Tornado Hose Bellow 1-1/2″ x 23-1/2″ 16620

A bellow hose is convoluted rather than smooth-bored, which lets it flex through a tight radius without collapsing. Part number 16620 is the genuine OEM EPDM bellow, 1-1/2 inch by 23-1/2 inch, in the crush-resistant grade.

Compatible Models for the Hose Bellow 1-1/2″ x 23-1/2″

This part is shared across a wide run of machines. On the Marathon 1200 family it is fitted to:

• 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)
• Fits many other machines — call 763-535-0770 and we will confirm fitment for your machine.

EPDM is the material specification and it matters here. It stands up to the detergents and the warm, wet air this hose carries in a way that cheaper compounds do not — a generic hose of the right diameter will harden, then craze, then split along a convolution, usually within a season on a machine in daily use.

Convolutions are both the strength and the weakness. They let the hose bend tightly, and they are also where a fatigue crack starts, because each one flexes at the same point thousands of times. Inspect along the ribs rather than across the flats, and flex the hose while you look — a crack that is invisible straight open up when the hose is bent.

The other failure is collapse under vacuum. Crush-resistant means the wall and the convolution profile are designed to hold their shape under the suction these machines pull, and a hose that has softened with age will fold flat in one spot under load. You will not see it with the machine off. Run the machine and watch the hose, or listen for the motor note changing as it chokes.

Measure before ordering. The length is part of the specification, and a bellow that is too short is pulled straight at its ends — which defeats the point of a flexible hose and loads the fittings it connects to. Too long and it kinks.

Fit with the machine unplugged, following the original routing, with clamps landing on the cuff or fitting rather than on a convolution. A clamp tightened onto a rib crushes the profile and creates the very restriction the hose is designed to avoid.

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 machines does the hose bellow 16620 fit?

It is fitted to the Tornado 98168 12 Gallon Self Contained carpet extractor and the 98168 20″ Marathon 1200 in all series, and it is shared across many other machines. Call 763-535-0770 with your model and serial number and we will confirm fitment before you order.

Can I use a generic hose of the same diameter?

Not for long. The specification here is EPDM in a crush-resistant grade, chosen to stand up to detergent and warm wet air. A cheaper compound of the right diameter hardens, crazes and then splits along a convolution, usually within a season on a machine in daily use.

How do I find a crack in a convoluted hose?

Flex it while you look, and inspect along the ribs rather than across the flats. Each convolution flexes at the same point thousands of times, so that is where fatigue cracks start, and a crack invisible when the hose is straight will open up when it is bent. Collapse under vacuum is only visible with the machine running.

How do I order the Hose Bellow 1-1/2″ x 23-1/2″ (part# 16620) or get help?

You can add the Hose Bellow 1-1/2″ x 23-1/2″ (part# 16620) 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.