Bissell Big Green Model 86T3/86T3Q Carpet Cleaner Review

In this review of the Bissell Big Green 86T3/86T3Q model commercial carpet cleaner and shampooer, we’ll look at the pros and cons of the unit as well as a few observations about the carpet cleaning machine that may affect your decision to buy it without being clear pros or cons.

What's Good About the Bissell Big Green 86T3/86T3Q

It does take some set up, but that isn’t difficult. And it is easy to use.
If you use this model of the Bissell carpet cleaner residentially, you get an extra four years on the warranty. The standard Big Green carpet cleaner BG10, in contrast, only comes with a one year warranty whether used residentially or commercially.
This commercial carpet cleaning machine works both forward and backward, giving you versatility when you’re working
It has powerful scrubbing action. It will get a lot of dirt out of your carpets
It has a large dirty water tank and clean water tank allow you to clean a large room or several smaller ones before you have to empty one and refill the othe
The wheels on the back make it easy to maneuver when not in use
The separate clean and dirty water tanks are much easier to clean than the clean water and soap bladders that are nested in the dirty water tanks of some of the other manufacturers. And you never get the gunk that was pulled out of the carpets distributed in the same water tank before subtly spreading the same residue all over the rest of the floor
You can spray soap from the carpet shampooer using a trigger to give an area extra soap before you start making passes over it

Recommended for carpets
DirtLifter PowerBrushes provide more dirt-removing power to remove deep stains
Long-reach hose for cleaning stairs
Tough-stain tool to penetrate deep
Flow indicator lets you know when to add more water and detergent
Large-capacity tanks give you more time between refills
Safe for children and pets when used as directed
Powerful, lightweight and easy to use
Stores in a closet or other out-of-the way space when not in use

Cons of the Bissell Big Green 86T3/86T3Q

It sometimes leaks from the flow indicator. However, it is otherwise durable and rarely requires repairs
Bissell service can take weeks to send you a replacement part, like a replacement for a leaking flow indicator. And there are relatively few service providers who will do repairs under the warranty
It will not clean right up against the baseboards. And it has trouble cleaning really short carpets like Berber carpet
It is heavy before you put in the water, and with the water tanks filled, it is impossible for most people to take up stairs alone

Observations

Cleaning attachments for a number of other Bissell carpet cleaners work with the Bissell 86T3.

Minor leakage can also occur when you are making a back stroke with the machine – and that leakage is of small amounts of dirty water when it happens. You can reduce the odds of this happening by emptying the dirty water tank before it fills up all the way, though this does increase the work required to use it.

The carpet cleaner portion cleans carpets well, and while it leaves some moisture in the carpet, it will dry in a few hours. However, cleaning with attachments does not remove as much water, so whether you clean the stairs or specific stains with an attachment, those areas will be wet much longer.

The twenty foot cord should be supplemented with an extension cord if you want to use it commercially.

There is no low water level indicator, though a visual check is not difficult.

Summary

This commercial carpet cleaner is easy to set up and use, as long as the weight isn’t a problem for you. It is a rugged commercial carpet shampooer that, as long as it doesn’t leak, is not going to give you problems. On sale, this model is comparable in price to high end residential carpet cleaners.