differences in G series Kirbys

[vacuumfreeeke]

I brought my noticed that my friend's G4 has the belt indicator light on the side of the nozzle that the height adjustment pedal is on (as does my Heritage), but my G5 has it on the other side. I wonder why they changed the side it was on between the G4 and G5.

Just wondering if anyone has a list of all the differences on the G Series machines (besides color and belt lifter) from the G3 to the Sentria... I'd love to read about them!

Thanks

 

[hoover_elite_20]

List of differences

G3-bad tech drive, metal fan

G4-good tech drive, metal fan

G5-good tech drive, lexan fan

G6-good tech drive, lexan fan, improved mini emtor

Sentria-good tech drive, lexan fan, improved mini emtor, plastic handle, different looks, brighter headlight, lighter weight(cause of more plastic than others)

I believe that is correct G through Sentria timeline

 

[lux1521]

From what I have read, there were a few brushroll upgrades. The Ultimate Generation Diamond Edition also had a manual 2 speed switch. I have also heard something about a transmission design change sometime around the Ultimate G time period.

I'm not 100% sure on the fans, but I thought all Kirby vacuums since at least the 80s had plastic fans.

 

[hoover_elite_20]

Nope

I believe the g5 first had a plastic fan, but I'm not sure. But one thing's for sure: my Heritage II does not have a plastic fan. It has an aluminum fan that I believe is original.

 

[tolivac]

ALL of the G series machines had the plastic-lexan fans-wish they were metal.I feel too much plastic is creeping into Kirbys-esp during the "G" sereies.

 

[hoover1060]

There has not been a metal fan in Kirby production

since the Tradition. The grey lexan fan was introduced on that model.

 

[clarkecombi]

Yea

My G3 Has a Grey Plastic Fan and i must say the Tech Drive is good on mine...not had a porblem out of it!

 

[hoover_elite_20]

Hmmmmmmm..........??????

Well than how come my heritage II has an aluminum fan? Strange....but good!

And what I meant about the tech drive is that the g4 and up seems smoother to me, but it may be the same.

 

[hoover1060]

The Heritage II originally had the grey lexan fan. If you have an aluminum fan then the original has been replaced at some point.

 

[hoover_elite_20]

Sorry guys!

I was thinking about another vac. My heritage II has a plastic fan too.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

The tech drive on the Generation 3 was with a few flaws and it was improved with the G4. On the Generation 3 it was to jerky and didn't last as long

 

[thunderhexed]

tech drive

I have had two g3's and one g4, it seemd to me that the g3 drives offered a little more "pull" when used and required less effort. The g4, which my brother now has, seemed a little heavier to push to me, even with tech drive engaged.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

I've noticed that the G3s do seem stronger but jerkier as well (almost Hooverish if that's a word). My G5 is smooth, but doesn't seem to have much umph!

I still wonder why they changed the position of the belt light between the G4 and 5... and I was also under the impression that there were some brushroll upgrades as well.

Does anyone know how to get a poster with all the models on it?

 

[riccarlover]

Bobby...

You can get the poster through Kirby service places and Distrib. people. The "Sentria" poster is $12 through my Kirby shop. I saw the GSix poster from the convention pics and really liked that. I myself would like to get a poster and frame it.
P
Clayton

 

[kc_kirby]

G3 Transmission....

I believe the reason the G3 transmission doesn't seem as good as the later one's is the G4 and later models have a Centering Spring in the handle mechanism that keeps the transmission from running off on you. I have put a centering spring in a G3 before so if you have one, you can make it drive better. The spring returns the handle back to a neutral position when you stop pushing or pulling on it. I don't know of any other transmission design changes in the models after the G3 so I can't speak to whether the centering spring was the only improvement. Also, I am pretty sure the G5 was when they introduced the fan that had the plastic material designed by Nasa. It was supposedly much stronger so if you sucked up coins or other hard objects, the fan wouldn't break as easy.

 

[thunderhexed]

mmmhmm

that explains why my g3 decided to jerk back and run over my toe the other day AFTER i placed the handle in the upright position! DOH!

 

[louvac]

Correction on the Tradition

.....The very early ones did have a metal fan. I have six Traditions of which 4 are unique. Only two of them are exactly the same. It appears that serial numbers before and up to ( and I am not sure how far past) F20.... were metal and had the speed control switch up in the headlight until they realized these were a disaster and put the switch back down below. I have two of these with metal fans.

 

[kirbysthebest]

I believe the g5 first had a plastic fan

Kirby started using the Lexan fan in the Tradition. I believe the G series about G5 got a Kevalar fan, I know the UG has Kevalar. The Transmission on the UG is seamless the only way you know it's engaged is a little extra whinning, and a great deal of power assistance.

Hoover_eliete
I don't know the history of your Heritage. It is possible your Heritage has an aluminum fan as an aftermarket repair. If I were repairing any Kirby I would upgrade with the Lexan. They are quieter, more powerful, and better balanced. Not to mention more durable. You can still break the lexan/kevalar fans, but it takes more trying. I personally have picked up pennies (Accidently) and only heard a thunk.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

I found a site that sums up the differences pretty well... thought maybe some other people would be interested!

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...GZpz7g3fUg=&tbnid=tmXdRIfTSWWklM:&tbnh=137&tb