kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
I know about Hoover, Kenmore, Eureka, and Kirby. What else is there?
How many different self propelled vacuums were there?
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rugmaster37
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self propelled vacuums.....
Phillip,
Hoover Of course was the first to introduce Self Propelled vacuuming to the world with the Dial-A-Matic in 1967. That continued until 1978, when that line was dropped in favor of the Concept One. Hoover continued Self Propelled of course with the Concept One , Two, PowerMax and etc mostly using the same basic mechanism introduced in 1967. And they are one of the last besides Kirby, and possibly a Eureka or two to still offer that feature with their current WindTunnel line. They never had a trade name for their drive either. Just always called it Self-Propelled.
Kenmore offered the feature for the first time on their Whirlpool built DuoPowers around 1974-75 or so. Their drive was called PowerEase. It was only available on their TOL model. By 1978 or so it was no longer available. It wasn't very reliable, and handles broke and such. Not to mention they made an already HEAVY cleaner, unbearbly so.
Kenmore's second attempt was twofold. Onew was the second generation Whirlpool designed uprights ( think the ones that had the two headlights) that was again a loose copy of the Concept One, and was available in either a soft, or hard bag edition. Whirlpool also sold this machine as well and is comparitively rare. They had no trade name that I know of for thier drive system.
Thier second attempt came from their Singer line of machines. Ryobi Motor Products (nee Singer), popped out a Self Propelled version of their twin fan uprights around 1982 or so. They had a higher hood, and a funky large headlight that was needed to accomodate all the innards to make the thing work. These were only soft bag models IIRC. There were one or two models. One was more deluxe than the other.
Eureka entered the Self Propelled market around 1978 or so. Maybe 1979. Obviously maybe Norm can chime in here as to what year that actually was. I'm clear as a bell that they were the 5000 series machines. They too used the old Continental style metal hood with a plastic dormer on top to accomodate the higher motor to run the gear belt back to the drive post for the PowerDrive unit. They continued the line thru the early 80's, re-spinning it again for the Precision or Procision (sp) line of uprights, also built for Monkey Wards, in several diffeent models. Eureka did not have a name for their drive system either.
And of course Kirby with the Tech-Drive that began in 1993 for the G-3 machines continuing up until today in the current Sentria.
To finally answr your question, the only other "company" to put out a S-P machine that I'm aware of is the half hearted attempt at ressurecting the Singer line during the mid 1980's by Ryobi. There was one or two models in the Singer System lineup that was a clone of the Kenmore version. They made a so-so heavy machine quite chunky, and from what I've seen and heard, were not all that reliable either.
Self Propelled machines I think were passed up by other comapnies, or brand names becasue they were "truly limited" in their honest usefulness. Not only did other "brands" not have the nescesary Research and Development abilities to create such a thing ( and really besides the ones mentioned, how many more brands really were there at the time). They made a machine much more heavy and bulky, were usually jerky in operation and they diddn't work all that swell in thicker carpets which were all the rage when these things were out on the market.
And finally they made the machine cost WAY more than a non- powered companion line model. Both to produce and to sell.... Bad news bears for a compnay that really needed volume to survive.
Really only Hoovers Self Propelled system was really any good IMHO, with Eureka's a close second. And the reason why Hoover and Kirby still do theirs is becasue they push them really hard in the marketplace. In most cases where self propelled machines truly failed anyway in one for m or another....
Hope this helps...
Chad
Ann Arbor Michigan
Oh yeah BTW, there WAS one other that I just remembered. Panasonic, used to have a PowerHead on their TOL canisters around 1992??? area, which used a reversible motor, thru a quite complex linkage and electric switch arrangement that caused the motor to first propell forward when pushed forward, and when tugged backwards, the brush pushed backwards. Because their brushroller was quite agressive, it really did "propell" the nozzle as it intended.
However what did that head in was it's finiky switch and linkage setup which broke FREQUENTLY, and out of adjustment never allowed the head to properly clean correctly....
CMS
Phillip,
Hoover Of course was the first to introduce Self Propelled vacuuming to the world with the Dial-A-Matic in 1967. That continued until 1978, when that line was dropped in favor of the Concept One. Hoover continued Self Propelled of course with the Concept One , Two, PowerMax and etc mostly using the same basic mechanism introduced in 1967. And they are one of the last besides Kirby, and possibly a Eureka or two to still offer that feature with their current WindTunnel line. They never had a trade name for their drive either. Just always called it Self-Propelled.
Kenmore offered the feature for the first time on their Whirlpool built DuoPowers around 1974-75 or so. Their drive was called PowerEase. It was only available on their TOL model. By 1978 or so it was no longer available. It wasn't very reliable, and handles broke and such. Not to mention they made an already HEAVY cleaner, unbearbly so.
Kenmore's second attempt was twofold. Onew was the second generation Whirlpool designed uprights ( think the ones that had the two headlights) that was again a loose copy of the Concept One, and was available in either a soft, or hard bag edition. Whirlpool also sold this machine as well and is comparitively rare. They had no trade name that I know of for thier drive system.
Thier second attempt came from their Singer line of machines. Ryobi Motor Products (nee Singer), popped out a Self Propelled version of their twin fan uprights around 1982 or so. They had a higher hood, and a funky large headlight that was needed to accomodate all the innards to make the thing work. These were only soft bag models IIRC. There were one or two models. One was more deluxe than the other.
Eureka entered the Self Propelled market around 1978 or so. Maybe 1979. Obviously maybe Norm can chime in here as to what year that actually was. I'm clear as a bell that they were the 5000 series machines. They too used the old Continental style metal hood with a plastic dormer on top to accomodate the higher motor to run the gear belt back to the drive post for the PowerDrive unit. They continued the line thru the early 80's, re-spinning it again for the Precision or Procision (sp) line of uprights, also built for Monkey Wards, in several diffeent models. Eureka did not have a name for their drive system either.
And of course Kirby with the Tech-Drive that began in 1993 for the G-3 machines continuing up until today in the current Sentria.
To finally answr your question, the only other "company" to put out a S-P machine that I'm aware of is the half hearted attempt at ressurecting the Singer line during the mid 1980's by Ryobi. There was one or two models in the Singer System lineup that was a clone of the Kenmore version. They made a so-so heavy machine quite chunky, and from what I've seen and heard, were not all that reliable either.
Self Propelled machines I think were passed up by other comapnies, or brand names becasue they were "truly limited" in their honest usefulness. Not only did other "brands" not have the nescesary Research and Development abilities to create such a thing ( and really besides the ones mentioned, how many more brands really were there at the time). They made a machine much more heavy and bulky, were usually jerky in operation and they diddn't work all that swell in thicker carpets which were all the rage when these things were out on the market.
And finally they made the machine cost WAY more than a non- powered companion line model. Both to produce and to sell.... Bad news bears for a compnay that really needed volume to survive.
Really only Hoovers Self Propelled system was really any good IMHO, with Eureka's a close second. And the reason why Hoover and Kirby still do theirs is becasue they push them really hard in the marketplace. In most cases where self propelled machines truly failed anyway in one for m or another....
Hope this helps...
Chad
Ann Arbor Michigan
Oh yeah BTW, there WAS one other that I just remembered. Panasonic, used to have a PowerHead on their TOL canisters around 1992??? area, which used a reversible motor, thru a quite complex linkage and electric switch arrangement that caused the motor to first propell forward when pushed forward, and when tugged backwards, the brush pushed backwards. Because their brushroller was quite agressive, it really did "propell" the nozzle as it intended.
However what did that head in was it's finiky switch and linkage setup which broke FREQUENTLY, and out of adjustment never allowed the head to properly clean correctly....
CMS
rugmaster37
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part Two.....
Oh yeah,
For a hot minute a few years back, and maybe still available, Dirt Devil put an upright out or two that had their version of a powerdrive as well. i think it was called the Dirt Devil Crusier.
I've seen one or two with the drive motors burned out . Or the handles broke or some such thing.
hehehe...
Chad
Oh yeah,
For a hot minute a few years back, and maybe still available, Dirt Devil put an upright out or two that had their version of a powerdrive as well. i think it was called the Dirt Devil Crusier.
I've seen one or two with the drive motors burned out . Or the handles broke or some such thing.
hehehe...
Chad
"Hoover Of course was the first to introduce Self Propelled vacuuming to the world with the Dial-A-Matic in 1967. That continued until 1978, when that line was dropped in favor of the Concept One." - And all life as we know it ended lol. Hoover really dropped the ball with the Concept One. While I'll be first to admit it had it's flaws, the Dial-A-Matic was definitely more advanced than the Concept One, and is without a doubt my all-time favorite Hoover upright (although I do like the non power-drive models more than the power-drive). Just my two cents....
I prefer the Dial-A-Matic, I only could find one self propelled model. I have about three Concept Ones, including one Heavy Duty model I just picked up.
kirbysthebest
Well-known member
The sewing center here in town has an ad for a Panasonic with power assist.
Now you wouldn't be able to tell from my screen name, but I am partial to Kirby. In my opinion the Kirby Tech-Drive is the best out there. It is smooth, no jerks, it stops when you quit pushing, and it doesn't run over your toes when you pull back. They are durable, but do add a lot of weight to an already heavy machine.
Now you wouldn't be able to tell from my screen name, but I am partial to Kirby. In my opinion the Kirby Tech-Drive is the best out there. It is smooth, no jerks, it stops when you quit pushing, and it doesn't run over your toes when you pull back. They are durable, but do add a lot of weight to an already heavy machine.
I do like Hoover's Power Drive, especially on my concept One, now that I put in a new set of brush strips in, it has become so aggressive that, it now has a tendency to get away from me at times.
I do think that Kirby's Tech-Drive is a much better self propelled system and much smoother and easier to control. I don not think that my Generation Six is any heavier than my Classic, and if so not by very much.
I do think that Kirby's Tech-Drive is a much better self propelled system and much smoother and easier to control. I don not think that my Generation Six is any heavier than my Classic, and if so not by very much.
kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
Okay, here is my two cents worth.
Thank you Chad for all that. I remember seeing every one of trhose machines you mentioned, though I had forgot about a few of them. well thats' not so, I never did see the Panasonic with the power head that propelled. Anyhow, I have to say that I love the Concept one and the Kirby Systems the best. I learned from the Kirby tour that the man who designed the system on the Dial-A-Matic is also the one who designed it for Kirby. They had seeked him out to have him redesign it for the G3
Thank you Chad for all that. I remember seeing every one of trhose machines you mentioned, though I had forgot about a few of them. well thats' not so, I never did see the Panasonic with the power head that propelled. Anyhow, I have to say that I love the Concept one and the Kirby Systems the best. I learned from the Kirby tour that the man who designed the system on the Dial-A-Matic is also the one who designed it for Kirby. They had seeked him out to have him redesign it for the G3
williamr1248
Well-known member
How Many self propelled vacuums
Chad,
Are you sure that 1993 was the first year Kirby had the self propelled feature? I bought my Kirby Legend ll in 1989 (I checked the paperwork and this was long before I collected vacs)and it was just a few months before the Kirby salesman brought the new model to show me and it seemed to me that it was self propelled. Does that sound right? All I remember is that it had a new style hose and attachments and was a light color. Of course I didn't buy and I liked the color of my Legend ll. I could be wrong as this was quite a few years ago.
Chad,
Are you sure that 1993 was the first year Kirby had the self propelled feature? I bought my Kirby Legend ll in 1989 (I checked the paperwork and this was long before I collected vacs)and it was just a few months before the Kirby salesman brought the new model to show me and it seemed to me that it was self propelled. Does that sound right? All I remember is that it had a new style hose and attachments and was a light color. Of course I didn't buy and I liked the color of my Legend ll. I could be wrong as this was quite a few years ago.
Generation 3
Actually, the Legend II had a short run (1989-90). Kirby introduced the Generation 3 in 1990, and production ran until 1993. So actually, that body style has had almost a 20-year run, like the Classic series. So if history repeats itself, they should be introducing a new model soon.
Actually, the Legend II had a short run (1989-90). Kirby introduced the Generation 3 in 1990, and production ran until 1993. So actually, that body style has had almost a 20-year run, like the Classic series. So if history repeats itself, they should be introducing a new model soon.
vacuumfreeeke
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how funny
.... I just finished using my Concept 1! It was the first vacuum in my collection, and I am quite partial to self-propelled machines. I have a Kirby G5 (my daily driver which I love and waited a long time to get), a blue Eureka ESP Self-propelled (which no longer runs, needs new motor brushes, but when it did, I didn't like the transmission at all), an orange Dial-a-matic (which I don't like at all... I keep it for "collector's sake", blasphemy I know), and my Concept 1 which I prefer over all of them. What a beautiful, practical, powerful, amazing machine the Concept is. I hadn't used it for a few months... but every time I use it, I am reminded again why I fell in love with it in the first place. Since I just finished rolling up the cord (model U1303 I think... power drive, but no cord winder), I'm on fire about it right now... almost evangelistic. When I worked at Sears, I had a customer come in and say they had a Concept and they were thinking about upgrading to a newer vacuum... I told not to even consider it. I lost commission over that.. thank goodness there wasn't a manager standing near!
I had experience with the Kenmore Whirlpool "Concept Clone"... it didn't seem very well made. Loose construction, and it shot the dirt from beneath the cleaner... the transmission wasn't very powerful either. It did resemble a Concept a lot though!
Eureka's modern attempt at a self-propelled was laughable. I used to sell it at Sears and there was no comparison with that and the Wind-Tunnel self-propelled. It only had one drive wheel in the back, and had a weak transmission and weak cleaning.
.... I just finished using my Concept 1! It was the first vacuum in my collection, and I am quite partial to self-propelled machines. I have a Kirby G5 (my daily driver which I love and waited a long time to get), a blue Eureka ESP Self-propelled (which no longer runs, needs new motor brushes, but when it did, I didn't like the transmission at all), an orange Dial-a-matic (which I don't like at all... I keep it for "collector's sake", blasphemy I know), and my Concept 1 which I prefer over all of them. What a beautiful, practical, powerful, amazing machine the Concept is. I hadn't used it for a few months... but every time I use it, I am reminded again why I fell in love with it in the first place. Since I just finished rolling up the cord (model U1303 I think... power drive, but no cord winder), I'm on fire about it right now... almost evangelistic. When I worked at Sears, I had a customer come in and say they had a Concept and they were thinking about upgrading to a newer vacuum... I told not to even consider it. I lost commission over that.. thank goodness there wasn't a manager standing near!
I had experience with the Kenmore Whirlpool "Concept Clone"... it didn't seem very well made. Loose construction, and it shot the dirt from beneath the cleaner... the transmission wasn't very powerful either. It did resemble a Concept a lot though!
Eureka's modern attempt at a self-propelled was laughable. I used to sell it at Sears and there was no comparison with that and the Wind-Tunnel self-propelled. It only had one drive wheel in the back, and had a weak transmission and weak cleaning.
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