Tornado Brush Cover Plate 30959

The brush cover plate closes off the end of the brush housing, holding the bearing block in position and keeping carpet fibre and grit out of the drive. It is a small flat part doing an unglamorous job, and the machines that lose it are the ones whose brush bearings keep failing. Part number 30959 is the genuine OEM plate for the MWH-800, Marathon 800 and Marathon 1200 extractors.

Compatible Models for the Brush Cover Plate

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 plate is what stands between the bearing and everything the brush picks up. Without it, or with it distorted enough to leave a gap, string and fibre wind straight into the bearing block and grit gets into the bearing itself. A bearing fed grit does not last a season.

Check it whenever the brush is out, which is the only time it is visible. Look for a plate that is bowed rather than flat, for elongated fixing holes, and for a gap between the plate and the housing when the fasteners are tight. Any of those means fibre is getting past it.

The commonest damage is levering. Operators clearing a jammed brush use the plate edge as a purchase point for a screwdriver, which bends it, and a bent plate never sits flat again. The second is corrosion at the fixing holes, which lets the plate move slightly with every rotation until the holes open out.

It is worth keeping one on the shelf, because this is the sort of part that gets left off. A plate removed for a brush change and not refitted costs a bearing a few months later, and the connection between the two is rarely made at the time.

Fit it with the machine unplugged and the brush out. Seat the plate flat, start both fasteners before tightening either so it pulls down square, and check by eye that there is no gap between plate and housing once tight. Clean the fibre out of the bearing block area first — fitting a new plate over a packed block traps the problem inside.

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 brush cover plate 30959 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 you are not sure.

My brush bearings keep failing — could the cover plate be why?

It is one of the first things to check. The plate is what stops string, fibre and grit reaching the bearing block. A plate that is bowed, has elongated fixing holes, or leaves a gap when the fasteners are tight lets debris straight in, and a bearing fed grit does not last a season.

How does the cover plate get damaged?

Usually by being levered. Clearing a jammed brush with a screwdriver against the plate edge bends it, and a bent plate never sits flat again. The other cause is corrosion at the fixing holes, which lets the plate move slightly with every rotation until the holes open out.

How do I order the Brush Cover Plate (part# 30959) or get help?

You can add the Brush Cover Plate (part# 30959) 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.