Calling All Hoover Experts.

[vintagevacs4me]

Hi Gang, I'm getting interested in Hoover vacuums and just acquired a Hoover Convertible model U4317 off of E-bay. Also this is my first Hoover. YIPPY! I belive she is from the early 1970's. But i really have no idea. She looks like a good strong machine. I have a few questions you guys can help me with. Anyone know the year? Are the bags hard to change or is there a trick to them i should know? And i need to change the bulb in the headlight has it's blown out. How do i go about this and what size bulb due i need. Thanks everyone! Paul

 

[swingette]

Thats a nice Convertible. The bags are very easy to change. Any vacuum shop will have the bulb. You may also be able to get it at a home store. Im sure the guys here will have suggestions.

 

[constellation86]

Bulb

Looks like you got a nice one. If it takes A bags it's more towards the 80's.
The bulb is a number 912 automotive bulb. You might be able to find them at walmart. If not go to an auto parts store like Napa. They will probably be cheaper than a vac shop.
Nicholas

 

[electroluxxxx]

you would be better off going to a local hardware store as well

 

[hoover1060]

U4317

Thats from the 80's, I have a Service Merchandise catalog from 1982 with that model in it.
This was a middle of the line Convertible for Hoover at the time, the top was the Decade 80, and the bottom would have been the type C machines such as the U4119.
You should be able to find type A bags anywhere, and the bulb it uses is the same as the Concept series, little 12v. push in thing.
Enjoy your new Hoover, nothing cleans better!!

 

[myhooverco]

Jeff...

Did this model sell at Kmart as well? For being all plastic they really do clean well. Nothing cleans like a Hoover!

--Tom

 

[hoover1060]

nope

That was not a Kmart model.

I'll have to see if I can find the Service Merchandise catalog page I have with this model in it.

 

[vintagevacs4me]

Hoover Info.

Thanks for the few replies to this post. Although not as many as i though i would have gotten. No one answered about the light bulb and how to change it. Does the lens come off or do i have to remove the whole hood?

 

[hoover28]

light bulb

yes you need to take off the hood ther is two screws on the bottom of the vacuum, above the big wheels. then the hood will lift off.


Chris

 

[texbodemer]

Colors?

Out of curiosity, did this model of Convertible come in colors other than beige?

 

[ilovehoovers]

I believe so

 

[kirbyklekter]

Welcome!

Yes they did have other colors, I have a green one myself. Bulbs are easy to change, you can't miss where it's located under the hood behind the white lens. Push lightly on the bulb tip and turn to right or left and out it comes. 12volt I believe. Take it with you to make sure you have the right voltage and correct base, they also come in different size bulb with the same voltage so check the actual size of your bulb.

I wouldn't get too bent out of shape over how many responses you get on a thread you post. There are a lot of reasons that can affect how many you get and having nothing to do with you personally. Some weeks there are lots of threads being posted which can push yours down the list in virtually hours. Since a lot of people will check the top for any new posts first, then if they have time they'll follow up on others . So if your thread hasn't had a response in a day or two, it can slip down the page real fast. You can bump it back up by responding to your own post, you already know that.

Just depends mostly on how busy people are with their lives, not everybody comes here on the daily. Some people here will start a thread and show what they've acquired or how a project came out, but for some reason they hardly ever will get back to anyone who has a question or comment for them. So I figure they just want to show their goods and move on.A one-way thread.Whatever, their choice.

You will find this group of members to be a treasure trove of information. Many have their own or had their own vacuum store/repair shop. Others have more information and lists and catalogues and advertisements than the actual company itself.So enjoy the bounty!

You have a good strong cleaner there. Keep an eye on the belt, change it when it stretches or cracks and don't wait until the bag pops to change it. Check the roller for long hair, strings and thread, anything that wraps around the ends can slow it down causing the belt to heat up possibly and affect the bearings in some cases. I store my extra belts in a zip lock bag to keep the rubber fresh , especially the round belts like Hoover and Eureka use. Billy