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thunderhexed

thunderhexed

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 11, 2006
Messages
482
Location
Edmond, OK
Are there any major differences between the Kirby G3 and G4 other than cosmetic? If I don't end up winning the Legend II I have placed a bid for on ebay, I'm going to get me my first Generation model Kirby, but I would like to know if there are any major differences, mechanically between the two. Is the filtration different? The cleaning power? If so, then I would opt for the G-4. If not, then I think I would go with the G-3. There is just something about that white color that appeals to me. It looks so sterile and modern! Any advice from you Kirby guru's would be greatly appreciated!
 
I have both a G3 and a G4, I haven't really noticed many differences other than the color scheme. The one difference I did notice was that the pin that allows you to tilt the Kirby up is different between the two machines...other than that all the same. The filtration bags might be different, but I think you can use any of the G series bags on any of the G series kirbys.
 
The G3 and G4 aren't really all that mechanically different. The one major change I know of is the G4 has a handle centering spring for the self propelled feature. You can even buy that spring and install it in a G3 so that shouldn't be a big deal. I think the purpose of the spring was to prevent the vacuum from moving forward or backward uncontrollably. I'd recommend making the change if you get the G3. Another thing to consider, you can buy a brand new outer bag and emtor that are designed like the G6 model, but in the G3 color. The G6 emtor supposedly allows better airflow than the previous G model emtors. But overall, I wouldn't say the G4 is significantly better than the G3 and if you like the color scheme of the G3, I'd get one of them. I also like the G3 color better than the G4.
 
Kirby G3 vs. G4

Cory...

Here is another differnce...G3s have a bigger bag than the suceeding models. And, a G3 will also take the MircoFresh bags that the suceeding G's now take. This will make a HUGE difference with regards to how clean the inside of the G3 cloth bag stays! Supposedly, Kirby refined the transmissions on the subsequent models after the G3. I don't notice any real difference other than the fact that maybe as the machine gets older the less smooth the transmission gets. However, transmissions only cost about $86 to replace-maybe even slightly less. And, some transmissions are noticebly louder than others. I have three G4s and one sounds like a nut cracker!

Louis
 
Interesting...

I didn't know there was a difference in bag sizes. All of this is very interesting information to me. I'm still teetering though on which way to go. Such a TOUGH decision! They both look like very cool vacs!
 
Another Generation 3 diffrence to the G4

As well as the tilt latch the original G4 bags have a better filteration than the Generation 3 as the G4 was the first to have "micronmagic". Both outer bags were different types of material.
Also there was motor power differances. Generation 3 had a 700 watt motor and the G4 had a less powerful but more efficient 635 watt motor. Oh!! the G4 floor attachment had a elbow in it but the Generation 3 floor tool did not.

james
 
Kirby

Well guys, I won a refurbished legend II on ebay! Looks like the G series will have to wait for about a month or so. Thanks for all of the great info!


Cory
 
Great Choice

The Legend Two is a great machine and I love the color,I had a G4 and it didn't groom the carpets as well as my Heritage Two,It may have needed a different brush roller,I didn't like the sound of the transmission either and the thing is so heavy it will hardly move when it's not in drive,I like the color of the G3 also,here is my small head Heritage Two with it's red Heritage bag,I don't know why they didn't use it on the Heritage Two,I like it much better than the gray one. Mark

View attachment 2-8-2008-08-47-48--swiveltop.jpg
 
Small nozzle

I love those smaller nozzles on those machines. I wish I could locate one! I'm excited about the Legend II. I love the way the bag looks with the mini-emptor on it as well as the color of the bag itself. One more to my ever growing collection!
 
Greatvacs

I love their website.. in fact, that is where I will probably order my first generation series Kirby from. Their machines are refurbished but they apparently break the entire machine down and restore it completely so they look and perform like new.
 
Hi Alan and Cory, I won this one on e-bay,it wasn't listed as vintage or as having the small head,I was just looking through all the Kirby's and ran across it and noticed the small head and there wasn't very many people bidding on it so I got it pretty cheap,I don't know if it is considered Vintage but thats how I would have listed it,When I got it the emptor was cracked,but I wanted to use it so I took the bag and full size emptor off my Heritage,the full size emptor won't lock down all the way because they widened the rear wheels,but I thought the bag really looked good,so after finding another Heritage with a good red bag and a Heritage Two with a good mini emptor both very cheap at the once a month thrift store sale rummage sale she has her own red bag,the wide wheels and the small head make it even more stable,I saw another small head Heritage Two Legend one on e-bay awhile back,it took some willpower not to bid,it sold for a reasonable price,Kirby had this option for the Legend Two also, Cory please post some pics when you get it. Hi Matt, If you hang around this site long hopefully you start collecting and you won't have to wonder what vacuum to buy but what vacuum to use today LOL. Mark
 
Hey Mark,

Thanks!! i've already been promised my grandma's 1965 Kirby Sanitronic 50 which she has kept in mint condition thanks to my grandfather's talents. The earliest memory of that vacuum was when I was 5 and my younger brother was 4. When she would get it out, and start it the bag would puff up and my younger brother would run and hug the bag.

I laugh to this day when she starts it up or I vacuum for her with that machine. It has the same old sounds and smell just like when I was a child.

Matt
Spfld, IL.
 
Rescued G3

Other than a faint set stain on the lower part of the bag after hand washing she's in not bad shape after a trip to the Spa.

The Tech Drive label is peeling off severely pitted and dented from being rammed into something - the bumper seemed to have escaped relatively unscathed.

2-9-2008-20-38-33--aeoliandave.jpg
 
Twas Pete put a Powerdrive upright in my hands and showed me the light!

The wheels on the G3 and no doubt subsequent models have very grippy rubber tires on bare floor or carpet - this thing will yank ya off your feet like a large dog. Luv it!

The stain is worst in back but there are no snags or rips.

Question for KIRBY techs - the right side handle pivot spring plastic shaft bushing is cracked & split, allowing the bushing to rotate with the handle rather than allowing the spring's centering action. How would I come up with a replaceent plastic bushing at low cost? Not that it's a real problem, the handle does stay tilted forward at rest but drops dramaticly to the floor or impacts the handle stop peg if you let go. It is this that no doubt popped all the rivits holding the pivot hinge cylinder barrel the spring resides in. The handle was a very sloppy fit when I got it. I put in new industrial strength rivits. I would hope the G4 + upgrades addressed this weak handle to hinge connection.

2-9-2008-20-45-28--aeoliandave.jpg
 
I got the G3 with all these accessories. The Lady said she got it as a wedding gift and never liked it ( but then she also didn't understand how to use the Tech Drive - didn't read the manual I guess). Anyway, she didn't use it much and after the divorce she decided to use it as she made major renovations to her basement Rec Room and well...I guess she took out some healthy closure rage on it.

That's why she bought all those belts but when a chunk of wood stopped the fan she figured it was busted. Lucky me.

Must have tossed out the G3 manual because I don't have it. But I do have, from the ReStore, a dark grey Accessory Set in the box for a G4 with the G4 Owner's Manual on VHS tape.

I do like the overall color scheme, tho the vac is the heaviest Kirby I've handled so far. And I do wish Kirby had continued using high quality vinyl hoses instead of the 'crush-proof' ribbed plastic.

2-9-2008-20-58-47--aeoliandave.jpg
 
The complete Entry level G3

Sure, I don't have the floor polisher head or the Rug Renovator but so what - My Tradition and Dual Santronic 80 do! They are so much prettier and lighter and bluer and greener even if they aren't power driven.

The snap shut Accesoriy boxes are much nicer and easier to store as well. These Kirby plastic tool bins are dreadfully designed - you have to take everything out to get a part, it seems. At least the earlier bins incorporate the nozzle sockets out front and labeled.

2-9-2008-21-10-14--aeoliandave.jpg
 
So I keep all the G3 tools in this other style Kirby Caddy

Had an extra one of these so...Everything fits, most-used nozzles on display readily accessed and the carrier has a smaller footprint for storage. And of course I think Kirby hoses look best stored double-looped around the handle over the bag support with the nozzle stuck in the intake bezel. :-)

2-9-2008-21-34-19--aeoliandave.jpg
 
The Tradition and Heritage are more hefty. The Heritage II was my first Kirby left out on the curb for trash. I slammed on the brakes and scooped it.

The Gorgeous Blue Tradition came from Pete and over this winter I completed the missing wands, hose, polisher head and Rug Renovator kit bits from Doug Smith out Moose Jaw way.

Love it's swoopy styling in the wing tabs of the brush roll head. This is the one Kirby bag that bleeds blue dye on contact with water. Compare the left briefly washed bag to the one on the machine - that fade took only about 45 seconds! I coulda re-dyed some 501s in the water. LOL

2-9-2008-22-08-2--aeoliandave.jpg
 
Regarding my Post# 31306 above.

The spring I'm referring to is NOT the retrofit one from the G4 that centers the forward/back motion of the handle slider.

The one I'm asking about is a strong coil spring inside the handle pivot hinge mount. The coil has pins at each end that fit into corresponding holes on the end bushings, engineered to keep the handle more or less upright when released. the bushing on the left is meant to rotate with the handle while the one on the right should be stationary. The bushing on the right has a flat sided keyway that locks with the axle pin so the handle is free to rotate forward and back but return to upright when released.

My bushing got cracked open and distorted when the handle clamp rivits popped open. So the coil spring no longer has any effect since the one end no longer locks to the axle flat keyway.

Wish there was a walk-in KIRBY Repair Depot close by...I'll ask my local guy if he can order this part for me.
 

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