Using a sentria for commercial use

[rainbowvacfane2]

So I got this sentria for 25$ from my local vacuum shop because she was pretty beat up and it was missing the brush roll bottom plate and belt of course so I cleaned it up and I kinda want to use it for my job it would be perfect so what am asking is what do you guys think can I use it for commercial use I spoil my vacuums so I would be careful but how would the motor hold up

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Rainbowvacfane2

Michael,

For starters, you can remove the original 32' cord and buy a 50' long cord for your Sentria if you desire to clean larger, wider areas with it. Order part no. 183006.

~Ben

 

[oldskoolguy]

go for it!

The kirby is an EXCELLENT choice for commercial choice! It's a higher end royal basically, and it has the BEST filtration out of ANY (and I mean ANY) vacuum on the market today! the tech drive is a great alterative to and better than a self propelled system. I've used my kirby sentria to clean an office suite before, and it works wonders.

 

[rainbowvacfane2]

RE: Kirbycassic111 thank you

Thank you for the part number also oldskoolguy thank you for your input I just wanted to see what it would preform and how she would hold up

 

[rainbowvacfane2]

Here she is

 

[vacuumdevil]

That's quite the amazing deal you got! Be careful with her if you're using your commercially since it is a direct air machine. Maybe consider upgrading to a bypass machine in the future.

 

[kirbyvacuum]

Kirby

Yes all the wayUse it with care be careful to pick up large objects and you will have no trouble.

 

[huskyvacs]

I would verify the voltage of the building first with a plug-in voltmeter in random outlets before using the vacuum. Most industrial buildings run on 220v and that will cook that vacuum in less than a minute. If 220v you might need to buy a step-down transformer to convert 220v to 120v in order to use it.

If the voltage is safe to use, I would recommend gluing some strong magnets to the front of the brushroll to catch paperclips and thumbtacks and whatnot. Also like others have said, a longer, tougher, industrial vacuum cord would help too, since the outlets in offices and other industrial buildings are spaced few and far between.

 

[human]

I would concur with what others have said. Kirby makes a tough machine. Even though they're intended for home use, their construction is definitely industrial grade. When I was in elementary school, back in the early-mid '70s, my school had a Kirby Classic Omega to vacuum the library, which was the only carpeted space in the school.

 

[ultralux88]

Different voltages are required to use different types of outlets, I really don't think there's any concern in a building that had to pass inspection.

 

[tolivac]

Most commercial buildings today use 208/120V 3 Ph for their power service.Any outlet -120V 15A,20A should be OK for your Kirby-don't worry about it.208V devices are hard wired.

 

[rainbowvacfane2]

Update

So today all the parts I neeeded came in and she had her first day I cleaned 4 offices 2 of them being fairly big and I started with a brand new bag IT ALREADY HAS A pound of stuff in the bag as far as the motor holding up to this use I see no reason why it won’t it ran it for about 40 mins straight and she got Luke warm it’s the perfect work vac thank you all for the input I will post pics and updates as they come

 

[tolivac]

A Kirby used commercially shouldn't be a problem-you may have to try to find a supplier that can sell you the bags in bulk.In commercial use-the Kirby will fill them FAST!!!Wish a dump bag option was available for the "G" type Kirbys-would be good for this use.Or---Heaven forbid--try that horrible Keeler thing!!Bet it would clog under that type of use in moments!

 

[ultralux88]

Or get one of these!! I've often fantasized about being able to vacuum a space like that with the Pig, as much as I enjoy using it at home, it would be that much more satisfying in its natural environment. Its a beast that longs to once again free-range on the open glue-down prairie...

[this post was last edited: 11/18/2017-13:33]

 

[tolivac]

Whenever commercial vacuums are discussed the "Pig" always comes up-have four of these monsters and LOVE them!!!!Its fun to use the Pig with the Volt powernozzle!And-yes,I have coupled a Kirby to the Pig!!!!Just like with my central vacuums.Awkward,but WORKS!!Would like to have the Pacific Steamex version of the Pig,too.

 

[ultralux88]

I shamelessly describe the M-1 as my first true love as a collector.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

tolivac

Rex,

Among commercial vacuums, the Royal 311 Heavy Duty Commercial, produced from 1945 to 1987, is probably the most elusive since sales of straight-suction upright cleaners had been on a slow-but-sure decline since the 1930s, when revolving brush-equipped uprights started picking up sales.

~Ben

 

[rainbowvacfane2]

Update

I decided to polish it up a little bit and I got a spare bag am ordering 18 bags from curcial vacuum because my frist bag is already half way full

 

[tolivac]

Ben: With hard floors becoming more popular in homes-surprised Royal hasn't brought back their straight suction uprights-think hard floor householder would like them.I have a much older place-1972-that is WW carpet.

 

[vacuumdevil]

Spend the money and use genuine Kirby bags! Don't trash your machine with imitation bags! And please buy the HEPA "cloth" bags!

 

[mark40511]

I asked someone

the other day on this forum (I can't remember the topic) if Kirby's were "sealed" systems and they said no, which leads me to my next question, how can they have the best filtration on the market? I thought only sealed systems could do that?

I think crucial vacuums make GREAT bags...Some generics are bad but anything I've bought from there seems high quality.

 

[tolivac]

I tried my particle counter meter on my Kirby all along the outer bag with HEPA bags installed-the meter read 0!If you read the motor air vents you will get counts.For commercial use the HEPA bags will be expensive unless you can see if they are available in bulk.That is an issue in using a Kirby as a commercial vacuum.It has the performance as we all know and is built to commercial standards-its the bags that will make it expensive to use.

 

[rainbowvacfane2]

Re:tolivac

There is some cheap cloth ones available as well but they are out of stock plus I used it again today for a deep cleaning of an office and filled up the bag. ITS BEEN 2 days that she’s been working and the first day she only did 4 and today she did 2 and the dirt has just about reached the max line so for now I rather go with paper bags for now when doing deep cleaning like I did today I will switch over to cloth for both performance and filtration. Side note when I was doing the deep cleaning I had to vacuum every square in of carpet and I had it on the lowest setting and I went slowly in different directions and the carpets looked shampooed and that’s after the fact that i don’t have the FRIM brushroll installed am thinking of sending it to Kirby to get rebuilt after my Xmas bonus comes in

 

[rainbowvacfane2]

Re:tolivac

There is some cheap cloth ones available as well but they are out of stock plus I used it again today for a deep cleaning of an office and filled up the bag. ITS BEEN 2 days that she’s been working and the first day she only did 4 and today she did 2 and the dirt has just about reached the max line so for now I rather go with paper bags for now when doing deep cleaning like I did today I will switch over to cloth for both performance and filtration. Side note when I was doing the deep cleaning I had to vacuum every square in of carpet and I had it on the lowest setting and I went slowly in different directions and the carpets looked shampooed and that’s after the fact that i don’t have the FRIM brushroll installed am thinking of sending it to Kirby to get rebuilt after my Xmas bonus comes in

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Since you got this machine used and you do not know its history, I would at least open it up to check the motor brushes and for commutator wear. A new motor brush is about 3/4" long and should be replaced at about 1/4". The last thing you want to do is have the brush tension springs get wound up in the motor a quarter way into your cleaning job. I would also clean the motor out, as well check for loose bearings. Since the shop sold it cheap, I bet no repairs were made on it. If the above check out, it will vacuum for a good long while.

As for bags, I would get the most economical for office use. I work in a huge office complex and as long as I do not see dust bunnies battling each other in the corners, I am happy. The air out of the bag does not pass through the motor so filtration quality will not ~directly~ affect the cleanliness of the motor.

Enjoy your new-to-you machine!

 

[ultralux88]

The paper bags will clog significantly faster than the HEPA bags. Especially cheap generic ones. With commercial dirt (it is very different from what we have in our houses) being made up at mostly very fine powdery dirt that will coat the inside of the bag, you’ll notice the airflow drop off well before the bag is full. It all has to do with the kind and number of layers in the bags lining; single layer bags are the worst and clog the fastest, and the many layered HEPA bags last the longest. Bags in between rank based on the lining, one layer is one step up from plain paper and so on.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I used a Kirby

in a huge church and another one in a multiple office setting. Those motors, I believe, can certainly stand it.
I also used a Hoover Guardsman in a massive church. Every Saturday morning, I'd install a new genuine bag (Hepa didn't exist then). At the end of the day, I'd replace the bag. WE started ordering in bulk.
The first Kirby had a shakeout bag. It was filthy.
The seminary had a Guardsman (2 actually), with shakeout bags. They were kinder to empty than the Kirby was. One of my carpenters used a newer Kirby to clean up jobs. Once, in MY house, he was happily cleaning away when, suddenly, the bag BLEW off......................spewing,(way past belching) dirt everywhere. KNOWING the house was full of HOOVER appliances, he was horrified, and tried, desperately not not let me be aware of his 'accident'. No such luck for him. I couldn't resist chuckling while he cleaned up the mess.

I'm sure you'll get great service/use out of your Kirby in a commercial setting.
John

 

[mark40511]

A shake out bag?

How does that even work? It sounds like it would be a total mess, even worse than a bagless.
I agree about the hepa bags - any time I've used them, they do give better performance as the bag fills than paper bags do. I wish I could use the Perfect Hepa bags in my Epic 6500 but I was told it may overheat the motor so I never risked it.

 

[broomvac]

I am curious to see how the transmission holds up. From my experience, G-series transmissions are quite robust, but I've never put them through as much use as you undoubtedly will. Just for curiosity's sake, I tried to wear out the clutch material inside my previous (already heavily used before I even had it) G3's transmission by vacuuming very rapidly with it. No matter how hard I "pushed" the machine, it held up for many years. I never experinced any decline in its self-propelling performance. It's hard to believe the clutch material inside there could be so robust.

Let us know how it goes. I have confidence your Sentria will be up to the task.

broomvac