Eureka model 3720 A Canister Vacuum

[rick]

I couldn't find many pictures of a Eureka 3720 canister vacuum on the internet so I thought I should post some.

It has excellent suction.

The metal body is in good shape. Many cosmetic issues. I have the original wide floor cleaning tool (not pictured). I don't know what the blue crevice tool was originally from.

Intentionally left dirty for outdoor use vacuuming the car.

 

[rick]

This canister vacuum has been in my family for years.

I wrote to Eureka on the Eureka.com website and asked them when it was manufactured. They told me 2002 which I knew could not be true.

I wrote back and told them it was not possible and they emailed me back again saying that it is at least 25 years old. They don't know what years they manufactured their own vacuums.

Unfortunately the things that hold the wheels are all riveted together. It would be nice if there were rubberized replacement wheels.

Does anyone know what years these vacuums were manufactured?

Has anyone ever tried to replace the wheels on one of these?

Thanks.

 

[suckolux]

I remember machines like that, seems like late 70s to mid 80s to me

 

[eurekaprince]

There was a very narrow window of time where The Eureka Company used the flying "E" logo of the Eureka Williams company. This canister dates from that specific window.

Sweden's Electrolux bought Eureka Williams in 1974, and changed the name to The Eureka Company - which is the name on the bottom of your vac. Electrolux continued to use the old logo for at least 10 years afterward. So your vac is from sometime between 1974 and 1984.

I think it is from the earlier part of that period because the Tool Caddy accomodates a neck-less bare floor brush. Eureka's canisters offered bare floor brushes with integrated necks by 1980.

Therefore, my guess is 1974-1980.

 

[suckolux]

Nice, I was close!

 

[eurekaprince]

Your memory is pretty good David!!! :-D

 

[suckolux]

I got lucky!

 

[rick]

Thanks for the info.

It definitely has the E to the left of the brand name.

 

[rick]

I vacuumed the spider webs off the old floor tool that never get used anymore.

It is so old that it is a bizarre color. It has a metal bottom and a lever adjustable spring loaded brush.

If the tool is turned 180 around the metal pipe the pipe comes off.

 

[eurekaprince]

That is the way Eureka designed its interchangeable floor tool system. Many Eureka canisters from 1960 to about 1973 had three interchangeable floor heads: the regular carpet nozzle that you have in yellow, a floor and wall brush and a special Vibra-Beat vibrating carpet nozzle. The Tool Caddies often stored all three tools on knobs. You removed and attached each of these tools from and to the curved wand by turning the tool 180 degrees. The system was designed to allow you to exchange the 3 different heads fast and easily, but users often complained that the tools would rotate and fall off unexpectedly between cleaning tasks.

 

[rick]

The reason I started this thread was because I was researching this vac to see if I could get replacement wheels and there were so few pictures on the internet.

Four days later one shows up on eBay.

The only problem I see with these older canisters is that the tool storage takes up too much space because they stick out.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/151692179644

 

[vac-o-matic]

Rick, if you really like that vacuum on ebay, that's not a bad price, but I would send the seller an email with a lower offer since it is so incomplete. Ask them if they would settle on the BIN price including the shipping, all they can do is say no. One thing, when they pack it, they better wrap the machine and pad the box well or the wheels/switch could break and arrive with the same problems as you already have.

 

[constellation86]

Nice find. These Eurekas are built like tanks and have very powerful suction. I have a model 3721 that looks the same but is a burgandy color.

 

[constellation86]

I also have a 1254 that is similar and needed new wheels. I had to drill out the rivets to get the old ones off. I ended up using some caster wheels and screew-together pins to put new wheels on the back, the wheels were too wide to fit and we had to use a giant drill bit to shave the sides down on them. They are a different color but work perfectly now.
I also replaced the motor and this thing has a ton of power now. I will often use it as a daily driver.
Nicholas

 

[human]

Nicholas,
That's just like the Eureka I used to have that my step-daughter (I should say former step-daughter since her mom and I divorced more than 10 years ago) killed vacuuming up dry cat food. That was a great little machine and in pristine condition. The orange color was fun, too. I sometimes wish I had it back, but I've got enough good vacuums now that I really don't need to wish too hard.