Trash Pick: Hoover React

[madman]

Model No. UH73201

The usual story, driving through an alley, stopped and picked it up. My initial thought was that it was tossed because the dust cup was COMPLETELY filled with dust and hair, and you know, there are people out there that are so incompetent that they can't/won't empty it.

Anyhow here's the funny bit. I take it back to my shop, nearing the end of the day, I plug it in, and it's completely dead, no power getting to it. My dad's friend was there, and he didn't have anything to do, so he helped me. We're looking it over, I decide to open up the top where the cord goes and where the power switch is. Wires look ok, ohm the switch, it's good. I open the motor area, ohming fuses, etc, etc, finally I decide to ohm the actual power cord. Sure enough it's open. So both of us together are scratching our heads, I'm holding the power plug IN MY HAND, and it takes us collectively maybe 2 minutes before we realize the plug on the end of the cord is torn off and hanging on by a thread.

Yes, both of us handled the cord and plug, and neither of us realized it was just about severed. Probably a dog chewed it up. Luckily, it was only about 2 inches up from the plug, so I'll just get a new plug and that'll be that.

It was a nice reminder that you should always start with the basics when you're troubleshooting.

Also the brush roll was entangled with hair, yarn, thread, string, plastic netting (?), and a dryer sheet. *sigh* I guess I shouldn't complain though, I got a free vac because of somebody's incompetence. What's that they say about a fool and his money?

So first time actually using it, only carpet I have in the shop is a large door mat, basically. The machine had 'Floor Sense' on, it has a neat little display on the head that proclaimed 'Hard Surface.' And apparently it decided to turn off the brush roll, so it picked up nothing at all. I turned off Floor Sense, and it worked just fine. It has an impressive amount of suction (11A or 1320watts), but I really don't like how the hose goes up and down and all around, I feel like they could've simplified the path of the hose and made airflow/suction/whatever even better.

I just looked up the model number and apparently I can use the Hoover app to talk to the vacuum cleaner? That's a little much for me. I personally don't see the need to computerize what is basically a motor on a stick. But to each their own, I guess. Also looking up on ebay, they sell new for above $200. Not a bad find then! And the only thing missing is the brush attachment, looks like $7, I might just buy it.

I'll probably keep it around the shop for the occasional car vacuuming. Though looking at the price tag, I may sell it.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Looks like a nice find for free and a little bit of cleaning up and new plug. I like how it looks. I don't usually mess with trash vacuums, but I think I would have gotten this one too. It's nicer than the usual Bissell trash find. Is it have variable speed too? It looks like it does. It reminds me a lot of the Kenmore Elite Crossover models.

 

[madman]

I don't believe it does have variable speed. I haven't noticed any switch to that effect and the motor has only two wires going to it. I suppose it might be computer controlled by pwm or something. It does, however, have 'Variable Suction.'

In short, there's a little sliding door on the handle that, when opened, allows a small amount of air to be sucked into the hose... I suppose it *might* be useful if you were using the attachments.

 

[justjunque]

Poor abused Hoover

I'm glad you picked it up and gave it a new lease on life!
Whether you keep it or sell it, at least its been rescued!

Barry

 

[huskyvacs]

Hoover React Professional Pet Plus Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner UH73220

That poor vacuum looks like it's been rode hard and put away wet in its short life.
I would wager with the damage 2" from the plug that it isn't from a dog, it's from someone yanking the cord out of the outlet from the vacuum and not unplugging it properly. Over time that puts tension strain on the cord before it snaps completely.

I agree, it can be dangerous and wasteful of time to overthink things. Like when I got my Electrolux Epic and the seller said it had a dead motor. I plugged it in and got nothing but silence, first thing I thought of was there was no power getting to the motor. What's between the motor and the cord? The switch. Check the switch, bingo, someone unplugged the hot wire. Solved in 5 mins.

Never a good idea to use a bagless vac for car vacuuming, there is too much large debris that will clog the narrow channels and grit that will pack into the filter like you wouldn't believe. An old canister vacuum that doesn't have a hose that is as huge and clunky as a Shop Vac and a rubber lint brush will do you just fine.

If that app is as useless as the one that my oven had, I am guessing that all you do with it is link the vacuum to it and you can change the settings on the vacuum before you get up to use the vacuum. It will take about 5 minutes to do that when it's easier to turn a knob on the vacuum. Pointless.

But yeah, this vacuum just came out last year, so that is a hell of a trash find that's for sure! If you go into Walmart or similar vacuum stores, you can still find it on the shelf no doubt.

It's a used vacuum and unless you replace the entire cord back to the motor, don't count on getting $200 for it, but you should at least get $50-$85 for it. It depends. If you put one of those clunky plug ends on it, that will sink the value to any potential buyers.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Off topic, but I prefer to use a shop vac for cleaning the car. With the regular small diameter hose though not the big one.

I use the attachments from my Mighty Mite with mine and it cleans all of the crevices and dashboard areas well. Plus I use the Shop Vac's floor tool on the carpets and it cleans them beautifully and actually lifts the carpet as I vacuum, so I know it's getting everything out of them sand, etc.

I've tried my canister vacuums and they just don't have the airflow that my shop vac does. Plus it's lighter and I don't have to worry about getting it dirty outside. I just remove the top and hose it out when I'm done.

Back to the React, I see. So that's what that switch on the handle is, a suction valve. I thought it was a variable speed switch.

 

[broomvac]

Excellent save.

I’ve been eyeing Hoover’s React line. Hoover is the most underrated “big box” brand, IMO. You can get a multicyclonic, well-performing vacuum for well under $150 from Hoover. They’re almost Dysons, just for a fraction of the price.

This vacuum features a grooved serpentine belt to drive the brush roll. It should last forever if modern automotive serpentine belts are anything to go by.

On the topic of cleaning cars: I use my Dyson DC34 handheld with a stretch extension hose to clean my car weekly. If your car needs a serious clean, the DC34 isn’t for you; it has neither the power nor the battery life for a huge mess. However, I am super meticulous about my car and never let it get overly contaminated, so a light vacuuming once a week is perfect.

 

[gregvacs28]

one of the best deals


Around is a trash pick.... as long as you didn't get hurt or something while retrieving it.

Even if the item doesn't work, you can gain free experience trying to fix it.