The "Kenmoover"

[super-sweeper]

Here's something interesting out of Goodwill- A Kenmore branded Hooover TOL Self-Propelled upright.


Now, I know Hoover made vacuums for Pennys and Montgomery Wards, But since when did they also manufacture for Sears?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Prior to this example (which appears to be a WindTunnel Power Drive derivative), Hoover actually made another upright vacuum for Sears under the Kenmore brand in the late 1980s. It was based on their popular Convertible series.

~Ben

 

[super-sweeper]

Thanks!

This model does feature the same powerdrive as the windtunnel, And I just finished stripping it down for a nice sudsy Spa-Day.


When I tried this out at Goodwill, EVERYONE in that store heard it, Like a Boeing 747 Taking off!


They marked $5 off the price of $10, And for that I couldn't go wrong.


I got home, expecting bad bearings in the brushroll, or worse. When the noticed both the brushroll and powerdrive where free, I was at a lost. I was fooled by the styling, and remembered this was a fan first machine- The #1 cause of loudness was a broken fan!


 


This fan had a HUGE chip in it, I'll have to post a picture later. I'm relieved, and will look for a 12-Blade when I go scouting for parts for the Elite 350. If not, I'll use my spare 6-Blade.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Were there JC Penney or Montgomery Ward versions of this style Power Drive?

 

[super-sweeper]

@ Floor-a-Matic

It's unlikely there was a Wards version of this- there went out of business in 2001 (Shame), with this model being made only a few years prior.


As for JCPEnnys, I have no clue- We'll have to wait to see if someone finds one!


 


-Alex.

 

[kenmore81]

Wards no...As said above they had already gone out of business. But the JCP version was a black "Turbopower" 2000 maybe? They had the standard and "Dirt finder" version for around $300- 350.00. I also have this Sears version. They sold from around 1998-2002 IIRC for about $300.00 also. I got mine NIB in 2001 on ebay for $28.00 including shipping!

 

[super-sweeper]

Cool!

I'll be reassembling the Kenmoover in a bit- Want to test out the finished 350 first!


That, And I ordered some HEPA cloth bags from the Internet, yay!


 


-Alex.

 

[vacuumman206]

I know of another collector that has one of those. I don't know if that ran the same production years as the powerdrive, but the powerdrive was 94-97'. Looks very basic compared to the proper (Hoover) version.