Kirby - Large vs. Small

VacuumLand – Vintage & Modern Vacuum Enthusiasts

Help Support VacuumLand:

thunderhexed

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 11, 2006
Messages
482
Location
Edmond, OK
Is there a difference in the cleaning ability of the smaller sized sanitronic styled kirby's versus the larger classic types, as far as suction goes when used as a carpet sweeper? I know from the D-50 on up there is a higher speed for attachment use.
 
Large and small nozzles

There is no differance in suction, just a wider path to cover. The classic style nozzle also featured 'edge cleaning'which was a strong selling point at the time.

Alex.
 
I would have to humbly and respectfully disagree

with Alex regarding the difference in suction between the large and small nozzles. There definitely is suction loss with the larger nozzle -- it's pure physics. The larger opening means that the air pressure from the fan is distributed over a wider area, hence less suction.

The best-performing Kirby I have ever seen (including the new G series) is a Legend II with the Sanitronic style nozzle and the improved brush roll with four strips. It's an awesome cleaner.
 
Kirby nozzles

I accept the correction of Charles Richard. He knows the physics of a Kirby far better than I do, I just sold em. His ideas make sense.
 
Small Kirby Nozzle

I must chime in to affirm Charles-Richard's experience with the small nozzle on the Legend. The smaller nozzle does make a difference with these machines.
 
Which one

my dilemma is, (and the reason I'm asking) is becuase due to lack of space, I am trying to figure out which vacuum I want to keep in my apartment for use and which one is going into storage.. I have a Sanitronic and a Classic I CR... I can't really decide which one I want to keep home but I know I want the one with the best cleaning ability to stay... if I keep the sanitronic, I am getting a new brushroll, and i need to find a way to make the sani-emtor bucket thing a little more secure,, it's a little loose and i feel like it's leaking dust.. if I keep the Classic, i will use as is because it is in fairly good condition.. i may just slap another polish job on it this weekend...
 
Classic bag conversion

My favorite wide-head Kirby to use is a Classic III with a Legend II bag conversion. I took the holder off the top of the Legend II bag and replaced it with the Classic hanger. Works really well, and with the convenience and cleanliness of a disposable bag, and I use the Hepa type Kirby bags, seems also to quiet the machine down a little...looks good too! I always thought the Classics had a more powerful motor than the previous small head models, but I don't know motors, I leave that up to the experts! I just collect, use, and admire!
 
i was under the impression that the classics had more powerful motors too... i wish i could convert mine to look decent with a paper bag system but I can't without it looking tacky i think.. and i REFUSE to use one of them generic F & G types...
 
it's not the pan the i'm concerned about, it's where the entire emptor connects on to the machine.. it's very loose, has alot of play in it.. i don't know if anything like that can be fixed.
 
power of ohms and watts and amps

Classics were 4.5 amp. carpet,and 6 amp. hose. When used alot with the hose,they often "fried out",so the Heritage dropped to 5.5 amp. with the hose to save the armature.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top