Kirby 518

[kirbyman65]

Hello i was using one of my Kirby dual sanitronic 50’s and i decided to check the date at the bottom of the machine. It said it was a 518 from 1957. So I have been thinking it was a sanitronic 50 for the longest time. The backstory on the machine was a guy bought it at a garage sale. Had it serviced and used it till he sold it to me. Any information on what this could means?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Kirbyman65

If your D50 were an original 518, then you may want to see if the safety switch has two buttons that indicates the D50 motor group in it, or if it is just one button to indicate the original 518 motor group.

~Ben

 

[kirbyman65]

I guess I have a 518!

I guess I have a 518. I’ll try to find parts for that model to transform it from a sanitronic 50.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

kirbyman65

It would have a gray bag with a large Kirby circle logo on the front. The main trim is red (headlight and nozzle bumpers, handle grip plastic and handle lock button) and gray (wheels and Sani Em-Tor bottom). The original power cord for the 518 was two-tone (gray, with red male and female plug ends).

~Ben