Problem with self-propulsion on Hoover PowerMax

[gmerkt]

The forward drive on my PowerMax seemed weak. This machine has the same drive system as the Concept. The belt was turning and all, but just the same I put on a new belt to make sure this wasn't the problem. Same result.

Next I took off the hood and observed how the little clutches on the drive work. The problem seems to be that the clutch on the right side (reverse) works fine, but the clutch on the left side (forward) slips. The clutch pad on the left side seems to be a bit thinner than the right side.

I also played with the cable adjustment on the drive lever (under the headlight cover) with not much improvement.

So, the question is, is my diagnosis correct that the forward clutch pad is kaputt? In looking at the parts diagram, it seems that the entire drive assembly is just that, an assembly with component parts like clutch pads not serviced separately.

Any insight on this?

 

[vac_whisperer]

Either your clutch pad bit the dust, or your belt may be way to tight.

VW

 

[gmerkt]

I'm working on solutions. Today I made my rounds and came up with a junker Hoover PowerMax. The maroon piece I got today was made 8-92, and the blue one I'm working on was made 12-93 but there are a number of differences between them, mostly cosmetic. The running gear that I want to switch is the same. The decalomania on the outside varies; the bag on the older one is trimmed at the top unlike the later one; the blue one has the later (spiral type) brushroll with a different bottom plate; the handle on the older one is a kind of bright metal vs. painted on the newer one; the older one has a cut-out in the valve duct cover for the hand tools hose while the newer one has eliminated this by using a different design hose fitting that creates the cut-out.

The clutch pads are different materials. In the blue one that I'm having trouble with which is newer, the pads are some kind of fiber that looks a lot like felt to me. The older (junker) machine has pads made of some kind of friction material which is much harder. The power drive seems to work okay in the junker after I put a good belt on it for test pusposes. The whole undercarriage assembly removes fairly easily so I will change them soon and see how it goes from there.

Here's a pic showing the stuff that I picked up on my rounds today, sitting on the tailgate of my ex-USAF '72 Ford Ranch Wagon. That's a little Johnson's Wax Floor Polisher sitting next to the junker PowerMax.

 

[gmerkt]

Another of the junker/parts PowerMax

 

[gmerkt]

Data decal on parts PowerMax