Cleaning &amp; Maintenance Management Online
Ask The Experts


May 29, 2013


Wednesday’s Question:ICANATEX Logo

I am custodial operations manager at a 34,000 student body population school, responsible for maintaining 6.5 million sq. ft. of space.

About a third of the space is carpeted.

We are considering a truck mount or similar portable equipment.

What are the pros and cons of having this kind of equipment in your inventory?

Wednesday’s Answer:

Your phrase "truck mount or similar portable equipment" caught my eye because it is hard to envision much similarity between the two as far as performance.

Obviously, the TM will be more expensive to purchase and operate, since you have both a truck and the cleaning equipment in it.

For the cost of that setup, you can purchase several portables and walk-behind units.

The performance differences arise because there is only so much power available on a 120 volt service for running the pump and vacuums which are common to both for fluid injection and soil removal.

The TM will have a much greater capacity for air movement allowing for faster drying times, and most can be used for hard surface cleaning with increased solution pressure and special tools.

And don't forget the heat for the solution or just  … - Lynn E. Krafft, ICAN/ATEX editor

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