Product Overview
The TurboCat Zoom is an air-driven vacuum powerhead. There is no motor, no power lead and no battery — the brush is turned by the airflow passing through it, so it runs off the vacuum source it is connected to.
Hydro-Force's Z-Tech design gives it a low profile and a lighter, quieter head than earlier turbine powerheads.
Why an Air-Driven Powerhead
- No electricity. No cord to run, no cord to trip over, nothing to plug in at a property where the power points are behind furniture.
- Nothing to fail electrically. The failure modes are a worn brush and a worn belt, both replaceable.
- Lighter. No motor mass in the head, so it is easier over a full house.
Important — Vacuum Speed Governs an Air-Driven Head
Because the airflow turns the brush, the vacuum you connect it to sets the speed. High vacuum spins an air-driven head faster than it was designed to run, and over-speeding generates heat.
On a truckmount in particular, run it with vacuum relief so the head speed can be regulated — Vacuum Relief Valve 1.5 Inch (AW54). The same applies to the smaller Rug Rat (AC170), where Hydro-Force excludes over-speed heat damage from warranty.
Dry Vacuuming Before Extraction
Dry soil removed before water goes down is soil that never becomes slurry in the pile. It is the step most often skipped and the one that does most for the result, particularly on heavily soiled residential carpet.
If you are dry vacuuming through an extraction machine, consider a DustDowner (AH128) to wet the debris on the way through, and an in-line waste filter (AC10) to catch what it does not.
Specifications
| Part number | AC160 |
|---|---|
| Drive | Air driven turbine — no motor, cord or battery |
| Design | Z-Tech, low profile |
| Requires | Vacuum source; use with vacuum relief to regulate head speed |
Hydro-Force does not publish the cleaning width, hose connection size, weight or an airflow requirement for the Zoom. Rather than estimate them, we have left them out — tell us your machine and hose size and we will confirm the fit before you order.
Operating Advice
- Fit and set vacuum relief before the first job, not after the head starts sounding like it is over-revving.
- Listen to it. An air-driven head running too fast is audible, and that is the warning you get.
- Clear hair and fibre from the brush regularly. A bound brush drags and the head works harder to turn it.
- Dry vacuuming only. It is not a wet pick-up tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it need power?
No. The airflow through it turns the brush.
Do I need a vacuum relief valve?
On a truckmount, yes. High vacuum over-speeds an air-driven head and the heat that follows is what damages it.
How is it different from the Rug Rat?
Size and job. The Zoom is the full-size powerhead for open carpet; the Rug Rat (AC170) is the handheld version for stairs and upholstery.
Can it pick up water?
No. Dry vacuuming only.
What replacement parts does it take?
Brush and belt are the wear parts. Tell us which TurboCat you have and we will identify the right ones — there are several generations.
Related Products
- Vacuum Relief Valve 1.5 Inch (AW54)
- Rug Rat Upholstery and Stair Powerhead (AC170)
- Dry Vac DustDowner 2 Inch (AH128)
- TurboCat Drive Belt (TF7227)
What We See in the Field
Air-driven heads are killed by being run on full truckmount vacuum with no relief fitted. They work beautifully for a while, which is exactly why the relief valve gets treated as optional until the head fails.
