Oreck XL2800H2B Airflow Measurements

[wyaple]

Bill finally gets an Oreck...and guess what? It actually works! Found this at a thrift store and of course it was clogged from top to bottom. After a thorough cleaning, new belt, brush roll, and HEPA charcoal bag here's the results.

Deep cleaning? With 53 CFM, are you kidding?


Surface debris? Works OK.


Conclusion: Lightweight, easy to push and turn, very unique recognizable sound. Would I pay anywhere near what Oreck wants for this machine back in the day or a new model? Not on your life. If you can pick one up used for $30-$50? Sure, go for it, just don't go nuts picking up anything that will clog the tubes.

Bill

 

[wyaple]

Help me decipher the manufacturing date code

For this Oreck. I see "00294" and will guesstimate that it may mean 29th week of 2000? Or 294th day of 2000? Please assist.

Bill

 

[daknx1994]

It is the two hundredth and 94th day of 2000.

 

[wyaple]

Thanks for that info!

I thought it had to be sometime in 2000, because the sales receipt I have says "sold as demo" in January 2001.

Bill

 

[blackheart]

wow.

Due to the small fan and fairly narrow airpath you know you're not going to get a huge amount of cfm, but i'm very amused that it actually has more (albeit 1 more) cfm than a full sized DC-65.

 

[rainbowd4]

Airflow?

Not to be snarky, but I've never used an oreck that had any airflow to speak of. As Tom G once said, it's just about the only vacuum out there with a hair dryer motor. This was almost 20 years ago, so there are many more crappy vacs on the market now. I bought one new once in about '97, because I really didn't know any better at the time. It was a major disappointment at $400+. I got one almost just like this one, but a little newer at goodwill a few. Months ago for ten bucks, just so I could flip it. They are ear piercing to me, so I can't run most of them, even if I wanted too.

 

[wyaple]

Chris,

I understand that many members here on VL have had simply awful issues with Orecks clogging easily, but I am forced to wonder how David Oreck managed to build an empire around a machine that was used extensively in hotels for decades.

Every Oreck I've encountered in thrift stores was completely, hilariously clogged and the previous owners couldn't be bothered to unclog them. It's the same story with the typical Dyson's I've come across and guess what, the Dyson's also fall into the "low airflow" category. The 50 CFM at the nozzle land.

I've never had to unclog any of my vacuums mainly because I would never think of attempting to pick up giant piles of debris that can be scooped up by hand. I want to use my machines to pickup stuff that can't be picked up by hand.

The sound is actually not too objectionable, if, and this is a BIG if, the motor isn't on its last legs. Most of the other thrift store Orecks, after I unclogged them right there on the store floor, sounded like some wild animal being tortured and I knew I was certainly not going the spend the cash to buy and install a new motor. On medium pile carpet, mine measures 84 dB ("C" weighed) and after 60 minutes of nearly continuous vacuuming was moderately pleasant to listen to. No screeching at all.

Bill

 

[suckolux]

I have picked up / been given several, Meh, built ok, just a bad idea to me. All have been passed to friends and neighbors for free. They were happy but I did show them how to unclog . I don't mind free crappy vacuums to give out and my form or recycle.

 

[kenkart]

An Oreck

Is a very good quick pick up vacuum, Go behind one with a 50 year old Convertible or Eureka and you will see!!!

 

[suckolux]

Defines lightweight surface cleaning I think

 

[wyaple]

Yes, it defines lightweight cleaning,

so no high power deep cleaner here. BUT, it's small power head and light weight are what some people like.

When I was in the checkout line, one mid-forties female clerk commented that, "she loves her Oreck and doesn't care how well it cleans." She announced to the entire store that she used to have a Kirby decades ago (pre-G model) and although she knew it cleaned much better, her lightweight Oreck is what she prefers.

Then on my way to the car in the parking lot, another gentleman hollered out, "you've got a good one, there!".

People want and like what people want and like I suppose.

And yes, my U4007 with 107 nozzle CFM will not only clean the carpet, but it will clean the carpet under the carpet. BUT, boy is it ever hard to push because of all that fabulous airflow. I have to put the selector on "high" when vacuuming medium pile carpet in order not to wear myself out.

Bill