Vacuum Clogged? Two Easy Steps for a Quick Fix
Vacuum Clogged? Two Easy Steps for a Quick Fix
by Daniel Frimml
If your CV 30/38 Vacuum shuts off and will not turn on again for 20-40 minutes, the unit is most likely clogged and the motor?s thermal protection switch has activated. The thermal activation light can be found on the top right of the body of the unit.
The normal operating temperature of the CV 30 is around 150ºF. The unit?s motor thermal protection switch is activated at 170-180ºF.
Two Simple Steps to Removing a Clog:
1) Check the filter bag. If the filter bag is full, it will restrict airflow causing the motor to overheat.
2) Check all of the hoses. What often happens is the hose and wand assembly is removed and checked/cleared, but the bottom hose that goes to the brush head is not checked and the unit may still have the same problem. The bottom hose must be removed from the back housing and straightened out. If you can not see the brush roller through the hose, it is clogged. It is best to align the turn locks on the bottom of the unit so you can remove the glide sole. This will allow access to both ends of the hose. In most cases you will find a paper clip or some object that started the blockage. Once all hoses are cleared the unit should be fine and returned to normal service.
Spring Cleaning: Eliminate Ground-in Dirt or Salt Build-Up on Hard Floors with Double Scrubbing
Spring Cleaning: Eliminate Ground-in Dirt or Salt Build-Up
on Hard Floors with Double Scrubbing
by Daniel Frimml
Springtime is the perfect time to restore hard floors in any school or facility that has gone through tough winter weather conditions.
When removing ground in dirt or salt build-up left over from the winter months with Tornado?s World-Class family of Ride-on cylindrical (BR) and disc (BD) scrubbers, double scrubbing your floors can be a great aid. Double scrubbing is defined as simply applying solution through the machine, scrubbing as you go, but making the first pass without recovering the solution, allowing the chemical more dwell time on the floor. You then make a second pass, scrubbing again as you go, but this time recovering the solution.
To use any Tornado Ride-On Scrubber for this deep, restorative cleaning method, follow these quick and easy steps:
1. Switch to Manual (MAN) mode (versus ?Auto? mode which engages both the brushes and vacuum simultaneously);
2. Lower and activate the brushes, but do not lower the squeegee;
3. Make the first pass over the floor with the brushes activated and the squeegee blade raised. This allows the chemical to sit on the floor longer for that extra boost of cleaning power needed to remove salt and ground-in dirt;
4. After completing the first pass, lower the squeegee blade and follow the same path you took initially, using the squeegee to recover the solution, chemical and dirt.
The double-scrub method restores heavily soiled commercial floors quickly and efficiently!
For further questions on battery maintenance, please call Tornado Technical Service.
When to Change HEPA Filter Cartridges on Your Vacuum?
When to Change HEPA Filter Cartridges on Your Vacuum?
by Daniel Frimml
We are often asked, how often should I change the HEPA filter on my vacuum? The real answer is, it all depends. There are a number of factors that can contribute to how long the HEPA filters last. Items effecting the filter include:
· Frequency of use (daily, weekly, monthly);
· What is being vacuumed up (hair, large items, etc.)
As a general rule of thumb, you should change the HEPA filter on your vacuum every 6 months. You can use Day light saving time as a reminder, as it is the perfect time to change your HEPA cartridge. A clogged HEPA filter cartridge can negatively impact vacuum performance, not to mention indoor air quality. Other than that, you can simply change it when it appears dirty or clogged. Most vacuum dealers sell filters, and some manufacturers sell accessories at list price online on their web site. This helps to ensure consumers have quick and easy access to these important machine accessories, eliminating long wait periods or machine down-time.
How to Avoid Common Pitfalls when Stripping Floors
How to Avoid Common Pitfalls when Stripping Floors
by Daniel Frimml
If you strip floors in your facility on a regular basis, you are probably familiar with common pit falls that can occur during this process. The technical tips listed below are designed to help you avoid common equipment challenges when using a wet-dry vacuum:
Technical Tips:
1. When using a wet-dry vacuum to recover stripper from floors, be sure to clean stripper from the wet-dry solution tank thoroughly, making sure that no stripper remains;
2. Wash the float and float cage well after use, making sure the float moves freely before operating again;
3. Note that it is also important to make sure the float is installed correctly after changing a vacuum motor. Remember that the open end always goes down.
Warning: if you do not clean the float cage well, you run the risk burning up the vacuum motor due to the float being stuck to the bottom of the cage, allowing water to breach the vacuum motor.
Stripping Floors 101:
• Lay stripper with a mop;
• Agitate the floor stripper with a floor machine;
• Recover stripper with a wet-dry vacuum;
• Let the floor dry thoroughly;
• Apply wax;
• Buff the waxed floors with a high-speed or automatic scrubber.
Caring for Automatic Batteries
Caring for Automatic Scrubber Batteries
by Daniel Frimml
Does it seem like your scrubber is not running as long as it used to? There is a high probability that the problem is the batteries. To get the maximum life out of your batteries, they need to be maintained properly. One of the worst things that can happen to a battery is for it to be discharged too far. To protect against this, almost all of Tornado’s battery powered units have an electronic low-battery cut-out that prevents this from happening. Basic and routine battery maintenance should include the following: - Check the water level, if applicable:
- Check cables and connectors for cleanliness and to make sure they are tight.
- Sealed batteries are commonly called maintenance-free batteries, and as far as the battery is concerned, it is maintenance free. However, you still need to maintain the connections and cables.
- Never leave deep-cycle batteries in a unit that will not be used for extended periods of time, without placing them on charge occasionally. All batteries will self-discharge over time and it is important to keep them maintained.
- Keep you batteries and battery operated equipment away from heat sources while storing them. High heat kills batteries.
- And, remember to always wear safety glasses when servicing batteries.
When it comes to deep-cycle batteries, the best advice is to remember that keeping them in top condition will save you big dollars in the long run! For further questions on battery maintenance, please call Tornado Technical Service.
Carpet Care: Defoamer 101
Carpet Care: Defoamer 101
by Daniel Frimml
Defoamer is a concentrated, water-based emulsion formulated to eliminate foam in liquid recovery systems in carpet extractors, as well as foam created from soapy residue in the carpets themselves. Defoamers are usually used in situations where a large amount of detergent residue has built up in the carpet. When you are extracting carpets and the instruction manual calls for defoamer or you find the carpet is loaded with chemicals from other carpet cleaning methods, it is important to follow the chemical supplier’s recommendation and place the correct the correct amount of defoamer into the recovery tank or suck it up through the vacuum hose, whichever the they direct. Why? If defoamer is not used in the recovery tank to eliminate foam, the foam from the solution will NOT lift the float up to close off the vacuum system. Instead, it will ride over the float and go straight into the vacuum motor and out the exhaust. If your unit appears to be leaking from the vacuum exhaust, it may not be leaking but actually sucking foam through the vacuum motor due to lack of defoamer. Benefits:
Defoamer can enhance the interim carpet cleaning and restorative extraction process by: - Protecting the vacuum motor from becoming flooded:
- Minimizing dump and refills through the reduction of foam in the recovery tank:
- Enabling interim carpet maintenance such as bonnet cleaning, encapsulation or dry cleaning by reducing soapy residue on carpets
Visit www.tornadovac.com to learn more or call 1.800.VACUUMS today!
To Burnish or Buff?
To Burnish or Buff?
by Daniel Frimml
To Burnish or Buff?
How are you treating your floors this winter season? With the winter season comes the challenge of keeping your floors looking their best. The chemicals used to keep entryways safe can really do a number on your floors. This becomes even harder if you are using the wrong machine for the job.
High-Speed vs. Low-Speed?
High speed burnishers are used for spray buffing, dry buffing, and burnishing hard floors. These units range from 17 to 28 inches and from 1000 to 2500 RPM. These are the machines that are used to maintain the glossy look on many floors.
Slower speed buffers are normally used for daily polishing, stripping, scrubbing, and sanding wood floors. They can also be used with a bonnet on carpeting. These units are available in 17 or 20-inch models and run at 175 RPM. Be sure to stay tuned in future newsletters for more information on matching disc pads to specific cleaning applications!
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Here you will find our collection of Tech Talk articles,
filled with information from our Technical Service experts about a variety topics including equipment maintenance,
battery maintenance, workplace safety issues, and much more. If you are a service or maintenance professional,
we hope these articles make your job working with Tornado equipment just a little bit easier.
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