New Old Stock Hoover Windtunnel Self Propelled Ultra and SteamVac Widepath LS

[vacmaster]

I was checking the local OfferUp listings this morning when I came across and ad for a NOS Hoover WindTunnel Self Propelled Ultra, so I messaged the seller asking if it was still available, and upon checking their other listings I saw that they also had a SteamVac Widepath LS for sale. The WindTunnel was $30 and the SteamVac was $50. For a grand total of $80 and a 2 hour drive round trip, I’d say I got a pretty good find. I’m so excited to have both of these machines and with such convenient timing, as I was just talking to a friend last night about how I wanted to find one of these older SteamVacs, NOS and along with a WindTunnel wasn’t part of my wishes but both are welcome additions to the collection.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

very

nice find.

 

[suckolux]

Wow! Great indeed!

 

[huskyvacs]

That was a good deal! On the shampooer, make sure you double check the motor and hoses before you put water in it too. Almost 30 years in storage will rot the rubber.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

If I were you, I'd replace the switch on the Windtunnel Self propelled, because their was a recall involving the 1998 and 1999 models of the SP Windtunnels, because the switch posed a fire and shock hazard. Here's a link to an article by the CPSC about the recall:

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2005/c...hoover-self-propelled-upright-vacuum-cleaners

 

[panasonicvac]

Reply

Honestly, that wouldn't be necessary. For one, this collector would RARELY use the machine to where it really wouldn't be a problem. Secondly, it's possible this Windtunnel had already been fixed since the recall. And last but not least, the parts are already discontinued because they don't make these Windtunnels anymore. So if he were to take this thing apart, chances are that he'd accidently break it not knowing how brittle the plastic might be from sitting in the box out in the heat or cold for so long and he'd pretty much be screwed. I'd just leave this thing alone the way it is.

 

[kirbylux77]

Justin, you got two terrific buys there! Those Hoover Windtunnel SP uprights are EXCELLENT deep cleaners, and a reliable design. And those early Hoover SteamVacs work really well - not only one of the better residential carpet extractors, but arguably Hoover's best carpet extractor they ever put to market. Good enough that they marketed a very basic version in commercial form.

I had a Hoover SteamVac F5805, the entry level red model sold at KMart with 1 stationary brush strip and no hose/upholstery tool. It may have been very basic, but I kept it for years and it's the best residential carpet extractor I have EVER used. Enjoy your finds and take care of them.

 

[huskyvacs]

What Alex said is correct. Just because a recall says something is dangerous doesn't mean it is. Just because the little date stamp on your food says it goes bad on this specific day doesn't mean it will. All the recall means is there is a possibility it might be defective, and it is done to protect their butts from being sued by making the public aware so they are protected from any complaints. That's all recalls are for. A recall is meant for you to take something into consideration, not cause a panic attack. Nothing is going to happen if you don't do it.

The only recall that makes sense to heed is for those stupid chinese dehumidifiers that came out in 2009. Every company that made them has now went bankrupt. Many fire departments are advocating not using them, and have posted dozens of evidence photos of fire scenes caused by those same humidifers. That is a case where something is genuinely worthy of being recalled and they are failing in large enough numbers to warrant them being all defective. Plus they send you $200 check for following the recall (cutting the cord off and sending the cord as proof) - even today.

Getting all riled up about every single recall is nothing to get involved in, most recalls are so stupid they are laughable. Certain model year GMC pickup trucks were recalled because the "Sierra" badge on the rear was glued on with the letters in the wrong order, another was for a line of Polaris ATV's which were recalled because the company forgot to ship the instruction manual with them.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

HuskyVacs

Yeah, you do make some good points. Although I'm pretty sure that recalls are a little more than protecting the companies' butts when their products malfunction. For example, in the 90s, there was a line of Cabbage patch Kids dolls that had a gimmick where they would be able to eat plastic food that came with it. The only problem was that the mechanism that made the dolls eat food couldn't tell the difference between plastic food, and fingers and hair. I think you can probably tell where this is going. 35 kids got their hands and fingers caught in the dolls, and Mattel recalled them. So yeah, sometimes products do actually pose a big threat to consumers, and need to be recalled. But a recall involving a vacuum cleaner that occurred almost almost 20 years ago that only applied to a few vacs made between two years out of a 21 year run is probably not a worth worrying about.

Here's some links to the Cabbage Patch kids recall if you're interested:

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/1997/M...m-for-Cabbage-Patch-Kids-Snacktime-Kids-Dolls

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/1997/M...m-for-Cabbage-Patch-Kids-Snacktime-Kids-Dolls

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Just in case you ever plan on using the Windtunnel, or selling it, then I would recommend replacing the switch, just to be safe. And even if parts for these are discontinued, can't use just use any ol' rocker switch in one of these?