The four main types of carpet extractors are carpet extractors, self-contained extractors, tank extractors, and truck-mounted carpet extractors. Carpet detectors are used for small cleaning jobs such as small spills and spot cleaning. These types of extractors use a small hand tool and are great for cleaning upholstery, window trim, and auto detailing. Tank-based carpet extractors are used for larger jobs and are powered by a large carpet cleaning wand that is attached to the unit with a solution and recovery hose. These types of extractors are highly portable and are used by commercial carpet cleaners to reach areas that truck-mounted carpet extractors cannot reach. Tank extractors are excellent for cleaning high-rise apartments or isolated areas where hoses from an enclosed unit truck cannot reach. Most commercial carpet cleaners use truck-mounted exhaust fans for a large percentage of the carpets they clean. Enclosed truck fans are extremely powerful and use large heaters and high pressure. Most truck mounted units cost upwards of $20,000, requiring a large investment. Self-contained carpet extractors are great for both residential and commercial use. They are extremely portable and are perfect for small to medium jobs and house everything you need to clean your carpet in a single unit. One of the best carpet extractors is the Tennant EX-SC-1020 extractor. Tennant is one of the largest manufacturers of flooring equipment in the world.
Tennant’s EX-SC-1020 Carpet Extractor is a highly reliable, self-contained unit. It features a sleek design and is comfortable to use for even the smallest operator. This carpet cleaning unit can be divided into four main parts. The brush housing on the underside of the unit features a stiff bristle brush roll that agitates the carpet and removes trapped dirt and debris. At the front of the extraction unit is a large 20-inch vacuum shoe that does a wonderful job of removing dirty water and debris from the carpet. The top of the machine houses a 14.5 gallon recovery tank and a 10 gallon solution tank. This tank is made of Roto-cast polyethylene that can easily take the punishment of tough commercial cleaning jobs. One of the main differences of this extractor from other carpet cleaning units is that the recovery tank contains a bladder system to ensure that the machine does not leak. This bladder can be easily changed after years of use when it becomes cracked or worn and replaced. Changing the bladder on this tank is more cost effective than buying a whole new recovery tank system. The last part of the system is the user controls on top of the machine. User controls are easy to understand and easy to use. Ergonomically designed handles make this machine comfortable to use even when extended use is required for larger carpet cleaning jobs.
The three main systems in any carpet extraction unit are the brush drive system, the vacuum system, and the pump system. The Tennant EX-SC-1020 puller features a 1.5 amp brush motor that spins the brush at 1200 RPM. The brush consists of an offset row of nylon bristles in a chevron pattern for effective deep cleaning. The brush on this machine measures 17 inches, which is 1 inch longer than the industry standard 16 inches. The vacuum system on this extractor features a 1.8 hp three-stage motor that is above the industry standard two-stage. The engine can easily handle 136 inches of water, which is well above its main competitors from companies like Tornado, NSS, and Windsor. The solution system is powered by a 100 PSI, one amp solution pump, which is the industry standard. Solution flow is regulated by an electric solenoid valve that is controlled by a switch on the user control panel. This machine uses a dual jet spray system in which water is forced out and into the carpet fibers.
The Tennant EX-SC-1020 can also be used with carpet cleaning accessories such as a wand, crevice tools, auto detailing tools, and a stair tool. When shopping for a carpet extractor, these are important features to consider. Using a solution and recovery hose port, this unit can easily be converted to a tank extractor and used to clean automotive upholstery and detailing. You can also connect a 2-jet wand, which means you can quickly clean under and around obstacles. All that is needed to search for these tools is a low pressure solution hose and a one and a half inch recovery hose.
Overall, the Tennant EX-SC-1020 is an excellent carpet cleaning machine. It is important to ensure that pieces of floor equipment are readily available so that repairs can be made if necessary. Tennant parts can be easily purchased online or through a local Tennant dealer and service center. Tennant is one of the largest flooring equipment companies in the world, so you can be sure that Tennant parts will always be available for this unit. This extractor outperforms many of the comparable products from other floor equipment manufacturers. The average lifespan of this unit should be over 10 years, making it a good investment for both residential use and just starting carpet cleaning businesses.