I've had my fill of the Eureka The Boss Smartvac

[gmerkt]

Somebody gave me one of these, a Model 4870, a few months ago. It looked solid enough at the time, so later I took a closer look at it and was less than impressed. The bags are small; the bag fit is kinda crook. It wouldn't take much to dislodge the bag and fill the dust compartment with loose debris. Not very good fit where the bag collar meets up with the dock. These have a mechanical brush roll on/off feature. There is an idler pulley arrangement that has what appears to be a brake on it. Brake shoe protrudes through a slot in the floor nozzle frame. On this machine, the thin plastic ridge at the slot in the frame is broken away, so the shoe is loose. This causes the brush roll to stay on most of the time when the handle is in the upright position. Strange, thin non-flexible flat belt (Eureka type R).

These are the ones with the manually operated diverter on the upper right side of the machine, to shift vacuum between the floor nozzle and the hose. You can't miss it, big, round and yellow.

So a few days ago I ran across another of these for very little money, $4. I thought, "Maybe I can make one out of two." It didn't work out. The second one, a year older (2005), had several breaks in the floor nozzle frame that couldn't be seen until I started disassembly. Strangely enough, the handle release pedal was both jammed in place and broken out of the frame. Plastic parts on both of these were rather brittle. That weird belt was still working but shredded and nothing appeared to be wrong with associated parts to cause that out of hand.

Tomorrow, off to the dump they go. These are fairly well-thought of by most buyers. At Amazon, there are 60 some odd pages of reviews, with lots of happy owners. And of course, some who are disgruntled. But with both of these machines that came my way to have the plastic broken apart in the nozzle frames, I chalk that up to the passage of time. We've discussed this before in other threads. Often those enthusiastic reviews from buyers don't take into account a few years of use.

One recurrent comment in the reviews was something like, "I know it's working better than my last vacuum because I have to change the bag more often." How about because the bag is so small??

 

[electromatik]

Such a shame to have that happen. I know what you mean about Amazon reviewers. I'm sure most of them do love them. The unwashed masses out there think if it turns on and sucks up dirt it's a good vacuum. They have no earthly idea that it's not built to last or that it's more than likely gonna start spewing innumerable particles out after a few times of usage. It's like a Volkswagen and a Mercedes. You'll never get the majority to understand the nuances of the Mercedes. They just want one that seemingly works. I wouldn't WANT to ever buy a Eureka or any other of the mass market machines. But if I was poor(er) it would be better than nothing. I guess we have to keep ourselves in perspective but it doesn't change the fact that the Walmart vacuums are not as well built as the higher-end equipment. You can't get Miele filtration with a Bissell.

 

[ncovert]

I know a lady who has a green version with the newer "sealed HEPA" filter on it. The power switch had broken, so she brought it to me a year ago and I fitted a household wall switch in there. It still works, too

 

[gmerkt]

The lower-end Eureka Altima models are simpler and not as prone to breakage. I wash/bleach and reuse a lot of so-called HEPA filters. In my experience, Eureka filters are the most fragile. So even an Altima frequently needs a new $7 filter. I don't often have a Eureka vacuum in my line-up of refurbed vacs that I sell. That doesn't include Sanitaire, the legacy-style, super-simple commercial machines which I do well with.

Another Eureka dud is the Model 4686 that was given to me recently. Model name, something like Whirlwind Big Cup. I tend to think of helpless females being the lowest common denominator for ease of use. Not to say they all are; there are plenty of mechanically challenged, helpless males as well, but the odds are that a female is more apt to be using a vacuum cleaner. That's just how things are.

Anyway, the 4686 is a hopeless case in terms of ease of use. The word often used these days is "intuitive" and this machine isn't in terms of emptying the dust compartment. Very clumsy and one little alignment problem (out of several potential ones on this rig) and the suction will be absent. Hose is difficult to use. Lovely translucent aqua color, however.

So I've cleaned this 4686 up, repaired it, but there just isn't any fixing inherent design deficiencies. As a vacuum cleaner, it works, but I'm reluctant to try to sell it, given the difficulties in emptying the dust bin that some operators might have. Maybe I'll put it up on Craig's List for $20 or $25 and some low income person will buy it. I'll have to carefully show them the drill with the dust compartment, etc.

 

[tolivac]

Oh yes--those poor Eureka plasti thing vacs-see so many of them in vac shop and the dump dumpsters-so pitiful-dirty,dusty,and broken.Then waiting to be interred at the landfill.

 

[gsheen]

I have a grey and yellow model and love it to bits, Yes the bag is very small and this machine is so powerful it fills the bag fast, I dont use it much any more as I prefer my dyson. In our old house it was so powerful that it would lock itself to the carpet in the one room, ( a close weave very short pile )

I totally embarrassed a Kirby salesman with it one day aswell as it outcleaned the sentria they were trying to sell me. They did the whole salt on the carpet trick and it sucked it all away. The poor girl was lost for words.

Down side is the bags filled really fast and the belts were expensive if they broke, But for what it cost it was a great vacuum.

 

[suckolux]

Have rescued a few of the like,don't care for them, repair and give to someone having nothing.

 

[super-sweeper]

I personally liked them,

We bought one new when the Elite Soft & Lite went out years back (Over a fan, Don't blame me as I was too little to do anything!), I was in charge of picking the replacement, and smartly chose the Eureka THE-BOSS Smart-Vac. I loved it, very powerful and a great all-around cleaner. That poor machine meet it's end when a "Friend" borrowed it and a Bissell Pet-Hair Eraser styled machine without me knowing, And it came back with a loud, odd noise. I've seen Eurekas make this noise before, and now know that tone meant the end. That Bissell came back with no cord, and still has no cord years later. It's in the Attic, Sitting until I decide to do something with it. On a plus side, That "Friend" also came back with a black Kenmore Whispertone from the 90s, The powernozzel was frozen-up and it was MISSING THE WHEELS, But it worked, and still serves as a clean-up for the Utility Room at times. Also came a bunch of random attachments, including what appeared to be the top of some sprayer/foamer nozzle, didn't look Kirby, though, but still new and plastic.


 


I have the older version, too. The base is still fine, And I used HEPA Cloth bags in it, which are awesome and don't seem to fill as fast.


 


I've seen many with cracks in the base, but not many busted up. The <span style="text-decoration: underline;">BIGGER</span> Beefy Bagless cousin of this model shared the same base, I have one in a box out here, I never figured out how to put the cool dirt-sensor back together!


Could anyone held me with this?


 


-Alex.

 

[vacman117]

I actually love these. They are pretty aggressive and clean really well. I like the top fill bag system, as well as the decent attachments they come with. For the money, I think this is one of the best vacuums you can buy! 

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

I think for a low end bagged machine, it is one of the better deals... The attachments are decent as Chase said (better than any modern Hoover), and it's got power to spare (except the turbo tool). I've seen a few with cracked bases, but mine has been fine. Of course I bought it new because I really liked the pretty purple color and really wanted one... It's heavy and there's no bag check indicator, you have to reach to turn the switch on, it rattles and creaks, belts stretch fast, bare floor feature is fiddly at best to manipulate, changing belts requires a screwdriver and there's no overload protection.... when they age, the hoses sag, the handle release pedal is hard to manipulate. It doesn't even attempt to work on shag. The cord clip is well placed, but the cord hooks aren't... carry handle is not comfortable. It's hard to remember to change the diverter back from carpet to attachments...

Since I've gotten a Sebo (Windsor) and a Miele S7, I've not touched the Smart Vac or Windtunnel )

 

[director12]

I used to have a 4870, but it was green. That was the best vacuum I ever had.

 

[gusherb]

I have two 4870's, one in Teal and one in red that looks exactly as the OP's two.
Bought the Teal one, then bought the Red one later on and put the Teal one on rug duties at my mom's shop. (you wouldn't believe what's in those rugs)

About a year in the height adjuster plate on the bottom broke, causing the brushroll to stay on all the time. After two years it needs a new belt, and at some point someone didn't put the bag in right and caused the bag compartment to get full of crap. (I was cussing all the way out the back door with it hahaha)
I have completely neglected that vac and AFAIK it still does it's job. I'll get around to fixing everything one of these days.

I personally like them for their cleaning abilities, and sound that doesn't assault the ears as much as most cheap uprights out there. I don't recommend them to anyone I know, unless they are super gentle on their stuff.