Kirby G-series brush rolls

[human]

In anticipation of the arrival of the Kirby G5 I recently won on eBay, which has been delayed until Monday by yesterday's snow storm, I ordered a new brush roll, knowing the one on the G5 was shot.

Just for fun, I compared it to the one on my G6 that I rescued from a dumpster a couple of years ago. The difference between the two was stark to say the least. The bristles on the new brush roll are straight and very stiff with little gaps between each clump, while the ones on the G6 are quite soft and the clumps spread out like trees to touch each other, forming continuous lines. This just begs the question: does my G6 have a different type of brush roll or is it just showing wear like an old toothbrush?

I've had this odd thought of putting the new brush roll on my G6 and transferring its brush roll to the G5, thus upgrading both machines' brush rolls. I may do it with other parts as well, even though it would mean doing twice the work.

 

[sptyks]

The two brushrolls you describe are very different in design and not due to excessive wear. It sounds like the new brushroll you ordered is of the new style. Your G6 has the old style brushroll.


 


 The brush tufts are arranged differently on the new style brushrolls. The new brushrolls come with either stiff (aggressive)or soft (normal) bristles depending on the type of carpet you have. You should not use the stiff brush roll on expensive wool carpets, or damage to the carpet could occur. 

 

[human]

Yes, they are very different. The most obvious difference is new one shows a lot more wood. The sticker on the plastic baggie containing the new brush roll says "X000IH1537 New-Kirby G5 Brush Roll Ass'y".

I only have two carpeted rooms in my house--the living room and the master bedroom. The carpeting isn't anything special, just your basic realtor grade stuff that was put in to sell the house. But I do have several Persian rugs. Should I avoid using this brush roll on them? What was Kirby's reasoning for designing such a potentially damaging brush roll?

I'm almost scared to use the thing.

 

[sptyks]

Kirby came out with the new stiffer brushroll because some folks like to see carpet grooming lines on their carpet after vacuuming. The stiff brushroll not only does a better job of deep cleaning, it gives the user that just freshly vacuumed look. The stiff brushroll would be fine on your standard realtor carpet.


 


You might want to use the softer brushroll on your persian rugs though. This is why I have both, a G3 as my daily driver with the softer chevron style bristles and a Sentria (which is a beast) with the new stiff brushroll when I do my monthly deep cleaning and I get that nicely groomed look as well. I use the Sentria only once or twice a month to prevent excessive wear to my carpets.


 


 

 

[human]

Thanks for the clarification. That actually gives me a little point of rationalization for having both machines.

 

[sptyks]

Human,

Your Welcome! Glad to be of some help.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

On the very first Generation 3 models, the brush roll was still painted silver and still had sleeve bearings. . . this was soon replaced by the design most people know: ball bearings and an unpainted wood body. The first design is very rare but it did exist.

~Ben