Calling my Hoover 918 on the carpet!

[lillylux]

Hi all! Well, a while back I found one of my long searches realized in the purchase of a Hoover 918 commercial upright; I had been looking for one of these for many years. The one I found was reasonably intact. It required a new bag which I fortunately did have: An SMC Hoover Commercial 'tofit' type, new old stock, (or is it old new stock?), and a bag clamp I found on ebay. It already had a good sounding motor. The only issue was the fan which was broken and really roared! I took the old guy to my vacuum gurus--and--when the young technitian opened it up they had to call the founder of the vac store out of retirement to tackle my old Hoover! He knew what it was! He called me and said that he had ONE FAN in stock....the last one ever easily available and obsolete! He said that the motor was filthy and greasy and wanted/recomended going ahead with a rebuilt which we did. Now the Hoover has new bearings in the agitator, a new fan, new carbon brushes, wiring inspected, and runs great! The old guy looks like he's seen a hotel hallway or two, but he has his second wind. I will use this one sparingly and keep away from popcorn and pebbles! Thanks for all the good advise from many of you on issues with a Hoover English Commercial.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Nina,

The 918 was the U.S. market equivalent of the U.K. Hoover 912A. It was produced from around 1968 to 1978. Previous to the 912A/918 was the 912/913 produced around 1949 to 1968.

Unlike the U.K.-made units, U.S.-bound products made in Perivale didn't have a date code in the serial number until about the late 1970s, since I know the last of this series, the U7037 (our version of the U7008), did have a date code in the serial number.

~Ben

 

[lillylux]

Hi Ben! I really appreciate the information on these Hoovers that you provided. Now my question about mine is: As it is marked model 918, made in England, does that put it in the 1968-1978 camp or could it be 1949 to 1968? I also wondered if these machines require any different belt than the standard round belt as for Convertables/63's and those types?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Nina,

Like I said, 1968-78. I know some of our British friends could help you there.

~Ben

 

[lillylux]

Hoover 918 agitator issues

While testing out my 918 Hoover Commercial I ran into an obstacle with the agitator. Suddenly the motor slowed down a bit and the belt burned into. I checked the motor, it was fine by itself; the agitator however was quite tight! I tried to see a way to adjust it, and quite honestly, I am not real experienced with Hoover agitators. However, I did find that if I loosened one of the ends of the agitator it freed it up so that it turned quite freely. Problem is, I feel like put it back in loose like that might not be a proper solution to the problem. The bearings are brand new so I know that it is not them. At present, I loosened the ends enough to allow movement without themeselves falling off, and snugged them tightly as I could on each side as I locked the agitator back in. It seemes to sound and act fine now, but I am only using it for short spurts of less than a minute at a time until I can get an idea of what it is going to do. Does anyone have any thoughts on it?

 

[super-sweeper]

Lilian,

That's EXACTLY what happened to my beloved Convertible U4047! I'm nearly scared of the thing now! I would also use it in short bursts, but it has abruptly slowed to a halt on two occasions. Once while vacuuming my bedroom, the second at the end of nearly successfully vacuuming the home area. These old Hoover motors appear to run unusually slow, although without the agitator installed the motor runs at a high speed, although the agitator is also apparently smooth and free, at least at times. Although the bearings are no were near new, the $40 replacement fee for an original, New metal agitator sounds as nice as my poor, slow Hoover!


 


I'm sure DR.HOOVER (John Long, I here by award you a PHD in Hoovering!

)


 


-Alex.

[this post was last edited: 4/13/2014-19:47]

 

[lillylux]

Thanks Lilian! I'll keep up with the short bursts and just clean my welcome matt for now. Someone on here will know what we need to do and your Convertible and my Commercial will be fine. I have a hard time stretching the belt over the motor shaft so I use a screwdriver and clawhammer and carefully take a new belt and stretch it over a large can of pears or peaches. I leave a couple of belts on them for several weeks to stretch them out a little. It makes it easier to put on the Hoover and maybe is better for the old machines aches and pangs too! When did I get taken over by Rheumatoid arthritis?

 

[super-sweeper]

who's Lilian?

I was the one calling you that! I don't know who your thanking!

Let me page Dr.HOOVER to this thread, I'm surprised he hasn't checked in by now!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Alex,

Her name is actually Janine but you can call her Nina.

~Ben

 

[super-sweeper]

Lily - Lux!

I thought her name was in her own, well username!

 

[lillylux]

Lillian, Janine, Nina, Jan are all fine! Lilly is a nick name I got from a neighbor lady whom I used to bring daisies and wild flowers to. She said I was her Lilly girl since anything that grew out of the ground, whether dandelion or one of my mother's Lillys was classified as Lilly by me. Most people call me Nina, Jan, or Janine but my given name is Janine.