounted in the ninja tank. This means I wont have to fill the tank at all, and the water will already be hot.

I must admit the suction is a worry but as I would only use it when I can get it very close this shouldn't be a problem. The machine is also rated to be used up to 100ft however I am aware in practice this may not be true. I've only used it at 50ft.

As for emptying I had the idea to extend the waste port with a small piece of pipe.

The idea of using two ninjas is quite good, but I think I will buy a more suitable machine before I go down that route.

I think the set up could be of benefit as a lot of the type of work I seem to do regularly have driveways which lead right up to the front door.

What set up do you currently use Jim?

[Billy Russell]

Hi all,

I never would of said it before but i'm with Jim on this one! I've got a scorpion and use it from the van mostly, but a few weeks ago i went out for a day with Steve Knight! I will have a Truckmount next febuaryish! you just won't beat it! before anyone asks i have over 15years experience in carpet cleaning! I've tried a few different methods of cleaning over the years but never a truckmount until a few weeks ago! So i feel i have a fair view of the situation!
I'm not trying to start a TM v Porty debate! These a just views from my expierence's!

But i most admit my only decision now is which one? i liked the hydramaster i had ago with the other week! but i think i'm leaning towards a prowler because i like the versatility of it! i can take it out if i need to because it's on wheel's seeing as are main business is contract cleaning i like the idea of this!! Decisions decisions!!!!!!   But the one i'm totally made up on is definetly a truckmount!! no if's no but's

Regards

Billy

[Robin Ray]

Hi Billy

I agree totally. I've never used a truck mount but I'm sure its the way to go. For the time being I've only just started out with the carpets. So I'm just trying to be inventive with the money I've spent so far.

As everyone keeps saying though its probably more hassle than its worth.

[Jim_77]

Currently run a Blueline BlueWave TM, mid-sized but plenty of welly.

You never mentioned the hot water, that makes things simpler!  Pure water very good for the machine too.  Fitting the ball valve would be a bit tricky.  Depending on what temp your wfp system heats to, you would probably still need the extra heat to get up to carpet cleaning temperature?

Extending the waste outlet obviously would be possible, maybe a bit of 2" vac hose with hose cuff might fit it.  I can have a look if you want.  But all these things are still hassle and extra expense!

Ignore the 100ft range if that's what Ashbys claim, load of tosh in the real world :

Plenty of truckmounts in operation down your way, a day out with one will get you foaming at the mouth like Billy!!

[Robin Ray]

I did wonder about the 100ft claim.

I will stay away from having a go with a TM for the moment. I already want one and I haven't had a go!