Tornado Steel Supported Hose 1-1/2″ x 42″ w/Cuffs 31388

This is the vacuum hose that carries recovered solution from the nozzle back to the recovery tank. It is steel-supported — a wire helix moulded into the wall — because a plain hose at this diameter collapses under the vacuum these machines pull. Part number 31388 is the genuine OEM 1-1/2 inch by 42 inch length with cuffs fitted at both ends.

Compatible Models for the Steel Supported Hose 1-1/2″ x 42″ w/Cuffs

This part fits the following Tornado machines:

• Tornado 98164 MWH-800 8-Gallon Self-Contained Carpet Extractor
• Tornado 98166 20″ Marathon 800 Carpet Extractor (8 Gallon, 115V)
• Tornado 98167 20″ Marathon 800 Carpet Extractor (8 Gallon, 230V)
• Tornado 98168 12 Gallon Self Contained Carpet Extractor
• Tornado 98168 20″ Marathon 1200 Carpet Extractor (12 Gallon, 115V) — all series
• Tornado 98169 20″ Marathon 1200 Carpet Extractor (12 Gallon, 230V)

The usual complaint is loss of suction that no amount of cleaning fixes. Check the hose before the motor. Hold it up to the light and flex it along its length: a wire helix that has fractured leaves a soft spot where the hose folds flat under vacuum, and that soft spot will be invisible while the machine is off and obvious the moment it runs. You can often hear it too — a hose collapsing under load changes the motor note.

The second failure is at the cuffs. The cuff is where the hose is worked hardest, because every time the machine is moved the hose is pulled against that joint. A cuff that has started to separate lets air in, and an air leak at the tank end costs you suction everywhere. Grip the hose at each cuff and twist gently: any movement between hose and cuff means the joint has gone.

Third, and easiest to miss, is a hose that is simply blocked. Carpet fibre, hair and the corner of a plastic bag will lodge at the bend nearest the tank and build a plug that partially clears each time the machine is run, so the fault comes and goes. Disconnect both ends, hold the hose straight and look through it. If daylight is not visible end to end, the hose is the problem and not the vacuum motor.

Fitting is straightforward: unplug the machine, release the clamps at both cuffs, note the routing before the old hose comes out, and fit the new one so it follows the same path without a tight bend. A hose forced round a sharper radius than it was designed for will crush at that point within a season. Make sure the cuffs seat fully and the clamps land on the cuff rather than on the bare hose.

Replacing a hose because the suction is poor is a reasonable first move only when you have checked the obvious things around it: the recovery tank lid gasket, the float shutoff, the standpipe clamp and the filter. All four produce the same symptom and three of them cost a fraction of a hose.

Browse every assembly for this machine on the Tornado 98168 Marathon 1200 parts hub, and see the manufacturer’s range at tornadovac.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Tornado machines does the hose 31388 fit?

It is used on the Tornado 98164 MWH-800 8-gallon self-contained extractor, the 98166 and 98167 20″ Marathon 800, the 98168 12 Gallon Self Contained extractor and the 98168 20″ Marathon 1200 in all series. Call 763-535-0770 with your model number if your machine is not on that list.

How do I know the hose is what is costing me suction?

Flex it along its length with the machine off and look for a soft spot where the steel helix has fractured — that section folds flat under vacuum. Then twist the hose at each cuff: any movement means the joint is leaking air. Finally hold it straight and look through it; if you cannot see daylight end to end it is blocked.

Why is it steel supported rather than a plain hose?

At 1-1/2 inch diameter under the vacuum these extractors pull, a plain hose wall collapses and chokes the airflow. The wire helix moulded into the wall holds the bore open under load. That is also why a fractured helix causes a suction loss that cleaning cannot fix.

How do I order the Steel Supported Hose 1-1/2″ x 42″ w/Cuffs (part# 31388) or get help?

You can add the Steel Supported Hose 1-1/2″ x 42″ w/Cuffs (part# 31388) directly to your cart on this page, or call us at 763-535-0770. Our staff at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428 has been servicing Tornado equipment since 1956 and can help confirm the right part for your machine.

Questions? Call us at 763-535-0770 or visit us at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428.