Thread Number: 13153
G series Kirbys 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 140071   6/17/2011 at 23:48 (4,694 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        

What is the general opinion on the new G series. I myself was not impressed by the G3 when it came out. Had a demo on it for my aging grandmother at the time. Kirby did correct the one of the issues I had with it. That was the sloppy feel of the handle. It cleaned no better than my Heritage II at the time. The sales man left the dirt meter with the machine. I had a fun testing the two machines out against one another. I bough a G 5 at a rummage sale and have used it quite a bit. Still don't like the way it handles. Very disapointed with the above floor attachament group. I helped a friend / employee with her G 4 and found the head was a trick to attach to the machine. The other models I have used after that were easy. I have been using kirbys all my life (the first being a 519 and later) and found that one (G 4)to be a bit of a challenge but mastered it and taught her how to do it easily. I also had a demo on the Sentria. It also didn't do any better than my now 13 yr old Heritage II At the time. The black dirt meter bag was clean after the test. Even the Rainbow dealer failed. I also borrowed my mom's Rainbow (E 2) did a full house cleaning and the water was barley even cloudy. I'm still sold on my Heritage II. I like the classic design and find that I can get into places with it that the G series won't get to that the classic design of the Heritage II can. I also perfer the the attachaments with the earlier models.

Post# 140073 , Reply# 1   6/18/2011 at 00:28 (4,694 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        
My opinion...

 vacman117's profile picture
on the G Series is very good. I know a lot of people that do not like them, but I love all the G Series machines, and I think they were a major improvement. The Tech Drive is a fantastic feature that I absolutely love. I know a lot of people and family members that used to have pre-Generation machines and liked them, but found them way to hard to push. Most of them upgraded to a G Series and couldn't be happier! I also think the attachments were a HUGE improvement from the Heritage style ones. For one, the old style attachment caddy was impossible to get to stand up alone, and when it would tip, all of the attachments would fall off. Kirby's newer attachment sets have the soft dusting brush bristles which are much better in my opinion. I also really like the bare floor tool because it can easily be used on carpets, rugs, and bare floors without any struggle. I think that the G Series attachment set is the best on the market.

But one thing I must say. You must be one very clean person, because our house is cleaned every day with a Kirby Sentria and a Dyson DC14 Animal, and when I get out my Rainbow SE with the not-so-good old style power nozzle, the water is black and full of junk.

Chase

Post# 140079 , Reply# 2   6/18/2011 at 06:30 (4,694 days old) by sanimatic ()        

I think they made some improvements over time since the original G3, though I was recently told that it was not as many changes as I thought. I have only the Diamond Edition which I totally love. I recently bought a NIB Heritage II and while I do like it very much, there is no comparison in how it cleans lifts and grooms the carpet as compared to the Diamond. At least on my carpet.
Chris

Post# 140080 , Reply# 3   6/18/2011 at 06:30 (4,694 days old) by sanimatic ()        

This post has been removed by the member who posted it.

Post# 140081 , Reply# 4   6/18/2011 at 06:33 (4,694 days old) by sanimatic ()        

Accidentally double posted the same thing. I wish you could remove a post on here without leaving a comment that you removed something.

Post# 140082 , Reply# 5   6/18/2011 at 07:26 (4,694 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA)        

vinvac's profile picture
Steve,

I have the Diamond Edition Kirby that I purchased new. I love the machine. My only complaint is the attachments. I much prefer the old style tools compared to the new. They need to redesign the bare floor tool, the carpet tool and the upholstery tool...they all are cheap in design.

As far as cleaning and power...it has it all. I am not fond of any power drive unit, but do think it is a must on the Kirby.

Filtration on a Kirby is remarkable.

Overall I would give it an A+

Morgan

Post# 140094 , Reply# 6   6/18/2011 at 10:55 (4,694 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        

I have fallen in love with my Sentria all over again. I've been using it as a daily driver for the last two weeks... before I wasn't crazy about the G series machines because they were so bulky and didn't have on board tools... but I was just looking at it one day and thought what a cool vacuum it was. I really enjoy using it.... it's a whole different feeling to use a quality vacuum rather than the plastivacs I'd been so accustomed to. I also hand polished the G5 and it looks pretty good, but I use the Sentria more because the brushroll is more aggressive and I love the shape of the hand grip. I love the tech drive and that all the controls are toe touch. My area rug actually feels SOFTER under foot after having used the Sentria daily for a couple of weeks. It sucks up cat litter on my flat carpet without throwing it, something the S/P Windtunnel and Eureka Smart vac can't do (though the dyson DC 14 handles it pretty well, and those three had been my daily drivers prior to me falling in love with the Sentria all over again). The only complaint I have is that it does snowplow larger debris and it have to tip it to one side and go "over" the dirt to suck it up if it's very big... and going from the flat carpet to the area rug, I have to tip it or change the height because it doesn't just roll over the edge like all my other vacuums, it pushes and flips it up!

I put my area rug in the kitchen and turned it upside down and vacuumed the back with the Sentria just to see what came out on the bare floor and I was amazed at the fine grit that dropped out!

I do NOT like the attachments though... I don't have them for the Sentria, but I do for the G5 and I am assuming they are the same. The crevice tool is so soft that it actually bent when I was using it along the baseboards and now there is a permanent crease in the plastic... my other machines have never done that. The bare floor tool squeaks and creaks when used, the upholstery tool doesn't have any brushes or velcro strips and the neck isn't angled and they are all friction fit so they come off sometimes.... I like that the hose doesn't fight like a stretch hose, but it could be a little longer....



Post# 140119 , Reply# 7   6/18/2011 at 14:52 (4,693 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        

I haven't been disapointed with the performace of the G series. Im old fashioned in my thinking. Im not really impressed buy the over all look of the machine. But looks aren't every thing. It's what is "under the hood" that counts. I told a customer this one time over a 1970 model kirby I aquired for work. I hadn't had a chance polish it up at that point. He inquired if my boss ever bought a new vacuum for me. He was impressed by how well it cleaned the new carpet in the newly constructed area. Just as good as the commercial conquests we had sitting there. I said that is why I have it after complimented on how well it worked. He never questioned my choice in equipment after that. I too know people that got the new G Series machines some like the new one better than the older models and some are like myself they like the old model they had over the new one. I must agree you do need the drive tech on the new machines. I don't mind putting some muscle into the job as a rule but the G Models almost mandate it. The new style tools are "cheap" in my opinion. But then so many people don't really use the machine to it's full capacity. The attachaments end up in the basement never to be used.

Post# 140168 , Reply# 8   6/18/2011 at 21:28 (4,693 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        

I have a question.... On some of my Kirbys (the heritage 2 and the Sentria), when the bag is ballooned out during use, the fill tube sticks out really prominently.... Is there a trick to "hiding" the feel tube so it isn't an obvious bulge? It ruins the look of the puffed out bag for me!

My Sentria is the only machine I have that will "suck up" electrical cords!

Post# 140197 , Reply# 9   6/19/2011 at 03:41 (4,693 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

As a whole I like the Kirby "G" series vacuums-the attachments need a redo,though-esp for a premium DTD machine.The "bare floor" tool is terrible.Its really a carpet surface tool.Provide a castle style(front bristles)bare floor tool and alone that is an improvement.do away with the friction fit-use latching tools.same with the wands-go to aluminum or polished SS-the aluminum can be anodized to match the color of the machine..Put a "scrap trap" on the hose connector that goes on the front of the powerplant-would prevent coins,pebbles,and such from getting into the fan.GO BACK TO THE METAL FANS,PLEASE!!They withstand erosion better than the plastic ones-esp here with sandy soil that gets tracked in.and make the wand floor and carpet tools with METAL bodies-the bristles could be replaceable.With titanium getting less expensive-thank the aerospace industry-could see the machine equipped with a titanium fan and fancase-would be attractive(gold color)and be extra durable.No worry there!Could last the life of the machine.The bag design I have no issues with-the Emptor could be done away with-esp with the metal fans.Another fan material could be engineering ceramic-starts out as a plastic-then baked in a hi temp kiln to a strong ceramic.Can be stronger than steel-and hard-so erosion wouldn't be a problem.Same with the fancase-another possibility for the ceramic.You have to try really hard to break that.Used in racing car turbochargers and aircraft and spacecraft applications.

Post# 140211 , Reply# 10   6/19/2011 at 09:21 (4,693 days old) by KirbyLover (Louisville Kentucky )        

The thing with the plastic fan is that if a large object gets stuck the fan will shatter and the motor can spin freely. If it was metal or something and seized up would that not damage the unit? Perhaps there could be some sort of torque thing (like on electric drills) that would disengage the fan so you could clean it out. A "scrap trap" as you mentioned would be a good idea but it would have to be a good design to not get clogged from normal dirt. I wish the fan was easier to replace if it does break.


As for metal attachments that is a nice idea but I actually prefer using plastic myself for 2 reasons. Some metal wands are sharp on the ends and can scratch things while plastic is softer (such as vacuuming plastic surfaces on a car). Also if you get something jammed in the crevice tool it's easier to poke out with the plastic since it is more flexible. Plastic also weighs less which is nice when dragging around the caddy.

I do wish they were all one universal color though, using a white crevice tool from a G3 with my G5 doesn't look that nice.

Post# 140291 , Reply# 11   6/20/2011 at 05:39 (4,692 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

The "scrap trap" is just a chamber in front of the fan opening-if a nail ar whatever is picked up-stays in the trap.Now lightweight dust and such would be sucked into the fan.Metal ends can be deburred and smoothed.Scraches no longer a problem.I have had scratching from plastic tools when something abrasive got embedded in their softer surfaces.The blades of Kirby and other brand vacuums-the spacing is usually wide enough so large abjects can be passed.I have had no problems of objects jamming the unit so bad it burnt the motor.If it does happen you can hear the motor is stalled and will usually shut of the machine.I haven't had difficulties unjamming objects in metal crevice tools-of course that can be kept plastic-and the flexible plastic so it can be sort of bent to fit in tight places.In the instances I have had someting in a fan-like a Royal or metal fan Kirby-shut off the machine-unplug it and rotate the motor and fan backward and the object falls free.Maybe an electronic torque limiter could be incorporated in future Kirby metal fan vacuums.that would limit the current draw of the motor and warn the user something is caught in the fan.The new tapered Kirby fan design-this rarely happens anyway.the trailing edge of the fan is most likely to break since it is moving faster.I just don't feel the all plastic tools are fitting for an expensive premium vacuum like a Kirby.In premuim vacs I feel LESS plastic is best.

Post# 140378 , Reply# 12   6/20/2011 at 20:25 (4,691 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        

The need for a scrap trap on a kirby isn't really practical and they do collect heavier dirt. Besides if you can't get some one to empty a bag or replace a belt they won't even think about a scrap trap. Just check out a Hoover Conquest some time. I have broken fans with marbles and such. Not to often but accidents to happen. As far a jamming the motor have done that too with a small wood corner support out of drawer. Pulled out the piece and kept vacuuming no harm done to motor or fan. I too would like to have the metal fans. Do love that sound. I will say that the new Kevelar fans are good still not metal but not lexan either. I would be ok with some light weight metal wands and metal furniture nozzle. I really have no issues with the plastic tools that came with mine. (Heritage II) Not at all impressed with the redesign of the new tools. The only two they didn't manage to mess up were the round dusting brush and crevis tool tho it could be a little more substantial.

Post# 140381 , Reply# 13   6/20/2011 at 20:44 (4,691 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        
vacman117

 Thank you for the compliment on my house keeping. I do keep it clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be lived in. I do commercial cleaning and have for the past 22 yrs. before that it was at home and for friends and family.(with a kirby of course.) As far as the black water in your rainbow the same thing happens at my mom's house. She burns candles often and it may be the soot that settles that is causing the black water. (Oil furnaces will do that too if you have one) It was just amazing that with carpet (plush style) that was 10 to 15 yrs. old at the time of demonstraitions and knowing the dust, cat hair etc that acculates in my vacuum that they couldn't extract eough soil to be noticable. I must take better care of my machine than I sometimes believe I do or it wouldn't work as well as the new ones. A good aggitator, belt, clean bag must and multiple passes from several angles must be the secrete to my success.

Post# 140385 , Reply# 14   6/20/2011 at 20:55 (4,691 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        
vacuumfreeeke

 To your question about the visiable marks from the top fill hose. Sounds like the bags have been allowed to accumulate to much dirt and put excessive pressure on the hose and outer bag causing the streatch marks. You may want to try a clothes steamer or a steam iron set it on the lowest setting that will produce steam to "iron out the wrinkles" (no guarantee it will work but worth a try) Empty the bag when it feels like a med firm pillow and that will ease the pressure the hose puts on the outter bag. If the bag feels harder than the firm pillow cleaning power is greatly reduced.

Post# 140441 , Reply# 15   6/21/2011 at 04:51 (4,691 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

The scrap trap would be simple and practical-NSS used it on their "Bronco" tank vacuum motors when they were used as a "hip vacuum"It is just that a small chamber in between the hose adaptor and the fan intake of the machine.To dump it-just remove the hose and the unit from the machine-then just dump it into the trash SIMPLE.Or if it picked up that bolt ar part you want save-good for finding lost jewery,too.I like the metal fans most becuase they are more resistant to erosion from sand and fine dirt.plastic ones erode to easy esp around my area-where the outside soil is like fine beach sand.and if the plastic fan vac should pick up a small wad of paper and it lodges in the fan housing and rubs the fan-the paper will erode the fan quickly-metal fan this is not a problem.This happened to me once with a plastic fanned Sanitaire.

Post# 140492 , Reply# 16   6/21/2011 at 18:31 (4,690 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        
scrap trap

 Tolivac I work in the janitorial field and know what a scrap trap is and How it works. If you really think the Kirby needs one so be it. I for one don't see the need for it. I loaned out my G5 to one of my workers to finish her job one night. My basement stash of vacuums was closer than a 10 mile drive to my shop and back to get a vac. Some one her or a bank employee sucked up a quarter in it. I found the quarter a few days later when I used it. Quarter was in the mini emptor fan intact no harm done. I was amazed that a quarter when thru it. A kirby isn't a shop vacuum and if you are using it as such pay the price. I have cleaned construction sites with various models of kirby's and sucked up all sorts of things and didn't have problems. Probibly should have used a shop vac for some of it. Yes accidents do happen. I have sucked up a marble, two lead fishing sinkers Nails, screws, Mind you not 10 lb of each at any time. more paper clips and tacks that I can even count. the marble and sinkers were in out of view areas. Fan lost each time. But oh well install new fan life goes on. A simple magnet mounted on the front of the machine can save wear a tear on the equipment. We use them all the time. They are available any where commercial equipment is sold and can be bought on line from any vacuum parts place. If you need a scrap trap on a domestic machine maybe you need commercial equipment at home or a clean air machine. Upright or tank type.

Post# 140494 , Reply# 17   6/21/2011 at 18:42 (4,690 days old) by kirbyloverdan (Egg Harbor Twp . NJ aka HOOVERLOVERDAN ❤️)        
During Kirbys testing

 kirbyloverdan's profile picture
the new fan that they have been using on the G series plastic was developed by NASA and when they tested it they took Quaters and put them through the fan while the Kirby was running and shot them out of the Kirby and the fan was unharmed and never broke . The emptor is a scrap trap of sorts but called the emptor designed to collect debris such as tacks,nails,and coins ect.

Post# 140500 , Reply# 18   6/21/2011 at 19:43 (4,690 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        

Yes I have a kevlar fan on my Heritage II. After 5 yrs it hasn't developed the stress cracks the lexan fans did and eventually fail. I replaced the lexan fan twice due to stress cracks. Tolivac wants a trap for heavy objects before the fan. Hoover Conquests have them. they do minimize large items going thru the fan but not the total solution. I still dump out small gravel, ice melt and hands full of paper clips even with magnet bars on the machines out of the fan case and rubber duct tube leading to the top fill bag. Tip over a running machine and all that collected stuff goes in the fan any way. Kirby's are notorious for tipping over when the hose is attached and pulled by the hose. With the G Models this isn't as problemmatic due to the wider stance of the machine but still happens. As I said earlier it is just one more thing to try to teach someone to check that never happens. Commercially yes it helps. Domestic you then need a vacuum that doesn't pass dirt thru a moving fan. Very simple solution. Thats why many people keep an upright and a tank type vacuum to meet all thier cleaning needs. Just becouse a vacuum will suck up objects it wasn't designed to do. Doesn't mean it will with stand repeated abuse.

Post# 140542 , Reply# 19   6/22/2011 at 04:11 (4,690 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

My NSS M1 vacuums have scrap traps-glad they do.The fan in an M1 is pretty tough-yes I have seen it eat nails and electric box knokout slugs with no problem.however the nuts,bolts and even parts sucked out of transmitters could even break the NSS fan.I don't want to find out how many quarters a Kirby fan can eat before breaking.I so remember a demo shown to me and Bill years ago at the Vacuum Cleaner Hospital by the Royal rep-He put the hose adaptor one one of the metal uprights and let it suck several pennies from his hand.then he opened the fancase-the fan only had a nick in one blade and another was only slightly bent.this would have DESTROYED a Kirby plastic fan.Yes,thats abuse-but it does show the toughness of the Royal fan.I won't do that.I use a canister vacuum most of the time instead of the hsoe on a Kirby or Royal for that matter.I just think the trap is an inexpensive and effictive solution against fan breakage-no it won't prevent it all of the time-but its better than replacing fans all of the time.Magnet bars are only good on steel itmes.Too many non steel items out there to break fans.I wouldn't even think of using a Kirby of any sort to clean up contruction-demolition mess.A shop vac or the M1.

Post# 140548 , Reply# 20   6/22/2011 at 06:45 (4,690 days old) by KirbyLover (Louisville Kentucky )        
Shop vacs have their place, as do brooms on bare floors. ;)

 As an auto detailer, I use shop vac for everything. You can't suck up PENS and crazy large objects with any upright vac, that's for sure!

I do a bit of wood working as a hobby, I like to hook up the shop vac to my table saw or mitre saw while I cut, it sucks at least half the sawdust away. Would be interesting to try that on a Kirby, but I don't think I will be doing that. lol

Post# 140608 , Reply# 21   6/22/2011 at 19:03 (4,689 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        
shop vacs

 I cleaned at one place years ago. They had a Kirby Classic III. The guys in the shop hooked the hose up to the exaust on the radial arm saw and used the kirby to collect the resulting dust. No harm done to the vacuum. Just cloggs the bag up but that can be emptied. The only time you might be in danger is if you are cleaning up alot of sanding dust that has varnish or similar finishes. A pile of sanding dust coated in varnish can smolder or start on fire. I was talking to the guys who sand the gym floors where we clean and they told me that it is possible. The sanding dust they have contains oil modified finishes. And they have had a few smoldering fires from time to time. I made a post about share some stories in the Off topic section go there and read about the guy with the car.He is the first one after mine. You won't believe it. The second one is good too.

Post# 140673 , Reply# 22   6/23/2011 at 02:17 (4,689 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

If you use a Kirby as a dust collector on a power tool-keep in mind fine sawdust and sanding dust will clog the bag pores quickly-wether it be a disposable bag or dump bag.The Kirby instructions warn about this when using the Kirby Turbo-tool sander.You can't be too careful with sanding debris from floors and such.You have to empty bags and containers promply and dispose of the waste in METAL containers.contractors that sand and finish floors have this concern.and the sanding debris can contain abrasive-so it will abrade suction fans of any type."Dirt Deputy" or something like that has a website on their centrifical debris collectors for sanders and other tools-you use it with a Shop Vacuum.Collects most of the debris before reaching the shop vacuums drum and filter.and oh yes-sanding dust can even be EXPLOSIVE when suspended-no sparks or flames-or you can get an explosion like a Fuel air bomb!

Post# 140739 , Reply# 23   6/23/2011 at 19:40 (4,688 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        

That is true Tolivac that is why I made mention of it in my post. Can be and has been a fire hazzard at times.


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