KIRBY AVALIR

[rugsucker]

2006 patent

"PN utterly useless?"--Perhaps,UNLESS you keep 2 strong men around to lift beds and sofas when cleaning under OR have a 1949 Singer twin fan that with a touch of the trigger on back of hand grip will lower the entire vac to about 4 inches after cleaning the rest of room(with a self adjusting brush).And after cleaning a touch of the second button on front of handle will retract cord and leave the plug at the top where it can easily be reached next time(unlike the new deluxe Hoovers!).
"no mini emptor"--We are at a time that a Kirby without a mini emptor is like a car without a running board if the Kirby is to be updated for today in the manner that the familiar VW Beetle has had 2 updated versions very much for today with great colors.
"paint roller thing?"--This resembles the roller from the 60s & 70s for hard floors and seems to show the Kirby knows more homes have more hard floors even as they continue the same rug/floor tool.This tool has 4 rollers that often become dirty and sticky picking up grit that then is rolled around what may be fine and expensive floors.Also the hard plastic bottom and 1 bristle strip that should be compared to other floor tools almost anyone here would have.In recent years Rainbow went from a good floor brush to a much better one.Almost any central vac att kit fl br is better than Kirby has ever had for nice hard floors.The fit all floor brushes that are in any vac part catalog are better than Kirby and many are based in Ohio.Maybe Kirby should have a truckload delivered to truly upgrade hard floor care!
"plastic"--The bottom half of the Sentria motor unit is already made of a quality plastic that can not have color scrape off and seems to have no problems.

 

[sleepdoc]

Improvements I wish Kirby would make

I use Kirby machines all the time and love them. I'm glad they didn't make the new Kirby into a machine that isn't really a Kirby. Two things I wish Kirby would do, and apparently haven't in this new model, are to sound-insulate the motor unit a lot better and to produce a really good microfiber wood and marble floor tool. I think those two things would make people more willing to use that hose that makes the Kirby so versatile. Doesn't seem like either should be that difficult.

 

[rugsucker]

"wood and marble floor tool"-"that difficult&#34

Yes!Kirby is a great upright and NOT the best choice to vacuum nice hard floors.The last time I walked past vacs at WalMart I saw-1 Dyson,1 bag vac(Bissell),no canisters(unless you count small Black & Decker with hoses)and a Dirt Devil stick vac at about $50 that would be easier and BETTER to vacuum a hard floor than Kirby(or many others).Take a look.Perhaps Kirby engineers could find a museum that could show them the floor att for the SweeperVac of about 1925 with the dust mop on bottom!Or take a business trip to Europe and see their miles of hard floors and the Miele (and other)floor tools that clean them!!

 

[caligula]

Hi rugsucker.

Go to reply 137. Seems that the Kirby has the main upright nozzle AND a power nozzel, why? Hose, wands and surface floor tool have gone under beds for decades!

Only if the idea was one or the other! A mini power nozzle on the end of a hose was a great idea, remember the turbo tool? but an electric hose/power nozzle and Triple coution Vibration seems a bit of overkill!

Actually it's a mute point, the thing in that patend was NOT used, so no problem. I only thought it looked a bit odd.

 

[caligula]

Hi rugsucker.

Seems that paint roller thing IS a new version of the Handi-Waxer that went with the Kirby Classic, and Classic Omega.

New surprizes every day for a while.

And as a man who has had hard floors all my life, the Kirby Mirical Head does a great job, and the machine in canister mode? awesome!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

The real Avalir obviously doesn't look like the one in the patent drawings. Therefore, I can rest assured that some older internal parts will still be available.

~Ben

 

[caligula]

Hi KirbyClassic111

I'm sure that even if that patent had been made, Kirby parts would still be available. But I for one can breathe easy and sleep at night again without nightmares.

Alex Taber.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

I am KRAZY about

Vacuums but they don't control my life like that Alex no vacuum would ever interrupt my sleep or my life .

Just know that one day Kirby will change the machine TOTALLY it WILL happen and I will sleep and go on with my life as if nothing ever happened .

A total redesign Kirby is out there ...

Dan

 

[caligula]

Hi Kirbyloverdan.

I've always been this way, not only vacuum cleaners but anything, a vacation, a job interview, whatever it happens to be both good or bad. I'm a worrier.

 

[kenkart]

re new Kirby...

My take is a Kirby is a true mans vacuum....., I have never seen a woman yet that didnt have troubles with the day to day usage of them, for anything other than a big open carpeted space they are awkward and inconvienent...that said, they are well built, and high quality....in reality, im just not impressed by anything new, a new Kirby up thru a D-80, yes, great lightweight, manuverable, after 1970...heavy and too big!

 

[tolivac]

I have had more than one Kirby salesman point out the Kirby appeals more to the MAN of the home than the woman.They mention the man of the house is more likely to close the sale.Men are more akin to the Kirby attachments-esp the Handi Butlers.Keep in mind there are other vacuums that women didn't like-Royal Powercast and Hoover Z.Both machines too heavy and clunky.And both of those you almost need your tractor or truck to push and carry them!At least the Kirby G machines move well with their Tech Drive.But indeed,heavy to lift and carry.Can you imagine the weight and "clunkyness" factor if the hose and tools were on board the Kirby as some want.You would need your truck to push it and your forklift to carry it up the stairs!

 

[kirbyloverdan]

23lbs

Wow at what age will I think this is heavy ?

I don't think the Kirby is heavy at all guess it's all my bike riding and weightlifting that I don't feel the new Kirbys are any heavier than the 500 series .

Dan

 

[frkirby560]

When will the Avalir be on the market?

When do you think someone could actually purchase a new Kirby Avalir? How long do you think the 100th Anniversary logo will remain on the machine? Just wondering what everybody thinks?

 

[dysonman1]

Alex

That's not a power nozzle in the patent drawing. If you read the description, that's the shampooer. That's why the hose has a cord on the outside, to power the motor that turns the shampooer brush. Having the shampooer on the end of the hose/wand does two things: Keeps the suds away from the rear wheels, where it can get into the transmission's gearing as well as allow for shampooing under things. The user controls the suds flow at the handle end of the hose.

 

[miskini]

Frkirby 560

I just got a reply from kirby, and they said it will go on sale in December. I would not be surprised if some distributors got them sooner.

 

[frkirby560]

Thanks for the info, Miskini!!

 

[miskini]

You are welcome, sir.

 

[kirbyg6]

That's awesome

 

[tolivac]

Kirbys aren't heavy to me,either,but for some folks-yes.

 

[gsheen]

Does anyone else think this is a Plan B machine because of problems with the newer model? I just dont see how they can spend all this time and only come up with a new shampoer. I think something went wrong and this was the back up plan. In which case some were at Kirby they are working very hard to finish the new one.I really hope this is the case.

 

[kirbyg6]

Yeah I heard that

 

[miskini]

Gareth

That's an interesting point. I had the same thought. Eventually, down the road, we will see something that resembles the drawing

 

[tolivac]

I hope Kirby sticks with what they now have-The machines in the patent drawings just look to kludged and Rube Goldberg to me.I admire Kirby for sticking with what really works.

 

[gsheen]

I have worked full time in R&D for a few years and Now still do it on a consulting level. It may not even be a design of machine fault but a tooling issue. The amount of times I have worked on projects that have been delayed because of a tooling issue I cannot even count. I remember once a project been delayed for 3 years because of tooling issues. It sounds ridiculous but it happens more often than you think.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Gareth

That is exactly what is going on another delay for the TOTAL redesign the new Kirby is out there they rushed the G3 and had tons of problems they will never do that again .

Dan

 

[williamr1248]

Kirby Avalir

Dan,
Not familiar with the 3G Series. What were the "tons of problems" that Kirby had with the it's 3G's?

 

[kirbylux77]

Gareth

You're right....this could very well indeed be the case. But why would they introduce the Avalir then?? The Sentria II was only recently introduced, they could have just put a 100th Anniversary label on the Sentria II & move on. Seems rather hasty of Kirby to release a new model just for their anniversary. I just personally hope the concept Avalir never sees the light of day....it's too "weird" & far-out for Kirby in terms of design.

Kirbyloverdan - Ok, now this is the second time you have claimed the concept Kirby is out & being tested. Where is your proof?? I personally think you don't know what you're talking about & making things up! Show us some actual PROOF that what you say is true!

Rob

 

[gsheen]

The G3 was the first G series Kirby. They were tereible by Kirby standards. The motors burnt out. The main motor plate bearing housing would shatter if you used it with the hose for too long. The powerdrives would pack up for refusing to go into neautral.The back wheel rubbers would shredd.

I have also gotten the distinct impression that this was not the machine that dealers were expecting. I was told on good authority that the new unit was lighter with major changes. When i called up my contact he just said yep sometimes things happen.

If you look at the patents online you will get a good idea of what the prototype looks like and its not what was launched.
You dont file patents for fun its expensive hugely time consuming. Their is a new kirby out there but its been held back for what ever reason. We can just wait and see

 

[rugsucker]

Kirby

As Dan stated the first version of anything can have problems that aren't quite worked out at introduction.And depending on the company the introduction can be scheduled by management looking at a calendar or engineering looking at real life testing.The problems I have seen on G-3s that were greatly improved later include---Weak handle spring,Clip at top of cloth bag breaking,First gray fan developing tiny cracks that doesn't happen with the white fan,Switch unit (on/off-hi/lo-and safety in a then new unit)not durable,Rubber cord discoloring and cracking.A G-3 with newer parts or the newer Generations can be an exellent vac for someone who understands it,has a lot of carpet and doesn't mind size and weight.
"being tested"-As I,Dan and others know vac(& other)companies test products in normal to extreme areas.Part of the testing involves secrecy!Especially with an all new model.Car companies have road tested new models with fake trim and fenders for example to make sure it is seen when they want it seen.Years ago we were told at Kirby that Mike Tysons huge home and the Rock & Roll Museum were cleaned with test Kirbys.Locally the Bristol VA Electrolux factory tested prototype Discoverys years ago including one with a foot pedal release that did not make regular production.A secret at the time but if you were here I can show you one for proof.
Tolivac-Good to know I'm not the only one who knows Rube Goldberg!

 

[williamr1248]

Kirby Avalir

Thanks Gareth and Jimmy.
I had no idea they had so many problems. It makes sense that Aerus is having problems with their new machines now and explains why (somewhat) why those new Hoovers I bought back in 2008 were such junk.
I guess they were bringing so many new models and styles on the market all the time that they had no time to really test the machines besides attempting to build the very cheapest product they could put on the discount and big box store shelves.
Makes me appreciate our old Electrolux 2100 EVEN if it does have a WAY TOO SHORT cord!
From what you are saying, I have been lucky with my Black Rainbow then as it was one of the very first off the line when the black Series came out. It gets used almost every day and the only repair has been where I damaged a spring on the hose coupling.
Unlike many collectors, which have many many vacuums sitting in boxes or only used once in a while, these 2 machines get heavy use all the time.
The only problem with the Electrolux in almost 14 years was the cord winder quit.
Before that I used a Kirby Legend ll for years and years and Tom Gasko replaced the fan one time for me. Before that I only had Air-Way and it never had any repairs. Still works fine.

Thanks for sharing the information.