Hoover Windtunnel dirt cup problems

[niclonnic]

Sebo_fan, the reasons why I'm not a fan of bagged vacuums are:
- You have to keep buying bags
- They lose suction as they fill up
- If you run out of bags, you can't vacuum
- It's hard to figure out what kind of bag your vacuum uses
- Throwing away bags creates waste

Every vacuum my family has owned following the Fantom Fury has been bagless.

Super-sweeper, nobody paid me to tell me that information. It was my own experience. Please do not hate me for this. My own DC07 Animal, which has been used for countless hours since December 2007, is still FULLY intact and runs PERFECTLY with NO problems whatsoever. My family had a Fantom Fury for a few years and ended up getting rid of it when we moved to my new house in 2001. Yes, I have seen the newer Dysons. My grandmother had a DC40 Animal for about 6 months and then returned it to Costco because it (gasp!) lost suction. In addition, there were a few things I didn't like about it. Sure, I liked the ball steering, but the machine felt cheap. The vacuum locks into the upright position, but it doesn't always work and can fall to the floor. In addition, when using the hose to clean stairs, the vacuum was wobbling. Not a very good design for a $400 vacuum. It hurts me to say this, but Dyson is declining. I will defend Dyson constantly every day; lately, I can't do it anymore because of this.

Madabouthoovers, my DC07 was sturdier than the Windtunnel, surprisingly. And no, my Windtunnel doesn't have a changeover valve. Like most vacuums, all of the dirt goes through the attachment hose when cleaning carpets and floors. Also, my family has never purchased any replacement filters over the years.

Sptyks, I prefer bagless because I get to see what I've picked up. Plus, bagless vacuums are always ready to go.

Loganvac, my family has always bought vacuums from regular stores. We have never owned any high-end vacuums from door-to-door salesmen or niche markets. I'm not buying a Kirby or Rainbow because both brands cost a fortune on eBay. I'm also not buying a Riccar. I'm not trying to be a jerk, but here's what I found out with those vacuums:

- Kirby requires a cumbersome process in order to use attachments
- Rainbow's water filtration system requires lots of maintenance
- Riccar vacuums are bagged; bags are expensive and hard to find

Here are some pictures of my vacuums.

 

[madabouthoovers]

Thanks for posting those pics of your Windtunnel - although it looks similar to my Vax Mach 9 - there are more differences than I thought when looking at the back of it - even though both are TTI machines.


I realise that bagged machines are not for everyone, and as long as you are happy with bagless that's all that matters really.


 


FWIW, I found the Dyson DC07 a pretty good machine, and worked on many of these in the past - They do suffer from brittle plastics though when they get old, and especially if they are stored in the sunlight rather than a dark closet. They are also unforgivably noisy, which was addressed in the DC14 when the cyclones were inverted. Nevertheless I would rather use a DC07 than a DC41, and indeed, I still own a couple of DC07's.


You make valid points about Kirby - whilst I own 4 Kirbys, they are best for carpet cleaning, and not very quick or convenient for hose use, and yes, in the UK bags are very expensive for Kirbys.


 


Bags are harder to obtain than they used to be, with many stores now not stocking them any more, but they can still be obtained online, but they are much better at filtering than they used to be, if a bit more expensive.

 

[sebo_fan]

Each to their own but LOL it always amuses me when someone says, with reference to bagged vacuums:

"You have to keep buying bags." Like you have to keep buying drive belts or filters for ANY upright vacuum, or of course just filters for the canister type.

"They lose suction as they fill up" - sorry, not with all brands and not in my experience.

"If you run out of bags you can't vacuum" - if you wash your bagless vac filter you have to wait 24 hours for it dry out before using it - in the same time you can shop around 24 hours to buy as many bags as you want - and some bags are reusable after the first empty.

"Its hard to figure what kind of bag your vacuum uses" - not with every brand - and it can be just as hard to figure out what drive belt or filter your bagless vac may require…

"Throwing away bags creates waste" - just like using a polythene carrier bag to put the bagless dust in that won't decompose as fast as a paper bag…

 

[super-sweeper]

Dyson told you

Those things about BAGS as a way to make people see past the plasticy cheapness of his 'new' cyclonic vacuum. Dyson didn't even invent cyclonic action, he didn't invent the clear bin, either. Both credits go to Rainbow, has had cyclonic action and clear bins since the 1950s. Bags are in no way expensive, common models such as HOOVER Elites, Concepts, Convertibles made after 1981, and most HOOVER uprights of the 1990s and 1980s at any dollar general store for 99¢. Of course those aren't the best bags (quality and original HOOVER bags from when HOOVER was the American superpower it was can be found at thrift shops for pennies on the dollar). Genuine modern bags from TTI are not the same as the original Green bags, but the modern consumer couldn't care less. Those bags can be had at any vacuum Shop.of course,but many modern consumers wouldn't care to make a stop over vacuum bags (although they WILL have to when they get upset at Wal-Mart for not carrying the replacement $40 filters their 'money saving' bagless consumes every 6 months). Many retailers carries their own line of bags, such as WAL-MART carries Arm & Hammer, or Winn-Dixie carries Rug Doctor brand. Bags are everywhere. Besides, as Sebo_Fan has stated above, ALL vacuums require the periodic replacement of parts of which wear down over time. These include things such as drive belts, brushes, carbon brushes, and filters. ALL of which BOTH your Dyson and your Hoover requires over time. In no way do bags create waste. With any vacuum you are removing dirt from your household, and in most cases throwing it away. a bagless bin spews dirt and dust into both the air and your tag rubbish bin upon emptying. A paper bag provides a convenient way to dispose of dirt in a hygienic sac. Would you not use a trash bag in your rubbish bin because it 'creates waste'? Of course not, such an idea is preposterous.bags last a long time, not many are required for most people. If you go through bags like HOOVERS go through dirt, then purchase a package every 2 shopping trips. Forgetting what bags to buy is like forgetting what kind of cereal you purchase regularly. I remember what style bags I need for vacuums I haven't used in years (that and every HOOVER since the Style W hygienisac!).many bag packages have pictures and lists of the models they are compatible with, which serve to help the average modern consumer in the event they forget which bags to purchase.you are already required to remember what filters and belts to purchase for your Dyson and Hoover. I could replace the belt in a HOOVER Convertible or Elite blindfolded. You're going to need a degree in engineering to replace the belt on that Dyson! Don't break it (although it will wear out in time). You said it yourself, even the Dyson lost suction. ALL vacuums lose suction. ALL vacuums use a filtering medium to separate dust from air.whether it be a disposable bag or an (also disposable) filter. The Dyson would lose suction at fine dust, even the Kirby Omega introduced a new, rubbery filter bag that was known to explode off the vacuum itself upon becoming clogged with fine dust. My Kirby 1-CR has a bag half full of household grime. I haven't noticed the slightest bit of a decrease in performance.
 
I was joking about Dyson paying you. I hope in time you will be able to see past Dyson's bagless hype.

 

[joshdonnell]

I see your point, but in my opinon i wouldn't want to breath in what i just vacuumed.
I also think when you buy a Dyson , or any other cheaper made brand they will not last as long . I
I call them throw away vacuums . I would rather have a vacuum like Kirby or Riccar that had a throw a bag and have the motor last longer. The motor in bagless vacs dont last as long.

 

[super-sweeper]

you're not saying,

<p style="text-align: left;">That dumping a BAG will release crap into the air, are you? You're reading it the wrong way if you are.</p>

 

[niclonnic]

Madabouthoovers, I'm still happy with bagless. I'll probably never own a bagged machine. My DC07 is still a good machine; however it smells dirty every time I turn it on. Mine is one of the later models, and the cyclone assembly is noisy.

Sebo_fan and Super-sweeper, I like bagless because I get to see what I've picked up. Such a thing is not possible with bagged machines. And yes, I do use trash bags in my house.

The Hoover has two filters: a rinsable pre-motor filter and a HEPA exhaust filter with a layer of carbon to absorb pet odors. The pre-motor filter needs to be rinsed every 2 months and let dry for 24 hours. The HEPA filter only needs to be banged out when needed. The Hoover uses a standard belt that usually needs to be replaced every year. Both filters can be found on Hoover.com. Belts can be found practically anywhere.

The Dyson has two lifetime filters: a washable pre-motor filter and a HEPA exhaust filter. The pre-motor filter needs to be rinsed every 6 months and will never need replacing. The HEPA filter is a permanent non-user-replaceable filter that never needs replacing for the lifetime of the vacuum. The Dyson utilizes a clutch system with rubber belts. It is also not user-replaceable. Dyson only sells pre-motor filters through their website. They don't sell HEPA filters or clutches.

Both of my vacuums have NEVER lost suction. I take very good care of my machines. I don't usually have a problem with dust clouds, unless you hold the canister high above the trash can.

Joshdonnell, you think bagless vacuums don't last? It depends on the model. My Dyson DC07 is a 2007, so it's still going strong 6-7 years later. As I've explained before, none of my vacuums have had motors burnt out.

 

[sebo_fan]

You've certainly been hit by the Dyson bug, haven't you? I was like that when I first started collecting, only I owned the models that weren't available in the U.S, such as early Dyson vacs. I soon learnt they weren't that well built, no matter how gentle I was with them.

In the UK you can pick up most spares for most Dyson models. Spares for the DC07 are unusually high. There's a reason for that. You might not have a problem for 7 years because your vacuum cleaner hasn't been troublesome - but in my experience Dyson, the brand hardly tops the list for reliability. I don't think there is a perfect vacuum cleaner but in my experience there is near perfection from brands who offer the bagged way to capture dirt.

Would you have a clear/acrylic toilet in your home so that you can personally watch your faeces float away? I'd rather not and same with the dust that comes off my carpets for all the world to see.

 

[niclonnic]

Yep!

I am a total Dyson fan. The one I have was indeed well built, and my family has somewhat abused it.

On Amazon.com and eBay, you can find Dyson filters, clutches and belts. Like I said I never have had an issue with my DC07.

I also wouldn't want a clear toilet in my home. However, I own an LG front-load washing machine. From time to time, I can watch my laundry get washed. I like seeing how technology works. Plus it's rather satisfying to see what I've picked up from the carpets.

 

[fantomfan]

I respect your opinion

You are not a collector, you are an average user. Many people like bagless better, as you don't need to buy bags. That is exactly why they sell, even if filters for them cost more in the long run.Personally, I see the Rainbow as a better alternative for a bagless. You never need to touch the dirt, and it doesn't smell. A rainbow isn't difficult to use and maintain once you get used to the whole water idea. The rainbow is very reliable an can run for many years with proper care, without needing a service. I hate the idea of dust blowing back in my face with my bagless machines (not rainbow) so that is why I laugh at those Shark infomercials whose happy customers state that the Shark helps with their allergies. It is simply a fact that bagless is here to stay, whether collectors like it or not.

 

[sebo_fan]

Bagless may well be here to stay.

But the issue that this new member had was the hinge on the back of a bagless dust bin which has broken off and may not be under warranty. Now, if ALL bagless vacs were like this, brands wouldn't be able to get away with it.

At this point, I feel that most bagged cleaners simply don't suffer from this. Most in my experience have a better made release for the dust bag - if for example you are going to compare like for like.

 

[niclonnic]

FantomFan, a Rainbow sounds cool, but I am already used to maintaining a similar water-based machine: a carpet cleaner. I own a Bissell Lift-Off Deep Cleaner, which is a great machine. After every use, I go overboard with cleaning out the machine. I rinse out both tanks and let them dry completely near a window. If I clean carpets with the full-sized machine, I also take the entire thing apart and rinse the nozzle, end caps and brush rolls, then let them dry completely. It might sound like overkill, but that's how I am. I do that after every use to keep my machine in great condition. It also prevents mold and mildew buildup.

On a side note, my grandmother owns a Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe vacuum. I used it at her house last summer, and thought it was a pretty good machine.

Sebo_fan, I will keep using bagless vacuums. I've had many brands of bagless vacuums, including Fantom, Dirt Devil and Bissell, and they have never had their canisters broken. As I've said before, my Dyson has never had a part break, including the hinge. The cracked hinge on the Windtunnel might just be something wrong with the manufacturing of my dirt cup.

So far, this has been a great start to my Vacuumland membership. I have found a wealth of knowledge from other members on here. Thanks, everybody, for your suggestions. I will continue to use the Windtunnel. Whenever I go to empty it, I just need to twist the cyclone assembly off. Emptying the cup from the bottom WILL cause the bottom flap to fall off and into the trash can. I have to reattach the bottom flap when that happens.

 

[super-sweeper]

Fantom,

And Amway are my 2 exceptions to bagless, they were quality machines! 

 

[sptyks]

This is a known fact...

A good Direct Air vacuum such as Kirby, Royal metal upright, or the Riccar Tandem Air vacuum will outclean and out perform ANY Bagless upright vacuum ever made.


 


You might like to see the dirt your bagless vac pulls out of your carpet, but the fact is that a good Direct Air vacuum will get all of the dirt your cheap bagless vac leaves behind in your carpet. This is the fine dirt and sand that destroys your carpet when walked on by slowly grinding away the fibers of your carpet. There is not a bagless upright vacuum ever made including Dyson, that can pull more dirt out of a carpet than a good Direct Air vacuum!

 

[sebo_fan]

Well dont forget the classic soft bag Hoover uprights and Orecks are also Direct Air designs.

 

[fantomfan]

I have seen this problem on a pervious Dyson Dc14 that I had

The clip was broken, so I had to find another way to close it. I baby the lid on my Dc07, as It seems flimsy to me. I also am very careful with the dust bin on my Hoover Elite Cyclonic. It seems the best way to avoid this problem is to be very careful when dumping out dirt, it was different on the original fantoms, as they did not have the "dump-from bottom" system. I prefer that method, As there aren't any lids to break.

 

[sptyks]

Sebo_Fan: Sorry I didn't name the Hoover and Oreck, but you are correct they are also good Direct Air machines.


 


 


Niclonnic: If you are still doubtful about the superior cleaning ability of Direct Air vacuums, then I suggest you watch


this video.


 





 


 

 

[niclonnic]

Nice!

Super_sweeper, I agree with you. As I've said, I had a Fantom Fury a long time ago. Sadly, my parents got rid of it because they wanted a new vacuum for the new house in 2001.

Sptyks, that video looked very convincing. However, I'm not getting any more vacuums in the foreseeable future, though.

FantomFan, I'm sorry to hear that that happened to you too! Especially on such a nice vacuum. I do not need to baby my DC07. Its strong build quality has stood the test of time. I prefer the bottom-empty dirt cups because dirt doesn't spill out when you carry the canister to the trash can.

Good thing my Windtunnel was free, because at this point I wouldn't want to buy it again.

 

[super-sweeper]

Dirt spilling out,

Are you holding the canister upside-down? I've never heard of that before!

 

[niclonnic]

No I don't

I never hold the canister upside down. I never have had a problem with dirt spilling out. The "dirt spilling out" problem only applies to dirt cups where the top is uncovered (I'm looking at you, Bissell). Bottom-empty dirt cups are nice because you don't have to breathe in the dust right away; it has time to settle.

One problem with bagged vacuums is this: when you remove the bag, dust flies up and out of the bag.