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scottgee1

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Joined
Mar 15, 2010
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13
Hi all;

New here . . . found this site whilst researching a replacement for a Kenmore Progressive canister whose motor bit the dust. Literally.

My inclination is to replace with an upright because we picked up a Simplicity Jill a couple years ago and that handles small jobs well enough.

However, a brief trial of a Simplicity Symmetry from a local shop taught me that, unlike our Persian cat, uprights can't fit under our furniture -- an unfortunate combination of circumstances.

I've done a bit of research and see that some Sebo models offer 5.5" as their lowest height. Are there other uprights that go lower? Of course I want a powered head to grab all the fur the Persian shares with us.

TIA!
 
My Kenmore motor blew on me too!

Interesting.....my 2001 Kenmore Progressive (Elegance in Canada) power nozzle canister blew its motor on me too! And this after only about 4 years of light use (I live in a small apartment alone with no pets). I was so diligent about replacing the bag and the Hepa filtre frequently, but all of a sudden, as I was dusting some book shelves, it went "poof", and a nice burning smell came out of the exhaust. I likes the machine so much, that I basically had a local repair shop put in a new Panasonic motor ($150 including labour), and it runs as good as new. But I have decided to dump the Hepa exhaust filter to allow the motor to breathe more - hoping this will make it last longer......

I wonder if our friends here who own repair shops have an idea if the Kenmore/Panasonic canister motors are known to blow after a few years, even with their supposed "overheat shut-off" feature.
 
Kenmore Elegance / Progressive canister motors...

It is the most common machine that we see with motor failures in our store. In particular, the ones using the Ametek 119539 motor seem to fail the most...

Speaking of Kenmore, another big failure we see is with the Whisperbelt rollers made by Cen-Tec. The plastic on the end caps gets lint, hair, twine, etcetera collected within, causing friction when used which leads to the cap melting and seizing the bearing. After almost six years, they are finally admitting to the issue as our latest shipments of new rollers are modified to apparently prevent this from happening. It is too bad it took them so long to finally acknowledge it...

If you use a Whisperbelt powerhead, keep the end caps and roller clean!
 
Welcome ??? Tia ??? (scottgee1)...

I would like to welcome you to the forum/club.

I was doing some seaches on Kirbys, & I happened upon the forum/club. There are a lot of nice people in the club & a lot of helpful info.

I don't know that you are going to find an upright that is much, if any lower than the 5.5" you referenced above. For what it's worth, Kirby does have a phenomenal attachment for the hose (Zipp Brush). I use it regularly in our vehicles, house & very heavily at my Customer Service Center. It works great for fur, hair, lint, sand & regular dirt. (Just a thought.)

I am somewhat limited on any assistance w/ other brands (don't repair or rebuild others); however, with KIRBYs, if there is any way I may be of help, feel free to contact me [thru my email in my profile might be quicker]. And again, welcome.

Bill
 
Thanks for the warm welcome and welcome advice!

EP Brian, the good news is that you're not the only one. The bad new is that you're not the only one.
;o)

At this point, the power nozzle is at a local shop. Tech there is checking to see if it will match up with an older Kenmore canister they have for sale. In the meantime, here's a pic of the primary (well used) bits. Not sure how to post more than one pic . . .

3-17-2010-08-58-48--scottgee1.jpg
 
Welcome Scott!!!

Sorry to hear about your Kenmore. I have a good canister if you want the motor. It is 5 years old though.Mine wasn't the Progressive mine was/is the light blue one,a model up from BOL.I did replace it with a Progressive though and I do love them both. Acctually the blue one is quieter as its a "whispertone" The PN is no good.

Like PG Scott said If you use a Whisperbelt powerhead, keep the end caps and roller clean!
I kept mine clean and the side oppisite the belt melted about 1 1/2 years old, so I paid 50 bucks for a new roller, on the bay 10 less than Sears and it happened again about 6 months ago. The whole vacuum cost 129.99 on sale so I wasnt about to spend another 50. Instead I scored a TOL Progressive at a yardsale for 15 bucks in Sept.that was old lady owned and they gave me the recipt dated Dec 2009!
Only thing I dont have the original power mate jr that fits in the back. Anyway Let me know if ya want the motor. I got 2 but im saving one for my old Kenmore.
 
Welcome to the forum!

I used to have a few of the older Whispertone canister models (ones with the green beater bar on the roller). They cleaned great and were realativly quiet. My negative encounters with the Kenmores was the dang swivil caster in the front always busted through the housing. This has happened twice, both times by the previous owners. The power nozzles tend to short out over time from the wand connection and almost seem to "flicker" on and off while using. And my other issue with the Kenmore canisters was that the handle height was not quite tall enough for me to use comfortably, especially with the bare floor tool. I am a tall person and found my back hurting after extended use. I'm having the same problem with my new Dyson, shorter handle :(

The most recent Kenmore I had (early 90's) just recently wore out a motor bearing. It does still run and has since been givin to a friend, but it has that horrible squeal now from time to time. I wouldn't mind finding another mid 90's one again someday.
 

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