Kenmore Progressive Direct Drive & Eureka Bravo II

[vacman117]

Yesterday I was on my home from school and I passed a garage sale. There is never anything worth getting at the garage sales in my town usually, but I saw a familiar handle next to a table so I decided to turn around. It turned out to be a vacuum that I have been wanting ever since they came out. A Kenmore Progressive Direct Drive with the electronic controls. I have the first purple model, but it does not have all of the cool buttons like this. I figured the $10 price tag was more than worth it. I got it home and gave it a test run right away. The brushroll wasn't turning so I hit the reset switch and it kicked right on! All I had to do was give it a good cleaning and replace the bag. I'm not going to bother getting the few scuffs off since I'll be using it a lot. If you have never used a Kenmore with Direct Drive before, I strongly recommend them. You would not believe what they pull out of the carpet!

 

[mieles7]

I saw that exact Kenmore at my goodwill. Should I have gotten it? It was $21.99

 

[vacman117]

And here is something that I have been trying to find for years, a purple Eureka Bravo II. If you look at my profile picture, this vacuum is in it. This was my very first real vacuum, and I only had it for a few months before it got thrown away. My mom's friend gave it to me and said it didn't work, so my mom would not let me use it. When we got home, I started scraping the walls in my bedroom with the plug, so my dad ended up cutting the cord off.

I was lucky to find this one in like new condition at a thrift store. It just needed a wipe down, new bag, and a new belt! This will always hold a special place in my heart.

 

[dwhdarren97]

That Dirt Devil Classic next to it was my first real upright. What I wouldn't give to have that back. A great machine.

 

[vac-o-matic]

I just acquired the purple model but the brushroll was down to the nubs. It was going to cost about 60.00 just for the outer shell without the motor. I was lucky enough to find a brand new complete brushroll on ebay for a song, and the body of the machine is in beautiful condtion. It's now the newest machine in my upright rotation of daily drivers. They're great vacs, congrats on your new find!

 

[massagemiracle]

I am really impressed with these vacuums, I hate to sell this one

 

[gmerkt]

Can you tell us what the model number is on the red Direct Drive Progressive?

I do a lot of work on all of the Kenmores of this same basic molding, from the bottom end machines with just an on/off switch up to the various Direct Drives. They are very good machines and sell well.

Recently, I got done with a Model 116.33922300, which is the black Direct Drive (early style) with analog power switch.

Maybe Bobby will read this and contibute re. your red DD with electronic power contols, but seems to me it might have been a transition model between the early DD and the later ones with the Intelliclean that have electronic controls.

Pic of the black DD 116.33922300. This model has the electric hose to go along with the electric Handy Mate tool nested on the back.

 

[gmerkt]

Also, I just did a Kenmore Progressive Model 116.3562240. What a nice machine; very low mileage. As soon as I saw it sitting there with a bunch of other cast-offs, I knew it would be a very easy refurb. The only thing wrong with it was a broken belt and it needing dusting.

This is a couple of models up from the basic model of this same molding series. Sears had some cheaper uprights that were contemporary with these, but they are a different series/line. This one has the electronic power controls similar to those on the red Direct Drive in the original post. Turbo tool cradled on a rack on the back of the handle.

 

[gmerkt]

Power controls.

 

[gmerkt]

Back of machine.

 

[gmerkt]

Handi-Mate Jr. tool.