Commercial Tennant CV141

[bvac6]

I picked this up for ten bucks from a junks shops basement, it was a filthy mess but this pic is of it all cleaned up. I found a manual for it online and it was dated 1996. Its an interesting vac, I think at some point in its life it was operated without a bag because I cleaned out a ton of little bits of stone or some stone-like material from the motor casing. The motor is fine but the suction on this thing is weak, which is surprising for a commercial vac like this. Thoughts?

 

[stricklybojack]

My guess is...

The seal on the bag chamber is missing or leaking or the brushes on the main motor are worn. Assuming all the hoses are clear, the brush roll is not worn down too far, belt is good, brush roll motor is working right, the bag and filters are clean, etc. Brushes on the suction motor only last so long, and commercial vacs see a lot of use. You no doubt realize this vac is really for lower pile carpet only.

 

[bvac6]

Low Pile

I assumed that it was for lower piling carpet, but the suction from the hose, and even with the hose off, is pathetic. The motor is clean and hums along just fine with no unusual noises or whining. The carbons have plenty of life left.The only other machine like this I can compare it to is my Windsor Versamatic and my Hako Patriot 14, both of which have excellent suction. Now what I can tell you is that the bag compartment has a whistle so ill have to take a good look at the door seal like you suggested.

 

[tolivac]

Here I always thought Tennant made those large truck mount parking lot vacuums-Nice vacuum-shame that someone used it without a bag.It cleaned up nicely!

 

[kirbyvertibles]

I have the same thing but branded Princess for the Filter Queen vac shp line. I love mine. It has good suction, however I have used many others with different names like Tennant and none of them had good suction. I wonder if they beefed mine up for Filter Queen???