Help with a UK Concept One!

[baglessball]

Hi guys,

After a long search I have finally found a Hoover Concept One in the UK! Exciting! However it is need of some TLC and its obviously not a machine that i am familiar with as they are rare over here.

The main problem with the machine seems to be with the drive in the forward motion. It doesn't seem to want to engage. I am not sure whether the issue lies with the transmission or the power drive cable, which, at some point in its life seems to have been tightened. I have re loosened the cable and tried to straighten it out.

There is also a end piece missing from one of the drive wheels, it is a piece of metal in the shape of a cross. I don't imagine this makes much difference, but i may be wrong!

I think the cable rewind could do with tightening too. Is there a way to pop off the front panel without causing damage to the plastic. I feel as though I'm going to break it. Should certain lugs be popped out before others?

I can't find ANY videos on the YouTube showing disassembly of this machine, so any advice is really appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Shaun

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Hi Shaun,

Congratulations on your find! The Concept machines are incredible vacuum cleaners, some of the best that Hoover ever built. I've taken a bunch of Concept One machines apart; they're easy enough to work on, but you kind of have to take the whole machine apart to get to the cord rewind, from what I recall. It's been a few years. I have also never had to adjust the self-propelled mechanism/cable, so I won't be able to help in that department. Not sure about the piece you say is missing from one of the wheels; I would imagine it helps keep the wheel in place. That part may still be available, I believe it's still used on the SP Windtunnel, and the part might be identical. I do have service instructions for the Concept One, which would probably be very useful to you. They give step-by-step disassembly instructions. I'll try to photograph or scan them within the next few days and shoot you a private email, as long as the email address in your profile is valid.

Regards,

Fred

 

[suckolux]

Isn't the front cover held on from behind the bag on the back? Its been years, but seems like it.Love that machine.

 

[suckolux]

Feel pretty sure after thinking it over now, remove the cloth outer bag assembly and it will give access to the screws in the back.Pretty sure.

 

[rugsucker]

Hoover Concept

A good but complicated vac.I think there is at least one screw that holds front cover that is unscrewed from rear after removing bag,fill tube,zipper bag,rear cover,etc.And some clips that unsnap(carefully).If you have little or no experience on cord winders proceed slowly with care and caution or not at all.The X part against wheel would have had a retainer that snaps in groove.They had several variations here with or without power drive,cordwinder,electronic control,hand vac on front,etc and a final version with attached hose.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Reading everyone's replies and thinking about this some more, I do agree and think the cord winder cover is able to come off without taking everything apart, as others have said by just removing the bag and the fill tube. I think you do need a pretty long screwdriver in order to get to one of the screws, however. I ususally always did a complete service on the Concepts, so I would just take everything apart, and usually the cord winder was the last part I'd remove after getting the motor out.

I'm at work now, but I will try to locate those service instructions tonight.

 

[stricklybojack]

The trick with disassembling this machine...

is to keep track of where each type, and length, of screw came from. There is one sorta hidden screw as i recall. I had one apart for years and i could figure out all the screw locations with a little thought but the lengths were much harder. Can't help with the self propel unit mine have always worked. They usually need a new correct type drive belt, if you haven't tried that it's where i would start.

 

[baglessball]

You guys are kind!

I am really appreciative of all of your input.

The machine is currently stored at a friends house whilst I am at uni accommodation. I'll get it picked up this week and get started on it.

Fred, that is my email, yes. And that would be really helpful, thank you!

I here brush strips are rare. Does any body know of any that are available? I would take some seconds as the strips on the UK machines are REALLY soft.

Thanks again.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Hi Shaun -


 


You've got email.  

  Take some pictures and keep us posted on the progress!!!  Excited for you!


 


~Fred

 

[baglessball]

Hi Fred!

Thank you.

Unfortunately I havnt recieved anything.

Could you send again please?

Thanks!

Shaun.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Hi Shaun,


 


I sent you a regular email without any attachments; let me know when you get that and I can try again.  It's a large file, so I wonder if Hotmail has a size restriction on incoming files?  I have another thought if we can't get it to work via email.


 


~Fred