How to Prolong Life of Your Vacuum Belt?

[kirbyclassiciii]

I've seen several sources saying that on certain brands of machines, like Kirby and Royal, that removing the belt from the motor shaft will help prolong its life when not in use, thus avoiding unnecessary purchases of replacement belts. I wonder if any of you ever actually do this?

While that's easier said than done on any Kirby from the 505 (version 2) to the present Avalir, and on the Royal metal upright models 888, 893, 980, 990 and 2001 (Electro-Hygiene), on most Royal metal uprights as well as all Kirbys up to the first iteration of the 505 (and the American-Lincoln Sani-Sweep/Super-Sweep/Super-Vac and COMVAC 1300 and 1600), it's more difficult as you have to use something such as Royal's hand belt lifter or a slotted-head screwdriver to get it off and then back on again (getting it back on when preparing to use it is more difficult).

It's also quite difficult to disconnect these if you have a Hoover or a Eureka/Sanitaire.

Video 1 (by KG5Vacuums):


Video 2 (by Matt Carley aka "The Cube"):


~Ben

 

[vacuumlad1650]

I unhook my stretch belts when I'm not using the vacuum. Yes, all of them. If a collector is coming over, I hook them all up. I have not changed belts half as often because of this.
Andy

 

[marks_here]

Yes I do the same thing for over 25yrs now it does save them. May be a chore for some on power nozzles but doesn't bother me one bit.

 

[pr-21]

I only take mine off the belt lifter when I am using my attachments and then I stretch it onto the belt lifter to put it back on when finished. I don't really go through many belts or have trouble with them slipping. I also have several Kirby's and other vacuums to use. I will say this, I do usually change the belt's on the Kirby's at the same time, when I do change them.


PR-21
Bud

 

[crazykirbydude]

One Big Thing...

Have the height adjusted correctly. If it is too low, it will cause unnecessary wear on the belt. Too high and the vacuum will not clean and will kick things all over the floor.

 

[human]

Disconnecting the belt on a Kirby is a snap. Just take the power head off, relax the belt tension and put the power head back on. Reverse the process to restore the belt to its operating position.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Also, to keep the belts from stretching in one shape,

I turn the vacuums on, to run them...it's also0 great for the machines' motors.
Sometimes, I'll get an extension cord, and just start at one end of the line and keep going.

 

[dysonman1]

The late Stan Kann, grandfather of the vacuum collecting hobby, removed the belts of his vintage uprights from the drive shaft before he put the machine back into its place among his collection. There was always a 'vacuum of the week', so many machines were not used for more than a year. Stan never wanted the belts to put tension on the bearings (in both the brush as well as the motor) while the machine was not in use. Some of his cleaners weren't used for years (like his Kirbys) because he didn't care for them. Except for his Hoover 700, which he loved to run to listen to the start-up sound, all the belts of the vacs in his collection were disconnected for storage.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Of course, I have numerous vacuums in boxes.

Anyone knows that the belts could/should be removed to be stored that long. I, like most collectors, put new ones in when I host one of my mini meets. I have an arsenal of new belts, genuine H of course. I was at an outlet one day. There was a huge box of Hoover belts. Naturally, I bought them all. I always pick up belts during my thrift shop hunts, too.
There's nothing worse than opening a cleaner and seeing a distorted belt from non use. Well, there ARE worse things, but........................
It still is a very wise idea to run your machines.....keeps the grease, oil, motors running smoothly. Sometimes, I'll 'switch out' a set of vacuums like people switch out their summer/fall, winter,spring wardrobes. Why not? It's like using a 'new machine' again.

 

[kloveland]

It seems like a hassle to disconnect the belt every time. When I pull a vacuum out from my collection I want to be able to use it right then. Belts have not really been an issue for me. And yes John is right! Running the cleaners is good for them. 

 

[floor-a-matic]

I dont bother removing the belt because I use 'vac of the day'


 


My vac collection is now down to 5; been letting go of duplicates & my least favorite vacs

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

floor-a-matic

I have seven machines... but the 1991 Generation 3 still needs a clean up -- as well as a new cord -- before I use that one for the first time.


 


The two Royal metal uprights in my collection are both rare for one reason or another... although Royal made a lot of 880s from 1965 to 1987, the one I have (built February 1985) was sold by and branded for Stark's Vacuums which is a well-known family-run business in my hometown of Portland, OR, and the other, the 786 Prince, is also rare in that while it has the same features as the 880, it shares the same red trim as the Electro-Hygiene 903. Removing the belts on these two is, as I said before, easy, but getting them back on is more difficult.


 


~Ben

 

[pr-21]

I do try and rotate my machines, so the belts don't get out of shape too much. and to also give the motor some use as well. I usually use the vintage machines for touch ups threw the week, which gets them some use and use my newer machines for the main cleaning day. However, I have some vintage machines that clean just as well as some of my newer machines, of course the vintage machines don't edge clean as well as the newer ones, but I use a crevice tool for that.


Sincerely,

PR-21
Bud