Got a Hoover Z!

[vacuumfreeeke]

I'm so excited! I found a Hoover Z on Craig's List for 20 bucks. It was an hour drive to Tampa, but so worth it. Several years ago, I bought the base model Hoover Z 400 on Ebay and it was shiped with no box and it was just wrapped in bubble wrap with the cord trailing behind and it would not rise from the crouched position.. when I got into it, I found that the mechanism that allows it to crouch and release from the crouched position had been superglued and the superglue was still wet! Craziness! I had to file a paypal claim and get a refund... I threw it in the trash in pieces. I actually wanted the Z 700 anyway and I was settling for the 400 because I couldn't find a 700 when I wanted one. I paid 80 dollars for the 400 so this was definitely worth the trip.

I'm still driving home right now (riding actualy, not driving, a friend is driving my car... we made a day trip out of it) so I haven't really explored it, but when the guy was showing it to me, I noticed that the self cleaning filter didn't spin and the filter light on the diagnostic center on the digi-touch control panel lit up red in the filter area and it said see manual. Does anyone know what could be causing the filter not to spin and if the filter can be washed? I'm going to post pictures after I get home and of course I will eventually do a video.... I would just like to get this filter thing resolved. Thanks guys!

 

[twocvbloke]

Now is that Zed or Zee?

 

[fan-of-fans]

Let us know what you think of it. There's a dirty one at my Habitat for $10. It seems so heavy, I saw a guy try to push it the other day and his wife said it was a really heavy vacuum.

 

[szymonrules]

Well....

First of all, Congrats! and secondly, the light and see manual most likley a gear stripped or stuck. Truth be told, its a pain in the %$@ to disassemble! (ANY part of it!) Lastly, is there any way you can post a video of whats happening? It would help alot!!

 

[eurekaprince]

David,

In the USA, "Z" is pronounced "zee". Canadians say it like the British (we DO have Lizzie on our coins, after all) - we say "zed"....

Eurekaprince Brian

BTW - Hoover's whole direction for the Hoover Zed was inspired by the Sport Utility Vehicle. They really wanted to try something revolutionary as a response to Dyson's arrival in North America. But I guess the result was not very user friendly.....

 

[vacman117]

Congrats! I have both the 400 and 700 and I love them! They are really agressive vacuums, and the height adjustment is so neat. I remember when Home Depot sold the 400 for only $100 at the end of their run!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Hey guys I just got it home and played with it. When I turned it on, the filter thing happened again so I took the filter shroud off and took the filter of and put it back on and turned it manually.... when I started the machine back up, it worked perfectly. I have some of the parts soaking in bleach water now, but I will post video and pictures as soon as they dry.
The height adjust is awesome and all the settings and LED headlights work! Yay! I'm just thrilled. The thing doesn't even look like a vacuum and it is truly a monster.... so tall and heavy and huge but I love it and I'm thrilled that it works... smells like carpet fresh a little, but other than that and a few cosmetic scratches, it is perfect!!!! It only came with the turbo and crevice tools, but I know the others are easily found on Ebay and the ones from my s/p windtunnel will fit.... they are just tan instead of black.... It does feel fragile like it would easily break, but I am going to baby it because I don't see these very often. I can't believe there is no carry handle on this monster!!! The handle release even works! Did this machine come with a bare floor tool? I can't imagine that it did because the wand doesn't telescope very long!
Thanks for the feedback guys. It's so fun to share new finds with my vacuum friends!

By the way, I know too well what a pain these are to take apart because I did it with the white 400 that I got on Ebay that was in such bad shape.... this thing is like a dream realized now, but I'm not taking it apart ever!

 

[szymonrules]

Glad it works! I have mine off of ebay for 9.99! Free shipping too! BTW, 2 more things, does it have the little rubber cleanout port on the bottom back? Mine was broken! Secondly, do you know what I can clean the filter with? It smells REALLY bad of wet dog! Thanks!

 

[fantomvacuumfan]

So...

You were in Tampa, and didn't come to see me? lol jk jk

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

That would have been fun.... we should plan something on purpose one day... I didn't even think about it, but I had to work that night anyway and we got lost because the GPS couldn't find the place. It was worth the trouble though.... what a fun vacuum. I still haven't really played with it because the filter is drying.

Symon, I soaked the filter in bleach water.... I don't know if you're supposed to or not, but I did. The clean out flap is there on mine, so that's a good thing!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

pictures

Here are some pictures. I finally got the filter dry (thanks to some help from the diswhasher's dry cycle, I just couldn't wait for it to air dry) and played with the vacuum. I do like it a lot! It's powerful and it is quiet and has a really solid feel. It pushes so easily!

Only one problem.... the telescopic wand doesn't work right.... if I try to make it smaller than the maximum height, when I pull back on the machine, it extends as if I were pushing the release, so I have to use it at maximum height.... super annoying. I don't know if this is something I can fix or if I have to buy a new wand handle (if they can even be found, I should have kept the one from the Z400 that I trashed, but I didn't know I'd be getting this or that it would have this specific problem)....

I started making a video, but I haven't slept all night because I wanted to play with this thing and my words were coming out all jibberish and then the memory card ran out of room and stopped the video halfway through, so I thought it better to wait.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

the filter

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

last one

the awesome lights.... excuse the mess of junk hidden under the couch ;o)

 

[rainbowjoel]

That cat is scary. lol Pretty machine!

 

[szymonrules]

Awsome!!!

BTW, on my Z400, the same thing happends with the handle! I think its just from too much pressure or use!

 

[petek]

I always sort of regret not having bought one during the seeming 5 minutes they were sold at Sears stores and then disappeared for good. Have fun Bobby.

 

[TheBillbot]

Satan Cat

 

[eurekastar]

Is that a bagged vacuum or bagless?

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Thanks guys!

Eurekastar, bagless.....

TheBillBot, I know you can't tell it to look at the picture, but he really is the sweetest cat in the world!

Symon, I think I fixed it and maybe this will work for you. You know that little plastic collar that is between the two parts of the wand. I noticed there was some play in it, but if I pressed down tight on it with my fingers it eliminated the problem. so, I got some REALLY strong super glue (*really strong*) and put a bead around it and pressed it down and let it dry for a few hours.... that has fixed the problem for now, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it recurs since the machine is 28 pounds and when you pull back, you're not only fighting the weight of the machine, but also the powerful brushroll and not quite as powerful suction. Oh well, if it happens again, at least I know what the problem is and I've got plenty of super glue! It's a shame that a vacuum that started at 500 dollars has to be held together with super glue, but it's working for now, and that's all I really care about.

It really is a fun and unique machine and despite its quirks, I'm enjoying it. I can see why a "normal" person wouldn't though! Despite its weight, wide swath, height, and just overall "enormousness", it is surprisingly easy to push.... it has such a pleasant sound and feel and it really picks up well. I read the manual (still available on the Hoover site for now) because I didn't think it had a carrying handle.... it does, you grab it under the control panel if you need to carry it!