Hoover Model 961

[myhooverco]

This is my newest find outside of any vault cleaners. It is a Hoover model 961. It was in total pieces at a vac shop. It was all in a box. EVERY screw had been removed so it was a big jigsaw puzzle that needed to be put together with no picture to go by. The motor was the worst because even the ball bearing rings were out of it. This was Hoover's commercial cleaner from 1922-28. It was replaced by the big chrome 972. This machine is BIG. The handle looks like a 541 but is much longer. The machine stands up to my shoulder! It is in very good shape with its original wheels and bumper. It is an early one with a lower serial number. I replaced the cord with some new cloth covered cord that worked out very well. The only things missing were a bag, bag ring, and a knob from the switch. Otherwise surprisinly it was complete. And it runs perfectly! Does anyone else have one of these????

--Tom

 

[myhooverco]

It uses a General Electric motor with a very strange brush set up. The brushes go in the back at a "V" angle rather than across from each other. The motor was painted green so that had to be redone! Someone at one time had painted the base blue. There is still some remnants of that bad paint job. I cannot stress how quiet and slow this motor is! I thought the badge on top of the motor was quite neat.

--Tom

 

[myhooverco]

Here is a close up of the back of the motor. You can kind of see where the carbon brushes go into the back of the motor. I had to make a bag to fit this machine since it is so huge. No other bags that I had even came close.

 

[myhooverco]

Finally, a side by side comparison with its smaller sibling, the 541. The 961 is entirely larger in every dimension. Although this big commercial is easy to push, I would really not want to have to use it unless there was plenty of space to push it around. I hope you all enjoyed the photos. This is an item that I thought I would never find. I wonder how many survived?

--Tom

 

[vintagehoover]

OMG!

Tom, this is one of my dream machines! I never thought I'd see one! I'm desperately trying to get hold of one for my collection, since there's now only 4 pre-war machines missing - Models 200, 961, 972 and 105.

I have to say, if I could choose, I'd much rather have this one than any of the cleaners you got from the vault - much more my taste!

I believe Stan Kann has one, if he hasn't parted with it, as he did his 972. Even sadder as I understand it's gone somewhere where it'll never see the light of day again

23,744 Model 961s were made, compared to just 4,630 of the Model 972.

I'd LOVE to see a video of this one!

 

[hoover1060]

The machine stands up to my shoulder!

Put your heels on hun....you'll be taller then!

{{DUCKS AND RUNS}}


Very cool find Tom, and its right where it needs to be, in your collection.

 

[normvac]

Tom, what a great find. Glad it has a home with you and the rest of it's siblings !
Norm

 

[hygiene903]

Great Find, Tom!!

A beautiful machine. And amazing how much bigger it is than the 541 when they are sitting next to each other.
Jeff

 

[hoover28]

wow

good find. looks great


Chris

 

[lux1521]

That is really cool. Its nice to know they're still out there to be found.

One thing I noticed is the strange proportions of some things. The badge and the switch have not been enlarged which makes it look a bit odd. The handle also looks to have the same diameter as the 541.

I thought my baby model 103 looked odd. This is equally strange looking but in a very different way.

I'm sure it will fit in well with your collection. Thanks for posting pictures of this ultra rare Hoover!

 

[vintagehoover]

I wonder...

...if all Model 961 motors were made by G.E, or if Hoover took over during production - since the 541 was the first (I believe) to have a motor made by Hoover, not Robbin and Meyers.

Does the motor have any external oil points like the domestic machines, or does it have to be done internally, by a Service Agent?

Did you have to fabricate a bag-ring for it? I take it that a standard one would be much too small??

 

[myhooverco]

I would like to know about the GE motor thing too. It would not surprise me if Hoover changed it half way through production. The first models to have Hoover motors were the 102's in 1920. Robbins and Meyers could not give Hoover the quality that they wanted at the right price. As for this GE motor, it has a ball bearing "ring" at the top and bottom of the motor. It must all be removed and greased by hand so this would have to be done at a service center. It is rather complicated. The 541 had a sleeve bearing on the top that could be oiled easily. You just had to add a few drops and presto it was oiled. I do not have a bag ring. I just made an extra large mouth on the bag and tied it around the back of the machine. The 541 bag ring was much too small. It really is a very cool machine. I have never seen one so I was thrilled to get it.

--Tom

 

[watsonw]

Trying not to dribble on my keyboard,

Possibly a once in a lifetime find !!

Congrats,

Walter, UK.

 

[vintagehoover]

Tom...

Would you mind if I used these pictures on my site? I'd give you full credit, of course

 

[myhooverco]

No problem...enjoy!

--Tom

 

[vintagehoover]

I've added your photos now, Tom

Sorry it took so long! I'm up to my ears in work, preparing for another, very exciting project...

...stay tuned

http://www.freewebs.com/vintagehoover/commercial.htm