Tornado PS Spotter 98220 Cork Float 1-1/2 in. 19911

The Tornado PS Spotter 98220 Cork Float 1-1/2 in. (part# 19911) is the genuine OEM float in the recovery tank of the PS Series professional spotter. Tornado’s dealer catalog lists it as “Float Cork Sphere 1.5dia Spotter” — a 1-1/2 inch diameter cork sphere.

Compatible Models for the Cork Float

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

Tornado’s factory cross-reference returns this float for the 98220 only. Float diameter is matched to the tank and to the travel the shut-off needs, so a float of a different size will not trip the flapper at the right level. Call us at 763-535-0770 with your model and serial number if you need that confirmed for your machine.

What the cork float does

The float is the part that senses how full the recovery tank is. It rides on the rising water and, at the right level, lifts the flapper against the vacuum stack to shut the airflow off before water can be drawn into the motor. Without it the tank simply fills past the stack and the motor ingests water.

It is cork rather than plastic or foam for a reason worth knowing. Cork is naturally closed-celled, so it does not take up the recovered solution the way an open foam would, and it holds its buoyancy over a long service life in dirty, detergent-laden water. It is also light enough to lift on the water surface without needing a mechanism — the simplicity is the point, because there is nothing in a cork sphere to jam, stick or corrode.

The 1-1/2 inch diameter sets where the shut-off happens. A smaller float sits lower and trips late; a larger one trips early and costs the operator tank capacity on every fill.

When to replace it

Replace the float if it has become waterlogged and heavy — the test is simple: a serviceable float bobs high in clean water, a failed one sits low or sinks. Replace it if the surface has broken down, crumbled or gone soft, if it is cracked, or if it has swollen enough to bind on the stack instead of sliding freely.

The symptom that matters most is the tank filling without the suction ever cutting off, which means the float is no longer lifting the flapper. The reverse — shut-off happening far too early — usually means the float is binding on a dirty stack rather than that the float itself has failed, so clean the stack before condemning the part. If water has reached the vacuum motor, check the float, the flapper and the stack together; a new motor fitted over a failed float will take water again.

Fitting notes

Check that the new float travels freely over its full range with the tank open, and that it lifts the flapper squarely onto the stack when raised by hand. Keep the stack clean in normal service; dried detergent on the stack is what makes a good float stick. Twin City Vacuum has been selling and servicing Tornado equipment since 1956 and keeps PS Series spotter tank parts on the shelf in Crystal, Minnesota.

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 Cork Float 19911 do on the Tornado PS Spotter 98220?

It floats on the water in the recovery tank and, as the tank fills, lifts the shut-off flapper against the vacuum stack so the airflow is cut off before water can reach the vacuum motor.

How do I know if my Cork Float needs replacing?

Drop it in clean water. A good float sits high; a waterlogged one sits low or sinks and will no longer lift the flapper. Also replace it if the surface has crumbled or gone soft, or if it has swollen enough to bind on the stack.

Why is the float made of cork?

Cork is naturally closed-celled, so it resists absorbing the recovered solution and keeps its buoyancy in dirty water, and a plain sphere has nothing in it to jam or corrode. Its 1-1/2 inch diameter also sets the level at which the shut-off trips.

How do I order the Cork Float (part# 19911) or get help?

You can add the Cork Float (part# 19911) 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.