Kirby Belts

[thermokid]

what kind of belts do you guys and gals recommend to use on the older kirbys(pre generation models) 500 series specifically. I have a lot of the new kind for the G series, but none for the 500 series. I know you can't use Kirby belts on the metal Royals(found out the hard way) but was not sure about kirbys. You would think I would know this since Kirby's are my passion in life. But since I am getting older and have had two strokes, I kind of forget a lot of things I use to know especially about Kirbys... LOL Dan

 

[kirbyvacuum]

Kirby belts

Hi Dan Dont use the G series belts for the 500 series KIRBYS.What i do is take a Gseries belt that i have used for a while and THEN USE IT FOR THE 500 SERIES KIRBYS. Last time i went to my local Kirby dealer he had two types of belts in stock. That should help. I am a Kirby man also all the way Doug

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

The #159056 belt was used on most old Kirby vacuums up to and including the Tradition.

I've noticed that the knurled #3012xx belt was used with the double-row (#152581, #152585 and #152587; all models since the Heritage 1HD) brush roll as well as the Miracle Head/Rug Renovator brush roll.

~Ben

 

[eurekastar]

I think the main issue is with those brush rolls that use sleeve bearings.  The G series belts will put too much tension on them.  However, if it is a newer brush roll with ball bearings, the G series belt should be OK. 

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Bill,

Would you recommend the #159056 belt and the #152575 (single-row) brush roll only in the case of the entire Classic trilogy and the Tradition, then?

~Ben

 

[eurekastar]

Ben,

I use the G series belt and a four row brush roll in all my Classic/Tradition vacuums.  I also use the small four row brush roll and the G series belt in all my 500 series vacuums with one exception.  In the early 500 series machines which take only the brush roll with open ends, I still use the soft belt (159056).  If I'm not mistaken, those brush rolls still use sleeve bearings. 

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Bill,

Yes. The double-row sleeve-bearing brushroll was used on all Heritage I and Heritage II machines up to February 1986.

It was from March 1986 that the Heritage II switched to a brushroll with a magnet on its end cap (#152585) and then, starting in November 1987, it was changed again (#152587) to reflect the all-new BPI (brushroll performance indicator) headlight which, if illuminated, means the brushroll and belt are working correctly.

If I were to use the #3012xx knurled belt, should I store my Rug Nozzle (if detached from the Kirby motor) with the belt lifter in the ON position, to prevent excess tension on the belt which could lead to slippage later?

~Ben

 

[bnsd60m9200]

ben, reguardless of the belt type, i ALWAYS detension my belts on my kirby's when not in use. saves on belt life.

will Hemb