The Kirby Challenge...

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tristar

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Apr 2, 2009
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I was bored...........so I decided to do one of my "unofficial" tests with vacuums today.

I decided.......let's give my house the "Kirby Challenge"......you know that ridiculous test that Kirby salesmen do to show you how much dirt is left in your carpets from your "old" (and they stress the word OLD) vacuum.

So what I did was go over my carpets with the 2005 model Sanitaire S670 (which was the TOL cleaner in the blue-line that year). It's got the 7 amp motor and a ball-bearing VGII brushroll in it. I installed a new bag on Tuesday, and I've vacuumed with it 3 times (including the session today). So the machine was already at a disadvantage due to having a used bag.

I then went and installed a BRAND NEW bag in the Kirby G3. This isn't any ordinary G3 either.......it has a metal fan from a Classic series in it, and it truly is a BEAST of a Kirby. The airflow is so much that it will literally blow an aftermarket bag right off the exhaust horn if you try to suck up carpet fresh.

After vacuuming the carpet as normal with the Sanitaire, I then went VERY slowly over the entire house with the Generation 3. The brush was adjusted properly and groomed the carpet nicely. Height adjustment was set properly and all was well.

The pictures that follow are somewhat disturbing........forget the Kirby! Keep in mind it probably took me twice as long to vacuum with the Kirby since I was vacuuming so slowly with it. I'm actually SHOCKED at the amount of dirt in the Sanitaire......I didn't think my carpet ever got that dirty! And in only 3 vacuuming sessions?!

Before I get any flack from anyone, the test can't possibly get ANY fairer than this. This is the most real-world test I've ever done or have seen conducted in a realistic atmosphere.

This first picture shows the two machines side by side.

4-26-2009-19-18-16--tristar.jpg
 
Sanitaire Bag...

Keep in mind....this is from only 3 times vacuuming! I had no idea that much dirt accumulated in that short span!

4-26-2009-19-19-7--tristar.jpg
 
The Kirby Bag...

This was a brand spankin' new Micron Magic bag (hence the white fluffy liner). Installed seconds before using the machine. I'm not entirely convinced the filth in the bag isn't remnants from the vacuum torture tests that I used to put these machines from. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the grit in the bag is actually left from what's in the emptor.

4-26-2009-19-20-36--tristar.jpg
 
And in the left corner.....

We have our winner! I don't think there's anything that can convince me otherwise. Considering a $600 vacuum gladly handed a $1600 vacuum it's ass on a silver platter...

When people ask me what they should buy, I never hesitate to suggest a Sanitaire. The commercial models aren't expensive and clean just as well as this TOL model does. I've never done a test tho to support my claims. Consider the test done. Results are in.....it's definitely a winner!

4-26-2009-19-22-51--tristar.jpg
 
I have an older commercial Sanitaire blue line model and I love it. I have filled numerous bags with it and even when they were full the vacuum still had plenty of suction power.
I really like your tests and they definitely prove to be accurate
 
That looks about right. Vibration always gets more embedded dirt. With the way the Eureka grabs the carpet, and with the slapping action of the brush strips on the VGII, dirt that airflow and sweeping miss starts coming up.

The VG I on the 677 is nice for pet hair issues, since you can substitute extra brushes for the beater bars.
 
I tried the Kirby Vs Sanitaire and my results were OPPOSITE--My Sanitaire picked up NOTHING but a few carpet fluffs and specks of dirt.the Kirby-G6 at that time picked up ALL KINDS of stuff-both with the bag(Filtrete type Kirby bag)and the Kirby dirtmeter.My Koblentz vacuums did better than my Sanitaires.A suggestion for your Kirby G3-go to the original fan these used--the "G" series machines WERE NOT designed to be used with the older Kirby style fans.That Sanitaire you have is very nice looking-better looking than the "plain Jane" models out today.I like Sanitaires-but my Kirbys performed better for me.and I can use the Kirbys with a hose-can't do that with the Sanitaires.Oh yes-my Royals also did better than my Sanitaires.I used the Sanitaires with shakeout bags and the F&G bags.The carpet in my house is very deep pile-put in when the house was built in 1972.the Sanitaires don't like the deep pile carpet.You can't adjust them high enough-that may be the problem.the Kirbys,Royals,and Koblentz have a wider range of floor nozzle height adjust.
 
Well OK

Now wait a few days then vacuum the next three days with the Kirby, then follow with your other machine once. I think Comparing three sessons to one is a little unfair. . .then again the "real world" test already had the hypothisis that Kirby would lose so you were able to support your data. In actuallity the machines are pretty well matched even with the G3 being disadvantaged having an older style fan.
 
I'm going to turn it around at the end of the week...

This coming weekend I'm going to turn the test around and see if the results reverse. I'll use the G3 during the week, and use the Sanitaire this weekend.

Just like this past week, I'll vacuum on Tuesday, Thursday, and again on Saturday. Same test-bed, should be similar results, right?

The carpet in this house is very dense, very deep pile carpet. A few other collectors have been here and also agree that it's a very difficult pile to clean. The depth of the pile coupled with the density of the nap pose a predicament that requires both airflow AND agitation to get the job done.

Saying that the G3 is "disadvantaged" due to the "older fan style" shows your blatant ignorance obviously. The "older fan style" actually moves a tremendous amount more air than the original fan did, especially when coupled with a higher speed motor like that in the Generation series. So much air in fact that if you put the machine in neutral on a hard floor with no bag attached, it will push itself. No joke. Swapping out the fan was originally going to be a "see if it can be done" thing, but wound up being one of those "Turn a man out of your vacuum" things. The vacuum works MUCH better with the metal vs. the Lexan or Kevlar fans.
 
I still think the Sanitare will do better

I have done some tests with a convertible dustcup (like the Guardsman of today)and my aunts Kirby legend II back when I was younger. And the convertible had large amounts of dirt even reversing the roles and vacuuming with the hoover for a few days and then the kirby. both vacuums had a substantial amount of dirt bout the Convertible's dust cup always had more in it than the Kirby's bag did. However the kirby did seem to "suck" to the carpet more. Mabie it WAS the fact that the Hoover had the beater bars and the Kirby had just the brushes.Hmmm...

View attachment 4-27-2009-09-07-51--kenmore81.jpg
 
Ummm I've done a test as well and the kirby came out on top.
Aginst a Sanitaire well Electrolux as its named over here.

If you look at the bag theres no carpet fluff just grit.
That shows that the kirby is getting out the grit and not eatting the carpet.
But you atomatically said "is actually left from what's in the emptor"

Ummm right.

James
 
I didn't think about the emptor

Your right James I know from experience that some dirt remains in the emptor when the abag id full or near full but I don't remember that much being left over. Just my 2 amp worth lol.
Kenny
 
Im not saying that..

Kirby's dont work well Im just saying from what I have used in the past to compare. I have a DS 80 That knocks the pants off of my convertibles. Dont get all bent out of shape now lol. Its just apples and oranges.All depends on the situation,carped depth etc...
Ken
 
But you atomatically said "is actually left from what&#

What Eric actually said was that {{he wouldn't be surprised}} if that dirt had been left in the emptor. He didn't say it WAS dirt from the emptor.

And I see we're back to this whole 'eating the carpet' thing...

'Today on Trisha - 'Traumatised: My non-Kirby vacuum ATE my carpet! Back after the break!'
 

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