|
Thread Number: 786
Bison questions |
[Down to Last] |  |
| Post# 8095 , Reply# 1 1/11/2007 at 20:34 (6,312 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH) | ||
Bison
If it runs ok and is complete, I'd say go for it. Bisons weren't made very long and are somewhat rare, and as time goes on will be a collector's item if they aren't already. Of course, there are people here who know a lot more about Bison than I do, and I would definitely go by what they tell you. Jeff | ||
Post# 8096 , Reply# 2 1/11/2007 at 20:37 (6,312 days old) by compactelectra  (Palm Springs) |
||
Parts are hard to come by
The machine is rather rare and unusual. I have the brown (later one) found new in the box in Wisconsin. It has to be the meanest beast (and the loudest) I have ever seen or heard. Definitely worth collecting. Is it the green one or the brown one? Here is mine, brand new. Kind of looks like Gork on "The Day The Earth Stood Still."
| ||
| Post# 8100 , Reply# 4 1/11/2007 at 20:52 (6,312 days old) by ian88 () | ||
|
Nice Cylon Vacuum... :p love the red headlight Ian | ||
|
Post# 8112 , Reply# 7 1/11/2007 at 21:49 (6,312 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
||
|
Interesting Thread
The theme of the Omaha convention is going to be "The Great Bison Roundup." Clay Floyd - who used to be a Bison dealer has agreed to demonstrate the Bison in a typical sales pitch, and since I have this one brand new with boxes and attachments, it will be the one he demonstrates. Should be fun. I have the owner's manual. Should I scan it for this thread? Fred 
| ||
| Post# 8116 , Reply# 8 1/11/2007 at 22:07 (6,312 days old) by bigbubbacain () | ||
|
yes please! This will give us all a great bit of insight. | ||
|
Post# 8117 , Reply# 9 1/11/2007 at 22:25 (6,312 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
||
|
OK - Since you asked nice! | ||
|
Post# 8118 , Reply# 10 1/11/2007 at 22:26 (6,312 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
||
|
Next | ||
|
Post# 8119 , Reply# 11 1/11/2007 at 22:27 (6,312 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
||
|
Next | ||
|
Post# 8120 , Reply# 12 1/11/2007 at 22:28 (6,312 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
||
|
Next | ||
|
Post# 8121 , Reply# 13 1/11/2007 at 22:29 (6,312 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
||
|
Next | ||
|
Post# 8122 , Reply# 14 1/11/2007 at 22:30 (6,312 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
||
|
Next | ||
|
Post# 8123 , Reply# 15 1/11/2007 at 22:31 (6,312 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
||
|
Next | ||
| Post# 8126 , Reply# 17 1/11/2007 at 23:02 (6,312 days old) by charles~richard () | ||
|
THAT BAG Is so hideous, in a wonderful 1970s sort of way. I had a pair of slacks like it back in the day. Gee - that rhymes! Sign me ... Henry Gibson | ||
| Post# 8127 , Reply# 18 1/11/2007 at 23:36 (6,312 days old) by luxg () | ||
|
Thanks for posting all of that information Fred, it was really interesting. I can't wait to see Clay's demo of this. | ||
| Post# 8128 , Reply# 19 1/12/2007 at 01:25 (6,312 days old) by bigbubbacain () | ||
|
Thank you Fred After seeing the details in the manual, I think I'm ready to make my neighbor an offer. | ||
| Post# 8133 , Reply# 20 1/12/2007 at 04:00 (6,312 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK) | ||
|
Cords....... Notice that thew instructions ADVISE...... wrapping the cord in a figure of 8 pattern- not only is this one of my pet hates im sure ive also read on here it dosent do it any good??? Seamus | ||
| Post# 8134 , Reply# 21 1/12/2007 at 06:16 (6,312 days old) by ian88 () | ||
|
Well, Seamus...we all know (sadly) the Bison was clearly a flawed machine ;) Of course I want one, it just looks so EVIL lol, wonder if they do them in gloss black with a red headlight lens.. Ian | ||
| Post# 8138 , Reply# 22 1/12/2007 at 09:26 (6,312 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK) | ||
Looks like..  | ||
|
Post# 8150 , Reply# 23 1/12/2007 at 10:17 (6,312 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
||
 | ||
|
Post# 8174 , Reply# 25 1/12/2007 at 16:55 (6,311 days old) by kirbyultimateg (Troy Ohio 45373 USA) |
||
|
Thanks for posting Fred! It is very informative! The Bison is what you would call a Bojack Kirby! | ||
|
Post# 8231 , Reply# 29 1/13/2007 at 09:29 (6,311 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
||
|
I brought the green Bison from a crazy person in Chicago. (Fred Nelson and Tania Voigt can attest to this---the crazy part that is!) It was brand new in the box and this was about 3 years ago. It was complete with all the attachments and paperwork. Sort of like a time capsule. We took it back to Milwaukee where Fred Stachnik and I assembled it and gave it a test drive along with some other folks. It was "so-so" in our thinking in terms of performance. You literally have to yell to talk to anyone in the same room. It only has two brush stips on the brush roll like the early big head Kirbys. The variable speed control is interesting but I not sure how useful. I'm almost positive there was only a shake out cloth bag and never a paper bag. The belt is slightly different than a Kirby. It has sort of a lip or edge on one side making it unique to Bison. I'm not sure if you can use another type with them. Removing and reattaching the rug nozze is a very clumsy affair at best. It took us a while to figure it all out. Even using the height adjuster was...........well, let's just say it is not like using a Kirby! I shipped it to my house and played with it here for a while. It was so loud that my poor cats were sick with nervous anxiety for days after I would use it. Although very kitschy and probably collectable as time passes, I decided to sell it to VCCC member Steve Keisler in Chicago. So it went back home to Chicago where it started out! I think Clay will do a marvelous job explaining the machine, the company and it's history. This will be one of the first conventions where an "orphan" vacuum will be featured. I'm glad Fred Nelson put the owner's manual on here as it shows and explains many things about the Bison that would be hard to describe. | ||
|
Post# 8278 , Reply# 31 1/14/2007 at 01:06 (6,310 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC) |
||
|
Sounds like the Bison outfit died from lawsuits from Kirby-unfreindly operation-difficult to remove or install attachments-and lastly-NOISEY!Guess the thing was as loud as a B-52 idling for takeoff?They sure were interesting looking machines! | ||
| Post# 8287 , Reply# 32 1/14/2007 at 07:11 (6,310 days old) by ian88 () | ||
|
I wouldn't have thought an outfit like the illustrious Scott and Fetzer company would like some young upstart challenging one of their more profitable divisions :P I know I wouldn't.. | ||
| Post# 8331 , Reply# 34 1/14/2007 at 18:34 (6,309 days old) by vacuumfreeeke () | ||
|
fun fun I live about 2 hours from Ocala (grew up there)... I should drive to the old headquarters address and take a picture of whatever's there now! What a fun machine... almost mean looking though! | ||
| Post# 8368 , Reply# 36 1/15/2007 at 10:22 (6,309 days old) by vacuumkid3 () | ||
|
Thanks Russ!! Well, although I look like a midget, I am only 14! HAHA! That was a good deal for the Bison, too! I really want to hear what one of them actually sounds like! Maybe compare it to a Kirby, too... ~~K~~ | ||
| Post# 8407 , Reply# 37 1/16/2007 at 10:04 (6,308 days old) by bisonian (Where the buffalo roamed! (Ocala, FL)) | ||
|
The former Bison plant ... ... is now the headquarters building for E-One, a fire truck manufacturer. | ||
| Post# 8408 , Reply# 38 1/16/2007 at 11:06 (6,308 days old) by sukething () | ||
|
Hey bubbicain/John So what is the verdict? I an anxiously awaiting what you did if you got it or not. Also in Arlington do you know Davidson's Realtor? Email when you can....sukething@hotmail.com David | ||
|
Post# 8454 , Reply# 40 1/16/2007 at 22:26 (6,307 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
||
|
Bison Belts
Belts are probably the easiest things to bojack. Just take the belt into the nearest good vacuum shop and replace it with the nearest thing. When Charlie Watrous picked up the Airway Chief from Tania (about 75 years old) we took the belt in to the local vac shop, he matched one up and it works like a charm. Isn't that right Charlie? As long as you get the right width, the circumference only needs to be close due to the fact that the belt stretches.
| ||
|
Post# 8469 , Reply# 41 1/17/2007 at 07:53 (6,307 days old) by air-waycharlie (USA) |
||
|
Yes, you can "bojack" belts to make them work on vacuums. Case in point, on a Eureka VG III power nozzle, I am using a Kirby, "inside track", belt as it is slightly tighter, does not stretch as quickly as Eureka belts and there is less slippage. I think if you use a belt of the same diameter and width on the Bison, it will work. That is what I have been told. I would think, somewhere out here, someone has a supply of NOS Bison belts that were never used up. In the meantime Bigbubba, don't let something as minor as a belt stop you if you want the vacuum. If it was missing a motor, missing wheels, cord, bag, etc., that is another story. Plus, if you contact Clay Floyd, as a former Bison dealer he can probably tell you what would be the best belt to use. I ended up using a Kenmore/Panasonic belt on the Air-Way Chief. It works fine and is still on the vacuum. I bought it in a 2-pack so I have a back up as well. | ||
| Post# 8470 , Reply# 42 1/17/2007 at 09:27 (6,307 days old) by bigbubbacain () | ||
|
Thanks everyone! As soon as I can tear myself away from work, I'm taking a closer look at this beats. | ||
| Post# 8497 , Reply# 44 1/17/2007 at 16:53 (6,306 days old) by converto-skip () | ||
|
Royal Upright belts Royal upright belts work fine in the Bison Skip... | ||
| Post# 8520 , Reply# 45 1/17/2007 at 19:01 (6,306 days old) by compactc9 () | ||
|
I am also very excited to hear about Bison. And as the newsletter said, as only Clay could present it. | ||
| Forum Index: | 
| Other Forums: |
|
|
|
|
|
Comes to the Rescue!
