How long between Kirby belt replacements?

[wyaple]

Only having two Kirby's for a little over a year, I haven't found any need to change a belt. My sister has a diamond edition that's almost 10 years old and she claims to have never changed a belt.

I have a Heritage II Legend and a G4 (with the shampoo attachment). While the belts look a bit stretched after a full year of use, I can't say that replacing them would make much difference. I've experienced no slippage and the green BPI lights are full brightness with zero flickering.

What are your experiences? I've read many reports of belts breaking every few months versus nearly a decade with daily drivers.

Bill

 

[kirbysthebest]

Mileage may vary

All in accordance with speed, terrain and weather conditions.

10 years seems a little long. Six months to a year is about average for me with the Ultimate G. The Omega used to eat through belts more quickly before they started making the Knurled type belt, and new roller bearing brush roll.

 

[human]

Depends on frequency of use

Months of use isn't really an accurate measure because different people are going to have different usage patterns. If you vacuum every square inch of your house on a daily basis, it stands to reason you'll be changing that belt a lot quicker than if you're like me and vacuum about once a month whether it needs it or not. And yes, I fully own the fact that I'm an anomaly in this group. That said, I think hours of use would be a much more realistic way to measure wear on a machine and its parts.

I replaced the belt on my Gsix 2001 edition about a month or so after I rescued it from beside a dumpster. There was a small nick in the belt that quickly led to a total break. I just wanted to see how long it would take, so I left it until the belt actually gave way. The replacement belt has been on the machine since early 2013 and is working just fine with maybe 10 or 12 hours of use. My G5 came to me with a brand new belt, according to the seller, but needed a brush roll. That belt is still working fine seven months later but it only has had maybe a couple hours' use, at least since I've owned it. I've spent far more time fixing and cleaning that machine up than I have actually cleaning house with it. The other Gsix got a new belt as soon as I got home with it and I've used it only once for about 20 minutes--proof positive that I have too many vacuum cleaners and I'm a sloppy housekeeper.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Edgar, Bill,

I usually vacuum once a week.

~Ben

 

[kirby519]

The new knurled belt do give long life. So far I have had one on my Heritage II for over 2 yrs. I use the machine 2 to 3 times per week and use the hose regularly. IE stretch the belt further than normal operation often. I clean 500 sq. ft. It is starting to get loose but still plenty of life left in it. No notice able slippage or smell of a burning belt.

The Omega belts were a softer rubber. I do like those as well as they are easier on the motor and bearings. Those I usually replaced every 3 months. Cleaning the same amount of area. And also years before when cleaning 900 to 1100 sq ft. homes. cleaning 2 to 3 times per week.

That belt was used on all machines up to the Heritage series. The belt introduced with that machine was like using the belt designed for the Renovator and Miracle head at the time. (Very stiff) I would not use it for vacuuming and opted for the softer rubber belts. In fact that was the belt on the machine when I bought it.
With the knurled belt Kirby could drop the Renovator belt as the knurled belt gives better performance when damp. Less slippage.

The long life knurled belt was introduced with the G Series. More give than the Original Heritage belts but reinforced for longer life.

 

[tolivac]

For me a year or so.