A Sick-Sounding Tradition

[kirbyclassiciii]

Here's a Tradition 3-CB among two vacuums in this video submitted to YouTube by user bmlink1.

Listening to it, you'll notice the motor speed is way too high for the belt-driven application. Something tells me the internals may be going out. There is no bearing noise, however.

~Ben

 

[tolivac]

sounds like the speed-interlock switch on your Tradition may be bad-the motors on both machines sound pretty healthy.The Traditions speed switch sounds like its stuck in the higher speed "hose" mode.The tech that "refurbised" it didn't replace the switch-Ie it should run at a lower speed with the floor nozzle attached-and the higher motor speed with the hose attached.I have a Classic thats like that and with the wider nozzle-does a better job on the higher speed!But the wear and tear on belts and brushrolls!

 

[caligula]

Sounds like a fan problem.

Hi buddy:

Not being there to see that Kirby in action, I can only say that it sounds like you have a chipped a fan. This can also cause the bearings to go bad. Check that belt too!

As I watched you use both vacuum cleaners, my advice is this. Slow down! It's a vacuum cleaner not a race car, the best way to clean or even test for suction is one s-l-o-w easy forward pass over the carpet, then one back. Next, move to the mark made by the rug nozzle, and make the next pass.

As for the year? The kirby Classic 111 was introduced in June of 1976 and the Tradition three years later. In the Spring of 1976 I was the training manager for Kirby in Oak Park, Illinois, when the Classic 111 was introduced. In late August of 79, the training manager of Pacific Coast Kirby in San Diego, California died and I was sent to train the staff there. The week I started (September of 79) the first Tradition models were intorduced. Interesting note here, the Tradition was the first Kirby to offer disposible bags. Know why? Many a sale was lost because the prospective buyer said " if it only had a disposible bag I'd buy it!" Kirby changed with the times. Guess what the price for a Kirby Classic 111 was. $549.00 complete! That was Handi-butler, Rug Renovator, Mirical Head and Handi-Waxer.

Alex Taber

 

[vinvac]

I can hear several things, I also think your speed switch may be stuck on the tradition, possible cracked or chipped fan and the brush needs adjusting.

The other one has a brush roll problems for sure...perhaps again just needs to be adjusted and for sure a belt. It the bag is soft and not firm...it also could have a fan problem.

Morgan

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

It's More Likely the Speed Switch than Anything Else

The serial # on this unit is F386473, which translates to a September 1979 date of manufacturing. Originally this unit had a locking headlight cap with the safety switch mounted on it, before it underwent a conversion to have its safety switch on the fan case.

~Ben

 

[caligula]

Oh that locking headlight! grrrrr!

Yes Kirby did have a locking headlight on the first Tradition models and what a monster it was for us during a demo. I was used to lifting the headlight hood, switching from Handi-Butler to Crystalator, to Mattress cleaner and so on. The horrors that thing caused! In my very first classroom demo, my trainees saw me fumble through what should have been an easy procedure. How I cursed that locking device. Prospective customers noticed it too and sales were lost because of it. Finally, Kirby got sensible, and discontinued that stupid thing. From then on, the training classes and demos went well and my trainees sold a lot of Traditions. (And made me a lot of money!)

The nice thing about being asked to pitch hit in California was that I fell in love with San Diego.

One interesting note here is that like the D-80 being the only green Kirby, the Tradition was the only blue one, a departure from the famous 'Kirby Red' but I liked it, a nice machine.

Alex Taber

 

[electrolux~137]

..."But the wear and tear on belts and brushrolls!"

To say nothing of the bearings, armature, carbon brushes...

 

[kirbykid63]

Sounds like the brush role bushings need cleaning

I work on Kirby's all the time,that sound is your bushings on your brush role.Pull out the brush remove the screws on each end and pop off the plastic caps pry up on one side of the brush end and the shaft should come out. clean lubricate and reinsert the shaft the brush noise should go away.Also it looks by the video that you need to tap your handle stop back in position to stop your handle from leaning forward to much. If you need more help you can call me at 520-742-4885.

Richard Groski
[email protected]

 

[kirbyman89]

This same thing happened to my grammy back in the eighties and she dreaded vacuuming each week because of that broken safety/speed selector switch. Especially when a tornado hit in 1984 and there were bits of glass no bigger than a dime! WHEW! I wasn't born until 1989 and she had already worn the Kirby out so I never got the chance to fix it.