I didn't want to hijack the other Sanitaire thread, so I started this one. I didn't include an image because there are plenty of images of this model online. The vacuum is exactly what I expected and hoped for. I've only taken a few passes on my train room carpet, but I can feel the Vibra-Groomer doing its thing, helping to remove dirt my other vacs leave behind. I found a number of negative reviews for this model - very difficult to assemble, very heavy, poor instructions, too loud, cord too stiff - good heavens, people, this is a commercial vacuum!
For buyers who aren't mechanically inclined, I can see the "poor instructions" thing. They don't mention that the lower handle tube can only go in one way, in order for the bottom cord clip to be installed and oriented correctly. I figured that out after a few minutes of head-scratching. Also, the assembly instructions show a quick-disconnect for the outer bag, whereas the bag flange actually attaches to the cleaner body with sheet metal screws. I'm cool with that because with a top-fill bag, I can't imagine when I would need to disconnect the outer bag. Someone wrote that the height adjuster doesn't lock in place. With no weight on it, he is correct. Sitting normally on the carpet, it does lock. Very difficult to assemble? Nope. On reviewer wrote that he had two bad units, and the motor kept overheating. The motor has its own cooling fan, so unless the cooling air intake is blocked, how can that happen? I doubt he had two defective motors in a row. Sounds like operator error to me.
I'm really happy with this purchase and I feel good knowing my rugs and carpets will be cleaner than they've ever been. With a two-year commercial warranty and a projected 2,000 hour motor life, I think this is money well spent.
Joel
For buyers who aren't mechanically inclined, I can see the "poor instructions" thing. They don't mention that the lower handle tube can only go in one way, in order for the bottom cord clip to be installed and oriented correctly. I figured that out after a few minutes of head-scratching. Also, the assembly instructions show a quick-disconnect for the outer bag, whereas the bag flange actually attaches to the cleaner body with sheet metal screws. I'm cool with that because with a top-fill bag, I can't imagine when I would need to disconnect the outer bag. Someone wrote that the height adjuster doesn't lock in place. With no weight on it, he is correct. Sitting normally on the carpet, it does lock. Very difficult to assemble? Nope. On reviewer wrote that he had two bad units, and the motor kept overheating. The motor has its own cooling fan, so unless the cooling air intake is blocked, how can that happen? I doubt he had two defective motors in a row. Sounds like operator error to me.
I'm really happy with this purchase and I feel good knowing my rugs and carpets will be cleaner than they've ever been. With a two-year commercial warranty and a projected 2,000 hour motor life, I think this is money well spent.
Joel
