Recovering stripper slurry is the job that kills consumer wet/dry vacuums. The solution is caustic, it foams, and a shop vac built to a price point will lose its seal plate to it inside a season. The Koblenz AI-1260P N is built for that duty cycle: a 12-gallon rotomolded poly tank that resists corrosion, a 9-amp two-stage bypass motor with twin turbine power protected by double filtration, and 89 in. of water lift to actually pull standing solution off a slab. It rides on a chromed tubular steel cart with 10 in. double-ball-bearing rear wheels sized to take the machine up and down stairs rather than fight it. Koblenz calls it hospital quiet at 68 dB. This listing is the machine only - no attachments included.
Built for
Floor care contractors, building service crews, schools, and facility maintenance teams who strip and refinish hard floors, recover water from leaks and spills, and need a wet/dry vacuum built for repeated commercial duty rather than occasional shop use.
Use cases
- Stripper and finish recovery - pulling slurry off the slab after a stripping pass, the job the corrosion-resistant rotomolded tank is built for.
- Water damage and spill response - 12 gallons of capacity with float shut-off protection for flood and leak cleanup.
- General wet and dry pickup in schools, offices, and healthcare facilities where 68 dB operation matters.
- Multi-floor buildings - 10 in. double-ball-bearing rear wheels let one person move it up and down stairs.
- Construction and post-renovation cleanup where a consumer shop vac would not survive the season.
Specifications
- Total capacity: 12 gallons
- Recoverable capacity: 8 gallons
- Motor: 1.7 HP, 2-stage bypass with twin turbine power
- Amps: 9
- Airflow: 96 CFM
- Water lift: 89 in.
- Watts: 1,050
- Electrical rating: 120 V, 60 Hz
- Sound level: 68 dB
- Hose diameter: 1-1/2 in.
- Cord length: 35 ft.
- Tank: rotomolded poly, corrosion resistant
- Net weight: 46 lbs.; shipping weight: 61 lbs.
- Configuration: machine only, no attachments included
- Warranty: 1 year limited
- Manufacturer part number: 00-3937-01-8
Build
- Double filtration protecting a durable ball-bearing motor
- Float shut-off prevents tank overfill and protects the vacuum motor
- Heavy-duty chromed tubular steel transport cart
- Large non-scuffing 10 in. double-ball-bearing rear wheels
Frequently asked questions
What does machine only mean here?
The vacuum, motor, tank, and cart. No hose, wands, or floor tools are included with this configuration. If you need a complete stripping-recovery setup, ask us which tool kit and front-mount squeegee match this model.
Can I use it to recover floor stripper?
Yes - the corrosion-resistant rotomolded tank is a key reason to choose this machine over a consumer shop vac. One important practice: use a defoamer when recovering stripper or heavily foaming solution. Foam that reaches the motor assembly can melt the seal plate and weld it to the motor, which causes blockage and permanent loss of suction. This is the single most common way these machines are destroyed.
What is water lift and why does 89 in. matter?
Water lift measures the vacuum pressure available to move liquid, as opposed to CFM which measures air volume. For wet recovery, lift is the number that matters - it is what pulls standing solution up a hose and off the floor. 89 in. is a solid commercial rating for a single-motor machine of this size.
Why is recoverable capacity lower than total capacity?
Total capacity is the physical tank volume; recoverable capacity is how much liquid you can actually collect before the float shut-off closes to protect the motor. On this machine that is 8 gallons of usable liquid in a 12-gallon tank.
Is it quiet enough for an occupied building?
Koblenz rates it at 68 dB, which they describe as hospital quiet. That is well below a typical shop vacuum and is why it is used in schools and healthcare facilities during occupied hours. Confirm against your facility noise policy if you have one.
Can one person get it up a flight of stairs?
That is what the 10 in. double-ball-bearing rear wheels on the chromed steel cart are for. At 46 lbs. empty it is a one-person machine on stairs; always empty the tank before moving it between floors.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized dealer. Orders ship from the manufacturer or our supply network with US-based product support, and our team can help you confirm fit, compatibility, and the right accessories before you buy.
