Why is it bad to let a Kirby sit ?

[zenith12]

I heard that it’s bad to not use a Kirby of a extended period of time like a month? If so how often should you use your Kirby. I have one that sits a lot is the runt of my collection.

 

[huskyvacs]

I never heard of that?

One thing I do know is the belt will stretch out and deform, so take the belt off the motor shaft if its going to be in storage long term.

Other than that I can't think of anything else that can go wrong. Maybe take the bag out and put a fresh one in so you don't have a rotting dirt smell.

If it's been sitting since the JFK administration, then the grease could have dried up or gone gummy, which is not good, but in a month? Likely only the belt.

 

[human]

I fully agree with what huskyvacs said and will add just one more reason not to let your Kirby(s) sit—you deny yourself the enjoyment of running it or them! And frankly, that's the best reason I can think of to plug one in and fire it up today!

 

[huskyvacs]

True that! I just got a Diamond Edition Ultimate G and I'm excited to use it but it's waiting on a cleanup and refurbishment and the vacuum bag needs to be washed as someone used it with no bag in it and its smelly and filthy.

 

[lesinutah]

Topper

The bag on traditions are low grade material. The bag topper doesn't hold the bag up very well considering it has a bag assembly. The heritage better bag quality and better bag topper.
I have a heritage 84 I use often. If I had a tradition I'd use it over the heritage as I really like the look of the tradition.
I think it had nothing to do with usage it's the construction materials.

 

[rivstg1]

to the OP

no, you were told wrong, nothing wrong with letting a Kirby sit unused...for a while. I have many and I rotate using them...so each one might sit 5 months before using it sinc e I use a different one every 2-3 weeks. I disconnect the belt from every one of them until I want to use it.....saves a lot of unnecessary belt stretching.

 

[bnsd60m9200]

its bad to let any vacuum sit for long periods of time. without use the bearing grease degreades, sleeve bearing oil dries out. usage keeps lubricants hot and fluid so they do their job.

if you add poor storage conditions into the mix, humid basement, or extreme heat. can make parts like carbons stick. not to mention nasty rus or siezing or functional components.

your tradition looks like its inside, so the elements at least wont have at it. use it once every 3 months at least. to keep bearings in good shape. even if for just a few minutes.

if its not a machine you love, consider re homing to a collector who appreciates more?

 

[tylerhawkins84]

My Avalir sits

I bought an Avalir new in the box on eBay a few years ago but I rarely use it and it sits for months at a time without being used. I also read you should remove the belt when it sits but I don't and so far I haven't had to change it. I much prefer my old Royal tank with the Panasonic style power nozzle as it just makes the carpet look a lot nicer. I don't care for all the wheel tracks the Kirby leaves behind and I feel like it is almost to aggressive on my carpet. The Royal just leaves it looking so smooth and nicely fluffed. Sometimes the Kirby almost can make it look frayed and I have fairly new high quality Shaw carpeting.