TurboBrushes Refusing to Live

[bagintheback]

I have owned so many of TurboBrushes over the years. I first saw one at Kohl's in 2004, under the Hoover Windtunnel brand. I think it was selling for around $40, but I knew I had to have one. I think it was my last bit of birthday money that got me the TurboBrush. Then another came with my Hoover Empower, then the Kenmore Magic blue and on and on. It's doesn't matter what brand it is, how old they are, or how often they are used, but they ALWAYS fail on me. Sometimes they simply stop spinning, slow down considerably or rattle to the point of self-destruction. It's not like I'm picking up rocks with them and then smashing it to the ground; I just vacuum up bits of pet hair and dust my couch.

When they work, they work well. In fact, I much prefer them to regular upholstery tools. But really, what is the issue with these things? Why do they stop working so suddenly after I treat them so well?

 

[gmerkt]

Quite a few of the machines that I get for refurb and resale come with one of these. Based on what I prefer to work on, that means mostly Hoover and Kenmore-made tools.

I clean these up to go along with their respective machines. Two thoughts come to my mind in working with them.

1. The components are small and get overwhelmed with debris fairly quickly.

2. The debris stream passes right through the vacuum rotor, depositing residue and hair on moving parts. The Kenmore and Electrolux electric versions do not suffer from this as the electric components are isolated from the vacuum stream.

And of course, these tools see no more consumer maintenance than the rest of the machine so they are doomed. Two push buttons or Phillips screws are more that most people can handle.

They are often marketed as "pet" tools. What a misnomer. Hair is the worst thing for them. It tends not to sweep up and get passed along in the vacuum stream, rather, it collects on the tiny brush roll.

In my own experience with using them, I don't think they are very effective. I obtain better results by repeated passes from a hard tool such as crevice or upholstery.

 

[bagintheback]

I never thought of that! Dirt residue depositing on the turbine would definitely effect performance. My Siberian Husky's fur is very sticky and would explain why all my brushes have such a short life. Certainty not a pet tool, is it!? Thanks for information.

 

[blackheart]

As far as handheld turbine tools

I think the Rugrat is the best i've used. I have one badged with the Kirby name

 

[sebo_fan]

I found with both Miele and Sebo mini turbo brushes that eventually the square clog plastic bit that holds the toothed belt holder often clogs up and needs a bit of oil to get the toothed wheel going again. This of course depends on the amount of uses you use the mini tool in the first place - but the Miele/Sebo ones are far easier to get into for this kind of maintenance and yes, the turbine impeller bits need cleaning once in a while too.

 

[floor-a-matic]

@bagitheback

Have U tried the Wessel Werk HEB160 mini Power Brush? Beats ANY turbo brush any day.

I own one & LOVE it ever since. They seem to be more efficient than a RainbowMate or SideKick, because the belt is protected on the WW HEB160; unlike the RainbowMate & SideKick's belt that has NO protection from hair & dirt. Not to mention, the HEB160 has soft bristles to prevent damaging delicate upholstery; but also spins faster & quieter than a RainbowMate, SideKick or MiniStar.

U can also use an extension cord to plug in the brush & use it with any vac; canister, central built-in or upright

 

[madabouthoovers]

Most of the power brushes we get here are the air driven turbo brushes - I have several of different brands, but they all need to be opened up regularly and cleaned inside, especially the turbine bearings that get clogged up very easily. The dirt exit hole from the brushroll housing is also quite small, to allow a concentrated stream of air over the turbine, and this small hole can block easily with larger debris.
If you do use one of these air driven turbine heads - you must open it up and maintain it regularly, especially if used with longer haired pets (or humans).
I use my turbobrushes with having cats, but they are shorthair, and so am I, so clogging isnt so much of a problem for me. If you have women with long hair or long haired pets, then of course you will have problems with clogging - these brushes are best for short hairs.

 

[djtaylor]

Has anyone out there used the Wessel Werk HEB160 mini Power Brush on a Fairfax or Tri Star? Do they fit well. It looks great, and I'd love to get one. But first, I need to know if it would work with the vacuums I have.
Thanks,
Justin

 

[kirbykid]

the one that i bought still works. i bought it about 5 years ago and i use it on the stairs to get rid of pet hair. we have a golden retriever so lots of dog hair. still works perfectly fine. i use it about once a week with my central vacuum. but your vacuum might not be powerfull enough.

http://www.vacuflostore.com/VFCON/subgrp/subcde/000020-000050.aspx

 

[jkbff]

The best one for pet hair is going to always be the Dyson mini turbine head.. It is bypass meaning that there is clean air intake so the hair doesn't get clogged in the turbine... They make a universal fit one. I posted the link somewhere else around here.. not sure where though.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Wessel Werk HEB160

There are adaptors that can fit most vacuum hoses; like the pic on reply 5 that fits Tristar, or U can use other adaptors to use with a Filter Queen or other vacs.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Another thing about the HEB160 is the base plate can be adjust to a more comfortable angle; unlike the SideKick or RainbowMate, that U can't adjust the angle & get good vacing results.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Bagintheback

Did U get a new brush or fix the current ones that U had issues with yet?

 

[bagintheback]

No, but most of them are still packed from moving. Thankfully I now have a Eureka Express, so I use the PN for the stairs and such. I think I'll stay away from turbines now; electric nozzles are far superior.

 

[danny]

HI i'M Danny from Ontario Canada I have wind tunnal tool that I use on my.
Hoover power max delux alergin its hipa mondo groovy tubuler gravy wavy.
Zowekapoie and fab and ger Danny.

 

[vacuumfreak95]

I've never had any problems with the Hoover windtunnel turbo brushes. I like the one that came with my shark navigator as well.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Filter Queen mini wand

Can be purchased to use with a HEB160.

http://www.filterqueen.com/filterqueen-acc-display.php?threadid=2&messageid=4

 

[floor-a-matic]

Here's my TriStar CXL with the Wessel Werk HEB160 mini power brush, ready for vacing the mattresses or sofa.

The other HEB160 is strictly for vacing the car, so I don't cross-contaminate the surfaces.