And another one
Side view
Side view
Riccar vacuums
- Thread starter jfalberti
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Getting bored yet?
The back of the machine. This is where I found the clog. It was at the top of the hose where it enters the body of the vacuum. I normally find clogs where the hose enters the nozzle, and never thought to look at the top. The reason it didn't sound clogged is because the suction relief valve was open.
The back of the machine. This is where I found the clog. It was at the top of the hose where it enters the body of the vacuum. I normally find clogs where the hose enters the nozzle, and never thought to look at the top. The reason it didn't sound clogged is because the suction relief valve was open.
Is he ever gona quit? 
The underside of the vacuum. The brushroll is in really good condition.
The underside of the vacuum. The brushroll is in really good condition.
Just two more ...
The model/rating plate. This machine is a 9 amp unit. Runs great and is a lot quieter than I thought it would be.
The model/rating plate. This machine is a 9 amp unit. Runs great and is a lot quieter than I thought it would be.
And finally ...
They sure are proud that this machine was assembled in the USA.
They sure are proud that this machine was assembled in the USA.
Hey VW
I don't know what year it's from. But I'm still looking.
I don't know what year it's from. But I'm still looking.
I just found this on YouTube
Interesting.
Interesting.
kirbylux77
Well-known member
Joe, thats a very nice basic early model Riccar Vibrance you have there (thats what they are called now when you look on the website). Good find, for sure....
BTW, just so you know, the Panasonic u/u3/u6 bags will work in this vacuum, as it is a Panasonic copycat, as well as the Kenmore 5068 bags will too. The Panasonic bags should be very easy to find in dollar stores & mass merchants. If you want the better filtration, the Kenmore & Panasonic Filtrete HEPA bags will work as well too. Being an allergy sufferer, it's what I prefer to use.
Also, if you want cleaning tools for it, take it into your local vac shop & see if Panasonic cleaning tools from a Jet-Flo would work. I would imagine they would, considering they have the door at the top of the powerhead hose. But then again, Riccar may also make their own tool set too....
Well, thanks for posting the pics & enjoy your latest find!
Rob
PS- The Bissell Style 7/Panasonic Upright belts should also work on this Riccar too, being it's identical, and again a bit cheaper & easier to find at mass merchants.
BTW, just so you know, the Panasonic u/u3/u6 bags will work in this vacuum, as it is a Panasonic copycat, as well as the Kenmore 5068 bags will too. The Panasonic bags should be very easy to find in dollar stores & mass merchants. If you want the better filtration, the Kenmore & Panasonic Filtrete HEPA bags will work as well too. Being an allergy sufferer, it's what I prefer to use.
Also, if you want cleaning tools for it, take it into your local vac shop & see if Panasonic cleaning tools from a Jet-Flo would work. I would imagine they would, considering they have the door at the top of the powerhead hose. But then again, Riccar may also make their own tool set too....
Well, thanks for posting the pics & enjoy your latest find!
Rob
PS- The Bissell Style 7/Panasonic Upright belts should also work on this Riccar too, being it's identical, and again a bit cheaper & easier to find at mass merchants.
Thanks Rob
So far after finding and fixing the problems with it, it works great. I love my new toy. I think it has a permanent place in my collection. I don't need the attachments because my filter queen works great too. Thank you Rob for your insight and advice.
So far after finding and fixing the problems with it, it works great. I love my new toy. I think it has a permanent place in my collection. I don't need the attachments because my filter queen works great too. Thank you Rob for your insight and advice.
kirbylux77
Well-known member
Joe, I don't blame you one bit for wanting to keep that permanently in your collection. I have a Panasonic Quickdraw upright, Panasonic Performance Plus Platinum, & a Sanyo Performax- they all work great, & don't think I would part with them either.
And I feel the same way as you- I prefer to use a canister for the tools, as they have better suction & airflow & not as awkward as using an upright. Not that I never use the tools on my uprights though, especially if it's just a quick cleaning....
Ya know what, I think you have inspired me to haul out the Sanyo & take some pics & post them here. Here in Canada, they are EXTREMELY rare, as there weren't many chains that sold them. It will be interesting to see what you guys think....
Rob
And I feel the same way as you- I prefer to use a canister for the tools, as they have better suction & airflow & not as awkward as using an upright. Not that I never use the tools on my uprights though, especially if it's just a quick cleaning....
Ya know what, I think you have inspired me to haul out the Sanyo & take some pics & post them here. Here in Canada, they are EXTREMELY rare, as there weren't many chains that sold them. It will be interesting to see what you guys think....
Rob
Thanks, Rob.
Cool! I can't wait to see the pictures.
Cool! I can't wait to see the pictures.
I have a Kenmore upright made by Panasonic.
It is a Progressive Direct drive model that I also love. I got it for $25.00 with a sticker that said it needed a new belt. The only thing wrong with it was the brushroll switch was turned off. It works great. Here is a picture. It may be sideways, but you get the drift.
It is a Progressive Direct drive model that I also love. I got it for $25.00 with a sticker that said it needed a new belt. The only thing wrong with it was the brushroll switch was turned off. It works great. Here is a picture. It may be sideways, but you get the drift.
riccarstar
Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2010
- Messages
- 17
riccar uprights are outstanding....but i agree that the rads are a pia to work on but ive yet to have any problems with mine as of yet. not a fan of their canisters tho...have yet to ever use or work on a meile vac of any kind....but would love to test/use one for a bit...break it down and check it out but no market as of yetfor them around here....riccar has taken some time in itself to warm up to customers...most have never even heard of them....in our area that is.But those that have bought the uprights and some cans are very happy ....the 8925 is by far our best selling ricar...followed by the rads.The 1500 can is by far the biggest problem of the bunch....no longer do we sell that one...nothing but trouble from that model for some reason....got me.
kenmore81
Well-known member
I likey
That is an awsome find. It appears to have been manufactured April of 2003. I have yet to get my hands on a Riccar but I hope to find one soon!
My ex boss is one of those that buys a vac and dumps it cause the bag is full (kidding, belt mabe). He had/has money and gets TOL or close to it when he buys things like appliances. He had a Jet-flo sitting in his basement for like 12 years because he didn't want to throw it out but it didnt pick up(belt).So he bought a Sharp Twin Energy. Must be nice, he was talking about having central put in so he wouldnt have to buy another vacuum.
That is an awsome find. It appears to have been manufactured April of 2003. I have yet to get my hands on a Riccar but I hope to find one soon!
My ex boss is one of those that buys a vac and dumps it cause the bag is full (kidding, belt mabe). He had/has money and gets TOL or close to it when he buys things like appliances. He had a Jet-flo sitting in his basement for like 12 years because he didn't want to throw it out but it didnt pick up(belt).So he bought a Sharp Twin Energy. Must be nice, he was talking about having central put in so he wouldnt have to buy another vacuum.
ro9beam2002
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2011
- Messages
- 11
Hey Kirby...I personally like my simplicity s38 and the 2.5amp nozzle. I would put it up against any miele that you have.
henrydreyfuss
Well-known member
Serial number 1D0309820...
"1D" (the first parts of the serial number) means that the vacuums was made in the 4th quarter of 2001. If it were "5B," it would mean that it was made in the second quarter of 2005. The numbers afterward are the number of the model off the assembly line, which makes it number 309,820. That's a nice vacuum!
I like Riccar/Simplicity vacuums. I worked on them for years, and find them very user friendly, and for the most part well designed. When Riccar's tandem air vacuums first came out, they had issues, but Riccar noted and corrected them. One thing I love about the company is they are quick to update and fix any quirks their vacs have. Other companies just ignore the problems, or take years and years to address obvious flaws.
I find the tandem air vacs very easy to work on, but there's lots of screws (at least they're all the same size!). The dirt path is very short, and goes straight to the bag. There's a dial that diverts the suction to the hose for tool use, so all the dirt isn't going through a mile of tubing before it reaches the damn good HEPA bag (they redesigned the HEPA bags and they're probably the nicest vacuum bags I've ever seen).
I would say they're one of the world's finest vacuum companies today!
"1D" (the first parts of the serial number) means that the vacuums was made in the 4th quarter of 2001. If it were "5B," it would mean that it was made in the second quarter of 2005. The numbers afterward are the number of the model off the assembly line, which makes it number 309,820. That's a nice vacuum!
I like Riccar/Simplicity vacuums. I worked on them for years, and find them very user friendly, and for the most part well designed. When Riccar's tandem air vacuums first came out, they had issues, but Riccar noted and corrected them. One thing I love about the company is they are quick to update and fix any quirks their vacs have. Other companies just ignore the problems, or take years and years to address obvious flaws.
I find the tandem air vacs very easy to work on, but there's lots of screws (at least they're all the same size!). The dirt path is very short, and goes straight to the bag. There's a dial that diverts the suction to the hose for tool use, so all the dirt isn't going through a mile of tubing before it reaches the damn good HEPA bag (they redesigned the HEPA bags and they're probably the nicest vacuum bags I've ever seen).
I would say they're one of the world's finest vacuum companies today!
ro9beam2002
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2011
- Messages
- 11
I agree, they invested alot of money in the vacuum division in 2006... you dont invest that kinda money and settle for "crap".And from the article they spent 600k just on the upper end power nozzle from a firm in chicago...
http://www.simplicityvacs.com/about-my-simplicity/article-060427/260521BWEPrint.pdf
http://www.simplicityvacs.com/about-my-simplicity/article-060427/260521BWEPrint.pdf
ro9beam2002
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2011
- Messages
- 11
I have owned a custom sales/installation carpet store for about 23 years now,in addition we also use to run a truck mount carpet cleaning division. I love the riccar,simplicity brand for normal maintenance.... and i love my 30 year old royal hand held And have a few custom designed vacuum tanks for my "air carvers" i use to pick up the fine carpet lint when i carve.
And have a few custom designed vacuum tanks for my "air carvers" i use to pick up the fine carpet lint when i carve.ro9beam2002
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2011
- Messages
- 11
almost forgot, i luv the feature where i can turn off the suction and leave my powerhead on Then using the dry/absorbent cleaner, the host stuff is good and a few others. This is awesome feature. Granted this is not a substitute for a "truck mounted" warm water extraction job, but is considered maintenance like vacuuming is. I despise any of the shamppo add/ons...kirby,rug doctor..etc..... they leave the carpet tooo wet and delamination of the backing is almost a given, i have seen this countless times when replacing carpet......
Then using the dry/absorbent cleaner, the host stuff is good and a few others. This is awesome feature. Granted this is not a substitute for a "truck mounted" warm water extraction job, but is considered maintenance like vacuuming is. I despise any of the shamppo add/ons...kirby,rug doctor..etc..... they leave the carpet tooo wet and delamination of the backing is almost a given, i have seen this countless times when replacing carpet......
thevacuumman
Well-known member
my Riccar Belvedere is made in Taiwan but i have had no quality issues but the cleaner was well taken care of because the original owner told me that she had taken it in for a tune up every year plus it does groom the carpet great and would give my Eurekas and my Kirbies a run for their money
