Manuevering a 15" head is still a breeze. Just covers more surface area at one time. You have to make sure that the manufacturer of that machine produces sufficient air flow to properly cover the 15" width. A standard walk behind lawn mower is 20 - 22" wide weighing in at around 90 pounds. Compare to that to being able to maneuver a vacuum cleaner. Some being 9 pounds, others around 25 pounds. Consumers have the right to test and choose of various models from various manufacturers at various price ranges.
Personally I love a headlight!! I tend to vacuum more at night time after class or after work and not much during the day time. I can shine enough light into the room or hallway to navigate a fair bit until I find the light switch or lamp for that room. I can see under a bed when I vacuuming with a headlight or into a dark closet!
Dirt finders are an option. Only a few select machines have them. It's a marketing strategy.
Self Propelled is an option. A standard Hoover Windtunnel Supreme upright with 15" cleaning path is not a hard machine to use at all!!! But I guess if someone wants a machine that will provide the full backward stroke and forward stroke for them then there is a Self Propelled Windtunnel series.
No vacuum is created equal or the same. Over the years I've primarily liked Hoover but I would not buy every Hoover machine. They've made plenty that didn't suit my interests in performance, function or design.
Honestly the bulkiest household machine to me is a Dyson. Several have a circumference of around 26" They're not a flush design at all with various clips and disconnects all over them because they expect it to clog and jam, etc. They're not American made and haven't been in the U.S. too long if you think about it!
You could probably say too that consumers are fussy!! Some want no attachments on board and the machine lighter weight, some would rather attachments be on the back of the machine so that the sides are skinnier. Some would prefer side mounted attachments so that the machine is a thinner complex for storage. Some want attachment mounted on the wands or hose handle of the canister so they don't have to bend down to the covered tool storage and possibly have a smaller suction unit. Consumers got tired of manually winding cords and didn't mind the extra weight so cord winders are now found on more vacuums. Some prefer a finger tip switch, some prefer a foot switch. Manufacturers each almost have something of every variable taken into consideration......
Really it's just like ice cream. While many prefer chocolate, I avoid it and would rather have Orange Swirl or Black Raspberry!!
If you want to talk about maneuver a bulky, wide area machine, you could do that too. Just take on this commercial unit! 28" wide Hoover Conquest posted below for cleaning commercial areas.
As far as American machine with all sorts of stuff that sticks out and isn't smooth, I'll just post a few vacuums below. Please point out what you mean on them!
-- Red Panasonic canister has a quick release system built into the wand so all the consumer has to do is step on the pedal with their foot and the power nozzle is detached, no wires to touch! On the rear of that wand is the storage bracket to hang the wand set onto the canister bottom once canister is standing up.
-- My 2 Hoover PowerMax canisters have a Hoover version of that wand storage bracket on the rear of their canister wands.
-- My Simplicity Verve has an additional dusting brush combination tool attached to the back of the wand ad there is a different styled one under the tool lid. I could remove this if I wanted to and just store the brush in the closet!! I don't need to worry about the brush being on the rear of the wand due to the swivel design of the elbow on the power nozzle.
-- Black Hoover Windtunnel Turbo Power 4200 upright has a carry handle built in above the bag door and the wands are side mounted for easy access and a slimmer front to rear build.
