Tornado Vacuum Stack and Float Cage Assembly 19516

The Tornado Vacuum Stack and Float Cage Assembly 19516 is the genuine OEM shut-off assembly for the PS Series professional spotters. It is the part that stops the machine filling its own vacuum motor with water: a cage that houses a float ball, mounted on the vacuum stack that carries recovered air out of the tank. It also fits the Tornado PS8226 Spotter 98226, the 230-volt build of the deluxe PS Series spotter.

Compatible Models for the Vacuum Stack and Float Cage Assembly

• Tornado PS Spotter 98220 — PS Series professional spotter, 115V
• Tornado PS8221 Spotter 98221 — the 230-volt build of the same spotter
• Tornado PS8225 Spotter 98225 — deluxe PS Series spotter
• Tornado PS8226 Spotter 98226 — the 230-volt build of the deluxe PS Series spotter, Series D & E

Tornado’s factory cross-reference returns this assembly across Series C through G of the 98220, both Series F and G of the 98221, and the 98225. We publish only the models we can confirm against Tornado’s current catalog — call us at 763-535-0770 with your model and serial number if yours is not listed.

What the float cage does

Every wet-pickup machine needs an automatic shut-off, and this is it. Recovered air leaves the tank through the vacuum stack on its way to the motor. The float ball sits in the cage at the top of that path. While the tank has room, the ball rests at the bottom of the cage and air flows past it freely. When the recovered liquid rises to the top of the tank, it lifts the ball against the stack opening and seals it — the suction drops away sharply, and that sudden change in note is the machine telling the operator the tank is full.

The cage is as important as the ball. It keeps the float captive and centred so it can only rise straight onto its seat, and it stops debris, foam and lengths of fibre reaching the seat and holding it open. A ball without a cage would be flung around the tank and would seal at random or not at all.

Understanding that chain explains the two failure modes. If the shut-off does not work, the machine keeps pulling once the tank is full and recovered water goes straight into the vacuum motor — which is how a two-hundred-dollar motor is destroyed by a part costing a fraction of it. If the shut-off sticks closed, the machine appears to have lost all suction when the tank is nearly empty.

When to replace it

Replace the assembly if the cage is cracked, broken, distorted or has parted from the stack; if the float ball is missing, split, waterlogged or no longer moves freely in the cage; if the seat the ball closes against is damaged, scored or deformed so it will not seal; or if the stack itself is cracked or has a hole, which lets the machine draw air from inside the housing instead of through the tool.

Replace it if the machine has ever been run with the tank overfull and water reached the motor. That is evidence the shut-off did not act, and the assembly needs to be proven good before the machine goes back out.

Test it rather than assume it. With the tank empty, check the ball drops to the bottom of its cage under gravity and rises freely when pushed up by hand. A ball that hangs up on a distorted cage will hang up in service.

Inspect and rinse the cage at every service. Foam and fibre collect there and are the usual reason a shut-off starts behaving unpredictably.

Fitting notes

Note the orientation before removing the old assembly — a float shut-off only works one way up, and the ball must be able to rise onto its seat. Check the gasket that seals the stack to the tank and fit a new one if it has hardened, torn or taken a set; a leak here lets the machine pull air in around the stack and costs suction whatever else is right.

Make sure nothing is left in the cage before closing up, bring the fasteners up evenly so the stack seats square, and test the shut-off with clean water before the machine returns to service — fill until the float lifts and confirm the suction drops away cleanly.

Twin City Vacuum has been selling and servicing Tornado equipment since 1956 and keeps PS Series spotter 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 Vacuum Stack and Float Cage Assembly 19516 do?

It is the automatic shut-off. Recovered air leaves the tank through the vacuum stack, and the float ball held in the cage rises with the liquid level until it seals the stack opening. The sudden drop in suction is the machine signalling that the tank is full.

What happens if the float shut-off fails?

If it fails to close, the machine keeps pulling once the tank is full and recovered water goes into the vacuum motor — which destroys the motor. If it sticks closed, the machine reads as having lost all suction with a nearly empty tank. Either way it needs attention before the machine goes back into service.

How do I test the float cage?

With the tank empty, check that the ball drops to the bottom of the cage under gravity and rises freely when pushed by hand. Rinse foam and fibre out of the cage at every service — that build-up is the usual cause of an unpredictable shut-off. Then fill with clean water and confirm the suction drops away cleanly when the float lifts.

How do I order the Vacuum Stack and Float Cage Assembly (part# 19516) or get help?

Call us at 763-535-0770 to order the Vacuum Stack and Float Cage Assembly (part# 19516) — this is a factory-order part and we will confirm current pricing and the right version for your serial number when you call. Our staff at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428 has been servicing Tornado equipment since 1956.

Questions? Call us at 763-535-0770 or visit us at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428.