5071 Maintenance, Color Schemes, Differences between sub models (B, D etc.)

[86vickylx]

Hi I just joined! My name is John and I live in New Jersey. I'm trying to find out more information on the 5071D. I own one myself. Its been in my family since I was a kid. It's red, with the dual speed motor, self propelled and the real neat triple filter bag. It's been sitting for a few years.Nothing wrong with it from what I remember. Just put away for newer vacuums to take its place. I would like to get it back to service use. Anything I should check or do before plug it in and go?

I'd also like to collect more like it. I have my eye on one on ebay which is identical to the one I have. But I've also seen a few pictures of a blue version. I would love to get my hands on a blue one because blue is my favorite color. But while I'm on the subject of colors. How many different color schemes did this vacuum come in? The red seems to be the most common I've seen. And what does the submodel letter D indicate? Any pictures and stuff would be sweet. And anyone who has leads on a functioning blue version would be awesome!

Thanks and have a great day!

 

[blknblu]

Welcome John.


I am sure some of the Eureka guys will pipe up.

 

[vacerator]

Nice!

Is it a brandywine (color) series?
These along with the companion series powerteam canisters sold so well, they really gave Electrolux a run for the market share in the seventies. At just about the time the other Electrolux bought Eureka. (AB Electrolux in Sweden)

 

[vac-o-matic]

I have one of those and I wouldn't be afraid of plugging it in and turning it on. Start out with the handle in neutral and see how it sounds. I would make sure to make sure the brushroll spins freely without a belt, then install a new RD Eureka belt. Next check the rear wheels and make sure they are smooth without any exposed nubs or teeth. I bought one locally that was in beautiful shape but the smooth outer layer of the rear wheels had rubbed off to reveal these little nub like things. I thought, no problem, just get some new wheels..WRONG..the wheels are attached to the power drive in a way that does not allow for replacement. Luckily, a local dealer still had a brand new transmission in stock, of course with the wheels attached. I was over the moon because the rest of the vacuum was like new. These older Eurekas hold up well unless abused, or stored in an unsavory area like a leaky damp basement.

 

[86vickylx]

Thanks guys! I'm not sure of the color other than it's red haha. I'll clean it up a bit and see how it sounds tomorrow after work.

 

[86vickylx]

Was thinking of trying it out today. But I took the guard plate off and inspected the beater bar. Spins easy, but it looks like I've got some rust on the groove in which the belt rides. I think that might cause the belt to snap prematurely. Should I just wire brush the groove till the rust goes away or should I just replace the bar?

 

[86vickylx]

Self Propelled Not Working.

I cleaned up the Eureka today, gave it a new bag and a new belt. Polished the beater bar where there was some rust build up. Fired it up and it's just as strong as I remember it to be. Only thing I noticed is that the self propelled feature is not working. I pulled the drive axle out to inspect but I do not see anything physically wrong below it. The gears mesh properly but the wheels will not do anything. Anything else I can check before I start spending money on the thing to get repaired?

 

[packardmanken]

I have the butterscotch? one. Killer vacuum! Self propelled. It has a very thick bag and doesn't "spew" any dust to speak of. Would anyone like it?

 

[kirbyvertibles]

the color of this wasn't brandywine but just simple rust. The letter D indicates it was produced later in the run. The first being A. through out the years they would make small changes in a model like go from a vinyl bag to a cloth, or make the cord longer, or maybe change the bumper etc. Every change would mark a new series of the same model and the series will be the letter. Or at least that's the way I understood it.

There were several of these self propelled models from the 70s-90s. The early ones being the blue, rust, and creamish tanish. They also made another rust one with the 16" wide track base for heavy duty LARGE homes (very deluxe)

On the bottom of your base if you look hard you will fine a very small time dial aka a nipple molded into the plastic. Around this nipple will be 2 numbers stamped into the plastic (example 78 for 1978 or 85 for 1985 etc.). These 2 numbers are the year your very unit was produced. Beings this one is a series D i'll bet your numbers will be something like 83

 

[86vickylx]

According to the time nipple (LOL), it's from 1985. All the blue ones that I've seen either on here or youtube are single speed motors. Did they ever make a two speed one?