The Sandia Sniper 86-R3-100 is a 6 gallon commercial canister carpet extractor sized for service routes, small contract jobs, and in-house janitorial teams that need an everyday workhorse but do not need the bulk of a 12 gallon machine. With a 100 PSI adjustable pump and a single 3-stage vacuum delivering 205 inches of water lift, it is the size where most owner-operator carpet cleaning crews start.
Use cases
- Owner-operator carpet cleaning - bedrooms, hallways, area rugs, and stairs in residential service work. The 6 gallon size keeps trips to the truck reasonable on most house jobs.
- In-house janitorial and facilities - schools, daycares, churches, small offices, and senior living rooms. One operator can move and run the machine without a helper.
- Auto detail and upholstery with the right wand and tool - the 100 PSI pump lets you turn down the flow for fabric and headliners.
- Restoration crews needing a second canister extractor for tight spaces where the truck-mount or 12 gallon walk-behind cannot go.
- Hotel and hospitality rapid response - the compact frame fits in service elevators and storage closets.
Specifications
- Solution tank: 6 gallons
- Recovery tank: 6 gallons
- Pump: 100 PSI adjustable
- Vacuum motor: single 3-stage, 99 CFM, 205-inch water lift
- Cord: 25 feet
- Dimensions: 27-inch L x 20-inch W x 38-inch H
- Weight: 72 pounds
- Wheels: 10-inch non-marking, non-skid rear
- Heat: cold water (heated 86-R3-100-H model also available)
Frequently asked questions
Is 100 PSI enough for commercial carpet?
For most commercial nylon and olefin carpet, yes. 100 PSI is the long-standing default for canister extractors and produces good soil release on routine maintenance and interim cleaning. Heavily soiled restoration work or older glue-down commercial tile may benefit from a 200 or 500 PSI machine; consider the 86-2200 or 80-3500 series in that case.
What is the difference between single 3-stage and dual 3-stage?
The 86-R3-100 uses one 3-stage vacuum motor. Dual 3-stage units (such as the 86-3100) use two motors in parallel for higher airflow and faster dry times on large open areas. For room-by-room and stair work, a single motor is plenty and uses one 15-amp circuit comfortably; dual motor units may need a dedicated 20-amp circuit on long runs.
Does it include a wand and hose?
Configurations vary. The Sniper canister itself ships from Sandia without the wand and hose package on some SKUs, with both included on others. Check the listing detail or contact us for the exact bundle on this part number; we can also add the matched 25-foot hose and 12-inch wand as a bundle.
How heavy is the unit, and can one person move it?
72 pounds with empty tanks. The 10-inch rear wheels and the upright handle are designed for one-operator transport on flat floors and over thresholds. For full flights of stairs, plan to dump the recovery tank first; a full 6-gallon recovery tank adds roughly 50 pounds.
What carpet cleaning chemistry should I run?
Any commercial low-foam extractor detergent works in the solution tank. Avoid high-foam consumer-grade carpet shampoos - they overload the recovery tank with foam and trip the float shutoff prematurely. We stock standard low-foam extraction concentrates if you want a bundle.
How does this compare to a 12 gallon walk-behind?
The 6 gallon canister wins on portability, stair work, and tight-room access. A 12 gallon walk-behind such as the Sandia Sniper 80-2100 wins on production rate for large open spaces and on water capacity between dumps. Many service crews own one of each: the canister for tight residential and the walk-behind for hotel ballrooms and offices.
What kind of maintenance does the pump need?
Routine maintenance is straightforward: rinse the solution tank with clean water at end of shift, check inline filters monthly, and run a flush of clean cool water through the pump after using high-pH or alkaline pre-spray. Pump rebuild kits are available - typical service interval is several hundred operating hours, depending on water hardness.
About Discount Cleaning Products. We are an authorized Sandia dealer with US-based customer service. Replacement gaskets, vacuum motors, pump heads, and hose kits are stocked items, not catalog-only. If you call about a part, we can usually tell you whether it is in stock that day.
