My Kirby update - a year into ownership...

[human]

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

 

[sptyks]

 


<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]

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.

 

[matt8808]

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...

 

[matt8808]

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.

 

[sptyks]

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.


 

 

[portapower]

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.

 

[charleskirby66]

@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.