Question for Kirby experts/fans

[laspirateur]

Just found an old(I assume)Kirby "Heritage II-Turbo" vacuum that someone put it the trash. HEAVY monster of a machine; cast aluminum housing, black and red markings, gray dust bag with red markings and black and red bag clip. The machine runs; I took it home and emptied the bag(which had about 20 lbs. of stuff in it!) and ran it on empty for a few minutes. I assume, since this is a Kirby, it's worth spending the time to fix it up. Can anybody tell me anything about this beautiful machine? Do any of you have any manuals or parts breakdowns for it? The only thing I can find wrong with it is a broken plastic piece that connects the bottom of the massive dust bag to the metal suction tube on the main unit. There is a large black rubber band that seems to fit over the connection sleeve. Other than that, there's a little rust which will be no problem for me to fix and a burnt out headlight.

Amazing machine! I've been an Electrolux(cannister) and Hoover(upright) boy all my life but this thing is in a whole other category. Will post some pics in a couple of days. I'm leaving the thing outside, I have the bag in a barrel of water. These days one can't be too careful with bed bugs on the rise.

 

[thunderhexed]

Kirby

Congrats on your find! The Kirby Heritage/Legend series is one of the best made vacuums (IMO). I have a Heritage I and a Legend II (looks just like the Heritage II but burgundy and grey instead). I love them both. Sounds like maybe you just need to get a new mini em-tor for your bag system. I'd look on amazon and ebay. Get a new one, pop your clean bag back on it, put in a fresh inner filter bag and you are set to go!

Cory

 

[mattshaver]

Why can't I find stuff like this...

Ah, I love dumpster diving and my partner gets all embarrassed on trash day when I drive slowly past people's things.

Someday though, I will score a Kirby in the trash.

Matt

 

[hoover1060]

Kirby Heritage II

was made 1984-1988, I bought one brand new in December of '87 for $875!!!
Nice find, it is very rare to find a Kirby in the trash!

My first garbage-picked Kirby was a Dual 50, found in the summer of 1980. I brought it home riding with it over the handle bars of my 10-speed bike!!!

 

[laspirateur]

losers weepers finders sweepers

I have really good luck finding Eluxes and other vacuums in the trash, but not so lucky when looking for washers and dryers. Oh well. Yeah, found this next to a dumpster at an apartment building that houses a lot of grad students. I imagine someone's mother is going to have a conniption fit when junior tells her that he threw out the Kirby she LENT him for his new apartment because a little piece broke off. There's a lesson here: give junior a Bissell.

Thanks for the tip Cory. I went on ebay and found an emptor for 38.99. Just amazing.

 

[briankirbyclass]

Dont forget to put in a new 4 row brush roll, and new belt too!,,,and you'll have one awsome cleaning machine!