I've got two vacuum bleeders, and I swear every time I go to bleed brakes like that I get frustrated and go back to old school pumping and it works great lol. Get yourself a milk jug, install a length of vacuum hose in the cap, then put the line on the bleeder. Mess free bleeding, works every time. If you have long arms you should be able to pump and open the bleeder solo, or get a buddy to help pump the lever.