I fixed it! The Ultra unit does come apart and I figured that since it's broken I'd try my hand at appliance repair. I disassembled the unit and cleaned the vaccum tray and turned over the gaskets (which I suspect was the problem) and Volia! the things sucks and seals. I do have to push the seal override button on occasion. Just finished smoking and vaccum packing two summerruns--and it worked like a charm. I've got my fingers crossed that it will keep working.
JT