Simplicity Craigslist Purchase: NO SUCTION!

[3beans]

Hello,
I may have made a poor purchase and of course I thought I was doing the right thing. Bought this Simplicity 7850 off Craigslist. The owner led me to believe it worked fine but I took advice from the guy who doesn't actually vacuum floors! Poor choice. He said he just used it to vacuum the carpet in his basement so I took it home with a smile. The machine included bags, filters spare wheel and some other goodies. I plugged it in after getting home and put my hand down close to the beater bar (is that what it's called?) to see if I could feel the suction. I felt very little or no suction on the drivers' side (left) farthest away from the belt. I could feel more suction as I got closer to the belt but it was still minimal. So how does one attack this problem logically? I could take it to Bobs Sweeper Shop but I'd like to get your take on it first. I'm a newbie to higher level vacuums and a newbie to the Forum. My wife told me 2 months ago she wants a divorce and when I looked at the high dollar Dyson I told myself, that's leaving with her. I'm going out to find a real vacuum. She was willing to leave the Dyson and I said, no, don't bother. The machine looks beat up but I'D LOVE to get this thing working better again. Can you, would you be willing to assist me? Thanks so much in advance! Oh, is there a name for people who collect vacuums? Mark

 

[dysonman1]

The first thing you need to do is remove the hose from the receiver and (with the machine running), feel the end of the hose for suction. There should be great suction. If not, open the clean-out valve and check there. Next, check the tube that the hose inserts into at the bottom (the receiver) for a clog. Make sure you replace the belt with a fresh one. Clean the pre-motor filter in the bag compartment, and wipe all the dust out of the compartment and the inside of the bag door. Obtain some HEPA type B disposable bags and use them. Your HEPA after-motor filter looks to be in good shape.

 

[3beans]

Thanks for the response! I checked the manual so I could follow your directions and understand. I removed the hose cuff from the nozzle inlet and put my hand on the hose to cover it. I felt a good amount of suction and the change bag light lit up I was happy for that! I did also notice that exhaust air was coming out quite forcefully as well. I checked the tube that leads to the receiver and it was very easy to see it was free from any obstructions. I then opened up the bag area and removed the bag that was in there. I removed the filter and blew it out, it looked good. I also blew out the exhaust filter and it does look good too. I removed the metal plate at the bottom and removed the belt. It wasn’t even the right belt! No wonder it worked poorly and agitation sounded very weak in use.
I believe the beater brush inserts need to be replaced and I have those. Any ideas on how to replace the brush inserts? The ones on the brush bar appear kind of worn. I’d say the new brush inserts are between 1/8 and a ¼ inch longer than the used brushed that are installed. I would love to put the new ones on I’ll look for instructions inline but if you have any tips, that would be great! Thanks! Mark
Also, I'm very concerned that the metal plate is dented so much it actually bows downward allowing a large air gap between the base/receiver and the metal plate. I could see this affecting overall airflow for sure!

 

[3beans]

So I changed the belt after swapping out the brushes. I put the brush bar back together incorrectly (backwards) so I was a bit frustrated. I so hope I put all the small washers back where they are supposed to be. With a new belt and brushes, it runs like a beast. Put your hand on the floor and you can feel the pounding going on.
What do you think about the metal plate though? All whopper-jawed?

 

[dysonman1]

The soleplate definitely crashed into something. Tacony calls it a 'baseplate' if you look it up to replace it.

The brush inserts are an easy replacement. Remove the cotter pin and the end cap. Remove the clutch plates, washers, and the spring. Pull the axel out from the other end. Tap out the bearing holder at that end. Pull off (or tap off) the rubber clutch pad. Warm the new brushes in hot water for a few minutes, then slide them into the grooves. Replace everything exactly the way it came out. When reinstalling the brush assembly, the "snake tongue" goes down into the body, and the transmission shift lever hole goes at the top. Kind of hard to do when fighting the stretch pull-back from the brand new belt. You'll get it. I've done thousands of them now, but I've been working on them since 1996 when they launched.

Buy the HEPA cloth type B bags, the paper bags are crap. They leak dirt like a sieve.

 

[3beans]

Thank you so much for the help! It was tough getting that new belt back in but it works great now! I will look for a new baseplate.

I really appreciate your time on your replies! SOOOooo helpful.

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

The refreshing thing is dysonman worked for tacony and had vacuum cleaner museum there. I'd say.you can't get better advice than his.

 

[3beans]

That is amazing! It's hard to find good help these days... accept for here on this forum Roger at Bob's Sweepers in Erlanger KY is very helpful as well! Glad I finally got a Simplicity
Thanks!

 

[huskyvacs]

Ah yes, the famous "I only used it for ________ purpose". The equivalent to "ran when I parked it".


She's been thrashed around rough, but you have a good model there - a lot of collectors have this model - or want one. It's a really good and simple vacuum cleaner that does what it is supposed to do from a quality brand. Great motor and great suction in it.

 

[madman]

It looks like the front of the base plate should hook into the front bumper or something. It has a big lip on the front of it that's hanging down... looks like it should be somewhere.

 

[dysonman1]

That motor in your 7850 was the largest and strongest motor ever used in a Tacony vacuum. It's a double fan, high efficiency Lamb motor. With a new baseplate, that machine is simply one of the best uprights around. You can still get an optional extension hose kit with a 12 foot hose, two wands, and a bare floor brush.

 

[oreck_xl]

I know this is a little off-topic, and Tom if you have already commented here somewhere else I apologize for the redundancy, but can you give us your opinion on the new (well, fairly new) Riccar R25 series? I know they are Chinese made.

 

[dysonman1]

R25

The Riccar R25 models are well loved by a number of my friends in the Vacuum business. My friend Greg Palmer (owns 2 vacuum shops) just raves about them. He sold 40 in the past 3 months. My best friend (and best man at my Wedding) loves his. In fact, he got rid of almost all of his vacuums because he uses his R25 so much. As with all Chinese products, there are a couple that have slipped through quality control, but unlike most Chinese vacuums, all the parts are available for repairs. The drop-in bag is awesome.

 

[mark40511]

Yes definitely

get the HEPA bags. This looks similar to my Cirrus upright. There will be no dust in the bag chamber.

Incidentally, how do you guys who clean used vacuums up clean a bag chamber? There are so many nooks and crannies. I've never been able to completely clean them 100% in the past.

 

[dysonman1]

I remove everything from the dust compartment (that's what Tacony calls it) and I run it through the dishwasher. Many vacuum professionals (such as my friend Greg Palmer) use a dishwasher because it cleans so thoroughly. However, you would have to have enough experience (and patience) to take a machine apart completely. The dishwasher does a fantastic job on Rainbow parts and fans as well. Do not use liquid dishwasher detergent as it contains bleach.

 

[oreck_xl]

Thank you Tom,

Coming from one I hold in high regard for vintage vacuums as well as a man who was on the inside of Tacony, I now have greater confidence in the R25.

 

[mieles5380leo]

I love the R25’s. I do see the top bag door area as being a major clog zone for most customers and the lower cord hook looks like it’ll be easily broken off. Other than that the R25P is one of my favorites to use around the store. It’s very light in the hand and maneuverable. I also like the dirt sensor lights. I used it when our freedom cordless got sold but now we have a Supralite cordless and that is the absolute best to clean the store with.