Thread Number: 1439
Decisions, Decisions - Help guys!
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Post# 14694   6/6/2007 at 10:50 (6,140 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        

thunderhexed's profile picture
Ok... so I am currently in the position to buy one of my first of the Kirby G-Series. This is going to be my primary vac to use and want to make sure I am getting the most for my money. I have found a place that sells some pretty darn nice refurbished Kirby's and givien my budget, I am looking at either a G-3 or G-4. Any suggestions? Are there any major differences in the two models? How close is the G-4 to the G-5 and so on? Is this a smart buy? Do they really clean as well as the reviews I have read say they do? Do the transmissions have a tendancy to mess up any? Of course, my Kirby will be babied to death and will be extremelly well cared for. Any input would help guys! I also have my eye on a Royal metal upright that has been refurbished too.. Kirby or Royal? let the input and debate begin!

Post# 14695 , Reply# 1   6/6/2007 at 11:04 (6,140 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA)        

air-waycharlie's profile picture
The G-3 was the first to have "tech drive" and the early models did have problems with the power switch which runs the whole thing.

It was corrected by Kirby with the later G-3 models.

I think the the all the G series are essentially the same with changes to color, bag style and brushroll design. The last of the line had 2 speed motors that don't serve much of purpose in my opinion. (Kind of like the 2 speeds on a Filter Queen)

If you get a G-4 or G-4 and upgrade the brushroll to what is in the G-5/G-6, (groups of staggered brushes that are about 4" long), it is a great vacuum. I would also recommend using the new filtrete bag that is excellent for filtration and allows a lot of air flow.

I have a G-3 that has an upgraded brushroll, the new stiff fill tube and has the filtrete bag. It works beautifully and I like the vacuum. I know many vacuum people that do not care for Kirby's but part of the appeal for me is the design and appearance. It really looks like a vacuum cleaner!

So, I say go for it and then let us know how it works out.

Charlie


Post# 14696 , Reply# 2   6/6/2007 at 11:17 (6,140 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
brushroll

thunderhexed's profile picture
so the brushrolls on the models are interchangeable? No modifications needed?

Post# 14697 , Reply# 3   6/6/2007 at 11:23 (6,140 days old) by kirby519omega ()        

I would go with the Kirby, I Mean Royals are good vacuums, but Kirby is probably better nowadays.

Post# 14698 , Reply# 4   6/6/2007 at 11:40 (6,140 days old) by kirbyvacuum (Long Island New York)        
G3, G4, OR G5 AS FOR ME G5

Hi Cory I have been a fan of Kirbys for years to this day i think they still make a very fine vacuum.If you take care of your Kirby it will take care of you and last for years.As for your question i have anoung other Kirbys a G3, G4, and G5.They all run very well however if i had to do it again i would go for the G4, or G5.I did have the trannie replaced once on the G3 it was about 6 weeks old the Kirby people were very nice. After that i had no trouble with it. I no for a FACT that the transmision on the G4 was improved a bit and again on the G5. So in answer to your question if the price is not to bad get the G5 LOTS of luck you will enjoy your new vacuun. Lets talk again Doug

Post# 14710 , Reply# 5   6/6/2007 at 12:38 (6,140 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Long Island

thunderhexed's profile picture
Doug,
What part of Long Island do you live in?


Post# 14711 , Reply# 6   6/6/2007 at 12:40 (6,140 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Kirby

thunderhexed's profile picture
I am leaning more towards the G-4 I think.. I love the color of it. thanks for all of the info guys! Keep it coming! The more I know, the better!

Post# 14712 , Reply# 7   6/6/2007 at 12:42 (6,140 days old) by sleepdoc (St. Louis, MO)        
A discriminating Kirby G-Series purchase

sleepdoc's profile picture
If you're not sure about where your G-3 sits on the production timeline with respect to the switch fix, consider the G-4 on that basis. I don't know when that happened, or I'd be of more help. The serial number, located on the right aspect of the power plant gives the month and the year in the first four numbers.

The G-3 never had a Micron Magic outer bag, but genuine Kirby micron outer bags are available as replacements. If that matters, you almost certainly need to buy a new outer bag. (It will cost at least $30, probably more.) The G-4 started with a micron bag. If your store really does a good job of refurbing the machines, the outer bags will be clean. I'd unzip the outer bag and make sure it's not coated with dust, carpet freshener, animal hair, etc. Ideally, buy a brand new outer bag regardless, if the cost doesn't matter.

The above notwithstanding, you need to actually run each machine you're considering to test the transmission. If the transmission is smooth and quiet, it's good. If it's really loud or if it continues to make noise when the switch is pressed down on the left "neutral" side, then it's developing problems. Last month I paid $125 to put a new transmission on a G-5, and that was a substantial discount from retail with labor.

Rec: G-4 with good transmission.

Patrick


Post# 14717 , Reply# 8   6/6/2007 at 14:37 (6,140 days old) by kirbyultimateg (Troy Ohio 45373 USA)        

Kirby G3


Post# 14741 , Reply# 9   6/7/2007 at 07:41 (6,139 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
G-3

thunderhexed's profile picture
And what is it about the G-3 that I should consider?

Post# 14759 , Reply# 10   6/7/2007 at 14:45 (6,139 days old) by kirbyultimateg (Troy Ohio 45373 USA)        

The G3 was the start of the 7.0 amp motor and self propelled transmission.


Post# 14761 , Reply# 11   6/7/2007 at 15:11 (6,139 days old) by vinvac (Dubuque IA)        
Royal

vinvac's profile picture
Cory,

I don't see anyone talking about the Royal. I have three different Royals in my collection and all three of them clean very well. The Royal will be lighter than the Kirby's but won't have the self propelled feature.

Converting to use with tools in my opinion may be a little more challenging when it comes time to put the belt back on. The Royal will have good air flow for above the floor cleaning as well. The bags on a Royal probably won't filter as well as the Kirby using a filtrete bag if that is important to you.

Either vacuum will serve you well.

Morgan


Post# 14764 , Reply# 12   6/7/2007 at 15:21 (6,139 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Kirby

thunderhexed's profile picture
I like the color scheme of the G3 but I think i would like having the Micro-filteration of the g4 and upwards more. Can the G3's use the microfresh paper bags?

Post# 14770 , Reply# 13   6/7/2007 at 18:17 (6,139 days old) by kirbyultimateg (Troy Ohio 45373 USA)        

Micron Magic/Micron Magic HEPA/3M Filtrete inner paper bags will work on the G3.


Post# 14771 , Reply# 14   6/7/2007 at 18:22 (6,139 days old) by kirbyultimateg (Troy Ohio 45373 USA)        

QuadraSweep brushroll with four rows of stiff black brushes will not work on the G3.
QuadraSweep brushroll with four rows of soft black brushes will work on the G3.
Delicate brushroll with two rows of soft white brushes will work on the G3.


Post# 14772 , Reply# 15   6/7/2007 at 18:47 (6,139 days old) by ian88 ()        

That's the thing, and forgive me if i'm wrong but thats the beauty of royal vacuums.

A brushrolls a brushroll, swap and change stuff..simple, user friendly, what the public wants.

Ian


Post# 14780 , Reply# 16   6/7/2007 at 20:00 (6,139 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)        
I agree with Morgan and Ian.

hygiene903's profile picture
As Morgan said, the Royal won't have the self-propelled feature. But then, the Royal is so much lighter and maneuverable, that you won't need it anyway. And the Royal is just as durable, and cleans as well, as a Kirby, and if you compare new prices, will be about 1/4 to 1/2 the price of a Kirby.
Jeff


Post# 14785 , Reply# 17   6/7/2007 at 21:22 (6,139 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Royal

thunderhexed's profile picture
well, I've placed a bid on a Royal 4000 on ebay that I think i'm going to win... it looks pretty clean cosmetically, bag needs to be cleaned I can tell. Who knows! I should know more byt his time tomorrow night! Thanks for ALL of the excellent info guys! You're the best!

Post# 14788 , Reply# 18   6/7/2007 at 21:56 (6,139 days old) by bisonian (Where the buffalo roamed! (Ocala, FL))        

Cory,

Good luck on the Royal bid. As for the Kirbys, I have a G3, and had a chance a couple of weeks ago to try out my sister-in-law's GSix. Frankly, I couldn't tell much difference between them.

Rick


Post# 14790 , Reply# 19   6/8/2007 at 04:25 (6,138 days old) by ian88 ()        

And of course, Royal's don't have power drive for the simple reason of them not weighing a ton :P



Post# 14791 , Reply# 20   6/8/2007 at 05:08 (6,138 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

The Royal 4000 is an excellent machine-it doesn't need power drive-its practically self propelled as is-and these machines are robust and simple.Very effective cleaner.I have one in my collection.Actually it is more powerful than the Kirbys.Just make sure the belt and roller brush aren't worn down.The brush stiffeners on these make it possible to get up hardened mud from a carpet!Was a good dealer demo.

Post# 14793 , Reply# 21   6/8/2007 at 05:39 (6,138 days old) by g3 ()        

In my opinion, any of the self propelled models from G3 thru Sentria are fine regardless of the production date.

The G3's did have problems with the on/off switch, handle pivot spring and the transmission.

All G3 replacement parts are now same as Sentria with the exception of the color. The belt lifter, rug plate, emptor & fill tube have also been redesigned as well to Sentria specifications.

I am currently in the process of rebuilding my G3 and my sister's G4.

On my "early" G3, I am replacing the fan, transmission & rear wheels & caps, handle pivot spring, power switch, brush roll, cord, belt lifter, front wheels & caps, bag, emptor & fill tube.

On my sisters G4, I am replacing the fan, brush roll, cord, belt lifter, wheels & caps, emptor & fill tube.

I may replace the G4 transmission if still noisy when the machine is reassembled. I tore completely it down and cleaned & oiled the clutches, etc. so I will see how it performs under power.

On both G3 & G4 the inner fan case & nozzle are being sandblasted & buffed out. The other chrome parts are being buffed out. The labels are not being disturbed or removed.

Because I am extremely fussy, I would never purchase a "refurbished" model from a dealer. Everyone has a different opinion of what "rebuilt" means. I rather rebuild it myself completely using genuine updated Kirby parts and have the metal sandblasted & buffed.

When buying from a dealer, you don't know what has been replaced, who knows if genuine parts are used and whether the machine is spotless on the inside. A lot of dealers don't care or bother to clean the inside and whether the labels are removed. I've seen some junk people consider "rebuilds" with the inner nozzles painted silver over dirt, yuk!!

Rebuilding these machines have been really fun for me as I know they will be truly refurbished once I am done with them.

My sister also has a G3 and a G6, I'm sure she will want rebuilt after she sees her completed G4.

When Kirby manufactures replacement parts for their older self propelled models, they simply don't make the same part. The parts are brought up to the specifications of the current models. No other manufacturer that I know improves parts for their older models the way Kirby does.

I always was capable of repairing the Kirby, it was the polishing & sandblasting, I did not want to get into due to the mess. This problem has been resolved now that I found a metal polishing & sandblasting shop here in Las Vegas which was very familiar with Kirbys.

I know now that I can do a rebuild that I can be truly satisifed with and on par with the Kirby Rebuilding Dept.

If you have any questions regarding Kirby, don't hesitate to drop me a line.

Ray


Post# 15164 , Reply# 22   6/20/2007 at 12:52 (6,126 days old) by swiveltop (Galveston, TX)        
Thunderhexed

I have a nice G4 that I was going to list for sale,I don't know if mentioning items for sale is allowed here so, slap me if it isn't. Mark

Post# 15167 , Reply# 23   6/20/2007 at 13:55 (6,126 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Kirby G4

thunderhexed's profile picture
email me at lilcorydale@aol.com with a price... I'm still interested in finding a decent one... does it have attachments? Used much? Thanks for keeping me in mind!

Post# 15168 , Reply# 24   6/20/2007 at 14:11 (6,126 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Update

thunderhexed's profile picture
I did win the Royal 4000 from Ebay. It's my first Royal so I'm learning how to get used to it. It is definately smaller than a Kirby as well as lighter, but it still reminds me of using my Dual Sanitronic 50! I love how the brushroll grooms the carpet. I have been using hte HEPA type bags in it and they seems to be doing a pretty decent job of dust control so far... Being used, the only thing I had to do was clean the outter bag up. Whoever had it prior to me used it without bag inserts and obviously had a dog or cat (the beg smelled of rank frito chips) After SEVERAL good freshwater rinses and a lengthy air dry, it is amazingly odor and dust free! The only things I don't really care for is the height adjustment mechanism, It's push pedal is very easy to lower but difficult coming back up and the handle seems to lean back quite a bit when the height adjustment is all the way up and the cleaner is in it's "upright" position. I did notice at the vac shop the other day though that some of the other Royals were doing it as well, guess I'm just used to Kirby's leaning forward when upright.. Anyways, I'm farily happy, not bad for $50.00 and still having that showroom shine to it. A hose and few attachments were even included as well as a HEFTY supply of the HEPA type bags. oh yeah.. it's LOUD! It's a squeeler!


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