My Kirby update - a year into ownership...
- Thread starter matt8808
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turbo500
Well-known member
Just a different perspective proving that no one cleaner suits everyone 
. There's nothing wrong with debating such things.
. There's nothing wrong with debating such things.matt8808
Well-known member
Exactly.
For me the Kirby works perfectly. Fair enough if I was expecting to use it like a Dyson and keep swapping between the main head and tools every 5 seconds it would be a HUGE pain. But you adapt your cleaning methods to the way the Kirby works and its just as easy, if not easier IMHO.
For me the Kirby works perfectly. Fair enough if I was expecting to use it like a Dyson and keep swapping between the main head and tools every 5 seconds it would be a HUGE pain. But you adapt your cleaning methods to the way the Kirby works and its just as easy, if not easier IMHO.
sptyks
Well-known member
I agree 100% with Matt and I couldn't have said it any better than he did.
I can sum it all up in three words. Kirby = Quality-Performance-Durability!
I have 5 fully restored Kirbys in my collection and love them all and I take turns using them. I shampooed my carpets with my Sentria back in July and my carpets have never looked better.
I can sum it all up in three words. Kirby = Quality-Performance-Durability!
I have 5 fully restored Kirbys in my collection and love them all and I take turns using them. I shampooed my carpets with my Sentria back in July and my carpets have never looked better.
matt8808
Well-known member
Well.... Firstly I've reported my local Kirby dealer to Kirby UK....
Few of the lies I've been told by the service guy -
1. The machine has a 3 year warranty but after the first year I have to pay call out and labour charges. The 3rd year only covers the motor and tech drive. Kirby UK have confirmed its 3 years parts AND labour on the whole machine.
2. Took so long to get a cable for my machine as there is a global shortage. Kirby UK have said they have a warehouse full of cables.
3. They had to scrap a brand new machine and use it as parts to get a cable for my machine. Ties in with the above lie.
4. I should get my machine serviced once a year as the Tech Drive needs oiling and the front bearing area / behind the fan needs cleaning. Kirby UK have confirmed the machine needs NO oiling or such like and the service is NOT needed.
I've also reported them for adjusting an unworn brushroll to wear setting number two on a prev machine I bought from them - I assume to shorten the life so they can sell me a new one.
Kirby UK were very apologetic.
And I've finally gotten round to giving the machine a polish! Don't know if it will show but on the picture of the head by itself I've only done the right hand side and not touched the left. You could see a big difference in person.
The machine now shines like it did the day it came out of the box
Few of the lies I've been told by the service guy -
1. The machine has a 3 year warranty but after the first year I have to pay call out and labour charges. The 3rd year only covers the motor and tech drive. Kirby UK have confirmed its 3 years parts AND labour on the whole machine.
2. Took so long to get a cable for my machine as there is a global shortage. Kirby UK have said they have a warehouse full of cables.
3. They had to scrap a brand new machine and use it as parts to get a cable for my machine. Ties in with the above lie.
4. I should get my machine serviced once a year as the Tech Drive needs oiling and the front bearing area / behind the fan needs cleaning. Kirby UK have confirmed the machine needs NO oiling or such like and the service is NOT needed.
I've also reported them for adjusting an unworn brushroll to wear setting number two on a prev machine I bought from them - I assume to shorten the life so they can sell me a new one.
Kirby UK were very apologetic.
And I've finally gotten round to giving the machine a polish! Don't know if it will show but on the picture of the head by itself I've only done the right hand side and not touched the left. You could see a big difference in person.
The machine now shines like it did the day it came out of the box
kirbymodel2c
Well-known member
I...
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">think your going to have to wear white gloves now when you use it so you don't get finger prints on it....</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I think they'll suit you.
</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James
</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">think your going to have to wear white gloves now when you use it so you don't get finger prints on it....</span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I think they'll suit you.
<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James
matt8808
Well-known member
haha I thought the same James!
Can't beat a freshly polished Kirby. Was well worth the 45 mins I sat playing.
Gave all the plastic trim bits a wipe over with a damp cloth too and checked the brushroll bearings were clear of threads ect
These machines are deffo boys toys I think
Can't beat a freshly polished Kirby. Was well worth the 45 mins I sat playing.
Gave all the plastic trim bits a wipe over with a damp cloth too and checked the brushroll bearings were clear of threads ect
These machines are deffo boys toys I think
I like the Kirby vacuums, although I never used one, I have a question.
With all that airflow the carpet gets sucked up into the brushbar, don't the bristles wear out? I mean there's no beaters but only bristles yet its like the most powerful vacuum
With all that airflow the carpet gets sucked up into the brushbar, don't the bristles wear out? I mean there's no beaters but only bristles yet its like the most powerful vacuum
sptyks
Well-known member
Tayyab,
A new Kirby bush roll will last 5 to 7 years depending on the type of carpet and how often you hoover (or vacuum) your carpet. There are 3 brush roll height settings on a Kirby and you would typically lower the brushes as they wear one notch every 2 years or so, then it would be time to install a new brush roll after a couple of years on the third setting. The secret to the Kirby brush roll longevity is very high quality brushes.
To see how easy this is, watch the video.
http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu6J_ttILyU
A new Kirby bush roll will last 5 to 7 years depending on the type of carpet and how often you hoover (or vacuum) your carpet. There are 3 brush roll height settings on a Kirby and you would typically lower the brushes as they wear one notch every 2 years or so, then it would be time to install a new brush roll after a couple of years on the third setting. The secret to the Kirby brush roll longevity is very high quality brushes.
To see how easy this is, watch the video.
http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu6J_ttILyU
matt8808
Well-known member
5 to 7 years?! *horrified face*
I kept my Diamond Edition for two, possibly three years from it being brand new and the brush showed no wear at all.... and that was with near daily use as we had two dogs at the time.
My Sentria II is pretty much a year and shows zero wear.
I recently rebuilt a Legend II that had been a households main vac for 25 years and it still had the original brush with plenty of life left in it. Granted they didn't have kids or pets so it had only seen average use.
In fact most of the Heritage and Legend machines I see (25+ years old) still have the original brush rolls in them.... granted they've seen better days but they still clean well and have a decent amount of life left in them.
I honestly expect the brush on my machine to last 10 - 15 years minimum. And thats with what I'd class as above average use as I go and deep clean for an elderly relative every few weeks with the Kirby too. If it doesn't see 15 years I'll feel hard done by LOL
I kept my Diamond Edition for two, possibly three years from it being brand new and the brush showed no wear at all.... and that was with near daily use as we had two dogs at the time.
My Sentria II is pretty much a year and shows zero wear.
I recently rebuilt a Legend II that had been a households main vac for 25 years and it still had the original brush with plenty of life left in it. Granted they didn't have kids or pets so it had only seen average use.
In fact most of the Heritage and Legend machines I see (25+ years old) still have the original brush rolls in them.... granted they've seen better days but they still clean well and have a decent amount of life left in them.
I honestly expect the brush on my machine to last 10 - 15 years minimum. And thats with what I'd class as above average use as I go and deep clean for an elderly relative every few weeks with the Kirby too. If it doesn't see 15 years I'll feel hard done by LOL
human
Well-known member
Long wearing
I have to agree. The only one of my Kirbys that I've replaced a brush roll on was my G5, which I replaced immediately upon receiving it. The bearing on one side had frozen up and the square plastic thingy (I know, not a technical term, but I don't know what it's really called) that holds it in place inside the nozzle had melted from friction. The bristles were every bit as good as those on either of my Gsixes. The Heritage 1 that my (now ex) girlfriend "borrowed" a couple of years ago still has its original silver brush roll and works very well. I doubt very much I'll be getting that machine back.
Given the number of vacuum cleaners I have and frequency with which DON'T vacuum, my brush rolls should last forever
I have to agree. The only one of my Kirbys that I've replaced a brush roll on was my G5, which I replaced immediately upon receiving it. The bearing on one side had frozen up and the square plastic thingy (I know, not a technical term, but I don't know what it's really called) that holds it in place inside the nozzle had melted from friction. The bristles were every bit as good as those on either of my Gsixes. The Heritage 1 that my (now ex) girlfriend "borrowed" a couple of years ago still has its original silver brush roll and works very well. I doubt very much I'll be getting that machine back.
Given the number of vacuum cleaners I have and frequency with which DON'T vacuum, my brush rolls should last forever
sptyks
Well-known member
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; background-color: #d5d5d5;">"</span></span>I honestly expect the brush on my machine to last 10 - 15 years minimum."
You must not be lowering the floor nozzle down enough so that the brushes are contacting the carpet properly and therefore not thoroughly cleaning it. Otherwise, you must be wearing your brushes down to frazzled nubs which will impair the ability of the brushes to beat and vibrate the carpet.
My good friend used to work in a vac shop and he told stories of many folks who brought in their early G series Kirbys for repair because they no longer cleaned well. It turned out that the machine was about 10 years old and still had the original brush roll in it. The brushes were worn so much that they were not extending past the rugplate anymore. He installed a new belt and brush roll and the problem was solved. So it is always best to replace the brush roll before the brushes are worn to the point of loss of cleaning performance, typically around 5-7 years of average use.
matt8808
Well-known member
No, I'd never wear a brush roll down to little nubs.
Here are a few pics of my machines brush at a year old.... JUST taken them. You can also see how far they protrude the rug plate. The only sign it's even been used is where the belt has ran on the wood. Once the brushes no longer protrude the rug plate to a satisfactory level I will change it to wear setting No.2..... but that will take years.
I've genuinely never seen a Kirby need a new brush. Ive had a few Heritage machines that have been adjusted to the max but the brushes still protruded the rug plate the same as what mine currently do on the first wear setting No.1.
I can only assume the fact UK homes are generally smaller mean the machines see less operating hours than what they do in America? Hence the brushes last so much longer.
My height adjustment is spot on too. Lower till the tone changes then lower one more click.
Here are a few pics of my machines brush at a year old.... JUST taken them. You can also see how far they protrude the rug plate. The only sign it's even been used is where the belt has ran on the wood. Once the brushes no longer protrude the rug plate to a satisfactory level I will change it to wear setting No.2..... but that will take years.
I've genuinely never seen a Kirby need a new brush. Ive had a few Heritage machines that have been adjusted to the max but the brushes still protruded the rug plate the same as what mine currently do on the first wear setting No.1.
I can only assume the fact UK homes are generally smaller mean the machines see less operating hours than what they do in America? Hence the brushes last so much longer.
My height adjustment is spot on too. Lower till the tone changes then lower one more click.
matt8808
Well-known member
Here are two pics of the brush from the last Legend2 I restored.
25 years old.... was adjusted 80% out. Brushes protruded as much as my Sentria2's do and it cleaned just as well too...
25 years old.... was adjusted 80% out. Brushes protruded as much as my Sentria2's do and it cleaned just as well too...
matt8808
Well-known member
Please don't think I'm 'having a go' at you sptyks.... I've just never seen a Kirby thats had household use need a new brushroll here in the UK. Even ones that are 25+ years old.
Hence I expect my Sentria brush to last 10 - 15 years. And when it does get replaced it will probably still have SOME life left in it.
Had I kept that Legend I'd of probably changed the brush... Not because there was anything wrong with the old one... it worked perfectly.... me changing it would of purely been because it was 'old' and I'd of wanted one with zero miles so I knew I was getting the best clean possible.
I'm a bit anal like that. Tend to get bored of waiting for things to wear out and if I know they're nearing the end of their service life I'll replace them before they actually fail.
Hence I expect my Sentria brush to last 10 - 15 years. And when it does get replaced it will probably still have SOME life left in it.
Had I kept that Legend I'd of probably changed the brush... Not because there was anything wrong with the old one... it worked perfectly.... me changing it would of purely been because it was 'old' and I'd of wanted one with zero miles so I knew I was getting the best clean possible.
I'm a bit anal like that. Tend to get bored of waiting for things to wear out and if I know they're nearing the end of their service life I'll replace them before they actually fail.
sptyks
Well-known member
Of course your Sentria brush roll looks new! it's only 1/7th through it's life cycle!
Now on the other hand, those Heritage brushes do look quite worn to me.
There's no point in continuing this argument. I will replace my brush roll in about 5 more years or so (the machine is around 2 years old now) and I'll feel good about spending $25 on a new brush roll to keep my Sentria's cleaning ability top notch. You will replace yours in about 15-20 years from now, and that's fine with me. To each his own.
Now on the other hand, those Heritage brushes do look quite worn to me.
There's no point in continuing this argument. I will replace my brush roll in about 5 more years or so (the machine is around 2 years old now) and I'll feel good about spending $25 on a new brush roll to keep my Sentria's cleaning ability top notch. You will replace yours in about 15-20 years from now, and that's fine with me. To each his own.
portapower
Member
Matt.
I found that Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work really well on getting the scuff marks off vacuum rubber bumpers. Don't know if they are available on your side of the pond.
I also love my Kirbys. Don't pay attention to the haters! Different strokes for different folks. And as far as that nasty comment from Turbomaster -- I'm sure you have a wonderful and full life.
I found that Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work really well on getting the scuff marks off vacuum rubber bumpers. Don't know if they are available on your side of the pond.
I also love my Kirbys. Don't pay attention to the haters! Different strokes for different folks. And as far as that nasty comment from Turbomaster -- I'm sure you have a wonderful and full life.
charleskirby66
Well-known member
@turbomaster1984
I just got a Kirby Heritage last week, in honor of my birth year. I also have in my less-than-year-old personal Kirby collection: 515, Dual Sanitronic 50, and Ultimate G Diamond Edition. I have also fixed up two Kirby Generation 3's, two G4's, two Dual Sanitronic 80's, another Dual Sanitronic 50, and a Kirby 519. Further, my Mom owns a Sentria II and my wicked grandmother owns a Sentria.
I have obviously driven multiple Kirby units. I can tell you from personal experience that the Kirby Heritage is the WORST performer of all the above models. As member Kirby519 shared with me, the disposable bag fill tube on the Tradition and Heritage was about the same size as the regular attachment hose, which drastically limited air-flow. With the combination of the restricted airflow and the largest nozzle in Kirby history, you have compromised performance from the typically high Kirby standard.
I would beg of you not to judge the entire Kirby line based on the Heritage model. The Heritage was a snazzy looking unit, just not the typical Kirby performance that we Kirby Lovers have come to expect.
I just got a Kirby Heritage last week, in honor of my birth year. I also have in my less-than-year-old personal Kirby collection: 515, Dual Sanitronic 50, and Ultimate G Diamond Edition. I have also fixed up two Kirby Generation 3's, two G4's, two Dual Sanitronic 80's, another Dual Sanitronic 50, and a Kirby 519. Further, my Mom owns a Sentria II and my wicked grandmother owns a Sentria.
I have obviously driven multiple Kirby units. I can tell you from personal experience that the Kirby Heritage is the WORST performer of all the above models. As member Kirby519 shared with me, the disposable bag fill tube on the Tradition and Heritage was about the same size as the regular attachment hose, which drastically limited air-flow. With the combination of the restricted airflow and the largest nozzle in Kirby history, you have compromised performance from the typically high Kirby standard.
I would beg of you not to judge the entire Kirby line based on the Heritage model. The Heritage was a snazzy looking unit, just not the typical Kirby performance that we Kirby Lovers have come to expect.
