Tornado Float Flapper 16ga Stainless 19906

The Tornado Float Flapper 19906 is the genuine OEM shut-off flapper in the recovery tank of the Tornado PS Series professional spotters, fitting both the PS Spotter 98220 and the PS8225 Spotter 98225. Tornado’s dealer catalog lists it as “Float Flapper 16ga SS 98220 225 .059 Thk” — a 16 gauge stainless flapper, .059 inch thick, named for the two machines it serves.

Compatible Models for the Float Flapper

• Tornado PS Spotter 98220 — PS Series professional spotter, 115V, on the recovery tank assembly
• Tornado PS8225 Spotter 98225 — deluxe PS Series spotter, on the recovery tank assembly

Two Tornado sources establish that fitment. The factory cross-reference returns the 98220, and Tornado’s own catalog name for the part — “Float Flapper 16ga SS 98220 225” — names the 225 alongside it, which is the PS8225 Spotter 98225. If you run a different machine and think you need this flapper, call us at 763-535-0770 with your model and serial number and we will confirm it before you order.

What the float flapper does

The flapper is the part that stops the machine drinking its own recovery water. It rides on the float assembly around the vacuum stack: as the tank fills, the float rises, and the flapper is carried up against the top of the stack where it seals and shuts the airflow off. Suction drops away suddenly and the operator knows the tank is full.

That abrupt loss of suction is the flapper working correctly, not a fault. The alternative is the tank filling past the stack and the vacuum motor ingesting water — which is both an immediate failure and an expensive one, because a motor that has taken water rarely recovers.

It is made from 16 gauge stainless at .059 inch because it has to stay dead flat. A flapper that has warped will not seal against the stack however well the float works, and a material that corroded or softened in recovered solution would warp within weeks.

When to replace it

Replace the flapper if it is bent, dished or no longer sits flat, if the sealing face is pitted or scored, if it is corroded, or if its pivot or mounting point has worn so it cannot align squarely with the stack.

The symptom that matters is the dangerous one: the tank fills and suction never cuts off, so water carries on up the stack. If you have found water in the motor housing, inspect the flapper, the float and the stack together before fitting a new motor — replacing the motor alone leaves the cause in place. The opposite symptom, suction cutting off when the tank is clearly not full, usually means a flapper stuck to the stack or a float riding on a dirty stack rather than a worn flapper.

Fitting notes

Service the float, the flapper and the stack as a set; they only shut off reliably when all three are in good order. Before the machine goes back into use, lift the float by hand with the tank open and watch the flapper seat squarely against the stack, then let it fall and check it drops free rather than sticking. Keep the stack and flapper faces clean in service, because dried detergent on either face is the usual cause of a shut-off that triggers early. Twin City Vacuum has been selling and servicing Tornado equipment since 1956.

You can browse every assembly for this machine on our Tornado PS Spotter 98220 parts page, and the manufacturer’s specifications are published at tornadovac.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Float Flapper 19906 do on the Tornado PS Spotter 98220 and 98225?

It is the shut-off plate carried by the float in the recovery tank. When the tank fills, the float lifts the flapper against the top of the vacuum stack, sealing it and cutting the airflow before water can reach the vacuum motor.

Is it normal for suction to cut off suddenly?

Yes, when the tank is full — that is the flapper doing its job. Suction cutting off while the tank is still part empty is different, and usually means the flapper is sticking to the stack or the float is binding on a dirty stack.

What models is the Float Flapper (part# 19906) compatible with?

The Tornado PS Spotter 98220 and the Tornado PS8225 Spotter 98225. Tornado’s factory cross-reference lists the 98220 and the catalog part name itself names the 225, so both machines take this flapper. It is 16 gauge stainless, .059 inch thick, and has to stay perfectly flat to seal against the vacuum stack.

How do I order the Float Flapper (part# 19906) or get help?

You can add the Float Flapper (part# 19906) 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.