Kirby Legend II

[VacTime87]

Hey Everyone,

I'm fairly new here...well, posting-wise. I'm usually on this site at least every other day. I'm hoping to get some advice. I recently came across a Kirby Legend II. This machine has always been my favorite pre-G Series model. I've always wanted one and finally got it! My question is: were they always hard to push? Maybe it's because I'm used to the Tech Drive on my G5, but as lightweight as the Legend II is it sure is hard to push over my carpet/rugs. I adjusted the height, but when I put it on the correct level that creates the best seal to my floor it is really hard to push. Please let me know your experience with these machines. I appreciate the feedback. Thanks guys!

Michael

 

[williamr1248]

Kirby Legend ll

Michael,
I have the same Kirby and was JUST posting about it yesterday.
I have had the SAME problem with it, but only on CERTAIN types of cut pile carpeting.
If I adjust it too high, you lose the suction seal on my carpet and no cleaning results. If I went to the very next notch down-it was like pushing a load of bricks on the forward stroke.
What DID help is to make sure your brush roller is adjusted correctly and you have a very good belt. The thing that I noticed helped the most was to KEEP THE BAG CHANGED so that it allows a higher setting on the toe touch and yet still had enough air flow to create a seal.. If there is very much dirt in the paper bag,the air flow and suction decrease to a point that you need to lower the toe touch one more notch and then you have the snow plow effect again.
Even with a clean outer cloth bag, new paper bag, new belt and brush roll adjusted correctly on SOME HEAVY CUT PILE RUGS you may still have the same problem.
I found these things do help and push the cleaner slowly but with mine on the thick cut pile types of carpeting the machine will still lose the seal and drop the carpet on the back stroke.
After the paper bag gets a layer of dirt on the inside the air flow and suction will drop enough that you will need to lower the toe touch one more notch and then the snow plowing effect comes into play. I hope this helps.
This seems to be a common complaint among Kirby users of the older style machines like mine.
My grandmother had very thickn carpeting and you could NOT use my Kirby on it no matter how it was set. She had to get a Hoover Concept Power Drive. This was before they came out with the self propelled model Kirby's of course.

 

[VacTime87]

Kirby Legend II

Ah, thanks so much for your input. I was afraid it was mainly the carpet. It's unfortunate because the carpet and rugs in my house are more on the thicker side. It goes to show how much one takes the self-propelled feature for granted haha. I wanted to make the Legend II my main vacuum, but I guess I'll have to stick with the G5. Thanks again for the post!

 

[eurekastar]

I've had the very same problem. For me, it also depends on the carpet. I think one thing that contributes to the problem is the lip on the rug plate. The Classic series had a wider lip, which made it easier to glide across the carpet. However, the Heritage series has a thinner lip. Because of that, I think it tends to dig into the carpet.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

I have

Frieze thick carpet and my Heritages push easily across the carpet . They must be clean and have no soap residue and can't be humid in house which would cause drag . Sole plate must be clean and you can polish it to make it slicker .
Raise carpet nozzle all the way up then push one click at a time until you hear a tone change once you hear it click once more and the Kirby is perfectly set and should glide over carpet with just a little bit more effort than the self propelled models .

Dan

 

[vac-o-matic]

Welcome Michael!

I agree with Bill, reply #3. The only thing I've done is extend the brushes just a little more than normal, and that seems to help enough to make it duable. I prefer using one of the Classics myself. I do have the smaller heads for my Heritage, and my Legend II with 4 row brushrolls and they rock on my carpet. The suction is more concentrated with the narrow nozzle and with the wider lip on the rug plate, they push like a dream.

 

[VacTime87]

Thanks for the welcome/advice guys!

Dan: that's a really good idea about polishing the sole plate. I decided to get it rebuilt and am sending it out tomorrow. When I get it back I'll put an extra polish on it.

I'm surprised at how quiet it is!

 

[kirbyloverdan]

You are

Welcome Michael that tip works for all vacuums also .

Dan

 

[smow69]

polish

What type polish do you use on sole plates? does it not stain carpet? just wondering my kirby,s are both hard to push on my carpet its a medium pile plush.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Metal

Polish to clean then a car wax/polish no it doesn't stain u buff it off .

Dan