Kirby Belts

[rodknock95]

I had seen a post about when you replace the original brushroll in a Kirby, you should use a different belt that the original part number. I cannot find it after searching. So.....On my Classics to Legend II...What belt should I use if I replace the Brushroll with a new one?

Blaze

 

[dysonman1]

There is no reason not to use the knurled belt for everything. It lasts longer than the other belts, cuts hair that wraps around the brush at the point the belt touches the brush, and works beautifully with the shampooer since it still has traction after it gets wet. It’s the only belt I sell for Kirby’s.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

rodknock95

Blaze,

It would depend on if the Kirby cleaner you have has the original factory brush roll with sleeve bearings, or if it has the replacement brush roll with ball bearings.

The recommended belt for use on all models from the 513 up to the Dual Sanitronic 80 is part no. 159056S (3 belts) or 159056A (25 belts).

For models 505 to 512, which had the brush roll with two open ends, the original factory replacement belt was part no. 1590S (3 belts) or 1590A (25 belts), but that older-style belt had been discontinued years ago, so the 159056 belt is also recommended for these models as well.

For models from the Classic 1CR to the Legend II, if these have the original factory brush roll with sleeve bearings, the following two respective belts are recommended: 159056 (for Classic 1CR to Tradition 3CB) or 301289 (for Heritage I to Legend II). But if these same machines use the ball bearing-equipped brush roll with the color-coded end caps, use part no. 301291 (with the inside tread).

Roundup of belts to use:
1590 = 505 to 512 (original; discontinued - use 159056)
159056 = 513 to Dual Sanitronic 80, and Classic 1CR to Tradition 3CB if with original factory sleeve bearing-equipped brush roll
301289 = Heritage I to Legend II, if with original factory sleeve bearing-equipped brush roll
301291 = Classic 1CR to Legend II, if with new-style ball bearing-equipped brush roll

~Ben

 

[rodknock95]

Need to come get some

Well, then I need to come up there and see you and buy some.... Do you keep brushrolls in stock?

 

[rodknock95]

Thank you Ben!!!

Ben, you are such a encyclopedia of Kirby knowledge!! Your info that you have shared with me has no doubt helped me build a awesome, correct collection!!

Blaze

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

rodknock95

Blaze,

Thank you! I appreciate it.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Use

I use 159056 on almost all Kirby's. The new Kirby's I use 159056 to break in motor. When you rebuild sometimes too much pressure could hurt. I use 159056 belts until motor is broke in. Then I switch belts.
If you use new belts on old machines could snap belt lifter or pull on impellor of fan
You can but I wouldn't they snap usually when you try to install on brush roll or first time you turn vacuum on.
Les

 

[sptyks]

You can use the new knurled belts (has tread on the inside instead of smooth) on all Kirby's from 513 to present Avalir as long as you have a Ball Bearing bushroll installed. The new knurled belt will ruin the older sleeve bearing brushrolls.


 


 

 

[huskyvacs]

sptyks, yes this is the same information I read about why not to use a knurled belt on vintage Kirby vacs.

 

[lesinutah]

Um

The reason is belt lifters are plastic and you can snap under pressure. If you have a beautiful 505 belt lifter and new belt would shear off back of belt lifter. That's the reasoning. The 3 amp motors are designed in 1930 and strain on them isn't the smart thing to do.
Texaskirbyguy had a belt lifter break.
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Lesinutah

Les,

Unless, of course, it is one of the rebuilt ones using a 4 amp armature and field...
1149 or 114959 armature / 1039 field (models 516 to 518)

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Les,

Sorry, I goofed... I meant to say...
Unless, of course, it is one of the rebuilt ones using a 4 amp armature and field...
1149 or 114959 armature / 1039 or 103959 field (models 513 to 519)

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

True

The belt lifter body was plastic until 560 starburst was the dawn of stronger belt lifters.
I had a newer belt on a sanitronic 7 . I was showing a buyer how to use it and it sliced the belt in half.
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Lesinutah

Les,

Always use the 159056 belt for models 505 to 519, and use the same belt or the 301289 smooth belt for the power polisher belt lifters up to model 561.

~Ben