[Mike Osbourne]

I've just booked a job next week for the whole of a thrid floor flat. I've just been trying to haul the ninja up my stairs for practice and on the 2nd stair I just tip over. Is this a two man job, technique or am I just a weakling?

At a push I could use 75ft of hose but want to do as best job I can heat and suck wise.

Cheers

Mike

[vangaurd]

no m8 the ninja is difficult to get up stairs.it will do ya back in eventually 2 man job but price accordingly good luck!










1

[Bryan H]

All of the larger portable machines can be a bit difficult to take upstairs, particularly if the stair has a winder.  You need to be careful not to catch the dump valve on the wall as you go round the corner.

Having said that,  I have been using Ninjas for many years and have no particular problems taking them upstairs when necessary,  and I am not a young man !

I guess there is an acquired knack to it, as in 20 years I have never overbalanced on the stairs !

Bryan

[Damian]

Me neither. Have two machines at present and find the ninja to be easiest ive ever used! Over years have had many machines with different layouts and the ninja is definately best! Sounds a bit daft but you arent trying to take it up full of water are you? 

[Mike Osbourne]

I'm strong, but a bit of a lightweight. I have a diving belt in the loft.

Will employ child labour for this job and I'll be the one it falls on if he lets go.

No, it is empty. Just thought though my stairs are quite steep. Don't want to risk it, it tipped onto the wastepipe which is very vunerable. 

[Damian]

Mike i am over six ft tall and never go above twelve stone so its not your mass thats a problem! Are you mentally worried about it and therefore are afraid of marking walls etc? I fit carpets aswell so to us we just bend twist push pull-whatever gets the job done! Strength does help of course! i had to lift my ninja over a child gate yesterday on my own. But technique plays a major part! Just drag it up and earn money mate!! 

[Bryan H]

Seems you are not leaning back enough.  You need to be standing 2 steps above the m/c.  Just roll the m/c up onto the step below you whilst leaning the m/c backwards to balance it, then step up the next step & do the same again.

I find it much harder with two people, if one person is lifting the m/c from the bottom, as it seems to put a hell of a strain on the legs.

I find it much easier to do on my own.

A bit of practice will solve the problem 

Bryan

[cleanability]

I've recently bought a Ninja with auto dump and in line heater. Its a hell of a weight. Before, I have used an Altec Pro Plus and Extracta Excel and managed stairs and any other obstacles ok. But this Ninja is another story all together. I've had to use a ramp to get in and out of a van, its so bleeping heavy. I'm waiting for the inevitable stairs or long steep stepped path to negotiate. I dont think I'll attempt them. Apart from the Ninja's weight I cant seem find good holding positions as I did with the previous machines. I chickened out of some steep steps the other day and left it in the street with extra hoses attached .

Chris

[Dennis]

Use the lift. 

[Steve Chapman]

Most times their is someone there who can help give you a lift, better to ask than do yourself in

Don't get someone with a dodgy back tho


steve

[Derek]

Over the years I have had quite a few different machines.

The key is that a machine should have a fixed solid handle and large rear wheels so that when it is tilted back the weight is firmly over the wheels.

For an old fogie like me I have organised my life so that my machine doesn't very often have to negotiate stairs... but when it does I have found my cfr machine fit for the purpose.

Years ago I carried machines with folding handles up stairs sideways as to pull them up was downright dangerous...mind you lifting them up sideways wasn't too clever either...but needs must

[Damian]

You stil use a porty then Derek?

[HQCS (John Kastrian)]

Getting a porty up a flight of domestic stairs should be possible to most people,but getting it up to a 3rd floor flat will knock the stuffing out of you.
Be very wary of asking a stranger to give you a hand with lifting,if he injures his back or slips you would be liable for a compensation claim against you.-John

[Derek]

Hi Damian

Yes I certainly do...maybe if I was a good deal younger and I was doing more commercial work I would have considered a Truck Mounted unit.

Then again I wouldn't  want to work nights and weekends again

I have two ,what I consider to be, top level portables and they will last for as long as I want them...unless I go to a trade show and get tempted yet again

[cleaning co]

do what i do with my truckmounted ninjas  , take 50 ft hose and put it out the flat window then rejoin it to rest of hose , easy and works a treat

[Ian Gourlay]

I was just going to suggest that.

I find the problem is not going up the stairs but coming down.


So most times I avoid situation .


If I have no help  available and going through windows does not work.

I get out my Rug Doctor.

[Mike Halliday]

when I used a portable I left it at the bottom of the stairs, used extra hoses but at the end I used a 10inch single jet wand this was greal for getting round beds and toilets and with the smaller wand head the remaining suction was more concentrated so worked well

Mike

[COLIN BRIGHT]

if there is no lift and the hoses don't reach, then i personally would'nt take the job on,    only ever turned down one job for this reason,
for what the job is worth, i would'nt risk putting my back out trying to lift the porty up the stairs

[angela carlton]

absolutely agree with Colin

angie

[Terry_Burrows]

talking ninjas we want to get one we were advised to get the top notch
400 psi this it says can take up to 200ft of hose,most places you  could use 50ft save carrying up stairs etc what do you guys think as you use them