Eureka upright - what did I buy here?

[pdieten]

Hello
After breaking yet another Fisher-Price-styled discount-store bagless vacuum trying to clean out a clogged hose, I finally got annoyed enough to see about finding a vacuum that sends the dirt straight to the bag without going through a hose. Not knowing where to find such a thing I tried a small local vacuum store, and they recommended a chrome Sanitaire they had on display. I liked it, but left without it due to the expense.

The next day I was to the Salvation Army store, and ran across this vacuum whose underside looked like the Sanitaire I'd seen the day before. Came with a brand new bag inside and a new belt, plus two extra bags and another belt in their packages. For $8.50 I thought I'd give it a try, and took it home. It wasn't too challenging to figure out how to run it and it worked really well, but the wife and daughter complained that it was ugly...I don't know, I didn't think it was that bad, though it's obviously used and a little scraped up, and more than a bit out of fashion....

It calls itself model 2054A, which a Google search brought up nothing. It has a 6.5A motor, ESP, Edge Kleener and Vibra Groomer II. The top is metal and the bottom is molded plastic except for the beater bar and the plate that covers it which are metal. The stampings in the plastic base seem to indicate it was made in July 1987, if they work like stampings I've seen in other equipment.

So would anyone be kind enough to tell me what exactly I bought here? Can it be fixed if it breaks? I appreciate your time. Thanks! -paul

 

[twocvbloke]

What you have bought there is a superb vacuum for a rock bottom price, be proud of it, cos it'll last you a long time, despite what the missus & daughter says...

It's essentially a Sanitaire, so you have pretty much got one of the best uprights there is, it'll rarely break down, if at all, and repairs are easy as pie, one recommendation would be to give it an ST upgrade, which is just a case of buying a filltube and a set of genuine synthetic bags, then you'll have a whopper of a vacuum cleaner...

The filltube fits over the existing F&G exhaust, and the spring clamp normally used for the paper bags just rolls over the end to secure it in place...

(shame there's no picture in the link, but it's the right listing though)

http://www.vacland.com/proddetail.php?prod=sanitaire-77491

 

[fantomlightning]

Also...

To get the longest life out of your belts make sure you properly adjust it to your carpet height. Lower the height adjustment until you hear the motor change in tone, then lower it one more. This will give you the best cleaning effectiveness and also extend the life of your belts.

 

[pdieten]

Thanks very much, I'm glad to know I have something I can count on. I'll take your advice under consideration. Much appreciated!

 

[jmurray01]

You've just got yourself a brilliant Vacuum Cleaner, one which actually another member has just found recently!

 

[pr-21]

Eureka's of the 70's and 80's...

I never had a problem with the belts slipping on the Top of the Line Eureka's that I owned in the 70's and 80's. I did have problems with the belt slipping on the new Sanitaires and wondered if it had to do with the 6 instead of 8 Dial a Nap settings or the 7 amp motor compared to a 6 amp in the 80's. I recently had a two speed step down motor installed in my Model 260 vintage eureka. When I went to pick it up, the vac shop owner told me when he put the new motor in the belt pulley rubbed against the bottom plate and he had to us my old belt pulley since it was shorter and possibly a little wider. My model 260 has no problem with the RD Eureka belts. No slipping what so ever. I have a Vibra Groomer II in it as well. So maybe there is something to the newer sanitaires having a different and longer belt pulley......

Just my 2 cents


Bud Mattingly
PR-21

 

[kirbykid63]

Great choice

This vacuum is very servicable,the brush strips are inexpensive and easy to install,the outer bag and motor and fan is available and easy to install.

 

[mieles7]

Why do everyone else's salvation army or goodwill have these awesome vacuums?

 

[jmurray01]

Ain't fair, is it Ian ?

The only good Vacuum Cleaner I once saw in my local recycling store was a Kirby and although it was reasonably priced for what it was, it wasn't near as cheap as the finds you lot get on here.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Also if you want to know the year your model was made look at the bottom of the unit and you will see a time dial or nipple erected out of the plastic with 2 digits. The digits are the year. example 83=1983 79= 1979 etc. I would say this one that you bought is between 1985- early 1990's