Mikey P
Administrator
I was going to ask Grant about the numbers on the brush roll end caps... but found the answer here..
pretty cool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUSLataFbzU
pretty cool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUSLataFbzU
Help me find the right vacuum cleaner
- Thread starter Mikey P
- Start date
I acknowledge your observations about onboard tools. You're right. It would make your life easier and I too would appreciate the assistance it would offer.
BUT....
It will NEVER happen on the Kirby. To implement the onboard tools would dictate relocation of the pickup fan and substantial revisions to the geometry of the air path.
This would blunt the stellar carpet pickup performance you have now observed.
The Kirby is proof that not all new things are an improvement in terms of how well things work as compared with older and usually simpler devices.
The Kirby is outright crude. It's a 100 year old relic. But 100 years ago housewives did not complain about trivial inconvenience as they do today,
This is why so many Kirbys are virtually given away second hand. Carpet cleaners are however performance sensitive, they have already gone to great lengths to recover soil homeowners don't. The thing to remember is that this notion that "it makes it easier for me" is a homeowner point of view, not really one to be bought into by professionals, tempting for the time and effort savings as it may be.
If you're spending money and tine with high end processes to sell to your customer, you can live with Kirbys being performance cleaners that forsake onboard tools. Just invest in a small shoulder canister for edges or tell your guys "tough it out, you work for me and we work for the customer. They deserve premium service so we'll just live with setting up the Kirby".
Grant
Last edited:
Lefty724
Member
I agree with Mikey on not having on board tools. This is why my Kirby, Royal, and Sanitare sit in the garage and are only used for new installations.
If I have to use one of those vacs on a cleaning job, I will either sweep the edges with a broom, or use a backpack/hip vac for the edges.
If I have to use one of those vacs on a cleaning job, I will either sweep the edges with a broom, or use a backpack/hip vac for the edges.
Mikey P
Administrator
I am fortunate to have plenty of room to carry two types of vacuum cleaners.
We wont be using the Kirby on pet, smoke or grease pit carpets.
We wont be using the Kirby on pet, smoke or grease pit carpets.
Mikey P
Administrator
Pick up this beauty today for the second truck
Used a handful of times.
The latest greatest Kirby..
I paid $175
Used a handful of times.
The latest greatest Kirby..
I paid $175
Cleantechsk
Member
Mikey P
Administrator
If the Sanitaires used a flat belt like the Kirby, I'd still be using them.
Mikey P
Administrator
how does this tool really work?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-Turbo...Domain_0&var=460208266345&hash=item2582905497
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-Turbo...Domain_0&var=460208266345&hash=item2582905497
Lefty724
Member
Cool Mikey. All this talk and I might have to bust out my old Kirby.
How are you liking the Kirby's so far?
That newest Kirby looks awesome!
How are you liking the Kirby's so far?
That newest Kirby looks awesome!
AshleyMckendree
Supportive Member
I like my Kirbys, but royal has impressed me much more, they look more industrial as well.
The Zip brush is really useful for pet hair recovery. You'd use it on upholstery, bedding and car interiors. No need for it on carpet where the deep cleaning head is the tool to beat.
The Kirby Sentria you showed looks great. It is actually one mold behind current model which is Sentria II.
You should make sure both your Kirby machines use the same bag type. Mid way through the Sentria model's life Kirby changed the bag coupler. Sentria a after mid 2009 use F type face plates. All Kirbys prior to this use the twist type. I'd buy a new top adapter for your Sentria if. It is an F Type and make it a twist type. That way you have access to all the aftermarket bags sold cheaply at retail. There are more models that take twist type, so more aftermarket manufacturers offer bags in this format.
Stay with genuine belts though.
Grant
The Kirby Sentria you showed looks great. It is actually one mold behind current model which is Sentria II.
You should make sure both your Kirby machines use the same bag type. Mid way through the Sentria model's life Kirby changed the bag coupler. Sentria a after mid 2009 use F type face plates. All Kirbys prior to this use the twist type. I'd buy a new top adapter for your Sentria if. It is an F Type and make it a twist type. That way you have access to all the aftermarket bags sold cheaply at retail. There are more models that take twist type, so more aftermarket manufacturers offer bags in this format.
Stay with genuine belts though.
Grant
Lefty724
Member
What about bags Grant?
Do you prefer paper/disposable bags or the reusable cloth type bags?
Do you prefer paper/disposable bags or the reusable cloth type bags?
Mikey P
Administrator
Tossed out our first pillow case/bag today.
must have weighed 25 pounds.
The passion I use to have for Sanitaires has been renewed.
Thanks Grant!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yczxUJLPhkg
must have weighed 25 pounds.
The passion I use to have for Sanitaires has been renewed.
Thanks Grant!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yczxUJLPhkg
Russ T.
Supportive Member
Vivers
Supportive Member
I think for the price the shark rotator is a good vacuum to use for that
Okay here is a GREAT VAC demo, I don't think you will find a better vacuum. I will be getting one very soon I recently picked up a old kirby to try it out it is a 1948 yeah thats right a 1948 kirby it is so clean I may see if a collector may want it, but it is very similar to the Royal in its design. The newer Kirby's have a plastic fan where this one is all metal. They produce amazing airflow and even though mine is ONLY a 3 amp motor its airflow blows away my 12 amp vacuum. They also beat the carpet more like a pile lifter
Here is a great vacuum demo on the newer Royals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGMrZZaTRSE
Look at how well it agitates the carpet later in the video just amazing really.
Here is a great vacuum demo on the newer Royals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGMrZZaTRSE
Look at how well it agitates the carpet later in the video just amazing really.
Thats what I'm looking for I have searched everywhere on the net but can't find one. If I get my Royal before MF 10 I will bring it down and we can do a shoot out against Mikey's newer Kirby
Lefty724
Member
Man, I might just have to pull the Royal outta retirement. LoL!
hogjowl
Idiot™
I have to say, that after years of reading threads about vacuum cleaners, that 11 minute video was infinitely more informative than all the other useless threads combined.
Ron K
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2009
- Messages
- 2,371
Shark has a new Vacuum out so we have to start this allllll oooovvvveeerrr again.
ruff
Member
Ron K
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2009
- Messages
- 2,371
The BEST vacuum is the one that gets used. I do wonder why these Royal's and Kirby's look so new at 20-30 years old and I have to think that people buy these, or are SOLD them and then the people find out what a pain in the ass, back, and neck they are.
Russ T.
Supportive Member
I think we each have to find the best way for each of us to be the most profitable as we can. That's business. There are profitable companies that never prevac and profitable companies that always do. I didn't realize the importance until I started doing in all my residential situations. Apartment move outs are a decent market for us as well so price is a big factor for the tenant moving out. In these cases, we request they vacuum or there will be a vacuum charge. In our residential market we are becoming MUCH better cleaners with the addition of always pre vacuuming and almost always using a 360i. I'm actually excited to give one of these Kirby's a try. If they are that much better, we will adjust.
The Clean Machine
The Clean Machine
Yea, it's probably worth $100 if in good condition, but you should be able to find
a much newer, self propelled model with accessories for the same $.
You are bang on right in that a machine that will see regular use is best. Remember that these metal machines are highly serviceable, durable and can be restored to like new condition with metal polish.
Grant
Grant
