Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a housing having a front and a rear and laterally opposite sides, and an opening in each side of the housing permitting communication with the interior of the housing. Each opening is generally located intermediate the front and rear of the housing. A partition located inside the housing divides at least a portion of the volume enclosed by the housing into two chambers of substantially equal volume, which are substantially sealed from one another. Vacuum pumps create a vacuum in the chambers relative to ambient. The partition is constructed and arranged so that the opening is a first of the sides of the housing communicates solely with a first of the chambers, and an opening in a second of the sides communicates solely with a second of the chambers.