Hardwoods and Area Rug Vacuum

[timborow]

I have an Electrolux Model E and an Oreck. My Oreck is on its last leg, but I use the Lux on hardwoods mostly. I am looking for a good upright for quick clean ups that will clean hardwoods and area rugs very well. It can be bagged or bagless, but I would like to have one with tools. Also, I would like one on the quiet side. Can anyone offer any suggestions for under $200?
Tim

 

[vinvac]

Depending on which model Oreck you have, it is probably very repairable. A new brushroll, perhaps a fan case or fan...all inexpensive.

Your model E will last forever...

Morgan

 

[electrolux-dude]

To Tim

Hi, Tim-This is Nathan, Electrolux-Dude. I currently have an Electrolux upright, listed on e-bay, with a Buy it Now price of $75.00. The motors have been serviced, it runs fairly quiet, and comes with a hose, 2 wands, and a dusting brush. It has the option of turning off the powerhead brush for using it on bare floors. Also included is 4 disposable bags. All in all, it's not a bad machine. If you're interested let me know--I'm here to help.

Nathan L. Thomas
Electrolux-Dude

 

[xraytech]

If you are looking to buy a new vacuum I would say the Sears Kenmore bagged progressive upright, it is $149 I believe and for a new vacuum is fairly quiet and has the nice cloth like bags and a nice stretch hose.
If you are lookingfor a used upright I would say any of the Kirby Generation series.

Sam

 

[timborow]

Kirby

Can you use Kirbys on hardwoods? I don't have much experience with them. To Nathan-Thanks I'll have to check out the Lux on Ebay. To be honest, I have been looking at the little bagless machines at Wal-Mart. Would they suffice as a second cleaner since I have the Lux E as my main cleaner?

 

[kirbyvertibles]

NONONO NONO TO

NO to the bagless,
Even if it is something that will get little use. You will throw it across youur back yard after about the third time you use it, I don't care what kind it is. If it's hard floor you have most of then I would go with the Electrolux upright. It is pretty good with the straight suction for floors and fairly well on the carpeted areas.

 

[vinvac]

Phillip,

Thank You...Bagless...bad thing...

Filters clog, needs to be emptied and cleaned after each use...again I hold to the fact that if bagless cleaners did not have a clear dirt container, people would not think twice about them. It is all mind over matter, you can see the dirt spinning in the container, suction is slowly disappearing, but yet you can still see that dirt...so one thinks it is still doing a great job...

I just repaired a Hoover Windtunnel Upright for a lady at church. While it was with me, she borrowed her sons Dyson (new) and thought it was just the best vacuum. I asked her to put a new bag in her Hoover, vacuum lightly and then check the bag...she called me later....and could not believe the dirt the Hoover had picked up after the Dyson, not to mention the pet hair. Plus she said the carpet looked so much better...perhaps the new brushroll I installed helped...

OK enough of my rant...

Morgan

 

[timborow]

The Trouble with My Oreck

Today I decided to investigate the problem with my Oreck. It has been making an awful sound and not picking up well. So I took it apart and found the problem was the fan. In the process of taking it apart and trying to get it back together, I stripped the threads on the motor shaft. I can't get the nut to go back on. Will I have to buy a whole new motor, or can the shaft be fixed some way?
If so and the fan only has to be replaced, I have found a couple of replacement fans on Ebay also. There are plastic(which is what is on mine now) and metal. Which would be better to buy?

I really do like the machine. It is loud, but it works well on my area rugs (no pets here) and is handy to use on bare floors.

One last idea---Bigs Lots here has a Hoover version of the Oreck for $109. Would that be a good replacement? Do they do as well on bare floors as the Oreck?

 

[vinvac]

I have never used one, only on a showroom floor...but yes...they do work very well from that short experience. When Fred S. was still working at the Hoover Store in Milwaukee, I test drove one at his store. That price sounds good as well.

Morgan

 

[timborow]

Oreck

I found a motor on Ebay reasonably priced. Can anyone tell me from my previous post if a new motor is necessary, or can the shaft be fixed? I do not want to order a new one until I hear from an Oreck expert. Can someone chime in to help me out?
Thanks,
Tim

 

[vinvac]

Tim,

I don't know of anyway to fix that problem..perhaps Dr. Winkler could lend a helping suggestion...if there is a way he would know.

Morgan

 

[normvac]

Kirby/hardfloors !

Kirby's do work on Hardfloors to some extent. They do have the
suction power to pick up crumbs and cat litter. Haven't tried
cat litter in years, but if it kicks the crumbs or litter. You
can turn the belt lifter to OFF. So the brush dosen't turn and
should eliminate the problem. Plus I read in my G-3 manual,
that you can order a felt pad for the bottom of the carpet nozzle. Like the older Kirbys used to have for getting the fine dust along with the Great suction !
Norm

 

[eurekaprince]

I may be biased (I AM the Eureka Prince, after all), but....

you can not go wrong with the Eureka Boss Smartvac 4870 Upright Vacuum Cleaner. It goes for under $200, has a "switch off" brush which makes bare-floor cleaning more efficient, and has a full set of normal size Eureka attachments on board - including a regular, old fashioned dusting brush for furniture. One version even comes with a mini turbo nozzle for pet hair.

Here is the webpage from Walmart showing it selling for USD160: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9219296 (just cut and paste into your browser).

 

[timborow]

Thanks

I didn't know that about Kirbys. I'm not real familiar with them, just that they are heavy. I sure hope someone with Oreck knowledge will chime in and help me make a decision about what to do. (metal or plastic fan replacement? replace the whole motor?)

 

[timborow]

Oreck advice

If there are any Oreck experts out there who can advise me on which way to go with the Oreck, (motor, fan)please chime in. I think it may be cheaper to fix it than buy a new cleaner.

How do Riccars do on bare floors? They look like the old Panasonics that were so good. I have seen a couple of those on Ebay. My local vac shop carries them too I think.

 

[ohio_tuec]

Oreck repair

Unless the cleaner is totally trashed, I would say it pays to replace the motor. Which model is yours? As I explain to customers, a new motor costs 1/4 of what a new one does. Usually, they can be had on eBay for about $50.00, and in the box is a detailed schematic so you can install it yourself. As far as the fan - personally, I like the durability of the metal fan. We get in "diner machines" quite often. Sucking up grease all the time wears away the metaxalloy (plastic) fan fairly quickly.

 

[timborow]

Thanks Ohio Tuec

I appreciate and value your advice. Mine is an XL2600. I think I will replace the fan and motor. Does the metal fan make it quieter than the plastic? increase airflow? Can the scatterguard be replaced also?
Tim

 

[ohio_tuec]

The XL-2600 is still a fairly new machine. Production began in late 1998 and ceased in early 2002. Oreck was still selling them as "show models" as little as three years ago. The metal fan doesn't make it any quieter nor does it increase airflow, I just prefer it as I feel it's more durable in certain applications. By the "scatterguard" are you referring to the chrome strip and rubber squeegee on the bottom of the machine? They are called the micro sweep and channel, and the answer is yes. Your local Oreck store will sell you the set for about $20.

 

[timborow]

what I did

I ordered a new metal fan and a new Oreck motor from Totalvac.com for about $60. I hope to get the Oreck back into good use. Thanks for the help and suggestions. You all are such great folks.
Tim