New to me Sentria 2 - is this acting "right"?

[laurab]

Good Morning,
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I was very excited to buy a used Sentria II the other day. Always wanted a Kirby! I brought it home and think I have figured out the drive, floor adjustment. BUT, I notice as I used it for the first time in my bedroom on a plush carpet, it left a line where the metal center divide on the bottom of the machine is (if that makes sense). The drive feature seems to work great, but the handle seems like it is sort of on a spring to the body...the sweeper feels sort of loose as I am using it. Like there is a lot of play in the system. Does this sound normal? If not, if there anything you suggest I look at?

Thanks

 

[broomvac]

Hello!

The line in the carpet is perfectly normal. There are no bristles on the roller where the belt rides, and this leaves the line.

By design, the base of the handle can slide forward and back with respect to the body of the vacuum. It’s this feature that tells the vacuum how strong, and in which direction, it should self propel. Is this the play you ask about?

Congrats on the Kirby!

 

[human]

Congratulations on your Sentria acquisition. Kirbys are great machines. It will give you years, yea even decades of faithful service. Without getting hands on your machine, I can't give you specific information but chances are everything's fine with yours. The line in the carpet sounds fairly normal. Just back off a notch or two on the nozzle height adjustment and it'll be less apparent. The handles on Kirby vacuums are a bit loose by design and unlike other upright cleaners, the handle is held upright by spring tension alone with no latch to release.

 

[sptyks]

Laura,


That center divide on the bottom of the floor nozzle is the Belt Guard. It prevents the spinning belt from coming into contact with your carpet.


 


The handle does have a spring in it which will cause the handle to return to vertical position if you should let go of it.


 


That loose feeling you describe is most likely caused by the "Tech Drive" automatic transmission in your Sentria II. This is normal when you depress "D" for drive and will take a little getting used to. Make sure you always depress "N" for neutral when you turn your machine off,or you will not be able to push your Sentria II to the next room or to it's storage location.


 


I have included a link to part One of the Kirby Sentria II Video Owner's manual below. You can go to Youtube to view the remaining 5 parts of the video. I hope this helps you with any further questions you may have.


 


~Stan


 





 


 


 


 


 

 

[laurab]

Hi Broomvac, thanks for explaining the "input" on the handle, it makes sense. I am relieved this is as it should be.

Hello human, thanks for the reassurance. I am so excited to have this Kirby and look forward to enjoying the benefits to the carpet. Hubby and I both have allergies. A good vacuum is so important. I notice this vacuum picks up more dirt/sand than my Shark. A great start.

Stan, I REALLY appreciate the video. Very helpful. I think I had it set too low yesterday. What a very cool vacuum. I love well-made machines in this day in age. enclosing a picture of the new Kirby. It is not super shiny, but seems in decent shape.

 

[human]

Your Kirby looks nice. If you want to give it more of a shine, a little Mother's Aluminum and Mag Wheel Polish (about $5 at Walmart) will do the trick. Yes, Kirbys are indeed deep cleaning monsters. If vacuum cleaners were cars, a Kirby would be Hum-Vee.

 

[honestjoe68]

Welcome LauraB

Congratulations on your awesome Kirby Sentria II. It looks great!

I used to have several other older Kirby and had thinned out my collection (once over 300 vacuums) and sadly I gave all my Kirby vacuums away. So I just late last year bought a Kirby Sentria II as I love the colors of the bag and the tan (instead of grey) attachment tools!

You’ve already been told, but yes everything sounds “Normal” for a Kirby and I too asked some similar questions. Also, just so you know, The Drive Gear Switch pivots and if you bump either side with your toe it might look odd or like it’s broken, pic 2. (See picture number 2 and 3)

Anyhow, Congrats and have fun with your great new Kirby! If you are interested, check on eBay and you can get the entire attachment tool set and even the carpet shampoo system if you want. They are reasonable priced on eBay.

Just a few things to pass on about Kirby vacuums that I was thrilled other members here informed me... ALWAYS make sure you place your Kirby in “Neutral” before you move it while it’s turned Off. Also, I find the best way to adjust the height is to start with it all the way UP at it’s highest carpet setting, then click down one position at a time until you hear a change in the sound of the motor, then one more click down... that should be your ideal height. (The reason I mention it, the manual gives you a different method) Lastly, pay close attention to both end caps on both sides of the Kirby Brushroll if you remove it.. Kirby gives you the option as the brushes wear, you can lower them to get continued use before needing to replace it. Just make sure you keep both sides on the same number, but the number of dashes/notches. If you have any questions and your Kirby did not include the instruction manual.. I included a link to Kirby’s official Manual for your Sentria II.

https://www.kirby.com/Manuals/Sentria-II/LV-260012-H_Domestic_Owners_Manual.pdf

Thank you for sharing pics of your new Kirby and Welcome it Vacuumland!

Patrick

 

[suckolux]

That's funny Edgar, I always think of them as the S Class of cars!