Kirby Tradition - Recalled Safety Switch

[kirbyclassiciii]

Is it true that for all the early Kirby Traditions out there with the recalled safety switch, I wonder how many of these were left unmodified after Kirby issued a recall over said units in 1980?

The safety switch is on the headlight cap, itself of which must be in the "locked" position before you can be able to turn on the motor (provided that you have already properly attached the floor nozzle or hose). It is identified by a blue sliding cap lock button. This switch is on units from serial #s F000001 to F500500 (approx. production from July to September 1979).

After October 1979 (serial #F500501+), Kirby went back with the older toggle-type setup (Classic III and earlier) where the safety switch was mounted on the fan case housing. This also coincided with the first use of the Lexan fan.

~Ben

 

[louvac]

Ben....

The Tradition is my favorite Kirby model-maybe because it's blue? Who knows! I just love it!

I have never heard of the public recall. Where did you find your info? I have two of these models with the top safety switch. One is in pristine condition and one is in good condition. The serial numbers are F200242 and F209582 respectively. I actually have about eight of these models.

It is by collecting this model that I realized that Kirby continued to produce renditions of the current model throughout it's run. For example, on the Tradtion, I have one machine that has the cut out for the slide lock (without the mechanism of, course) from which an oval beam of light reflects out onto the wall when in use. Only two of these eight machines are identical. Some have plastic suction relief valves on the rug nozzle, others have a stainless steel version, and still others have none at all! Only one model has a smooth cord. Two others are set up with the dump bag option. The renditions are also what fascinate me I guess.

I also understand that at some point in production Kirby changed the smaller diameter fill tube to a larger one. I've never took an inventory of mine to see which one has what. I love the original "cotton feel" blue small check outer bag. Some models came with blue (and still some in white!!) plastic attachment tool boxes, some came with the traditional cardboard tool box, and some I further believe came with a "Roo Bag" (I think this is dervied from the word "Kangaroo" for obvious reasons.)

Would love to chat more with you about this model. Is this your favorite model, too?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Of Course It Is My Favorite Model

Yes, Lou, this model is my favorite.

The recalled safety switch are what made these the first issues, along with the metal fan that was to give way to the Lexan fan. Yes, these are getting rare as many of them had been factory or dealer-converted to the toggle-type safety switch setup.

The limited-edition Golden Trophy versions (same trim color as the Classic Omega) do have the provision for the slide lock mechanism on the headlight cap, but the mechanism isn't actually there. However, I believe these used Lexan fans, also.

In the instruction book to the first season production (1979-80) Tradition, the new plastic attachment case was white in color, although that photo aside, Kirby was still using cardboard for the attachment box. At most, we didn't actually see the plastic case until the 1980-81 season, by which point it was colored blue, along with the Miracle Head and Rug Renovator heads.

I remember the "Roo-Bag" also.

~Ben

 

[a007kirbyman]

Tradition, original safety switch... (Louis, aka: louvac)

There was an actual company issued recall on this switch.

(As far as I know it was/is the only recall Scott-Fetzer (Kirby) has EVER issued, to this point in time anyway. --LOL)

Time will tell, if this statistic will hold.

hagd

Bill

 

[thevacuumman]

why was it recalled

 

[kirbyvacuum]

lexan fan

Hi All What is this big deal about the Lexan fans. After 15 years i had to replace the fan on my Heritage 2. I have a friend who works for Kirby so i get all my service done free.I see no differance in power. While vacummimg my living room chair i picked up 2 penneys and a dime all went right through the fan with no trouble. ( had i seen the coins i would NEVER picked them up)Through the years with all the Kirbys i have collected and seem people abuse the metal fans were almost all replaced. i have replaced for friends mainly the 500 series many fans. I wonder when the new Kirby will come out it is over due. Take care Doug

 

[a007kirbyman]

thevacuumman

There were too many machines that had problems with the proper operation of the safety switch itself.

hagd

Bill

 

[2011hoover700]

@kirbyclassiciii do you by any chance have the bulletin for how to repair the recalled kirby tradition? I repaired mine before I even found out about the recall but also would I have your permission if so to save it to my device?
Thanks.
Damien.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Yes, he does have it and he posted it to this site a while back (but do not remember where). I had originally received it from an old Kirby shop that liquidated and I scanned and sent him a copy. If no response I can post it also - let's wait and see.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Here is Ben's post of the bulletin, see post 27 of this thread...
https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?16414

If you are after the pdf scan of it, message me your email address and I can send it to you.

 

[kirby519]

Kirby did have another incident. When they introduced the Dual Sanitronic. The windings on the armature didn't hold at the increased speed.

Kirby had to correct the problem then replace the armatures that failed. A long time friend of mine was a dealer at the time this happened.

All new machines were set up with the hose suction coupler and left to run for 2 hours. If the motor didn't fail the machine was put out for sale. If it did the armature was replaced at the shop, tested then put out for sale.

The G 3 had it's problems with the Tech drive failing early on due to nylon parts failing due to the axle the gears were attached to getting to warm causing the nylon gear(s) to fail.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

kirby519

Steve,

That must explain the changes the Dual Sanitronic 80 had after June 1968: the armature, field and foot switch were all redesigned to remedy these problems associated with the prior design of field and armature used on the Dual Sanitronic 50.

I think part of the problem with the D50's motor (and all D80s built prior to June 1968) was due to some of the parts that were carried over from the single-speed motors, including the foot switch which had two terminals (in the form of brass screws, one below and one on the left-hand side) with which to attach the neutral and live wires; with the D80's new foot switch, there are now marked terminal slots for each wire (3 green, 3 white and 2 black).

Attached is the original version of the D50/D80 parts list from September 1967, when both machines had the D50's field and armature.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 7/30/2020-15:35]

 

[lesinutah]

Ben

The armature and fields were renumbered because Kirby changed manufacturers of the motor and coil. It had nothing to do with it having issues.
I remember when I rebuilt my d80s I had to use comparable parts. The new manufacturer of the motor made it almost identical to prior manufacturer. They had slight variation so they didn't infringe on the old manufacturers patent.
Les

 

[kirby519]

It was the D50 at the time the armature wires were not glued or varnished
together like they are today. There for the increase in RPM of the armature pulled the wires loose and the motor would fail.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

kirby519

Steve,

Looks like that was a flaw in the machinery the manufacturer of the armature was using. But I think that had been fixed early on, about 1966.

The D50 was also the last machine where two different field/armature combos were available: one with west magnetic fields (13311 / 13312) and one with east magnetic fields (5BA45FN27); I believe the problems you describe lie with one of these two fields.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 7/30/2020-21:13]

 

[lesinutah]

Idk

I'm not buying this was an issue. The d50.and d80 had the same motor setup. I have talked to a few dealers in great depth.
It never was broken it was a different manufacturer. I'm not trying to be rude but the research which was quite thorough and this I'v motor issue is a non issue and there were no modifications other than what I mentioned. I'll believe what you say when there is something saying so. If you have it come forward with it because I'm not believing it's true.
Les

 

[2011hoover700]

Did the tradition recalled safety switch ever pose a shock hazard or did they just not always shut off when the hood was raised?
I already fixed my grandmother's before I found out about the recall but I am always happy to learn anything about vacuums.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Ben,
Please elaborate on the 'east' motors. That part number '5BA45FN27' reminded me of what I saw yesterday while looking for a motor for liddikitty. I never saw such part numbers until now. Please see that 514 thread for the part number I found on the rotor. The shaft seems too short for the machine it was in and I have doubts it is correct given it was in a naked parts machine with no fan.
You are really an encyclopedia of Kirby knowledge!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

texaskirbyguy

Rob,

It likely has to do with the direction the field magnets go. I believe someone here could explain the "E" and "W" designations better than I can.

~Ben