kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
Vacuser,
is yours a Mark I or II
is yours a Mark I or II
The Bison
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vacuser
Well-known member
to kirbyvertibles/ bison
i'm vacuser & my bison is a mark II.
i'm vacuser & my bison is a mark II.
I like dysonman1's story about how the Bison inspired the Generation series since there was enough room behind the motor for a tech drive transmission.
Bison blatantly ripped off Kirby and failed pretty miserably. Kirby then ripped off Bison and created the most successful line of vacuums in the company's history. Poetic justice!
Bison blatantly ripped off Kirby and failed pretty miserably. Kirby then ripped off Bison and created the most successful line of vacuums in the company's history. Poetic justice!
oreck_xl
Well-known member
Did I not hear rumor on here that there WAS a Bison prototype which had power drive? I can attest to the flimsiness of the design as I have a Centurion where the plastic handle above the power unit broke in shipping. I super glued it as best I could but of course it's not the same.
- Hershel
- Hershel
kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
Yes there was a Bison proto with a transmission made by James Keeler inventor of the Kirby bagless dirt cup.
So was there a model before the Mark II or did they start with Mark II?
Also when did Bison start? I heard one time it goes as far back as 1967???
So was there a model before the Mark II or did they start with Mark II?
Also when did Bison start? I heard one time it goes as far back as 1967???
phaeton
Well-known member
Hello All,
As you may or may not know I acquired a Bison Mark II that needed a slight repair and looks as near new as a lightly used vacuum can be. I don't believe it has been used in a long time, perhaps 10 to 20 years or more. I needed a belt for it so I went off to the local vacuum shop and I did take the old belt with me, getting the belt off was easy. Sorry all you Bison lovers but no belt lifter or hole to get to it, I guess it came new with some special tool other than a screw driver. Okay so they did not have any first hand knowledge of the Bison, neither did I until I got it a week ago. So we picked out a belt that was smaller but not as small as the Kirby belt which looked like it would be too tight. Without too much fussing, a lie, I got it on. Well the belt still slips when the brush roll touches the carpet. So now I need a bit of help from the persons that know which belt I need to buy. I should say the gear and white plastic socket for the square shaft are good. I don’t mean to be rude or disrespectful but I do not like this vacuum, sorry. I have 30’s Hoovers and Singers that I would rather use. I really need the right belt so please give me your recommendations. Was there a special tool Bison had for the belt? Oh, yes the bag is a bit faded.
I have another post I have to get caught up on about the Bison repair I did and about the Hoover 105 I just received. The base is 105 but I have been told the motor and handle are wrong for a 105 and are for a 102. I think I was on my 5th life back then and I just don't remember much about anything, Prohibition seems to stick out in my mind.
Thank you
Pete
As you may or may not know I acquired a Bison Mark II that needed a slight repair and looks as near new as a lightly used vacuum can be. I don't believe it has been used in a long time, perhaps 10 to 20 years or more. I needed a belt for it so I went off to the local vacuum shop and I did take the old belt with me, getting the belt off was easy. Sorry all you Bison lovers but no belt lifter or hole to get to it, I guess it came new with some special tool other than a screw driver. Okay so they did not have any first hand knowledge of the Bison, neither did I until I got it a week ago. So we picked out a belt that was smaller but not as small as the Kirby belt which looked like it would be too tight. Without too much fussing, a lie, I got it on. Well the belt still slips when the brush roll touches the carpet. So now I need a bit of help from the persons that know which belt I need to buy. I should say the gear and white plastic socket for the square shaft are good. I don’t mean to be rude or disrespectful but I do not like this vacuum, sorry. I have 30’s Hoovers and Singers that I would rather use. I really need the right belt so please give me your recommendations. Was there a special tool Bison had for the belt? Oh, yes the bag is a bit faded.
I have another post I have to get caught up on about the Bison repair I did and about the Hoover 105 I just received. The base is 105 but I have been told the motor and handle are wrong for a 105 and are for a 102. I think I was on my 5th life back then and I just don't remember much about anything, Prohibition seems to stick out in my mind.
Thank you
Pete
kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
I wish I knew more about these. Both of My Bisons came with good belts and so far don't slip so I've never replaced one. I bought a new in box one and I don't recall it having and special tool with it but I could be wrong. I'm not an expert, I just play one on T.V.
You say you don't like it much, that's not being disrespectful, that's your opinion that you are entitled to lol. Many don't care for it however, if you decide to sell it and your price is fair I can tell you you wont have any trouble as many on here are looking for one.
You say you don't like it much, that's not being disrespectful, that's your opinion that you are entitled to lol. Many don't care for it however, if you decide to sell it and your price is fair I can tell you you wont have any trouble as many on here are looking for one.
phaeton
Well-known member
Hello,
I have a question about dysonmanl's Mark III and Centurion Bisons that are pictured in this Thread. They both have what looks like a white push down lever on the left side just behind the light and nozzle, what does it do? Also the both had a pad in the middle of the nozzle that matches the color of the Bison they are on, what is it a bumper pad? A you know I now have the Mark II and it does not have either of those on it. I still have not had any luck in finding a belt for the Bison that will not slip.
vacuser's Bison pictured above looks new and mine is also pictured but it used until it was a trade-in years ago from my understanding.
Thanks you looking,
Pete
I have a question about dysonmanl's Mark III and Centurion Bisons that are pictured in this Thread. They both have what looks like a white push down lever on the left side just behind the light and nozzle, what does it do? Also the both had a pad in the middle of the nozzle that matches the color of the Bison they are on, what is it a bumper pad? A you know I now have the Mark II and it does not have either of those on it. I still have not had any luck in finding a belt for the Bison that will not slip.
vacuser's Bison pictured above looks new and mine is also pictured but it used until it was a trade-in years ago from my understanding.
Thanks you looking,
Pete
kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
Hello,
That white lever I believe is what releases the front nozzle for attaching the hose. Does the Mark II not have that? I can't remember, i'll have to look at mine.
The "bumper" is a cap for easy access to the belt. The first Bison did not have this. I'm told the Mark II is the first. I don't know why they call it that when it's the first. I keep waiting on someone to come up with another model that actually is the first. I wonder if a soft smooth Kirby belt will work? The ones used on the earlier models (not the textured tight belts) or maybe a Royal belt?
You say it's slightly longer than a Kirby belt,,,hmmmmm lets see, hey what about a Hoover concept powerdrive belt?
That white lever I believe is what releases the front nozzle for attaching the hose. Does the Mark II not have that? I can't remember, i'll have to look at mine.
The "bumper" is a cap for easy access to the belt. The first Bison did not have this. I'm told the Mark II is the first. I don't know why they call it that when it's the first. I keep waiting on someone to come up with another model that actually is the first. I wonder if a soft smooth Kirby belt will work? The ones used on the earlier models (not the textured tight belts) or maybe a Royal belt?
You say it's slightly longer than a Kirby belt,,,hmmmmm lets see, hey what about a Hoover concept powerdrive belt?
kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
you know what, that lever wouldn't be the nozzle release would it? Heck now I'm drawing a blank. I haven't had a model with that in a long time. All I have now is the mark 2 and the very rare commercial Apollo
phaeton
Well-known member
Hello All and kirbyvertibles,
Thank you, so the made an easy access to the belt on the Mark III and Centurion. Do I cry now? I took the nozzle off and then struggled getting that belt off my Mark II. I took the 4 screws that hold the belt transmission out, (not sure if you call it that), the bottom plate and the brush roll. Putting a belt on was just dumb. What I would give for a Mark III nozzle if I were to keep the Bison. I wonder if the Mark III nozzle would fit?
No I don’t think white push down lever is the nozzle release as the silver lever in front of it and between the nozzle and fan cage is for that. On your, kirbyvertibles, Centurion they put a matching brown foot pad on the nozzle release it looks like.
Pictured above are 3 Mark IIs, super-sweeper’s, vacuser’s and mine and you can see the nozzle release. On super-sweeper’s picture you can almost see the for screws that keep what I called the belt transmission attached to the nozzle.
The Royal belt is a great idea as they were slightly longer/bigger then the Kirby, thank you kirbyvertibles. I will let you know if it works within a day or two as I don't have an easy access opening or port LOL and cry.
Thank you all for adding to the Bison Saga,
Pete
Thank you, so the made an easy access to the belt on the Mark III and Centurion. Do I cry now? I took the nozzle off and then struggled getting that belt off my Mark II. I took the 4 screws that hold the belt transmission out, (not sure if you call it that), the bottom plate and the brush roll. Putting a belt on was just dumb. What I would give for a Mark III nozzle if I were to keep the Bison. I wonder if the Mark III nozzle would fit?
No I don’t think white push down lever is the nozzle release as the silver lever in front of it and between the nozzle and fan cage is for that. On your, kirbyvertibles, Centurion they put a matching brown foot pad on the nozzle release it looks like.
Pictured above are 3 Mark IIs, super-sweeper’s, vacuser’s and mine and you can see the nozzle release. On super-sweeper’s picture you can almost see the for screws that keep what I called the belt transmission attached to the nozzle.
The Royal belt is a great idea as they were slightly longer/bigger then the Kirby, thank you kirbyvertibles. I will let you know if it works within a day or two as I don't have an easy access opening or port LOL and cry.
Thank you all for adding to the Bison Saga,
Pete
phaeton
Well-known member
Oh, Sorry all the above Bison Mark III and Centurion are dysonman1's not kirbyvertibles'. Sorry for the mistake and error in my above Post.
Thank you,
Pete
Thank you,
Pete
phaeton
Well-known member
Hello All again,
I just got back from the local Vac Shop. I took kirbyvertibels, and got a Kirby belt, a Royal belt and I also got an Oreck XL belt as it came closer to matching the Bison belt I taken off plus it was smaller. Can you believe the Oreck XL belt was the winner? So the struggle of getting belt on was worth it. I vacuumed a thick pile carpet and the brush roll never stopped turning. I used the Bison on maximum speed just to see if it would pick up all the falling plaster. Seriously it did a great job on the carpet.
You know how the older or all of the Kirby’s have a sliding stop that allows to tilt the front up when you press down on the handle when vacuuming to go over something. I cannot find any such devise on the Bison. Am I just not seeing it or is there no second stop?
Referring to the picture above the super-sweepers supplied, Is that a Bison Mark I? I know it is not a Mark III as it has the buffer take off at the back of the machine. On the nozzle the back plate of what I have called the belt transmission is radically different than my Mark II. Especially the white nylon/plastic coupler to the square shaft on the machine. Even the fitting with 3 receptors on the fan cage are unlike my Mark II. So is it a prototype or a Mark I? Note even the model number plate on the fan cage are different design.
Thank you kirbyvertibles and all of you. I believe with a few more answers the Bison Soga will be complete. While my Bison owes me nothing I am not sure about keeping it.
As an odd machine, it is a novelty to own and that might be how I should look at it
I again have added a few pictures
Thank you all for looking,
Pete
I just got back from the local Vac Shop. I took kirbyvertibels, and got a Kirby belt, a Royal belt and I also got an Oreck XL belt as it came closer to matching the Bison belt I taken off plus it was smaller. Can you believe the Oreck XL belt was the winner? So the struggle of getting belt on was worth it. I vacuumed a thick pile carpet and the brush roll never stopped turning. I used the Bison on maximum speed just to see if it would pick up all the falling plaster. Seriously it did a great job on the carpet.
You know how the older or all of the Kirby’s have a sliding stop that allows to tilt the front up when you press down on the handle when vacuuming to go over something. I cannot find any such devise on the Bison. Am I just not seeing it or is there no second stop?
Referring to the picture above the super-sweepers supplied, Is that a Bison Mark I? I know it is not a Mark III as it has the buffer take off at the back of the machine. On the nozzle the back plate of what I have called the belt transmission is radically different than my Mark II. Especially the white nylon/plastic coupler to the square shaft on the machine. Even the fitting with 3 receptors on the fan cage are unlike my Mark II. So is it a prototype or a Mark I? Note even the model number plate on the fan cage are different design.
Thank you kirbyvertibles and all of you. I believe with a few more answers the Bison Soga will be complete. While my Bison owes me nothing I am not sure about keeping it.
As an odd machine, it is a novelty to own and that might be how I should look at it
I again have added a few pictures
Thank you all for looking,
Pete
nova_candy
Active member
I would love to have one of these Mark 2 Bison's, I want my neighbors to think I vacuum with a jet engine, lol
nova_candy
Active member
In regards to looking for a Mark II, I have finally found one, willpower pictures if I am able to aquire it
nova_candy
Active member
Bison hose
Would anyone have a spare hose for a Mark ii?
Would anyone have a spare hose for a Mark ii?
nova_candy
Active member
My Mark III
kirbytex85
Member
Here is my Bison, was a display in Deer Park, NY at a vacuum store for years. I bought from a Kirby collector in the UK. Machine has never been used to vacuum, it does run thought. I turn it on periodically. You can tell by the inside of the bag it is as never used. I’ve had it for close to 15 yrs, hard to remember but I believe the person I got it from bought from the vacuum store owners.
huskyvacs
Well-known member
Congrats on your Bison finds, guys! The hunt still continues for me! I've come across 3 so far and not been able to secure one yet.
nova_candy
Active member
Bison
I am on the hunt for a hose now for my Mark III, did these have floor dusting pads like Kirbys did?
I am on the hunt for a hose now for my Mark III, did these have floor dusting pads like Kirbys did?
