Foam Filter B015-0200

The Foam Filter (part# B015-0200) is the post-motor foam element for the Tornado CK-LW 13/1 ProLite lightweight commercial upright, fitting model 97130 (115V) and model 97131 (230V) as well as the Powr-Flite PF62EC and the Powr-Flite PF99. The factory breakdown describes it as the foam filter used in lieu of a HEPA filter, which tells you exactly where it sits: it occupies the post-motor filtration position on machines that were not built around a sealed HEPA cartridge.

It is the last thing the air passes through before it leaves the machine, so it is the part that decides what the operator and everyone in the room actually breathes. It is also the part most often ignored, because unlike a bag it does not announce itself. A foam filter that has gone grey and stiff is no longer filtering much; it is restricting airflow and pushing fine dust straight through the gaps where it has shrunk away from its seat.

Compatible Models

• Tornado CK-LW 13/1 ProLite, model 97130 (115V)
• Tornado CK-LW 13/1 ProLite, model 97131 (230V)
• Powr-Flite PF62EC
• Powr-Flite PF99

Servicing it

Foam can be shaken out and rinsed, and doing that between changes is worthwhile, but foam is a consumable and not a lifetime part. Each wash breaks down a little more of the cell structure, and a filter that has been washed repeatedly loses both its sealing edge and its ability to hold fine particles. At this price there is no case for nursing an old one. The sensible schedule is a fresh filter at every second or third bag change, and immediately after any job that put plaster dust, toner or fine grit through the machine.

One caution worth reading before you order. The factory parts list gives this number against two positions on the accessories sheet, but the drawing shows a black foam pad at one position and a white pleated filter cartridge at the other, and that pleated cartridge carries no separate number in the factory list. What you are buying here is the foam pad. If the filter in your machine is a pleated cartridge, call 763-535-0770 before ordering and we will confirm it against your serial number. Twin City Vacuum has been selling and servicing Tornado equipment since 1956.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which machines does this filter fit?

It fits the Tornado CK-LW 13/1 ProLite, model 97130 (115V) and model 97131 (230V), along with the Powr-Flite PF62EC and the Powr-Flite PF99. Those machines are built on the same platform under different brands and share the great majority of their parts.

The parts breakdown lists this number against two positions. Do I need two?

Probably not, and it is worth a phone call before you order. The factory list does give this same number against two positions on the accessories sheet, but the drawing shows a black foam pad at one of them and a white pleated filter cartridge at the other. This listing is the foam pad. If the filter sitting in your machine is a pleated cartridge rather than foam, call 763-535-0770 and we will work out what you actually need.

Is this a HEPA filter?

No. The factory describes it as the foam filter used in lieu of a HEPA filter, which is why it sits in the post-motor position. It is washable in the sense that you can shake and rinse it, but foam breaks down with repeated washing, so replace it rather than nursing an old one.