Thread Number: 692
Innovation or Aggrevation? 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 6840   12/30/2006 at 17:12 (6,319 days old) by myhooverco ()        

Here is my newly restored Hoover Innovation. Built in Great Brittain in Feb. 1988, it is only 6354 into production. This was one of two models of Innovation the other being the maroon soft bag model. This is model U5045
--Tom

Post# 6841 , Reply# 1   12/30/2006 at 17:14 (6,319 days old) by myhooverco ()        

Here is the back...it has a nice cord winder to stow the cord with a convenient button on top. It has a toe operated agitator control. With a flick of the foot, the brushroll can be turned off for hard surfaces. It also has a power surge switch for more suction.

Post# 6842 , Reply# 2   12/30/2006 at 17:16 (6,319 days old) by myhooverco ()        

Now for the bag...originally the bag was type B no longer available. When I found it, it had a type O bag in it for a Hoover Sovereign. I found out that a type Z bag fits nicely. I will not be using this machine (although it runs flawlessly); it now will have a life of leisure on display.

Post# 6843 , Reply# 3   12/30/2006 at 17:20 (6,319 days old) by myhooverco ()        

Here she is all lit up! The tools pop in on the left when the flap is lifted. I have the tool set but it is packed away. The tool set included a wand, crevice tool, a brush, and the nice black Ultraflex hose.
This particular machine was found when I was cleaning out a vac shop about a month ago. It was in a "pile" near the bottom. The bottom plate and agitator were off and in a plastic bag. I lubed the bearings and put on new belts and wow does it run and clean nice. I gave the outside a good Brasso and it looks great. I cannot believe it was down in that grimy basement
Notice how the numbers for the height control light up...how cool
--Tom

Post# 6844 , Reply# 4   12/30/2006 at 17:23 (6,319 days old) by ian88 ()        

Always loved the Turbomaster/Innovation range..quite an elegant design, possibly especially without onboard tools
Ian

Post# 6850 , Reply# 5   12/30/2006 at 18:23 (6,319 days old) by vac-o-matic (Saint Louis, Mo.)        
Gorgeous!

 What a beautiful machine! I remember seeing a row of these on closeout at the Famous-Barr outlet here in St. Louis back in the late 80's. I wish I had bought one. What's the brushroller like, anything like any other Hoover model? Maybe after everyone has their fill of bagless vacs, they'll come back with something similar, hopefully with the Hoover name.

Post# 6851 , Reply# 6   12/30/2006 at 18:48 (6,319 days old) by ian88 ()        

Think of it this way, mate.
When I had one of these, I could have been mistaken for thinking it was self propelled...it was actually the brushroll PULLING the cleaner along lol
Ian

Post# 6852 , Reply# 7   12/30/2006 at 19:01 (6,319 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Here's Mine

 compactelectra's profile picture
The red one. Charlie Watrous won a cleaning contest in St. Louis with this one. It's a good cleaner!

Post# 6853 , Reply# 8   12/30/2006 at 19:02 (6,319 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
It has two belts

 compactelectra's profile picture
Not easy to change.

Post# 6854 , Reply# 9   12/30/2006 at 19:03 (6,319 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Here are the tools

 compactelectra's profile picture
Pretty good suction

Post# 6858 , Reply# 10   12/30/2006 at 21:22 (6,319 days old) by dial-a-matic ()        
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 can you show me a picture of the electronics all lit up
-a-

Post# 6860 , Reply# 11   12/30/2006 at 21:38 (6,319 days old) by ian88 ()        

;
there we g
Ian (sorry about quality, i had to take it with my webcam lol)

Post# 6861 , Reply# 12   12/30/2006 at 21:39 (6,319 days old) by ian88 ()        

and again..
Shame I got rid of it really, but it went to a good home :
Ian

Post# 6862 , Reply# 13   12/30/2006 at 21:49 (6,319 days old) by dial-a-matic ()        
What...

 IS that electronic panel for? And tommorow, I will post a picture of my sebo's electronics
-a-

Post# 6874 , Reply# 14   12/30/2006 at 23:26 (6,319 days old) by swingette ()        

did this cleaner predate the American *Conquest*, or the other way around?

Post# 6875 , Reply# 15   12/30/2006 at 23:26 (6,319 days old) by swingette ()        
PS

 this *series*, i meant.

Post# 6876 , Reply# 16   12/30/2006 at 23:30 (6,319 days old) by myhooverco ()        

The Conquest came in '81 or '82...the Innovation came later
--Tom

Post# 6884 , Reply# 17   12/31/2006 at 03:13 (6,319 days old) by luxboy ()        
Very pretty !!

 Tom
That is a VERY pretty machine. Looks AWESOME. I would love to find one of those eventually. Can you still get parts for them
Derreck

Post# 6885 , Reply# 18   12/31/2006 at 04:28 (6,319 days old) by sydneybiker ()        

These were/are fantastic machines. My folks Turbomaster Electronic Total system has just died after 11 or so years of great service. Your right it did feel like it was self propelled. Awesome suction and had a fantastic throaty/masterful sound to it. There's a video on You tube with someone using it in the dark so you can see all the suction and floor height lights lit up.

Post# 6892 , Reply# 19   12/31/2006 at 06:24 (6,319 days old) by ian88 ()        

All the electronics at the top of mine were power settings and the bag indicator, along with an air freshener on the bag door
afterall mine was the top spec "total system"
Ian

Post# 6923 , Reply# 20   12/31/2006 at 13:10 (6,319 days old) by myhooverco ()        

I know that you can still get belts for them, but I am not sure if the motor, fan, brushroll etc is available. These machines are too "new" for me to work on. I still prefer pre-1980 Hoover cleaners. However this one is dripping with features and it was too fun to pass up. I have to say it does clean great and it is fairly quiet
--Tom

Post# 6925 , Reply# 21   12/31/2006 at 13:23 (6,319 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
The You Tube Vid

 Hey Guy
This is from a collector friend of mine Ryan- hes a bit of a Turbomaster fan lol
Tom- AFAIK the belts, brushroll, fan and bellows are still availiable over here. Our Turbopower and Turbomaster use the same H4 type bags. Mail me if youd like a supply
Seamus

CLICK HERE TO GO TO seamusuk's LINK
Post# 6926 , Reply# 22   12/31/2006 at 13:26 (6,319 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
The You Tube Vid

 Hey Guy
This is from a collector friend of mine Ryan- hes a bit of a Turbomaster fan lol
Tom- AFAIK the belts, brushroll, fan and bellows are still availiable over here. Our Turbopower and Turbomaster use the same H4 type bags. Mail me if youd like a supply
Seamus

CLICK HERE TO GO TO seamusuk's LINK
Post# 6927 , Reply# 23   12/31/2006 at 14:25 (6,319 days old) by myhooverco ()        

Seamus...great video. Mine does not have the electronics...I wish it did! My version sounds different too. Thanks for the offer. It is good to know that there are parts out there still. How long did they make this machine in the UK? It was not around that long here. (too expensive
--Tom

Post# 6928 , Reply# 24   12/31/2006 at 14:36 (6,319 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        
Electronic..?

 Did the US have the Electronic version?

Post# 6936 , Reply# 25   12/31/2006 at 16:15 (6,318 days old) by rexairman ()        

Very nice machine! A lot of you know I call this machine the "Aggravation" instead of "Innovation." Not that it isn't a decent machine, but what a royal PAIN IN The A** to work on. My hat's off to you for the beautiful job you did on it. It also always seemed to me that the Innovation never really seemed to "fit" in the model line-up. I never could figure out what Hoover was trying to "do" with this machine.

Post# 6939 , Reply# 26   12/31/2006 at 16:30 (6,318 days old) by 74simon ()        
Tom/Fred,

 Your Innovations are gorgeous. The two tone USA colour schemes are much nicer than the UK Turbomasters. The red Hoover roundel on the nozzle is a nice touch too. Suprised that the electronic versions weren't sold in the States. Can't believe you got rid of yours Ian
Clay, it does seem to me too to have been a bit of an oddity - a bit of a cuckoo in the nest
It's one of the few 90s Hoovers that I'd want - all those lights
Si

Post# 6941 , Reply# 27   12/31/2006 at 17:03 (6,318 days old) by ian88 ()        

It went to a good home, Simon :p Dave Bridgwater on hooverland has it now. :
Ian

Post# 6948 , Reply# 28   12/31/2006 at 18:30 (6,318 days old) by myhooverco ()        

It is an odd machine to me too. It is a good carpet cleaner. They were expensive so that might be why they seem odd. However, these were the days when the Hoover Company was "whole" and they could get away with selling machines from overseas. In some ways, the Innovation was more advanced than our Concept Series. I like the tools much better on the Innovation
Si...I wish we had more color choices on this model. I like both models equally as well. I wish we had the color choices of lets say the Concept Series. Maybe if the Innovation was around longer there would have been more colors
--Tom

Post# 6953 , Reply# 29   12/31/2006 at 19:32 (6,318 days old) by ian88 ()        

Nothings gonna beat the colour choices of the convertible series ;
Ian

Post# 6963 , Reply# 30   12/31/2006 at 21:49 (6,318 days old) by andy (Boston, MA)        

I used to have an Innovation just like yours Tom, then I sold it on ebay 'cause I needed the cash. It's somewhere near Chicago now. How I regret selling that machine. It cleaned SO WELL, and was so much fun to use. You could turn the brushroll off to clean bare floors in an instant, and connecting the tools was easy with that side port. The height adjustment looked really cool all lit up. I have some of the original B Bags if you would like a pack.

Post# 6973 , Reply# 31   12/31/2006 at 23:41 (6,318 days old) by robgwisdala ()        

Very nice Tom
The Hoover Innovation looks like a cross between a Concept/Conquest/Elite


Post# 6974 , Reply# 32   12/31/2006 at 23:44 (6,318 days old) by robgwisdala ()        

Why is the Quadraflex agitator on the Hoover Innovation plastic? The Quadraflex agitator on the Concept/Celebrity/Spirit/Dimension is metal


Post# 6978 , Reply# 33   12/31/2069 at 18:00 (19,832 days old) by convertible68 ()        

Actually, that is not always true. The Quadraflex in my lower-end Concept One (U3109) is plastic, whereas my TOL U3105 has the metal Quadraflex as you describe.

Post# 6986 , Reply# 34   1/1/2007 at 06:58 (6,318 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
A giveway..........

 If you look at the pic of Freds softbag version with the tools the tool kit gives away its UK origins on 2 counts. Firstly it has a Hooverflex/Ultraflex hose and secondly the crevice tool has an embossed Hoover emblem :
Seamus

Post# 6998 , Reply# 35   1/1/2007 at 12:24 (6,318 days old) by myhooverco ()        
Andy...

 I would really like to have a pack of B bags. I will be happy to buy them from you and pay the shipping. I have yet to find some of these discontinued bags. Thanks in advance for your offer
Seamus...the Innovation really is a British machine. I have always thought that the UK tool sets were far superior to ours. Our cleaning tools always suffered from short hoses with no give until the Wintunnel came along. The early Convertibles used the Ultraflex but then quickly changed to Tufflex which while very durable did not stretch and was always too short for the job. The UK tools were better looking to with the Hoover embossed right in the plastic. Maybe we will go back to this now that Hoover has new owners? Time will tell
--Tom

Post# 7026 , Reply# 36   1/1/2007 at 18:38 (6,317 days old) by ozhoover (London UK (but born and raised in Melbourne, Australia ))        
Turbomaster Freedom

 Hi All,

Well this is the first time I have posted here but I have been reading all the posts with great pleasure since finding the site a couple of months ago. I'm based in Sydney, Australia and my collection is almost all Hoover. I have four Turbomasters / Innovation's in my collection inculding the bagless Freedom Turbomaster model U5132 which leaks dust everywhere. Here's a pic of it with the UK softbag U4362

I also got the U5096 and U5094 Total Systems both of which where imported by Hoover Australia in the Early 90 as the top of the line uprights of the OZ range.

Mark

Post# 7028 , Reply# 37   1/1/2007 at 18:46 (6,317 days old) by ozhoover (London UK (but born and raised in Melbourne, Australia ))        

The nightmare PERMABAG system

Mark

Post# 7036 , Reply# 38   1/1/2007 at 20:13 (6,317 days old) by myhooverco ()        

Mark...

I am almost afraid to ask...what is a "Permabag"? Does the machine have a cloth bag that has to be emptied or does it have a dirt cup? This really looks like my Innovation! Thanks for the pic. When did they discontinue these two machines?

--Tom

Post# 7037 , Reply# 39   1/1/2007 at 20:15 (6,317 days old) by ian88 ()        

As far as I know it was kinda like a dirt cup, the Turbopower 2's permabag was kinda like a fibre box or something..i'm sure someone else can give you more info than I can.

Ian

Post# 7039 , Reply# 40   1/1/2007 at 20:24 (6,317 days old) by dial-a-matic ()        
Can ...

 ... You post pictures of the insides of the "dirt box"?

-a-

Post# 7042 , Reply# 41   1/1/2007 at 21:14 (6,317 days old) by ozhoover (London UK (but born and raised in Melbourne, Australia ))        

Tom...

Freedom Permabag was a Dirt Cup/Box that had a filter attached to the top of it that you just clipped of the machine and empty into the bin. Only problem was it did'nt work and leaked dust. Their was also a Turbopower/ Sovereign, Permabag Freedom made see pic below.

The Permabag name was used on Turbopower 2 and Purepowers also but as Ian said the later one where made of what Hoover called "Permalon, a porous material which allows air to pass through, yet traps fine dust"

Not sure what date they where discontinued, may be one of the UK members knows the details

Andy...

sorry I cant take a picture of it as it's all packed up in a storage center at the moment as I have no more space at home.

Mark



Post# 7046 , Reply# 42   1/1/2007 at 21:38 (6,317 days old) by 74simon ()        
Mark/Tom/Austin,

 Mark, your Turbomasters look great. I look forward to seeing more of your collection! Are your Australian market machines badged as Turbomatics?

Tom - the Permabag system was introduced around 1991ish (before the Dyson DC01), and was available as a Turbopower and a Turbomaster. It used an opaque plastic container to hold the dirt, with a large paper filter at the top to stop dust escaping.

Here are some pictures of the Turbopower Freedom I briefly owned. The best thing about this cleaner is that the burgundy plastic was actually glittery - I thought at first someone had painted it with nail polish but it was part of the original finish! You can see it on the 'bag door'.

The cleaner from the front:

Post# 7047 , Reply# 43   1/1/2007 at 21:40 (6,317 days old) by 74simon ()        
With the dust box off

 This machine had just been rescued from the street. Hence the muck!

Post# 7049 , Reply# 44   1/1/2007 at 21:43 (6,317 days old) by 74simon ()        
The dust box...

 ... Splits in half. The bottom section contains the dust box proper (on the left), with the paper filter on the top half. Have also just noticed that the picture in the previous post kinda backs up the 'dust leaker' repuation!

Post# 7053 , Reply# 45   1/1/2007 at 21:55 (6,317 days old) by 74simon ()        
Also

 Apparently many Permabag Freedom cleaners were later modified to use paper bags instead. Hoover even sold a kit for converting your TP Freedom, although this would presumably have been little comfort to someone who'd paid the price premium for one of these.

Si

Post# 7056 , Reply# 46   1/1/2007 at 22:35 (6,317 days old) by vacuumkid3 ()        

Just curious, but what is that yellow thing? I think it must be a fan, but I am just making sure it isn't a siren. Sorry if this is off-topic. Thanks!

~~K~~

Post# 7064 , Reply# 47   1/2/2007 at 07:04 (6,317 days old) by ian88 ()        

It's a type of heater I believe, made by HMV? all this stuff is on Simon's website! :]

Ian

Post# 7069 , Reply# 48   1/2/2007 at 09:28 (6,317 days old) by vacuumkid3 ()        

Wow! Very interesting! I have an old Emerson fan, so it is the start of yet ANOTHER collection for me!

~~K~~

Post# 7077 , Reply# 49   1/2/2007 at 11:03 (6,317 days old) by ian88 ()        

I'll link to his website, its very interesting mate :)

Ian

CLICK HERE TO GO TO ian88's LINK
Post# 7078 , Reply# 50   1/2/2007 at 11:11 (6,317 days old) by vacuumkid3 ()        

It is very interesting! Thanks! I especially love the design of the website.

~~K~~

Post# 7079 , Reply# 51   1/2/2007 at 11:20 (6,317 days old) by ian88 ()        

Not much variety with vacuums, just Hoover..but its still quite nice :]

Ian

Post# 7080 , Reply# 52   1/2/2007 at 12:07 (6,317 days old) by 74simon ()        
Thank you guys!

 I've always preferred Hoover. Even as a kid I looked down on other brands...

Si

Post# 7081 , Reply# 53   1/2/2007 at 12:21 (6,317 days old) by ian88 ()        

Heh, I've always thought of Hoover as THE vacuum brand as well :) only the old models of course, after the turbomaster/early turbopower 1's (as others no doubt have said) they just let me down.

Ian

Post# 7082 , Reply# 54   1/2/2007 at 13:43 (6,317 days old) by myhooverco ()        

Ian and Si...I agree Hoover has always been the one for me. I always thought as a child if they did not have a Hoover they must be poor! How funny looking back. In reality, they paid a lot more for their Kirbys and Luxes than my dad paid for our Dial A Matic.

Happy Hoovering!!!!

--Tom

Post# 7083 , Reply# 55   1/2/2007 at 14:10 (6,317 days old) by vacuumkid3 ()        
Prices of Vacuums!

 That is for sure, Tom! It is amazing how much more a Kirby was than a Hoover. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time with the money I have and buy a few vacuum cleaners, fountan pens, and stuff like that. If only, if only...

Post# 7260 , Reply# 56   1/3/2007 at 23:20 (6,315 days old) by henrydreyfuss (Ohio)        
Tom...

 henrydreyfuss's profile picture
I could only wish that my house grew up with a Dial-a-Matic... We had a Eureka ESP, and then a Eureka Whirlwind! In reality the ESP was really a very good vacuum (the Whirlwind on the other hand..). We had the ESP for almost 10 years... but I wasn't blessed with my first Dial-a-Matic until I was 17!

Corey

Post# 7602 , Reply# 57   1/6/2007 at 17:01 (6,312 days old) by concept1 ()        

Simon

Weird that I should be looking through here and see one of my vacuums posted on the forum! (Simon very, very kindly gave me the TurboPower Freedom last summer).

It's been polished to a perfect shine and is now a star in my collection. Nice to be able to thank you again! :-)

Steve

Post# 7613 , Reply# 58   1/6/2007 at 17:58 (6,312 days old) by 74simon ()        
Hullo Steve

 I'm glad you're still pleased with the Freedom - if I hadn't given a workmate a lift home the night I found it, it would have ended up as landfill! It was right opposite his house...

Hope you enjoy it here!

Si

Post# 9174 , Reply# 59   2/6/2007 at 12:41 (6,282 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Most normal people.........

 Go on their lunch break and bring back lunch- guess what I brought back today- God bless the Sally Army charity shop lol :)

Seamus

Post# 9176 , Reply# 60   2/6/2007 at 12:44 (6,282 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Its Toms Innovations........

 British relative......Excuse the pics its not had a beauty treatment yet ;)

Post# 9178 , Reply# 61   2/6/2007 at 12:45 (6,282 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Hood closeup........

 It needs a bulb- I have loads :)

Post# 9179 , Reply# 62   2/6/2007 at 12:46 (6,282 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Speed control.....

 Sadly lacking on the US model :(

Post# 9181 , Reply# 63   2/6/2007 at 12:51 (6,282 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
The Toolless Model......

 Is actually rarer than the version with on board tools- there wasnt a huge difference in price between this and a tool kit and the on board model, obviously most people went for the latter option. It was well worth the £10 I paid any how lol!!!

Post# 9190 , Reply# 64   2/6/2007 at 15:04 (6,281 days old) by 74simon ()        
Well found mate!

 You'll have to find the matching tools now though!

Si

Post# 9196 , Reply# 65   2/6/2007 at 15:23 (6,281 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Si.....

 Yup another challenge lol......

Just gonna drop ya a mail;)


Seamus

Post# 9275 , Reply# 66   2/7/2007 at 05:31 (6,281 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Its had its beauty treatment.......

 Hey Guys

More pics will follow this evening :)- I have to confess id TOTALLY!! forgotten how good these are at carpet cleaning and how much quieter they are than the Turbopower(Sovereign) models, which is strange as they use basically the same motor design- maybe the larger fan chamber helps????.

This one was made in November 1987 so is pretty early. Ive just noticed Ians Total System has Turbomaster as opposed to Carpet Selection on the lamp cover- obviously this changed at some point.

Overall im very impressed :)- its defiantly a keeper lol!!

Seamus

Post# 9312 , Reply# 67   2/7/2007 at 14:52 (6,280 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Some Pics from.....

 After the beauty salon :)

1. Hood all done

Post# 9313 , Reply# 68   2/7/2007 at 14:54 (6,280 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
General View

 All lit up :)

Post# 9314 , Reply# 69   2/7/2007 at 14:55 (6,280 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Speed display...

 Its a pity the Innovation lacked this :(

Post# 9315 , Reply# 70   2/7/2007 at 14:56 (6,280 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Countdown.......

 4

Post# 9316 , Reply# 71   2/7/2007 at 14:57 (6,280 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Next

 3

Post# 9317 , Reply# 72   2/7/2007 at 14:58 (6,280 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
And a..

 2

Post# 9319 , Reply# 73   2/7/2007 at 14:58 (6,280 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
And Number.....

 1

Post# 9320 , Reply# 74   2/7/2007 at 15:00 (6,280 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
And dont forget

 To use only genuine bags

Post# 9321 , Reply# 75   2/7/2007 at 15:01 (6,280 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Rating sticker

 November 87

Post# 9322 , Reply# 76   2/7/2007 at 15:02 (6,280 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
And finally.......

 A shot in the dark :)

Post# 9341 , Reply# 77   2/7/2007 at 16:42 (6,280 days old) by tommymilan (milano)        

tommymilan's profile picture
Beautiful, I like it!
I have two model U 5098 total system,with on board tools, but Idon't like them very much!
tommy

Post# 269264 , Reply# 78   2/24/2014 at 17:11 (3,706 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

alexhoovers94's profile picture
I LOVE the Total Systems the Turbomaster hard bag cleaners just look right with the tools onboard.
I just bought the very rare soft bag version.


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