What is the most unusual vintage commercial vacuum cleaner?

[stricklybojack]

Hoover Dial-a-Matic commercial model

Hammer-tone grey metal base with brushed aluminum body. First use of Quadraflex agitator and WindTunnel technology not seen until years later on consumer models. Also sported a lifetime belt and Hepa bags labeled "Secret NASA Space Age Technology" and resembled the material found at Roswell New Mexico.
I saw one at a thrift store near Groom Lake Nevada once but waited until 50% off day by which time it was gone.

 

[rugsucker]

D-A-M comm

Should this have been posted 20 days ago??

 

[bikerray]

The Hoover Conquest, it was like a really thick Hoover Convertable. I think the fan in it was a couple of inches think.

 

[tolivac]

Would like to get a Hoover Conquest-but so far the ones I have encountered are so beat up its not worth it.This machine did have a scrap trap of sorts so hard or heavy items would not get into the fan.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Charlie (vacman1961),

Here's a few pictures of the model 611s, both from past eBay auctions. The older of the two is dated February 1974, while the newer one with the replacement Royal 880 bag is dated February 1979.

I'd love to see one of the 1985-87 ones that use the 5.4 amp motor.

~Ben

 

[dryclean1]

nss thread

I really enjoyed reading the thread about the nss machines. In 1988 I worked in a department store as a custodian. We had all nss machines. Including an autoscubber called the "warhorse". I was the one who mainly ran this machine and I can remember really liking the logo which was a mighty looking black horses. which of course was their symbol.Thanks dryclean1

http://i enjoyed seeing the nss thread!

 

[dryclean1]

tenant trend machines

has anyone ever heard of a brand of industrial floor machines called tenant trend? I have used several over the years including a vacuum cleaner which was as big as a lawn mower and a floor scrubber. They are really neat looking machines,that are always a pretty shade of green.

 

[tolivac]

I have a Powerflite wide vacuum that is kinda like a lawnmower.It has a 10A direct air system,metal fan and a large belt driven rollerbrush.Transverse mount motor.The beast can pick up and make a satisfying "DING" sound as something goes thru the fan.It has two foot levers on the back where you set the nozzle height like a Kirby.The vacuum has a HUGE paper bag inside a large feltlike zipper one.I now have 4 NSS M1 vacuums.Would love to have their 100th anniversery one.

 

[super-sweeper]

how could nobody vote,

KIRBY!

 


The American Lincoln is the more unusual, but my favorite goes to the ComVac 1600!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Both the Montgomery Ward-branded Eureka/Sanitaire commercial uprights were rare.

The SP8000, introduced in 1977, was Wards' version of the Sanitaire 641. It ceased to exist by 1981.

The wide-track SP8005, called "Wide Stroke" in Wards terminology, was introduced the following year (1978) but ceased to exist by 1980. It was based on the Sanitaire 698.

Both machines had 3.5 amp motors, which especially did not go down well for the wide-track version despite the Vibra-Groomer I brush roll.

~Ben

 

[lillylux]

The ADVANCE upright vac from the '60's. I have no picture of it, but it looked like a Hoover DAM on steroids. Had a large Lamb cannister type motor in the handle and a separate motor to drive the nozzle. A fairly early bagless I'd say. It had a little pin to attach the cord to one's uniform (to free up the hands I suppose). We had a commercial carpet cleaning concern in my hometown and they used one of these Advance upright vacuums. They also used their shampooing machine.

 

[chrish97]

anyone ever seen one of these

Not very vintage but still thought I'd post it

 

[chrish97]

dirt devil commercial

 

[tolivac]

Don't have picures of them-but NSS M1 copies--the Pacific Steamex and the Alley Cat.A non functional Alley Cat was on EBay for awhile-beleive a member has a Pacific Steamex vacuum.

 

[super-sweeper]

Tampa, Florida! Haha, Pullman-Holt might be in Tampa, but that chunk of beating-sweeping action was made in North Canton!