When we’re talking about carpet cleaning machines, we’re talking about any type of machine that cleans carpet. There are many types of machines on the market today, such as portable extractors, truck mount machines, steam extractors, portable truck mounts, and etc. However, they are all designed with one purpose – to clean carpet.
Most carpet cleaning machines function similarly. They spray some type of water and/or solution onto the carpet and then suck it up.
There are two main types of carpet cleaning machines: portable machines and truck mount machines.
Portable Carpet Cleaning Machines
Portable machines are much stronger than any regular vacuum cleaner, but less powerful than truck mount units. Portable extractors usually come with vacuum hose, solution hose, and a wand. Some portables come with one power cord and some come with two. It all depends on the power of the machine. If the portable machine is stronger, it needs more amperage and electricity, so it comes with two power cords to be plugged into two completely separate 20amp breakers.
Inside a portable carpet cleaning machine you can find one or two electric vacuum motors, a water pump, and maybe a heater. Those are the basic components of any portable machine. Vacuum motors provide your machine with suction power and the water pump provides your machine with spraying capabilities.
If you compare a regular house holder’s vacuum cleaner with a portable carpet cleaning machine, you will find a significant difference.
- First of all, portable machines are bigger and heavier.
- Second, portable cleaning machines take more effort to operate. To run a regular vacuum cleaning machine you can use just one hand to operate it, move it, lift it, and etc. On the other hand, to operate a portable cleaning machine you have to use two hands and you have to press the wand into the carpet to get better results. Also, when operating a portable carpet cleaning machine, you have about 50 or even 150 foot of hose following behind you.
- Third, portable carpet cleaning machines can apply hot water with solution onto the carpet and then extract it, along with all the dirt. A regular vacuum cleaner only extracts the dust particles. You’re not actually cleaning the carpet with a vacuum cleaner like you are with a portable carpet cleaning machine.
Overall, the main difference is that a portable carpet cleaning machine performs a far better job than any regular vacuum cleaning machine. That is why portable cleaning machines are a necessity for any professional carpet cleaner.
Truck Mount Carpet Cleaning Machines
The other type of carpet cleaning machine is a truck mounted carpet cleaning machine.
Truck mounted machines are much more powerful than any portable extractor. They usually run on gasoline. These machines are more sophisticated than portable machines. Truck mounted machines usually come with vacuum hose, solution hose, recovery tank, and a wand. Some truck mount machines can be used by two carpet cleaners at the same time. These machines are more powerful and have enough suction and pressure to handle two wands at the same time. However, most truck mount carpet cleaning machines are designed to run only one wand.
Let’s compare truck mount machines and portable machines:
- First of all, truck mount machines are much bigger and heavier than portable machines. You cannot move a truck mount machine by yourself, that is why truck mount units are installed in truck or vans and the operated from there.
- Second, you can use much more hose using a truck mount machine, whereas with a portable machine you can only use 50 or 150 feet of hose.
- Third, truck mount machines run on gasoline, whereas portable machines use electricity.
- Fourth, with all truck mount machines, you can do carpet cleaning as well as tile & grout cleaning. Most portable machines only have the capabilities to do carpet cleaning.
Overall, truck mounted carpet cleaning machines are more sophisticated equipment than portable machines. That is why truck mount machines are used by most professional carpet cleaners who are serious about succeeding in this business.