Recent content by kirbyclassiciii

Mark, I think your machine dates from 1977 to 1981. Here's a 1981 brochure featuring both it and the S1029 with the wheels (the S1029 first came out in 1979). 1981 was the last year these two used the original Dial-A-Matic motor unit (noted by the toggle switch as the on/off switch); it would...

Looks like this one dates to the early-to-mid-1970s, possibly a model SP-391A from 1972 or SP-319A from 1977. ~Ben

Nick, Thank you for making this! Yes, I wish that Eureka could have made such data available for us back in the day! I know Hoover did once, in the 1960s. ~Ben

Have you checked whether or not your brush roll's bearings have seized (as kirbylux77 said), or if your motor fan is broken (missing or chipped blades)? ~Ben

Pictures, please, if you are able to do that for this? ~Ben

The 3320 had a long run from 1976 up to 1991, while the 3711A came out in 1981. The 3711 was dropped after 1985, being replaced during that year by the 3712. ~Ben

Paul, This also makes me wonder if the current Sanitaire logo with the stylized "S" also first appeared that year? I'd love to hear from somebody who remembers buying an S639, S644, S646 or S648 in '82! ~Ben

Paul, The first one would appear to be an S644 (based on the SC684) because of the Vibra-Groomer II. ~Ben

Another way to get the RD series belt to cooperate would be to soak it in warm water for a few minutes, this way you can stretch it out a little more. ~Ben

Midway through production of the 1951 model 511 (S/N 383346 and earlier had the riveted plate; S/N 383347 and up had the revised plate with screws). ~Ben

Edgar, Here is the exact link about David's 505. Originally, he was going to send in his 513/14/15 (the model tag on that one was since gone) to them but he shortly thereafter found the 505 on eBay and then he decided to focus on getting that rebuilt instead, which is why the rebuild agreement...

Edgar, I believe David's machine was a model 505 from 1945. ~Ben

Yes, they did. The specific front and rear bearings continued to be used even after Kirby changed the motor design with the 1956 model 516, up through to the 1970-73 Classic 1-CR. ~Ben

And then, sadly, their store got burned down in the late 1980s. ~Ben

Stan, Glad to hear back from you, and awesome you went ahead and bought it! Sorry to hear about the slip-up from the vac shop that last tried to repair it. ~Ben