Panasonic straight suction canister

[justjunque]

Okay. I guess I'm a hopeless addict. I dragged another one home today.
I do feel like I'm doing better at limiting myself to things that seem somewhat unusual, or just really appeal to me. This one falls into the unusual category. Well, for me, anyway.
It's increasingly rare to find any canister vacs at the thrift stores around here. As I was approaching this one, I was trying to figure out if it was a Hoover or a Kenmore. To my surprise, it turned out to be a Panasonic. The first Panasonic canister I've ever seen.
I'm posting it in this category, because I have no idea how new or old it is, but it doesn't look very old.
It's two-tone grey, and the model number is MC-2750.
It seems pretty complete. It has a silvery grey hose, two black wands, a rug/bare floor tool that says Made in Germany, and an on-board dusting brush and crevice tool.
The decal on the tool door says:
JET-FLO
Max. Air Power
170
Built-in tools
Standby Storage
Deluxe Floor Nozzle
Automatic Cord Rewind
Blower Operation

Then, there's a bag full gauge on the tool door.
Perhaps one of our Panasonic fans can tell me something about it.
I'll post a picture or two when I'm on my other device. My phone can't do that any more.

 

[justjunque]

So far, I've removed the bag full of someone else's dirt and pet hair, and gave the whole thing an initial sanitizing wipe wipe-down.
I've learned that it uses C-4 bags. And, a quick interweb search seems to indicate that no HEPA version of that particular bag exists. I'd like to be proven wrong about that.
On the brief power-up, the motor seems to sound great.

Any tips for getting ground-in schmutz out of the extremely dense, stiff bristles of the floor nozzle?
I know it's just going to happen again when I use it. But, at least that will be our ground-in schmutz.
Plus, I plan on vacuuming the bristles after every use. Hopefully, that will help.

 

[justjunque]

As promised, here are some pictures. Sorry if they’re not great.
The cleaning process is ongoing, so it’s not at its best just yet. And, apparently, the lid won’t close completely unless there’s a bag in it; which there’s not.
Does anyone else have one of these? Did I acquire another unicorn or something?
I can’t find one on YouTube. Bags seem to be limited to a few genuine Panasonic, or Enviro Care. No HEPA option. Any idea which of those two bag choices would be better?
Another thing that I found a little odd and interesting, is that there’s no upholstery tool; just a dusting brush, and a very narrow crevice tool.

 

[panasonicvac]

Very nice!

That's in such excellent condition for being a old vintage Panasonic! Either late 80's or early 90's (maybe 93 based on the serial number). That German floor tool was actually made by Wessel Werk, they've made other attachments for Panasonic and other companies. Either bag wouldn't matter, chances are they're all made by the same company that makes paper bags for vacuums.

On a side note, I really like the looks of your Amana washer that's built by Speed Queen! Don't think I've ever seen that model before. Do you have the matching dryer as well? If so, is it gas or electric?

 

[justjunque]

Thank you, Alex. I was hoping you'd chime in!
Inside the rear grille, which I'm assuming is the exhaust, I can see a foam filter. I'm hoping there's a way that I might be able to access it to wash it. I'd just like to freshen it up a bit. The bag that I took out of the vacuum had some pet odor or something to it. I'd just like to get the whole machine as clean as possible.

As for the washer; it came with our house when we bought it. It's paired with a 1990s Whirlpool gas dryer.
The washer looks very much like a Speed Queen. But, people on Automaticwasher have told me that it was built by Maytag.
Previously, I guess Amana and Speed Queen were built by Raytheon. But, Speed Queen was sold to Alliance, and Amana was sold to Maytag. This model was from shortly after the sale, and still has the Speed Queen look. If I'm recalling correctly.
Unfortunately, it has a characteristic bad seal/bearing. Some have told me that the parts are no longer available. Others have told me that they are, but I'd probably never find a repairman who was willing to take on such a big job. And, if I did find one, the repair cost would be astronomical.
I've been advised to just use it until it starts leaking onto the floor or something, and then scrap it.
I hate to do that. And, I certainly don't have any interest in the new machines. Lid locks. No hot water. No deep fill. I know. Some machines have at least some of those features. But, they still don't interest me.

 

[panasonicvac]

The only way inside to the filter is by taking the motor cover off.

The washer probably is a Maytag but built at the Speed Queen factory in Ripon, WI. I know they built one under the Maytag name so that'd make sense. But I've also seen one that was built for GE as well which I thought was interesting. Honestly, I think those were better than the ones that are made by Alliance Laundry Systems especially today. Yeah they had bad bearings which ALS fixed but I'd still take a SQ that was built by Raytheon over a SQ built by ALS because I've noticed everything else was more reliable. Even the transmissions were serviceable but not anymore. The only thing I did liked from ALS besides the looks of the panels/switches on some models is the way they shoot out water now, I mean not only it looks cool when it fills up but also it's an improvement on the spray & rinse during the spin cycle. That's why I think the AWN432SP113TW04 is my all time favorite SQ washer despite being made by ALS. Funny because speaking of Maytag, they ruined Hoover when they took over yet my all time favorite Hoover vacuum happens to be made by Maytag. Personally if I had to buy a brand new top loader today to replace my Kenmore 90 Series, it'd be a SQ because they make the last good washers that are old school despite the regulations which I do agree with you on. I'm not impressed with the newer Kenmore top loaders on the market.

 

[justjunque]

Alex, or anyone else who knows; can you tell me how to take the motor cover off?
Is it something that you think I could handle? I've stated it many times...I'm not mechanically inclined at all. I don't want to wreck anything. The vacuum works fine just the way it is. I'd just like to take the clean-up a little farther, if possible.
I see two Phillips screws right at the front edge of the cover. Is it just a matter of removing those?

 

[panasonicvac]

Yes

Those two screws is what holds the motor cover. However there's a very good chance that one or two more are hidden underneath the power and cord rewinder switch. You'd have to pry them open if removing the two other screws wouldn't work and that's a very delicate job to do.

 

[thevacuumman]

So I have one of these machines! Mine doesn't have the original wands or floor nozzle though. Mine does have a slightly different label, but is the same model. I can get some better pictures later, but its nice to see another one of these machines.

 

[justjunque]

Cool!
I think mine has all of the original parts. It just needed a good cleaning, and a new bag.
Interestingly enough, it might be possible to get HEPA bags, or something similar, if I were in Australia or possibly New Zealand. I did a Google search, and some five layer, high filtration, better airflow bags came up, that say they're for the MC-2750. But, they're all on sites in one of the two aforementioned countries.
Have you ever taken the motor cover off of yours?

Alex... I think you're probably right about there being additional screws that are concealed under the switch. I'm afraid I may have messed mine up.
I removed the two easily accessible screws, and tried to GENTLY lift the cover. There was what seemed like more than a normal amount of resistance, and I didn't want to break it, so I decided to stop and just leave well enough alone.
Except, now the front edge of the cover won't go back down into place.

 

[thevacuumman]

I have had the motor cover off of mine. Its a bit tricky to get the "pedal" off, but I did so, and there's a few screws underneath and the motor cover should come off. Sorry for the delay and if needed, I can open my machine up and provide some pictures.

 

[justjunque]

Tyler,

Thank you.
I haven't touched my Panasonic since "the incident". I was so afraid that I broke something, and maybe I did. But, I won't know for sure until I either open it up completely, or bring it to the vacuum shop. And I didn't want to further mess anything up by continuing to fiddle with it without a clue as to what I'm doing.
If you think you can walk me through removing the pedal/switch, so I can access the other screws, that would be great. And, pictures are always helpful.
Thank you again.