Self-contained extractor?

[MrJR]

Does anyone own or ever use a self-contained extractor? I am currently 100% OP. Seems like having agitation from a brush while you're extracting would be a good thing. Also no hoses to deal with. I see they have connections where you can even attach a solution/vac line for an upholstery tool. I wouldn't want anything too big... maybe in the 5-7 gallon range. With the handle folded down it would fit nicely in my mini van (where space is already limited). I realize for about the same price I can get a medium size box extractor with wand, but are there reasons for considering a self-contained one? Thanks in advance for any advice!

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[Ed Valentine]

MrJR;

Our experience with the "self-contained" pull behinds as you are describing, is that they are designed for what I will refer to as a "quicky clean; or, cosmetic clean" at best.  They will not deliver a through deep cleaning or rinsing of the fibers. Using these in homes one will find that they are very hard to move around (weight and size) and therefore, the Operator will untilmately end up using a wand off of this style machine anyways.

My advice:  Purchase a great quality HWE and be done with it and keep your great reputation in tack!

very best;
Ed Valentine
cross-american corp,

[John Bolton]

Amen to that Ed!

I see enough damage done by hired Slugdoctors. Obviously if opperator skill is added to the mix the results would be better than most DIY efforts but what message would the customer get if you turned up with a machine that they could hire themselves?

Get professional equipment, with professional training, work to a professional standard and charge a professional price!

[Ed Valentine]

What's funny about these so called: "Self-contained" pull behind systems is that we actually manufactured on have a real professional power head------real heavy duty. But, even then, we just could not convince ourselves that it cleaned as good, or out cleaned any other type of HWE. Therefore, we discontinued it and absorbed the costs of the molds back then.

Ouch!

Ed Valentine

[jtmellon]

The self contained are made for one thing only.  They are made for in house janitorial services such as schools like where I used to work at.  We had one, it was beat to hell by people that didn't know how to use it and the school dist would never buy us the wand or uph tool to go with it. 

Don't waste your money on these type of extractors, unless you have a long term job where you have lots of room to use it. 

Also, any good supply sales person will tell you this is not the tool for you, once you tell him what you need it for.