Seeking a Hoover...probably!!

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durango159

durango159

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 9, 2012
Messages
1,989
Location
State College, PA
Well I've run into issues with my company and and the vacuums they provide, if available, never function properly so I end up bringing my personal vacuums to work. As many of you know I'm primarily a power head canister person. I only have 2 uprights and both are 4.3 Amp Hoover Convertibles. The one I most recently got and have been using on sites just broke its height adjuster last night and is now unusable until repaired. I'm looking to upgrade though to something bigger, and more powerful. I need more power and I don't feel that the Convertibles get as low as they should to low profile commercial grade flooring.

I'm allocating minimal budget for this purchase as I don't feel I should even have to get one but it will make work easier. Primarily though, I'm looking to upgrade away from the Convertible Elite for bigger and more powerful-- I need a Tim Allen Model. LOL Unit will be used for low profile commercial grade carpeting and throw rugs. Some features I'm seeking:

Powerful, reasonable construction, bagged, good filtration, **great at low profile carpet cleaning, headlight preferred, upper cord hook release or winder, great edge cleaning-- agitator bristles very close to both sides of nozzle, easy to use, 30' or larger cord, semi-widepath head--15" is great but a 13.25" would work. Not too heavy-- a Hoover Self Propelled Windtunnel or Power Drive is too heavy. yAttachments are a bonus, but not completely necessary cause I do own several canister vacuums that occasionally come to work with me as well.
Models I've heavily considered:
--Used Hoover Widepath, TurboPower 4500, Breathe Easy or Soft Guard series-- see a similar model below.
--Hoover T series Windtunnel bagged or its similar model
--Hoover WindtunnelMax bagged-- I have little experience with either of these.
--Hoover Professional CH50020, similar Royal/ Hoover Guardsman **smaller cleaning path, no attachments are possible issues
--Hoover Legacy, Dimension like series **smaller cleaning path possible issue.
--Eureka PowerPlus/ WorldVac Victory style 15" Widetrack series ** nonswivel cord hook possible issue, previous Eureka & Sanitaire issues possible issues.
-- Riccar/ Simplicity Brilliance or older machines. **poor edge cleaning on belt side of nozzle an issue, how is low profile cleaning?

Avoidances: Pricey ones, Orecks, Sebos, Kirbys, Sanitaires- lots of issues lately, newer motors stick to door mats and make nearly impossible to clean, heavy Electrolux/ Aerus uprights otherwise a Lux upright may work well, bagless models, San


Thank you all for help and suggestions. Primarily I'm looking to Hoover cause I know they clean well and they have a number of machines over the years that I think would work.

durango159-2015010714072307693_1.jpg
 
I recommend the Hoover Windtunnel Supreme bagged- Excellent cleaning, not too heavy, headlight, attachments on board, 15" nozzle with edge brushes, good filtration if you use Hepa bags. Listed on Hoover's website for $109.99, but I would imagine they can be found new or used on ebay for less.
 
My Experience....

I have been cleaning a USDA building for almost 5 years that also has commercial carpet that is very low profile. I started out with a bagless Hoover T-Series upright that died only a year after I started.Due to someone using it to pick up water after an A/C leak. I always found the base would never get low enough to the carpet and I would have to go over the carpet several times to pick up hole punches that would always scatter around when you passed over them. I assume the bases are the same on the bagged version? Then I started using a Riccar N2100 that I picked up at a thrift store. I really liked it and still use it sometimes and, keep as a backup there. I now use a Hoover Windtunnell Air. Its amazing on the low carpet and I use it to vacuum the tile floor that is also there. I know you wanted a bagged machine but, I like using the Windtunnell Air that I wanted to suggest it as a option. I have not had any problems with filtration or suction on it and have been using it for about 2 years.
 
Aren't your employers supposed to provide you with the machines you need to do the job?I am sure if you suggest a vacuum that would be suitable for YOU and the job-they SHOULD provide it.My employer supplied me with the vacuums I need to do transmitter cleaning.-and of course the spare parts such as bags and tools for the vacuums.It may be fun to use vacuums from your collection-but in commercial duty your machines will get heavy wear and tear-and make sure YOU are the only one that uses the vacuum.Others at the workplace will think its an employer vacuum and beat it up--since it is not theirs.
 
Yes, employer should provide each account with vacuums. However, (chuckle) every time we get an issue with a vacuum, and we've had SEVERAL, they send another unit that is SUPPOSED TO have been checked for proper running order but yet ironically they don't run well or have some issues.  We were given one once with a huge hole in red passage way at end of clear Quik Kleen chamber on a Sanitaire SC866!! 5 of 6 of our accounts have a broken or no vacuum currently available from our company. Supposedly some machines are on order!! Meanwhile I have a Hoover Windtunnel Canister S3630 in one building, a Hoover Celebrity Elite IV S3141 with Quadraflex Powermatic from a Dimension 1000 in another account, my Hoover Convertible Elite upright in teal nearly identical to an Estate, which I just acquired from Chris's vacuum store at John Long's last Monster Halloween Bash just broke the other night at a building 2 nights ago. The rear wheel axle bent and height adjuster is completely non-functional. My other Hoover Convertible Elite U4153 with Decade 80 style hood, has a rear wheel issue as well and doesn't rotates wobbly. Every night we take a floater machine for other buidlings cause we're not willing to leave personal machines of mine in certain buildings. Sometimes float machine is my Hoover PowerMax S3603-040 canister, last night we used my brothers Hoover Windtunnel Plus S3639 bagged power head canister.

I'm amazed how many vacuum issues we've had on job sites. I'm the primary one that runs the vacuum too.  I'm always checking to make sure brush rolls are clean, bags and belts are in good shape and treat them decent including cleaning exterior as needed.  As with normal vacuuming some minor wall scuffs occur but my brother nor I abuse our personal vacuums.   Primarily company provided machines are Sanitaire SC866 units. However we've had many with a higher powered motor it seems that stick to rugs so much even height 6 and makes throw rugs nearly impossible to clean.   Some of their machines have performed ok and then we install a new outer bag or thoroughly shake and clean one out and it clears out the vacuum so much that it then restores full power and we run into issues of a vacuum not being able to vacuum many of the rubber backed door mats which every account has a plethora.  We've had cracked bases, loose handles, shot cords, several mold/ musty machines. One time we had an SC866 that would have almost worked better as a leaf blower than a vacuum cleaner!!! I don't know what it's issue was.

So it now comes to us prefering to use one of our own machines that we know is in good repair, and maintained by us and a good performer by our standards. It helps keep our sanity if the equipment is good as its very easy to get frustrated by all of the issues that greet us each day. Working together with someone else you have a lot of faith in, both have excellent end products and have eachothers back when the other is down or not working up to par is very important and works well for us.

The Hoover Professional above, I'll definitely keep in mind. I am curious about other units, possibly with attachments.  . A Riccar or Simplicity machine would be great. Just worried about price when it comes to those.

I've tossed around the idea of a Hoover Windtunnel Supreme style upright. I know they are very powerful and work well. I am worried about that them being a little too powerful and possibly destroying some area rugs?? I used a couple Supreme models years ago that burned through linoleum flooring and disintegrated carpet fiber on some throw rugs, which one building we have has about 40 throw rugs of various textures, and heights.


 


The Windtunnel air has me stumped as to my being turned off by the bagless concept, appears to be a shorter nozzle, and durability in commercial settings worries me!!

Thanks to all for the help!! I hope I answered the posted questions.  Looking forward to any and all machine suggestions based on user experience of machines.  I have tried a T series Windtunnel and WindtunnelMax over a year ago and I can't remember anything really about either and it wasn't on low profile carpet either. 
 
The times I used my own machines was when I did a little "conrtact" engineer work for radio stations.Paert of that would be cleaning out of studios and transmitters and transmitter sites.Of course My PIG would be put to this duty.I know it can take whatever it picks up.And I only need to carry that one machine with hose,wand,and the tools.Fits nicely in my car and can be loaded quickly.I used the Pig with the paper bags or even with a Kirby "G" bag.With the paper bags-esp good to show station managers the full bag of stuff I vacuumed from his transmitter.Since transmitters have HV DC and RF in them-they attract dust like an electrostatic dust collector.And the HV make the dust STICK to the parts.You have to scrub it off with a dust brush on the vacuum and a rag and cleaner.On one occasion where I work now used my Pig to clean out a trasnmitter where we had a rare event-a power tubes water intake or outtake was blocked-and the heat of the tubes 21Kw filament caused the tube to explode like a block water heater.Since the water was turned to steam-most of the Tx was dry to vacuum the debris from.The Pigs trap was helpful in collecting smaller parts and hardware.At the time the place I am at had only a crappy shop vac to use or a Hoover Poreta-Power.Didn't think the Hoover or the crappy Shop Vac was up to this job.The transmitter that had the explosion is running right now and the tube maker instituted a special safety valve to rupture rather than having the tube water jacket get blasted thru the roof of the transmitter and almost thru the building roof.Was there when it blew-the loudest "BOOM"!!!I had heard!Fortunately no one was around the rig when it went.
 
Any other Recommendations??

I was recommended the Hoover Tempo by a few. Here are my potential worries for that:

-- No headlight??-- Not sure if all Tempos have a headlight. I feel like Hoover has made changes to this machine in the several years its been out. I would prefer a headlight!!
-- Too aggressive agitation may ruin some area rugs
-- CWP brush rolls don't clean or perform like the Hoover ones did
-- No brush roll on/ off
-- Very flimsy short hoses. -- If upgraded to Hoover Windtunnel stretch hose, they suck in so much you get little to no distance with those hoses as well.
-- Not sure how these perform on rubber backed mats? Do they bunch up rug making it near impossible to use?

Thanks all and any who have some advice for me.
 
Not hoovers...but

How about a used Simplicity/riccar or even a dustcare/bernina?

I too am not satisfied with the vacuums my job provides (Windsor Versamatic Plus). After seeing 2-3 cups of sand come out of one entry way rug after beating it against the ground post-vacuuming i decided i needed something better. I went to the my usual haunt and bought a Simplicity 7 for work. Later on i bought a Bernina 6700 due to having another floor to clean at the time.

Both of them are good machines they are fairly quiet which is great in a daytime environment, have pretty strong airflow, are solid feeling.

Of course if your area is filthy even they may not be able to cope without frequent bag changes, i once cleaned a rug in a heavily neglected area the simplicity picked up about 3-4 lbs of sand and then the bag light came on. To deal with the large amount of sand and grit i ended up getting a used Kirby G4 which copes with that type of debris better

Just my 2c on things.
 
Rob, speaking as someone who has extensive experience in a variety of commercial cleaning environments, (hotels, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, retail stores), if you're absolutely dead set on a machine with onboard tools, I strongly recommend looking at a Panasonic commercial upright. They have a quick draw stretch hose, a metal brushroll with replaceable bristles, bags are cheap and easy to find, and they work absolutely beautifully. Not to mention the fact that they hold up to abuse VERY well.

If you're open to something more high end, I would recommend a Windsor Sensor WITHOUT the automatic height adjust. The one with the manual height adjuster, in my opinion, cleans better AND it's cheaper. Again, these machines have onboard tools, a quick draw hose, and are top contenders in the durability category. They also have excellent filtration and very large dust bags.


If this was me personally doing a job, I would stick to a two machine setup, a Sanitaire SC886 or SC899 depending how wide an area I would be cleaning with it, and a good commercial canister, such as a Nilfisk-Advance or a NaceCare (the American side of the UK Numatic Henry)


I would avoid a machine like a Hoover Tempo or Commercial WindTunnel. They clean well, but have several weak spots, such as easily snapped off cord hooks, handle release pedals, and motor mounts in the base. I've also seen a large number with melted bases due to strings wrapping around brushroll ends and them overheating.

Another note, you should not be using a household machine in a commercial setting. Their cords aren't grounded, they weren't designed for such hard use, and if someone were to get hurt while using one, OSHA would blame the machine and you could get into hot water for not using proper commercially rated cleaning equipment.
 
I agree with Matt.

Having don't both commercial and residential cleaning for over 5 years now I keep my vacuums seperated. I like my regular canisters for cleaning home, usually a Henry with power head or my old beat up electrolux. However for commercial jobs I use a two vacuum system. Typically things like corners and other hose jobs are done on a monthly basis so I don't require on board attachments. I mostly use a sanitaire or a metal royal upright. Either can be used with bags or as a shake out. I ten to like the paper bag best. For hose jobs a basic commercial canister or backpack does wonders. Honestly I use a $50 shop vac from lowes. I added an extra wand to make it more comfortable and a standard floor brush. The secret to the shop vac is to use bags in it and never use it bagless. The bag keeps the filter clean and it maintains power even with 10 pounds of dirt in it. And for the price of a shop vac if it blows up from abuse oh well. Lowes has plenty on the shelf.

Matt is also very correct about OSHA. It's one thing to carry a regular hoover or electrolux into a house your cleaning but that is a risky business using the same machine in a commercial setting. I don't know what kind of buildings your cleaning or all I those details, just I will advice to cover your butt! If your personal vacuums are being used by other people in this environment that could put the liabily on you if that vacuum caused harm or damage in any way.

Three months ago I repossessed the vacuums my mother had borrowed to use at the chain store she manages. I kinky told her I will no longer supply her with vacuums she needs to use what's provided. If it needs repair I would happy to help, but my machines are not to be use there do to liabily issues.
 
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
It is only myself and my brother using my vacuums. NO ONE ELSE!! The company we work for has asked us recently if we could continue using some of my vacuums because they have no more right now. We've had nothing but issues with the machines we've gotten from the company.

All of the company machines are Sanitaire SC866 machines with shake out bag. We've had nothing but issues with them, to include:
-- Sticking to rubber backed mats and bunching them up so its near impossible to clean. Even with Dial-A-Nap set to 5 or 6, rather than lowest at 1!!
-- Eating area rugs
-- Rejecting and/ or spitting out salt and other tiny granular items
-- Blowing out tons of dust clouds
-- Awful to empty-- many of the bag clips have to be pryed off or put to a hard surface like sidewalk to start to slide off.
-- No attachments
-- Terrible smells
-- Terrible pick up of lint and strings

I will pull all of my vacuums out of the buildings so that there is no chance of anyone using machines while my brother and I aren't there. We clean the buildings while they are closed with no one else in building except for myself and brother. They are normal office buildings, nothing heavy industrial.

Years ago I used to bring some of my vacuums into Ruby Tuesday and other restaurants I've worked in over the years and they always appreciated my bringing machines in and never gave any sort of warning regarding it. My education with Bachelors in Hotel & Restaurant Management gave me no insight or warnings towards Commercial use equipment only or risk OSHA issues. Many of the businesses I've worked in over the years had bagless Bissells from Wal-Mart as their vacuum for everyday normal usage.
Thank you all for continued help.
 
Due to feedback from Matt and Seth, I am going to pull my vacuums out of the buildings so that there is no chance of any using my vacuums or liability during their regular business hours. TJ and I are at the buildings during the wee hours of the morning when no one else is in establishments.
 
Some here have posted good things on this model Sanitaire

.
and if you use the coupon i posted earlier it matches that Hoover in price.
2 motors, above floor, OSHA etc. See link:

Sanitaire SC785AT Commercial Upright
The Sanitaire SC785AT Commercial Upright is a lightweight cleaner exclusively designed for commercial cleaning applications.

• Meets OSHA specifications for commercial use
• Fold-down handle lowers height to only 28 1/2-inch for easy storage
• Micron Filter system retains 99 percent of pollens and dust in machine
• Has automatic carpet height adjustment and dual-edge cleaning; on/off switch conveniently located near handle

Bag: Sanitaire Style SL Vacuum Bags

http://https//abcvacuumwarehouse.co...fuABJN0OpjAB9n1MV8J9YuaqEvEx23qXLvxoCE6Tw_wcB
stricklybojack-2015012211230206161_1.jpg
 
Thank You!

Thanks to all who have responded. Due to more drastic work changes I am postponing this issue for now.

I will most likely revisit this in the near future. I do appreciate the ideas. When I do it's possible I may get more than 1 vacuum. One vacuum will definitely be a minimum 13" nozzle but most likely a 14 or 15". The other if I get 2 will be a Hoover steel lined fan chamber with headlight Professional series with or without dirt cup. I can say that our work experience thus far, it would be really hard for TJ or I to patronize Sanitaire right now. I've directed Whitney and TJ to never let me bring home another older style Eureka upright or Sanitaire cause we've had nothing but issues with filtration, getting lint off rugs, and units being able to clean area rugs without eating rug. The shake out bag filtration has been awful for my allergies. A disposable bag HEPA ST has been debated but still not something we could easily see putting our hard earned money into.
 

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