Stupid Sanitronic Question

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vac_whisperer

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Stupid question: Whats the proper way to remove a bag from a kirby sanitronic 50? (or any pre-1980 kirby for that matter)

VW
 
Process of bag removal.

Once you have taken the bag top cover and bag guard off just grip the sides of the bag where the bag is held onto the Em-Tor by a spring inside the bag and roll the spring/bag edge away from the Em-Tor. It takes practice. I fussed and screamed the first few times I had to do it. Putting it back is a simular process.
Justin
 
If the bag is in good shape, just grab the emtor with your feet, and pull like heck on the bag until it pops off, never use a screwdriver as it may damage both the bag and the emtor... :)
 
so how do you get the Emtor off?

On a related note, I got the bags off my 2 Classics without too much screaming, but I would love to know how you get the Emtors off. Do they pull, twist or otherwise? I tried various combinations but I did not want to apply too much force and break something, as I suppose the aluminum can be cracked.

Thanks!
Doug
 
@ Doug -- The Emtor should just come off by twisting it away from the vacuum. You might try turning the vacuum on it's side so you get better leverage, because they can get a little "stuck" when they haven't been removed in a while. I think dirt and crud just accumulates around the gasket and the Emtor just gets stuck.
 
Yep, pull the base away from the motor, looking from the front of the vacuum, it detaches by being rotated Clockwise, some force may be required cos they can be a bugger to remove even when clean!!! :)

The aluminium's a tough metal, it shouldn't crack under the average human strength... :)
 
The aluminum may be tough, but I've broken a couple of them by trying to force them off when stuck on with years of ungodly crud. What happens is the outermost "lip" that curls around the locking pin can snap off.

Also just a word of caution in removing the bag -- again, if it's really stuck on there you can risk tearing the fabric by forcing it, especially with older Kirbys. What should help is to dump the Sani-Emptor in a bucket of lukewarm water with the bag attached, and let it soak a while. The water should loosen the gunked up gunk and make it easier to get the bag off, but again, go SLOWLY and CAREFULLY. There are fewer heart-sinking sounds than that "krrrrstch" of the bag ripping apart....... "Been dere, done dat."
 
@charles:

Yes. Ive almost ripped the bag on my prized dual-50 by pulling too hard. On another note: Can you use something like WD-40 to get the emptor off?

VW
 
No WD40

VW. I don't recommend using WD40 since it can damage the rubber gasget. If the emtor is hard to twist into place I would suggest cooking oil or furniture polish.
Justin
 
Another big thank you!

Just wanted to thank all for the helpful suggestions in regards to getting the Emtor off and proper bag-washing procedure as I successfully removed the emtors from both my machines tonight, and sucked the majority of the crud out of the bags in preparation for washing.
The emtors were tight, but came off with a firm twist. I am glad I asked, as I have learned the hard way that thin cast aluminum is tough, but does not "give" much before cracking.
I think I inhaled about 40 years worth of dust from the bags, and will probably develop pneumonia tomorrow, but the bags should clean up fairly well.

Thanks again!
Doug
 
Let's just say that these bags were just about as filthy as you could imagine. Something resembling a dead cat (in reality, it was just a huge ball of carpet fibers and hair) was extracted through the emtor first, but there was still enough dust within the bag when I took it off to cause quite a cloud.
In reality, I should have planned to contain the mess a little better than I did, but planning is never my strong suit!

Regards,
Doug
 
I as well took the bags and emptors from my two dual 80s. One is non functioning and i though i would try the "spa-treatment" out on it before i did the functioning one. I twisted off the emptor and 45 years of dust went all over my bedroom floor. The emptor was full of 40 year old dirt and sawdust. I took my panasonic canister vacuum because it was the only one handy that had a hose on it and began vacuuming the emptor. There were wood chips at least 1 1/2 inches long in that thing! That probably explains the broken fan blade... Anyway i was vacuuming it out then "THUNK!" I must have sucked up a hairball or something because it clogged it. So, i have good news and bad news: The emptor is now clean! The bad news: Looks like ill be un-clogging a hose tomnorrow...

VW
 
It would also be smart to go to the hardware store and get a dust mask before removing old bags. God Only Knows what sort of filth could be in those old bags and it wouldn't hurt to be safe.
 
I certainley learned my lesson this time... I have asthma and i ahve to be real careful with vacuums.. And you need to be careful when the vacuum was bought at a garage sale and it appears as if the bag had never been emptied. (the case with my dual-50.) Absolute nightmare to clean. I was reaching up there with garden tools to try and get all the crap out! But thats another story...

VW
 
Dual 80

VW, if you are interested in selling or getting rid of your non functioning D80 let me know. I am looking for a D50 or D80 to rebuild since I have a motor but the housing is very badly tarnished and NONE of the screws, no kidding, were there when it was delivered yesterday.
Justin
email [email protected]
 

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