Hoover "Lightweight Heavy-Duty Commercial Cleaner"...A True Story
- Thread starter swingette
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A dream cleaner is now mine. The 334 was a commercial Convertible with a cloth shakeout bag and heavy duty cord. A good alternative to the brutish heavy duty model 913. Its a two-position Convertible. Anyone know what year the 334 made its debut? I wonder what other commercial uprights were popular at the time?
This cleaner taught me a lesson: Lube your wheels! If anyone out there is learing about Hoover Convertibles and you come across a model with these early white wheels, grease them... now. The early Convertible wheels use a metal bearing that will wear-away rapidly if allowed to get dry.
A very kind *King of all things Hoover* sent me a wheel and impeller to help bring my cherished new Hoover up to speed. Thank You!
(Those b*tc# white wheels sure show every trace of dirt, dont they! lol)
A very kind *King of all things Hoover* sent me a wheel and impeller to help bring my cherished new Hoover up to speed. Thank You!
(Those b*tc# white wheels sure show every trace of dirt, dont they! lol)
buffalo-joe
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Nice................
The 334 is on my list too.
Congrats on getting the machine. Looks like you got a good one.
Joe
The 334 is on my list too.
Congrats on getting the machine. Looks like you got a good one.
Joe
the wrong with the picture is the fan has a chiped off spot!
Congrats! I must say they are beautiful!
Congrats! I must say they are beautiful!
myhooverco
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Wow...you have a beautiful example of an early 334. These were built starting on 11.5.63 and ending on 12.10.68. The serial numbers went from 1001 to 120,971.
What brush roll did you choose? I can just see you using it (gently) in the lobby of your hotel.
It does not take much to ruin a fan. Someone might have picked up a penny with it or something. Your advice is good about those wheel bearings. I have seen them as thin as paper. Some oil seems to help. Not only that the squeal that can come from one of those bearings is very annoying. The original cord set was a thick two wire cord in black with a plug shaped like a Convertible plug but labeled "Hoover" even after 1963.
Those are some great photos! A 334 is very hard to find and a nice one is even harder to find. Thanks for sharing with everyone! I may have to snap a photo of mine.
What brush roll did you choose? I can just see you using it (gently) in the lobby of your hotel.
It does not take much to ruin a fan. Someone might have picked up a penny with it or something. Your advice is good about those wheel bearings. I have seen them as thin as paper. Some oil seems to help. Not only that the squeal that can come from one of those bearings is very annoying. The original cord set was a thick two wire cord in black with a plug shaped like a Convertible plug but labeled "Hoover" even after 1963.
Those are some great photos! A 334 is very hard to find and a nice one is even harder to find. Thanks for sharing with everyone! I may have to snap a photo of mine.
vacuumkid3
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Ahh, yes! Beautiful! I always oil my wheels...I just can't stand that squeaky noise!
And it's funny...just yesterday I got my first Convertible! A model 31!! It looks exactly like yours, I guess! Except mine has a turquoise handle...Mine runs great! I made sure to oil those wheels and also the height adjustment and handle release. Those can make some noise too, along with the handle.
When did Hoover start using ball bearings? Doesn't the 31 have sleeve bearings?
Also, did 334 and 31 (with their plastic hoods) have a problem with deforming? Mine is terribly deformed...I am going to start a new post about these questions...sorry for hijacking! :'-(
~~K~~
And it's funny...just yesterday I got my first Convertible! A model 31!! It looks exactly like yours, I guess! Except mine has a turquoise handle...Mine runs great! I made sure to oil those wheels and also the height adjustment and handle release. Those can make some noise too, along with the handle.
When did Hoover start using ball bearings? Doesn't the 31 have sleeve bearings?
Also, did 334 and 31 (with their plastic hoods) have a problem with deforming? Mine is terribly deformed...I am going to start a new post about these questions...sorry for hijacking! :'-(
~~K~~
and a (possibly mythical) more powerful motor.hoover1060
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very nice!
Congrats David, that is indeed a rare find, the 334 is the only 1960's model I have never had!
When I was a kid, there were tons of Commercial Convertibles all over, I am surprised to see they only made 120,000 334's!
Here's the one I have, a 344. Cool machines!
Congrats David, that is indeed a rare find, the 334 is the only 1960's model I have never had!
When I was a kid, there were tons of Commercial Convertibles all over, I am surprised to see they only made 120,000 334's!
Here's the one I have, a 344. Cool machines!
913, 918, 90, 91, and 925 Commercials
I suspect some of you remember the commercial models referenced above from the 1940's and 1950's. The 925, I believe, was from the 1930's. The only one of these I've seen is Stan Kann's.
In my vintage vacuum collection, I have several Model 913's (made in England; a 918; and a 91. I believe the 90 and 91 were made in the U. S.
Jeff Parker and Tom Anderson, correct me as needed on this.
I suspect some of you remember the commercial models referenced above from the 1940's and 1950's. The 925, I believe, was from the 1930's. The only one of these I've seen is Stan Kann's.
In my vintage vacuum collection, I have several Model 913's (made in England; a 918; and a 91. I believe the 90 and 91 were made in the U. S.
Jeff Parker and Tom Anderson, correct me as needed on this.
Tom do you have a later one?
his has the madalion yours has a sticker
the base also looks whiter
his has the madalion yours has a sticker
the base also looks whiter
vintagehoover
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Here's some of Hoover's commercial machines from my collection. I don't have a 961 or 972 (I very much doubt I ever will!), but shown here, right to left, are:
Model 900
Model 925
Model 960
Model 912
Model 912A
More detailed info available here:
http://www.freewebs.com/vintagehoover/commercial.htm
Model 900
Model 925
Model 960
Model 912
Model 912A
More detailed info available here:
http://www.freewebs.com/vintagehoover/commercial.htm
What brush roll did you choose?
Hmmm...something to think about, Tom. The CWP brushroll is out of the question. Too alien for a classy gem like the 334. Also, IMO, the original Convertible motors dont quite have enough oomph for the CWP.
The Hoover double-brush agitator seemed like the logical choice, but the bristles on it are softer than the ones Hoover currently makes for the original-helix agitator. so its a choice between a single row of brushes that are firmer (with beater bar) or double brushes (no beater bar) that are softer .
Kyle I: I think the Famous Hoover Warping Hood didnt last too long. My 31 had a not too terribly warped hood when i got it. I DID run the hood under very hot water to help with screwing it on. if you ask me, hot water is less likely to damage the hood than a hot blower.
Kyle II: yes, the chip in the fan! The resulting vibration was just enough to be noticed. Also, the shocking white of that wrong cord was too jarring next to the grey of the handle and black bag slide. Did you see the model 344 that Jeff took a picture of? it was the model that followed my 334, thats why it has a sticker and is painted different. I notice his also has a four-position lever.
Very nice 344, Jeff. If you ever decide youve had your fill of Hoovers and want Eureka Bravos instead, call me. And vice-versa.
Hmmm...something to think about, Tom. The CWP brushroll is out of the question. Too alien for a classy gem like the 334. Also, IMO, the original Convertible motors dont quite have enough oomph for the CWP.
The Hoover double-brush agitator seemed like the logical choice, but the bristles on it are softer than the ones Hoover currently makes for the original-helix agitator. so its a choice between a single row of brushes that are firmer (with beater bar) or double brushes (no beater bar) that are softer .
Kyle I: I think the Famous Hoover Warping Hood didnt last too long. My 31 had a not too terribly warped hood when i got it. I DID run the hood under very hot water to help with screwing it on. if you ask me, hot water is less likely to damage the hood than a hot blower.
Kyle II: yes, the chip in the fan! The resulting vibration was just enough to be noticed. Also, the shocking white of that wrong cord was too jarring next to the grey of the handle and black bag slide. Did you see the model 344 that Jeff took a picture of? it was the model that followed my 334, thats why it has a sticker and is painted different. I notice his also has a four-position lever.
Very nice 344, Jeff. If you ever decide youve had your fill of Hoovers and want Eureka Bravos instead, call me. And vice-versa.
myhooverco
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Jim...
You are right about the models 90 and 91 being North Canton machines. The rest were made I think at the Perivale plant in the UK.
Here are the first two "lightweight" commercial cleaners...the 334 and the 344. The 344 had four height adjustments instead of two and they changed the color to seal greige light from the previous grey. These are both original machines even the cords. Thanks to Jeff Parker for the beautiful 344. It was gifted to me from him a few years back and it is the nicer of the two seeing very little use in its lifetime. Thanks Jeff!
--Tom
You are right about the models 90 and 91 being North Canton machines. The rest were made I think at the Perivale plant in the UK.
Here are the first two "lightweight" commercial cleaners...the 334 and the 344. The 344 had four height adjustments instead of two and they changed the color to seal greige light from the previous grey. These are both original machines even the cords. Thanks to Jeff Parker for the beautiful 344. It was gifted to me from him a few years back and it is the nicer of the two seeing very little use in its lifetime. Thanks Jeff!
--Tom
hoover1060
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334 and 344
When I was a kid and we'd stay in a motel(usually a Holiday Inn) those Commercial Convertibles were everywhere!
I also remember 913's and 918's, but not as plentiful as the Convertibles!!
I'm lucky to have mine, it was used in a private home and pretty well cared for.
Its another one of those landmark cleaners from childhood I'll never forget!
PS: Tom you're welcome, and wait til you see what I have to add to your collection next month!!
When I was a kid and we'd stay in a motel(usually a Holiday Inn) those Commercial Convertibles were everywhere!
I also remember 913's and 918's, but not as plentiful as the Convertibles!!
I'm lucky to have mine, it was used in a private home and pretty well cared for.
Its another one of those landmark cleaners from childhood I'll never forget!
PS: Tom you're welcome, and wait til you see what I have to add to your collection next month!!
hey brett!
let's see a pic of the bag when you get done sewing it more petite! Can we? I am interested to see what it looks like!!
Kyle
let's see a pic of the bag when you get done sewing it more petite! Can we? I am interested to see what it looks like!!
Kyle
Well, Kyle, after using the cleaner for a LONG extended cleaning session at work, i think i will keep the bag as-is.
As i mentioned in one of the above panels, i much prefer the shape of the black bag my Guardsman wears ,BUT the grey bag maintained excellent airflow during my hotel cleaning session. The black bag on the (5 amp) Guardsman seemed to clog almost completely in the same setting. Im sure the larger filter area of the 334 bag helped.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10202581@N03/sets/72157600878894398/detail/
As i mentioned in one of the above panels, i much prefer the shape of the black bag my Guardsman wears ,BUT the grey bag maintained excellent airflow during my hotel cleaning session. The black bag on the (5 amp) Guardsman seemed to clog almost completely in the same setting. Im sure the larger filter area of the 334 bag helped.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10202581@N03/sets/72157600878894398/detail/
hoovercelebrity
New member
Dang.
That's some nasty dirt!
Those cleaners do such a fabulous job!
Yay Hoover!
That's some nasty dirt!
Those cleaners do such a fabulous job!
Yay Hoover!
scott55405
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Wonderful cleaners all! Roger has one, can't remember if its a 334 or 344. But, I never knew they existed til that day he found his.
vintagevaclover
Well-known member
I also love commercial vacs!
Epecially vintage ones. One of my favourites is my Hoover Commercial U7037. Its a beast!!! I have the rare attachment adaptor for it as well (that was a gift from a very dear friend) but not dusting tools yet. Its without a doubt one of my sturdiest and well-cleaning vacuums.
Epecially vintage ones. One of my favourites is my Hoover Commercial U7037. Its a beast!!! I have the rare attachment adaptor for it as well (that was a gift from a very dear friend) but not dusting tools yet. Its without a doubt one of my sturdiest and well-cleaning vacuums.
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