Kirby ComVac - What is this thing?

[lux1521]

I was surfing ebay and ran across the item in the link below. It is a giant commercial cleaner with the Kirby name on it. It is like the current Oreck Comvac but much older as it has a 1980 style Heritage pattern on the bag. I never knew that the Kirby logo was put on machines of this style. Very interesting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kirby-27-Commer...ryZ53286QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[kirbysthebest]

I think someone is guilding the lilly a bit

The machine may be a Scott Fitzer but it is not a Kirby. This would be the same as saying my Jeep is a Mercedes because Daimler owned Chrysler at the time it was made.

 

[swingette]

fyi, if you look real closely at the auction images, it says "kirby" on the main label!

 

[ian88]

Yup, and it has a Heritage 1 style bag ;]

 

[camelotshadow]

looks like it could vacuum astroturf in a stadiuum

thats a monster

he's not the only one making that mistake
saying kirby


http://www.sweetsweep.com/berforpfpfma.html

 

[lux1521]

The thing is, the Kirby part is not a mistake. It really is a Kirby. I just never knew Scott Fitzer ever used the Kirby name on cleaners of this style. I figured they would call it a Douglass or one of the other brands they use.

 

[tolivac]

I have seen machines just like the "ComVac" Kirby one in the current "ProFlite" catalogs.The Proflite ones are blue in color-blue bodys and bag.Have seen these in the Vac Hospital out here-HUGE motor and heavy cast metal fan-but CHEEZY plastic fancase-one he had in his shop had something that flew out of the plastic fancase-hopefully didn't hit the user.Almost would like to have one-but don't have a floor big enough to use it on-lets see could it clean out my garage?

 

[logan]

To me it looks like an oversized Electrolux upright with a Kirby bag and the handles off of a lawnmower!! How weird would it be to vacuum using two hands on the handle just like when pushing a lawn mower! I wonder what kind of brush roll this beast has...

 

[tolivac]

Tried one at the Vac Hospital that was brought in-the large churches in this area seem to like these-the ProFlite ones.Was just like using a lawnmower.You just push it forward-but don't try to pull it back.Yes they do have large drum type brushrolls with the belt on the end.The belt pulley is on the back end of the motor.the fan is on the front end of the motor.A real metal cased 10A motor.Forget the company that makes the motor-its not Ametec.The motor in transverse mounted.Sometimes these clog from something really big-larger than a cigarette pack.If it gets into that fan its eaten and blown into the bag-sometimes in peices-and the outer cloth bag has an inner paper bag.Holds several gallons of debris.

 

[logan]

Why would you not pull it backwards?

 

[kirbysthebest]

It still appears to be made by SF's Clark division.
This is a first for me, I have NEVER seen anything besides the horizontal motor, fan first, Kirby.

Since SF owns World Book Encylopedia, I guess the Kirby Encylopedia set is next.

I stand corrected.

 

[ian88]

Would it be cheating if I entered the clubs monster vac competition with one of them?

 

[tolivac]

You didn't want to pull the Proflite back -you could if you wish-but the machine is VERY heavy-and the drag of the large brushroll against the carpet makes it difficult-will build you up-Hey a new exercise machine!It appears the machine was designed to use like a lawnmower-you make a pass in one direction-go to the end and make another pass back in the opposite direction.Much like a lawnmower.

 

[compactelectra]

Here is the Kirby ComVac

That I know. Now this is a Kirby.

 

[compactelectra]

Another Shot

The best of the 500 series and the new ones. Paper bag and what a cord!

 

[logan]

Fred I really like that Kirby. One question though, was it repainted or is that the way Kirby sold them?

 

[compactelectra]

That's The Way Kirby Sold Them

Actually, I found this brand new on a crawl with Ms. Tania up in Wisconson. It was made about the time of the Heritage II (check out the bag.) Neat, they resurrected the 500 series body. Best of both worlds. The nozzle doesn't come off and no attachments, but what a cleaner!

Fred

 

[lux1521]

I really like that comvac. I guess it just shows that Kirby must have thought the older technology was tougher and better in a commercial situation. It's a pattern that turns up across a wide varity of industries.

 

[camelotshadow]

interesting

kirby has been messing around on Mrs K with the Common Vac...
Still it bears resemblance tio its dad

LOL