wyaple
Well-known member
After I completed the Rug Plate Pressure tests with a fish weight gauge, I was intrigued with the idea of measuring handle weight. Have you ever felt that in addition to pushing an upright or canister nozzle back and forth, you were also getting the added benefit of an upper body workout? All test were performed as if I was actually ready for vacuuming and when using canisters, the hose was attached, since you’d need it for cleaning anyway. I noticed that I was holding the handles at an approximate 45 degree angle, but I understand that this will be different for people significantly taller or shorter than my average 5’9” height. Also of note is that all uprights had empty dirt bags and when these are full, the handle weight will probably increase by 1 pound depending on the final weight of a full bag.
Handle Lift Results (lower is better):
1980 Electrolux 1401-B = 3.0 lbs.
1987 Kirby Heritage 2 Legend = 0.5 lbs.
1996 Kirby G4 = -0.625 lbs.
1997 Rainbow D4C SE PE = 2.0 lbs.
2001 Kirby G6 = -0.375 lbs.
2003 Hoover TurboPower 5000 = 2.25 lbs.
2004 Dyson DC14 Animal = 3.25 lbs.
2005 Riccar 8850 = 2.25 lbs.
2012 Hoover Tempo Widepath = 1.75 lbs.
2013 Hoover Windtunnel 2 = 2.875 lbs.
Comments:
The winner of the heaviest to hold handle is the 2004 Dyson DC14. I knew it was heavy, but not that heavy. In second place for heaviest is my oldest vac, the Lux. My wife pretty much never uses the Lux with a power nozzle because it wears her out far too fast. The lightest canister handle I have is the 1997 Rainbow. While 2 pounds isn’t that bad, I think shaving off 1 more pound would be better.
Not too surprisingly, the Kirbys are the winners here. The 1987 Heritage does have a very slight downforce, but at one-half a pound, most wouldn’t notice it until the bag was fairly full. Starting with the G series, Kirby really cranked up the handle spring tension and with empty bags, the G4 and Gsix, have negative pressures, which may feel weird to some. When I’m using either one and let go of the handle, it usually flies up somewhat, which may catch a few people off guard. Since my “G’s” actually give my hand a slight lift, both my wife and I find these the easiest to use for long periods and with the addition of the power drive, I even feel guilty using them sometimes. I can vacuum well over 2000 square feet of various flooring with little to no exertion at all.
Bill
Handle Lift Results (lower is better):
1980 Electrolux 1401-B = 3.0 lbs.
1987 Kirby Heritage 2 Legend = 0.5 lbs.
1996 Kirby G4 = -0.625 lbs.
1997 Rainbow D4C SE PE = 2.0 lbs.
2001 Kirby G6 = -0.375 lbs.
2003 Hoover TurboPower 5000 = 2.25 lbs.
2004 Dyson DC14 Animal = 3.25 lbs.
2005 Riccar 8850 = 2.25 lbs.
2012 Hoover Tempo Widepath = 1.75 lbs.
2013 Hoover Windtunnel 2 = 2.875 lbs.
Comments:
The winner of the heaviest to hold handle is the 2004 Dyson DC14. I knew it was heavy, but not that heavy. In second place for heaviest is my oldest vac, the Lux. My wife pretty much never uses the Lux with a power nozzle because it wears her out far too fast. The lightest canister handle I have is the 1997 Rainbow. While 2 pounds isn’t that bad, I think shaving off 1 more pound would be better.
Not too surprisingly, the Kirbys are the winners here. The 1987 Heritage does have a very slight downforce, but at one-half a pound, most wouldn’t notice it until the bag was fairly full. Starting with the G series, Kirby really cranked up the handle spring tension and with empty bags, the G4 and Gsix, have negative pressures, which may feel weird to some. When I’m using either one and let go of the handle, it usually flies up somewhat, which may catch a few people off guard. Since my “G’s” actually give my hand a slight lift, both my wife and I find these the easiest to use for long periods and with the addition of the power drive, I even feel guilty using them sometimes. I can vacuum well over 2000 square feet of various flooring with little to no exertion at all.
Bill
