Kirby suction fans

[blackheart]

Performance and Durability

A while back i took some baird meter readings, these numbers were recorded at the end of a hose.
The Heritage II is using a plastic fan and pulls an 8.5
The Legend II is using a metal fan and pulled just under 10 probably about 9.75

I no longer have that Heritage II, and the Legend II has been given an amodel fan since it wasn't working well with the "looser" carpet in my apartment.

I feel that the kevlar and amodel fans are far more durable than the metal fans which makes them better suited to the average user, like my parents, who suck up pennies, nickles, screws, and larger rocks. I'm sure it's not intentional, but it makes it's way into that emptor somehow. *shrugs*

 

[sptyks]

Some interesting info...

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I did some research on this and what I found is very interesting. 


The fans that are installed in the newest Kirby's from the G5 through Avalir are made of Amodel, NOT Kevlar as almost everyone on here on Vacuumland have thought. 


 


For a while Kirby used Lexan, which was discontinued when the switch to superior Amodel was made in the G5. Amodel is widely used in the Aerospace industry, in fact, Amodel was widely used to build the Space Shuttle. It was was used primarily for the framework of the Shuttle's fuselage.  Kirby designed the new fan with the aid of NASA so that it would be the most durable and produce maximum airflow(CFM). Many folks here on Vacuumland, confused Lexan and Kevlar with Amodel. The fact is that Kevlar was never used in any Kirby vacuum .  There were some problems with the Lexan fans after a few years of use. They would suffer stress fractures and would break apart if hit by any foreign object (not regular dirt).


 


Amodel is a new type of polymer that is stronger than either Aluminum, which is used in the Royal metal upright vacuums, or Kevlar which was NEVER used in any Kirby vacuum. The Amodel fan is tougher than metal and believe it or not, will always outlast Lexan and metal fans. 


 


Back in 1998, Kirby did a demonstration for a large group of vacuum enthusiasts during a tour of the factory where they used a Kirby G5 vacuum with Amodel fan to suck up a bowlful of small nuts, bolts, glass fragments and pebbles. After disassembly, the fan had only a couple of very small nicks on it and deemed fully serviceable. 


 


The Kirby Avalir with it's higher speed motor, and NASA designed Amodel fan, produces more airflow (127 CFM) than any previous Kirby model. 


 


Here is a statement by Solvay Advanced Polymers which is the manufacturer of AMODEL polymers. You can find this statement on their website with the link provided below:


 


" About AMODEL Polyphthalamide-- 


 


With a heat deflection temperature of 536 degrees Fahrenheit (280 degreesCelsius) and continuous use temperature of 338 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius), AMODEL PPA retains its exceptional mechanical properties -- strength, stiffness, fatigue and creep resistance -- over a broad range and in high humidity environments. This versatile family of high-temperature nylons can give you the strength of aluminum, the stiffness of steel, and the impactand ductility of hard rubber --


 


I hope you all enjoyed the fruits of my research of AMODEL and look forward to reading comments any of you may have. 


 


-Stan 


 


CLICK HERE TO GO TO sptyks's LINK


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[sptyks]

Here is another link that is very interesting. It is a Kirby/NASA article that describes how NASA and Kirby collaborated to create the new Amodel fan:


 


<pre class="western"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 10pt;">http://spinoff.nasa.gov/spinoff1997/ch9.html</span>

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[123go]

Old and still interesting thread here...Thanks

Well' yesterday was a great day, I bought a Kirby G7D Diamond that came from an estate sale for $85 and it looks absolutely brand new inside/out. It's not a reman or restored model it is in fact new. I even pulled the case off and it's simply has never been used but a couple times "maybe". Just some very light dust inside of both the vacuum suction areas & its tools. Really this light dust is all I can see in it "anywhere" and most tools never had been used as the inside still shines. When I say dust I mean like what's found in a week on a new coffee table dust here...Whoever bought it never used it or it was more than likely a demo maybe idk?

Now the odd part, I always knew how tough the Kirby fan is and how they like to advertise its toughness so I came here to see if Kirby ever done any demo's using coins and marbles but I guess not? That is what I assumed it was?
Inside this Diamonds bag was 10 clear glass marbles,one was split in 1/2 and 2 dimes. There's (1 folded like a taco) dating 2002 the other a 1985 with an edge cut off and also dinged up a bunch. The Kirby fan only has 1 very tiny nick in one blade. I assume the nick is from one of the dimes but that is it's only damage.
This thing is an absolute beauty inside & out and performs like brand new! I thought it's handle label was bubbled when I first saw it, I looked closer then pulled the cellophane cover off and wallah...It's a new machine!!
I will never know if it was bought & simply never used or a demo but either way I'm a very very happy camper over it and I really & truly thank them for saving it all these years just for me...lol
IMO: I think its a demo and the salesman either took it upon himself or Kirby taught him a Marble-Coin demo to show customers? Idk?
Thanks
Anyone ever heard of a Marble-Coin demos Kirby may have had their salesmen do? I can't locate any info on that.

 

[suckolux]

Enjoy that Diamond!

 

[kirbysthebest]

I used to demo the Kirby by sucking up a penny. 

 

[kirby519]

@kirbysthebest

I remember watching the salesman do that when my folks bought their Classic Omega. I have done it myself a few times not seeing the coin.

I don't know if that was part of the demo when I bought my Heritage II. I walked into that demo about half way thru the sales pitch. I did know what I was buying as I had used a Heritage II that someone I knew had. And also know from past experience what can be sucked thru a Kirby. Good, bad or indifferent.

 

[kirby519]

Amodel Fans

I will say that I have been very satisfied with the new generation of fan for the Kirby's. So far I haven't had any breakage or stress cracking on any of the machines I have.

 

[ronni]

@123go re: reply #42

"I will never know if it was bought & simply never used or a demo ... "

Why not contact Kirby and have it reference check your serial # to see if it had been sold?