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Sebo_fan...

The Sanitaire is an excellent vacuum cleaner. It definitely rivals the Kirby and metal Royal for cleaning carpets at a much lower retail price point. That being said, that's all it can do is clean carpets. It comes with no attachments so it can't do all the things the Kirby can do especially shampoo carpets.


 


It looks like Lori is going to get a brand new condition Sentria with all the attachments including the Shampoo system for about the same price as a new Sanitaire.
 
Lori...

There are very few differences between the Sentria and the Sentria II, mostly cosmetic. The Sentria II has a different color scheme than the Sentria. The only physical change that comes to mind is a newly designed (smaller) emptor which is supposed to improve airflow. There is a thread somewhere here on vacuumland where collectors who have owned both machines and said they could not notice any improvement in airflow with the Sentria II.


 


That being said, you should buy the machine which is in the newest condition and has had the least amount of use. If they are both in brand new condition then get the one that has the color scheme you prefer.


 


The Sentria ended production in December 2011. The Sentria II started production in January 2012 and is currently still in production.


 


Hope this helps you in making your decision.


 


-Stan
 
Thank you Stan!

I can't access craigslist from here at work (site limitations) but if you want to look at both... Rochester.craigslist.org one is in Henrietta listed for 240., the newer one is listed in Mendon for 350.
 
adambomb,

Did you say 1967?! That's the year my VW Beetle was made! Now I need a vacuum made the same year as the Bug! lol
 
Lori,

I was not able to find the Kirby Sentrias on Craig's List under Rochester NY.


 


Perhaps you could post the actual links on here when you get home from work or you could email me. my email address is listed in my profile.


 
 
Lori,

The first link looks like a great deal at $240. That Sentria looks like it's in excellent condition.


 


However the second link has been removed by the poster. Was that because you bought it?


 
 
OK, excited and disappointed at same time

OK, so I bought the machine for 300... but it's a sentria not a sentria 2.... they said they used it once. there was scuff marks on the rubber part of the head, though it does look like it could of been from one or two uses, (it's not scuffed like it'd been used repeatedly)....depending on what they were vacuuming against.

The machine does look new! It definitely is clean, even the inside of the cloth bag is in mint condition!

I tested it there, it ran fine. Got it home, on neutral it's great, on Drive it squeaks... wondering if it needs oil? I'm wondering if they had water damage as it was in their washroom. the front wheel axel has a little (I do mean little) rust. (yes, I noticed the rust before purchasing, it did not deter me!)...

So far I've vacuumed part of my living room (Have to move furniture for rest)... and the love seat! OK, wait, going to use the old machine on the couch, then follow with this one, brb... wow! I never liked the "power brush" that came with the boss, didn't seem to do much... this thing just blew it away! Other makers should take note of how to create a power brush for furniture from Kirby!

I don't see an attachment to get in corners and along walls? the one I see has what looks like a pipe cleaner, looks to me like it's for electronics? (someone needs to look at manual!)

There's two plastic container attachments, need to look up the smaller one, as I know the larger is part of the shampooing kit. Can't wait to try that out, not tonight, still haven't eaten and it's quarter after seven! LOL....

All in all, I think I did good! the manual's date shows 2011, so it's definitely newer than the other one I'm hoping my son picks up! (He said it was 6 or 7 yrs old)... does anyone know how to tell the year? serial number engraved on the metal just above where bag attaches is 1120504863... according to something I just read online, the person that did it didn't know what the first digit was, but according to the article this was manufactured in May of 2012?

Here's the link http://www.ebay.com/gds/HOW-TO-DETE...IRBY-VACUUM-CLEANER-/10000000013277992/g.html

I'll try to get pics up, (they had taken down the ad before I got home so I couldn't pull those ones :( )

If anyone has any suggestions for me on using my new (to me) toy, by all means! I want to get the most for my money! :)
 
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BUYERS REMORSE!

So after vacuuming one room my air stinks! I think this was sitting in water at one point, hence the rust on the axel...

can anyone help me? (I called to return it, they hung up on me :( )
 
Lori

Try bringing back to them instead of over the phone. Otherwise if you really like the vac just wash the outer bag, just because it looks clean doesn't mean it is, you can't see smells. I've washed many a dirty kirby bags in my early collecting years and it always solved the problem.


The worst case is I bought a g6 and I was sneezing and my eyes were watering because it had tons of cat dander and such, and I'm not allergic that bad. That's how nasty that machine was and it didn't look that bad on the inside.

Try washing the entire bag assembly as one , I say that because removing that clamp on the bottom of the bag that holds it on the emptor is a pain and getting it back in place is just as bad.
 
Thank you CTV!

I will wash it!

I put the floor head back on and it's not squealing anymore.. might of been how the head was attached?

Someone needs to learn about her new machine!

Anyway, I'm LOOKING for things to use this baby on!!!!!!!! :) too bad I only have 900 sq feet, and the kitchen (which is sizable) and bathroom are linoleum! hhmmm, did I read somewhere I can use the kirby on hard floor? LOL

oh, it's almost nine, maybe that fun will have to wait, LOL

In the meantime, that other kirby is still available, trying to get my son to commit to paying for it, so I can get it for him! (I can't afford to buy it for him, I just spent over $100 on a new wardrobe for my grandson!) LOL

perhaps I should eat something?
 
Lori,

Congratulations and have fun using your new Sentria.


 


I'll try to answer a few quick questions for you:


 


If that is the actual serial # of your Sentria then it was made in May of 2012 which means it was one of the <span style="font-size: medium;">very last Sentrias made before the Factory switched production to the Sentria II in July of 2012.</span>


 


The transmission normally makes a soft low pitched sound during use. That is the sound of gears turning inside. However if it is making a high pitched squeak it could be because it caused by one of the two belts inside. If the squeak doesn't go away after a few hours of use, then the transmission may need servicing by authorized service center. Again, it is normal for the transmission to make a soft low pitched sound as you move the machine back and forth. Many folks bring their kirby<span style="font-size: medium;"> in for service and then they're told that sound is normal.</span>


 


The crevice tool has like a small wire brush on the end of it. This wire brush pulls right off the end with very little force. The manual will explain what the brush is used for.


 


The small plastic container is screwed into the handheld sprayer and is used as a shampoo sprayer for furniture and carpeted stairs.


 


Let me know if you have any more quiestions.


 


-Stan


 


 
 
Lori,


 


Be sure to wash that outer bag on gentle cycle and let it air dry thoroughly . Also replace the inner bag with a brand new HEPA cloth bag. The cloth HEPA bags contain odors and if you do this you should not have any more problems with odors.


 


Kirby makes a Hard Floor Care Kit that contains a new special nozzle with special brushroll for hard floors. The kit also contains floor wax and a wax applicator.


 
 
Stan

I'm assuming the disc I have will tell me how to use it as well?

I didn't realize I could throw the bag in the washer! swwweeettt!

Can I put anything in the bag for deodorizing?
 

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