cuffs054
Well-known member
Loving my new (to me Kirby) but I've seen pics of old Royal uprights that have a "dial" where Kirby has the belt lifter. Could someone please explain what the dial does? Thanks
Teach me something about old Royals
- Thread starter cuffs054
- Start date
Help Support VacuumLand:
That "dial" you refer to on those old Royals is called the "Rite-Hite." What it does is it either lowers (clockwise) or raises (counterclockwise) the nozzle. You lower the nozzle only until the nozzle contacts the carpet being cleaned and the Adjust-O-Rite stub goes in toward the motor.
I have three of those machines, all with that kind of height control.
~Ben
I have three of those machines, all with that kind of height control.
~Ben
I think you are
Refering to the front cover, it isnt really a dial, but a cover over the opening where a Kirby has the belt lifter, it has a mechanism as mentioned called the Adjust O Rite, this is a black button that snaps in when the nozzle is properly adjusted, the Royals are deceptively quiet, you may think just because they dont roar they are weak...nothing could be farther from the truth, they move tons of air and clean very well, and are very manuverable, I tend to like the 70s and before models, My favorite is my 1958 801...It is easier to use than the new so called light weight cleaners like an Oreck, but it cleans much better.
Refering to the front cover, it isnt really a dial, but a cover over the opening where a Kirby has the belt lifter, it has a mechanism as mentioned called the Adjust O Rite, this is a black button that snaps in when the nozzle is properly adjusted, the Royals are deceptively quiet, you may think just because they dont roar they are weak...nothing could be farther from the truth, they move tons of air and clean very well, and are very manuverable, I tend to like the 70s and before models, My favorite is my 1958 801...It is easier to use than the new so called light weight cleaners like an Oreck, but it cleans much better.
cuffs054
Well-known member
"raises and lowers the nozzle" Are there wheels in the nozzle that move up and down? I can't get the idea clear in my head! Thanks for the info.
jaker15
Well-known member
I still
like Royals a lot. I've used one model, and it kind of startled me when I turned it on. Why? Oh, no reason, it just decided to ROCKET across the carpet as soon as I flicked the switch! Don't kill me when I say this, but I think that the metal Royal uprights have more torque at the brush roll than any Kirby ever made.
like Royals a lot. I've used one model, and it kind of startled me when I turned it on. Why? Oh, no reason, it just decided to ROCKET across the carpet as soon as I flicked the switch! Don't kill me when I say this, but I think that the metal Royal uprights have more torque at the brush roll than any Kirby ever made.
super-sweeper
Well-known member
LOL it was probably too low to the carpet, you can host a vacuum cleaner drag-race on many kinds of flat carpeting! I love my 888 (If it is an 888, I have no clue what model it is! It had the bag of an 888, but with no Adjust-O-Rite or builder's plate!), It's quiet and bumbles around the house as it pleases, but when i need super deep-cleaning, i reach for the Kirby! I'm not knocking Royal, it's just that the brush in my cleaner isn't the strongest!
jaker15
Well-known member
no, it was adjusted right (I think) This particular machine was a bit newer, with a 6 or 7 amp motor. I don't remember exactly. I think it was an Anniversary Edition.
Anniversary Editions:
85103 (1990-1992)
8801AE (1992-1994)
89103 (1994-1995)
All of these have 6 amp motors. Only the 85103 (with blue bag, blue Adjust-O-Rite and gray trim) has the Rite-Hite, so that might be the one you're referring to.
~Ben
85103 (1990-1992)
8801AE (1992-1994)
89103 (1994-1995)
All of these have 6 amp motors. Only the 85103 (with blue bag, blue Adjust-O-Rite and gray trim) has the Rite-Hite, so that might be the one you're referring to.
~Ben
cuffs054
Well-known member
Ken, so the dial on the front is just an indicator?
