My First Riccar...an 8850

[wyaple]

Grabbed this at Goodwill yesterday for $12.96. As an added bonus, the bag was slightly overfilled and contained birdseed. It is missing the upholstery tool (no big deal) and after a good cleaning/lubrication, runs very well. I'm attempting to find out more info, like when it was manufactured. The serial number is:

5B0079262

Any ideas? I'm guessing around 2005? Anyway, it also appears that this beast may have a cousin by the name of Simplicity 7350? They seem very similar...

Also, when this was new, what was the list price? $400? $800? Kinda in the dark about his as well.

My initial measurements are 104 CFM and 76" of water lift from the hose end, which is great.

Bill

 

[dysonman1]

It was made in 2005, second quarter (that's what the "b" stands for in the serial number).

It sold for between $499 to $599 depending on the vac shop.

It's sister is the Simplicity 7850.

All parts are still available for that machine. I would suggest upgrading to HEPA bags, a HEPA exhaust filter, and new brush strips.

 

[wyaple]

I thought the 7850 seemed like a good match too...

but when I look at the parts list for the exhaust filters and cover, they are different from the 8850.

Simplicity 7350 and Riccar 8850 use:
Post Cover Cabernet: Part NA by itself.
3M Post Filter: K50-3M


Simplicity 7850 uses:
Post Cover Cabernet: B123-2548
3M Post Filter: B623-0400

The 7350 appears to be a better parts match, but I don't know why...

Bill

 

[panasonicvac]

That's because

The 8850 and the 7350 were both sold around the same time. They were sold from mid 90's to like the early 2000's. They were then replaced by the 7850 and 8955 with a few improvements made, they were sold until the 7850 retired in like 2013 and the 8955 I noticed that it's still available today.

 

[wyaple]

Got a 6 Pack of Cloth HEPA Bags on Order

Should arrive in a few days; can't wait to put this machine into my regular rotation! Last evening, I completely disassembled the brushroll and clutch. Hair and various dirt bunnies making the engage/disengage very stiff, but no more. Nice and quiet and smooth operation now. The brush strips are 90% OK, with only minor fraying toward the outside edges. The rugplate has minor rust that I can polish off later. What was unusual, I thought, was that all 4 wheels were so jammed with hair that they spun poorly. After 30 minutes of breaking all that hair free and some WD40, it pushes smoothly across any surface now.

When I have time to do a complete teardown and polish the commutator, I hope I can get a little better airflow and water lift, but my initial measurements are pretty impressive for an 11 year old well-worn machine.

Bill

 

[wyaple]

Restoration Pics

I thought this machine came out well. It is very pleasing to use. The brushroll was fairly rusty and sticky. Sorry, I didn't take any "before" pics...

Bill

 

[panasonicvac]

Looks good

These are excellent machines

 

[camelotshadow]

Anyone know the difference in the motors on the RiccR 8850 & ITS SUCESSOR THE 8955?

i AM pretty sure the 8955 has the dual motor is that the simplicity 7350?

Thanks

 

[camelotshadow]

Correction dual fans!!!

Correction R 8955 has dual fans!!! Dual motors...LOL...Must be all the platinum in the chemo I get messing with my head!

Wonder is R 8850 has a similar set up????