New old stock belts: how old is too old?

[broomvac]

I have this exact package of belts (pictured below) en route for my Hoover U3317. Although the belts are genuine, brand-new, and in their original shrink-wrap sealed package, I have begun to second-guess my purchase.

When these show up, do you think they will be ok for use or will they almost certainly be all brittle and dried up? The package says both 1992 and 1995 at the bottom.

If I wasted a couple bucks on these, my heart will not be broken. However, if they are bound to be useless I would like to go ahead and order some fresher ones so I don't have to wait any longer than I have to. Lol

Thanks

 

[kenkart]

I have a bunch that are

Over 30 years old and are fine, a few are white rubber and I have had no problem with them.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

They should be fine. Check how responsive they are to stretching before installing them.

The best way to keep belts fresh is to keep them in a little plastic baggie in the refrigerator. Then they are in a cool, dark environment. Less cha 's of Dry Rot.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

It seems to me the only belts I've ever seen that I've had an issue with are Convertible belts that are dry rotted. Those Concept belts should be fine.


In the fridge? Really? interesting, i'll have to try that.

 

[kirbysthebest]

I would think the belts should still be fine, they are still sealed in their original package; which should slow the exposure to ozone.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I never did the refrigerator, you might like that

But, it IS true about keeping them....A: sealed Ziplock bag, their original sealed package
B: out of the sun/light.
They should last almost indefinitely.
Unless you service vacuums often, and/or for others, you might want to keep your "stock" out of the light and air.
This is what I've found helpful for ME.

 

[broomvac]

Thanks for the info, everyone. The belts in my original post are the actual belts I will be receiving. They look pretty sealed up to me. I'm also glad that these are the power drive, not agitator, belts. In my experience, the drive belts see less stress.

But...I'll let you know how they turn out. I'm happy that you all think they should be good! That is promising.

I keep all of my vacuum belts sealed up in plastic bags, then put the bags in my massive card board box "treasure chest" of misc vacuum parts, and store that box in my dark vacuum closet. They should be pretty protected from the sun. Lol


While I have Hoover experts in the room, I thought I would ask another Hoover belt question. I recently purchased three supposedly genuine Hoover 49258 belts for my Kenmore Hoover Convertible "Kenvertible" from the link below. The belts arrived loose (naturally--I did not buy the 40201048, which would have been a sealed two pack of the 49258 belts) and, IIRC, the belts had NO lettering or marking molded or printed on them. I found this odd. Should I expect marking on new, genuine Hoover Convertible belts?

Thanks again, everyone!

http://https//www.amazon.com/Hoover-Convertible-Upright-Vacuum-H-49258/dp/B00A6VIHNU

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Hoover no longer makes a 49258 belt. It was replaced by the 44783 belt. That would be a generic belt that you have.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

I feel this way too...

I have amassed a bunch of Kirby 159056, 301289 and 301291, all of which they currently make. The 159056 belt is the one recommended for the older machines (and especially for the old-style belt lifters), whereas 301291 can be used on older machines if they have the replacement ball-bearing brush rolls.

~Ben

 

[ultralux88]

It all depends on the conditions they were stored in. Here in CO the climate is so dry that they'll dry out and break in the first few minutes of use, if stored in cooler, less dry places, they'll be OK. It also depends on the rubber they're made of.

 

[huskyvacs]

Rubber does deteriorate. I have VCR's from 2002 and older that are having the belts go bad, if not bad already due to age. They either get chalky and snap, or they turn back into petroleum and are exceptionally sticky and gooey and just turn into mush.

For vacuum belts, get them as cheap as you can. You never know if it will last 5 days, 5 months, or 5 years.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Also just a tip. If you have a huge collection ( I'm sure none of us do haha)
take the belt off the pully if you aren't going to be using the vacuums much. That will also kill a belt. Some do ok with that but I can tell you others do not last long when on the pully for a few years unused. Especially Eureka round belts.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Shelf Life of...

Speaking of shelf lives, I wonder if there is also a shelf life for disposable paper bags?

Well, you cannot buy the Royal type A disposable bags (for their 1990 and older metal uprights using zipper bags) except through the aftermarket, although the Eureka type F&G disposable bags will also fit. Thus, I wonder if the circa 1987 NOS Royal type A disposable bags are still good after say, 30 years?

~Ben

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I think that if they, too are kept in their

plastic packages, they should be fine. I have tons, and keep them is large plastic totes. I HAVE seen paper bags, out of their packages, that didn't last too well. The staples fell out, etc. Also, the creases split.
The last time Tom (Anderson) and I were in the Bag Plant, #2, we saw that huge roll of quality paper, which, I was told by Ray, (manager), came from the Poconos. I'm sure the quality of the paper must have an influence as well.
So, be sure to keep your 'stock' stored securely.

 

[broomvac]

Convertible belt update

So I double checked the Convertible belt I asked about not in my original post, but in one of my later ones. Turns out my supposedly genuine 49258 belts DO have markings! They have "HV STYLE 048" molded into them, as shown below.

Does this indicate that they may be NOS genuine belts, or do you still think that they are aftermarket?

Thanks