Classic 3 belt lifter

Hello Chris & Ben.

If using the knurled belts, I usually encourage changing them twice a year if you're an average 'vacuumer.' If you're still using (for nostalgia & originality) the older rubber (gray) belts, then more frequently.

(In fact, this is the perfect time to kind of form the [new] habit... "change the clocks, change the batteries & change the belt [at least on a Kirby]"

Changing belts is one of the simplest, most needed 'fixes' of a Kirby; & yet, the most often neglected maintenence. It makes such a world of difference in cleaning. If you're using the knurled belts, at 99 cents ($.99), it's NOT like I'm gonna retire because you bought a few belts. Woohoo!!! ~~lol~~

Quite often I tell a customer when they call with a concern, that they probably don't 'need me,' all they need to do is check & replace the belt. Often the response I get is: "Oh noooo, I checked the belt, it's fine; there must be something else wrong with it. I'll bring it in to you."

Then they bring their Kirby in, I pull out the brushroll from the nozzle, & 'SHOW THEM' & 'EXPLAIN TO THEM' why the old belt is bad; & they almost always say, "I thought it was ok, because it's not broken." ~~lol~~

Whether you are mechanically inclined or not, most people will relate to this example. I proceed to ask:

"If the belt(s) under the hood of your car (serpentine or "V") were stretched out & slipping, what would probably happen?" [Whether they answer or not, I continue, or agree with them if they are correct.] "You're vehicle is probably going to overheat & maybe do some motor damage. With the Kirby you're not going to hurt the machine; however, you are hurting your carpeting, etc. because the brushroll is NOT maintaining the proper speed."

Then I show them an 'old' or stretched belt next to a new one. And they usually say, "Wow, now that makes sense!"

I attempted to hold two (2) belts 'stacked' on top of each other to illustrate the 'stretching' of the belt. [I think you already know it, but the larger one is the bad one. ~~lol~~]

It's tricky holding the belts & taking the picture so it's not blurry. ~~lol~~

I hope this helps.

Cheers & hagn all,

Bill

Ps: Ben, changing the belt with NOT guarantee, not melting of the belt lifter lens. There can be other reasons the motor gets 'extremely' hot; if it does, this heat will conduct thru & out to the pulley. More likely with the aluminum fans I would think.


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Post# 113643 11/5/2010 at 23:20 (4,918 days old) by Sablekid ()
Checkrate/Likes I just bought a brand new belt lifter and label for my class 3. Ive restored about 3 or 4 of them, but Ive always wondered what makes the clear plastic on them get gouged and melted? I know it has to do with the pulley...but really...it doesnt even touch the plastic? Do people do some wierd things that cause that...or is it just a defect of the class 3? if it is a defect...i'd rather not use it since its the first time ive seen one that has a brand new lifter. just something ive always wondered....

Post# 113651 , Reply# 1 11/6/2010 at 00:56 (4,918 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)
Checkrate/Likes Could be the belt doesn't always ride on the proper position on the motor pulley-and from debris that gets caught in the belt and wrapped up in the motor shaft rubbing against the cleaer part-wearing it out.This happens in Royal uprights that have that STUPID non replaceable vinyl-rubber belt cover plate you can't replace.If they want to use that-at least fasten the cover with a screw so you can replace the cover when it gets worn.

Post# 113670 , Reply# 2 11/6/2010 at 11:10 (4,918 days old) by a007kirbyman (--->> Originally My Mom <<--- (now Wisconsin))
Checkrate/Likes *James & Kirby belt lifters...* Hello James. The lens' that are on the Classic III (2CB) & the Tradition (3CB) are often melted due to the heat. The pulley does NOT ever touch the lens, & yet the heat is intense enough to actually melt them. This will happen quicker & more so, if people do not change the belt often enough. Cheers & hagwknd all, Bill

Post# 113682 , Reply# 3 11/6/2010 at 14:25 (4,918 days old) by sanimatic ()
Checkrate/Likes *Hey Bill* How often should you change a Kirby belt? They never seem to go bad.

Post# 113979 , Reply# 4 11/7/2010 at 23:27 (4,916 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes *I'll Keep That in Mind When I Overhaul My CIII's Rug* If anyone can please recommend when to change the belt so that it does not generate so much heat to melt the belt lifter lens, please let me know. So, any suggestions as to this? They dropped the "Vis-A-Belt" feature starting with the Heritage 1-HD. ~Ben

Post# 114055 , Reply# 5 11/8/2010 at 16:51 (4,916 days old) by Briankirbyclass (Eudora Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes Ben, when i was selling for Kirby (Tradition - Legend days), they recommended as a general rule, the belt to the Rug Nozzle be changed at every 3d bag change. Of course it all depends on how much use the machine gets. Starting with the Heritage 2, the little green indicator light will tell you when your belt is slipping or stretched, and needs replacing. None of the Kirbys before the HD2 had this feature, of course. I use my Classic Omega as a daily driver,sometimes using it several times a day ( i use it in my daily business) ,so i put on a new belt every 3 months or so. Brian W.

Post# 114061 , Reply# 6 11/8/2010 at 17:11 (4,916 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes It makes sense that the pulley would generate heat, but I never realized it would generate that much heat. I think that explains why the nozzle cap on my Model 4C has slight ripples in it and doesn't fit neatly. Heat must have had an effect on it.

Post# 114078 , Reply# 7 11/8/2010 at 18:31 (4,916 days old) by a007kirbyman (--->> Originally My Mom <<--- (now Wisconsin))
Checkrate/Likes *Belts, Chris, Ben (& anyone else)...* Hello Chris & Ben. If using the knurled belts, I usually encourage changing them twice a year if you're an average 'vacuumer.' If you're still using (for nostalgia & originality) the older rubber (gray) belts, then more frequently. (In fact, this is the perfect time to kind of form the [new] habit... "change the clocks, change the batteries & change the belt [at least on a Kirby]" Changing belts is one of the simplest, most needed 'fixes' of a Kirby; & yet, the most often neglected maintenence. It makes such a world of difference in cleaning. If you're using the knurled belts, at 99 cents ($.99), it's NOT like I'm gonna retire because you bought a few belts. Woohoo!!! ~~lol~~ Quite often I tell a customer when they call with a concern, that they probably don't 'need me,' all they need to do is check & replace the belt. Often the response I get is: "Oh noooo, I checked the belt, it's fine; there must be something else wrong with it. I'll bring it in to you." Then they bring their Kirby in, I pull out the brushroll from the nozzle, & 'SHOW THEM' & 'EXPLAIN TO THEM' why the old belt is bad; & they almost always say, "I thought it was ok, because it's not broken." ~~lol~~ Whether you are mechanically inclined or not, most people will relate to this example. I proceed to ask: "If the belt(s) under the hood of your car (serpentine or "V") were stretched out & slipping, what would probably happen?" [Whether they answer or not, I continue, or agree with them if they are correct.] "You're vehicle is probably going to overheat & maybe do some motor damage. With the Kirby you're not going to hurt the machine; however, you are hurting your carpeting, etc. because the brushroll is NOT maintaining the proper speed." Then I show them an 'old' or stretched belt next to a new one. And they usually say, "Wow, now that makes sense!" I attempted to hold two (2) belts 'stacked' on top of each other to illustrate the 'stretching' of the belt. [I think you already know it, but the larger one is the bad one. ~~lol~~] It's tricky holding the belts & taking the picture so it's not blurry. ~~lol~~ I hope this helps. Cheers & hagn all, Bill Ps: Ben, changing the belt with NOT guarantee, not melting of the belt lifter lens. There can be other reasons the motor gets 'extremely' hot; if it does, this heat will conduct thru & out to the pulley. More likely with the aluminum fans I would think.