Got a Hoover Z!


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Thread Number: 15868
Got a Hoover Z!

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Post# 169117 2/10/2012 at 16:49 (4,458 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()
Checkrate/Likes I'm so excited! I found a Hoover Z on Craig's List for 20 bucks. It was an hour drive to Tampa, but so worth it. Several years ago, I bought the base model Hoover Z 400 on Ebay and it was shiped with no box and it was just wrapped in bubble wrap with the cord trailing behind and it would not rise from the crouched position.. when I got into it, I found that the mechanism that allows it to crouch and release from the crouched position had been superglued and the superglue was still wet! Craziness! I had to file a paypal claim and get a refund... I threw it in the trash in pieces. I actually wanted the Z 700 anyway and I was settling for the 400 because I couldn't find a 700 when I wanted one. I paid 80 dollars for the 400 so this was definitely worth the trip. I'm still driving home right now (riding actualy, not driving, a friend is driving my car... we made a day trip out of it) so I haven't really explored it, but when the guy was showing it to me, I noticed that the self cleaning filter didn't spin and the filter light on the diagnostic center on the digi-touch control panel lit up red in the filter area and it said see manual. Does anyone know what could be causing the filter not to spin and if the filter can be washed? I'm going to post pictures after I get home and of course I will eventually do a video.... I would just like to get this filter thing resolved. Thanks guys!

Post# 169119 , Reply# 1 2/10/2012 at 16:59 (4,458 days old) by twocvbloke ()
Checkrate/Likes Now is that Zed or Zee? :P

Post# 169121 , Reply# 2 2/10/2012 at 17:10 (4,458 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)
Checkrate/Likes Let us know what you think of it. There's a dirty one at my Habitat for $10. It seems so heavy, I saw a guy try to push it the other day and his wife said it was a really heavy vacuum.

Post# 169122 , Reply# 3 2/10/2012 at 17:36 (4,458 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA )
Checkrate/Likes *Well....* First of all, Congrats! and secondly, the light and see manual most likley a gear stripped or stuck. Truth be told, its a pain in the %$@ to disassemble! (ANY part of it!) Lastly, is there any way you can post a video of whats happening? It would help alot!!

Post# 169124 , Reply# 4 2/10/2012 at 17:53 (4,458 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes David, In the USA, "Z" is pronounced "zee". Canadians say it like the British (we DO have Lizzie on our coins, after all) - we say "zed".... :-) Eurekaprince Brian BTW - Hoover's whole direction for the Hoover Zed was inspired by the Sport Utility Vehicle. They really wanted to try something revolutionary as a response to Dyson's arrival in North America. But I guess the result was not very user friendly.....

Post# 169137 , Reply# 5 2/10/2012 at 18:57 (4,458 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)
Checkrate/Likes Congrats! I have both the 400 and 700 and I love them! They are really agressive vacuums, and the height adjustment is so neat. I remember when Home Depot sold the 400 for only $100 at the end of their run!

Post# 169149 , Reply# 6 2/10/2012 at 20:11 (4,458 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()
Checkrate/Likes Hey guys I just got it home and played with it. When I turned it on, the filter thing happened again so I took the filter shroud off and took the filter of and put it back on and turned it manually.... when I started the machine back up, it worked perfectly. I have some of the parts soaking in bleach water now, but I will post video and pictures as soon as they dry. The height adjust is awesome and all the settings and LED headlights work! Yay! I'm just thrilled. The thing doesn't even look like a vacuum and it is truly a monster.... so tall and heavy and huge but I love it and I'm thrilled that it works... smells like carpet fresh a little, but other than that and a few cosmetic scratches, it is perfect!!!! It only came with the turbo and crevice tools, but I know the others are easily found on Ebay and the ones from my s/p windtunnel will fit.... they are just tan instead of black.... It does feel fragile like it would easily break, but I am going to baby it because I don't see these very often. I can't believe there is no carry handle on this monster!!! The handle release even works! Did this machine come with a bare floor tool? I can't imagine that it did because the wand doesn't telescope very long! Thanks for the feedback guys. It's so fun to share new finds with my vacuum friends! By the way, I know too well what a pain these are to take apart because I did it with the white 400 that I got on Ebay that was in such bad shape.... this thing is like a dream realized now, but I'm not taking it apart ever!

Post# 169157 , Reply# 7 2/10/2012 at 20:49 (4,458 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA )
Checkrate/Likes Glad it works! I have mine off of ebay for 9.99! Free shipping too! BTW, 2 more things, does it have the little rubber cleanout port on the bottom back? Mine was broken! Secondly, do you know what I can clean the filter with? It smells REALLY bad of wet dog! Thanks!

Post# 169200 , Reply# 8 2/11/2012 at 10:21 (4,458 days old) by FantomVacuumFan (St.Petersburg, Florida)
Checkrate/Likes *So...* You were in Tampa, and didn't come to see me? lol jk jk

Post# 169247 , Reply# 9 2/11/2012 at 19:58 (4,457 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()
Checkrate/Likes That would have been fun.... we should plan something on purpose one day... I didn't even think about it, but I had to work that night anyway and we got lost because the GPS couldn't find the place. It was worth the trouble though.... what a fun vacuum. I still haven't really played with it because the filter is drying. Symon, I soaked the filter in bleach water.... I don't know if you're supposed to or not, but I did. The clean out flap is there on mine, so that's a good thing!

Post# 169303 , Reply# 10 2/12/2012 at 07:19 (4,457 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()
Checkrate/Likes *pictures* Here are some pictures. I finally got the filter dry (thanks to some help from the diswhasher's dry cycle, I just couldn't wait for it to air dry) and played with the vacuum. I do like it a lot! It's powerful and it is quiet and has a really solid feel. It pushes so easily! Only one problem.... the telescopic wand doesn't work right.... if I try to make it smaller than the maximum height, when I pull back on the machine, it extends as if I were pushing the release, so I have to use it at maximum height.... super annoying. I don't know if this is something I can fix or if I have to buy a new wand handle (if they can even be found, I should have kept the one from the Z400 that I trashed, but I didn't know I'd be getting this or that it would have this specific problem).... I started making a video, but I haven't slept all night because I wanted to play with this thing and my words were coming out all jibberish and then the memory card ran out of room and stopped the video halfway through, so I thought it better to wait.

Post# 169304 , Reply# 11 2/12/2012 at 07:21 (4,457 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()
Checkrate/Likes the filter

Post# 169305 , Reply# 12 2/12/2012 at 07:22 (4,457 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()
Checkrate/Likes *last one* the awesome lights.... excuse the mess of junk hidden under the couch ;o)

Post# 169350 , Reply# 13 2/12/2012 at 16:25 (4,456 days old) by rainbowjoel (Dexter NM)
Checkrate/Likes That cat is scary. lol Pretty machine!

Post# 169357 , Reply# 14 2/12/2012 at 17:55 (4,456 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA )
Checkrate/Likes *Awsome!!!* BTW, on my Z400, the same thing happends with the handle! I think its just from too much pressure or use!

Post# 169367 , Reply# 15 2/12/2012 at 19:35 (4,456 days old) by petek (Ontario)
Checkrate/Likes I always sort of regret not having bought one during the seeming 5 minutes they were sold at Sears stores and then disappeared for good. Have fun Bobby.

Post# 169372 , Reply# 16 2/12/2012 at 20:12 (4,456 days old) by TheBillbot ()
Checkrate/Likes Satan Cat :P

Post# 169376 , Reply# 17 2/12/2012 at 20:33 (4,456 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)
Checkrate/Likes Is that a bagged vacuum or bagless?

Post# 169377 , Reply# 18 2/12/2012 at 20:47 (4,456 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()
Checkrate/Likes Thanks guys! Eurekastar, bagless..... TheBillBot, I know you can't tell it to look at the picture, but he really is the sweetest cat in the world! Symon, I think I fixed it and maybe this will work for you. You know that little plastic collar that is between the two parts of the wand. I noticed there was some play in it, but if I pressed down tight on it with my fingers it eliminated the problem. so, I got some REALLY strong super glue (really strong) and put a bead around it and pressed it down and let it dry for a few hours.... that has fixed the problem for now, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it recurs since the machine is 28 pounds and when you pull back, you're not only fighting the weight of the machine, but also the powerful brushroll and not quite as powerful suction. Oh well, if it happens again, at least I know what the problem is and I've got plenty of super glue! It's a shame that a vacuum that started at 500 dollars has to be held together with super glue, but it's working for now, and that's all I really care about. It really is a fun and unique machine and despite its quirks, I'm enjoying it. I can see why a "normal" person wouldn't though! Despite its weight, wide swath, height, and just overall "enormousness", it is surprisingly easy to push.... it has such a pleasant sound and feel and it really picks up well. I read the manual (still available on the Hoover site for now) because I didn't think it had a carrying handle.... it does, you grab it under the control panel if you need to carry it!

Post# 169378 , Reply# 19 2/12/2012 at 20:58 (4,456 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Bobby - how do you feel about removing the explanation label that's on the vac? I know some of us would never remove it, but I think it takes away from the cool design. You can always move the label to a separate piece of cardboard for safekeeping and for archiving. I remember reading somewhere that some users found it weird that Hoover left out a cord reel on this revolutionary design. I guess it would have made the thing that much heavier! By the way, how long is the cord? And is it convenient to wind up? Enjoy your new toy! :-)

Post# 169383 , Reply# 20 2/12/2012 at 22:01 (4,456 days old) by twocvbloke ()
Checkrate/Likes That cat has laser eyes of awesomeness... :P

Post# 169397 , Reply# 21 2/13/2012 at 01:59 (4,456 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()
Checkrate/Likes I was just thinking the other day about vacuums (like I ever think about anything else!) and I was thinking that there were two things that I've never seen on a vacuum.... one was a flat instead of a round cord, and the other was a brushroll speed control... most vacuums have suction control, but the brush always spins the same speed.... This one has both a flat cord (it wouldn't fit in that little trap door compartment if it didn't, it barely does anyway) and a slow brush setting.... the gentle brush setting not only reduces the speed of the brush, but the suction as well.... the suction isn't tremendous to start with (nothing like the s/p Windtunnel!), so reducing the suction on this probably isn't a good idea! I used it on the bathroom rugs tonight with the gentle brush setting, and it was much easier to use than any other vacuum I'd ever tried. It did still try to eat the rugs when I got to the end, but it was easy to fix since it was on reduced power. I sucked up some baby powder, and much to my surprise, there was a lot of it in the separate compartment where the filter's dirt gets deposited. I guess the whole self cleaning thing is working. Earlier, I vacuumed the filter off by running the Z and taking off the dirt chamber and using the hose of my s/p WindTunnel. It was easy, but the filter must have been cleaning itself properly because I did not notice an improvement in suction after doing it. Two things I noticed.... the dirt collection container is really weirdly shaped and very small, and the pre-filter screen clogs fast. The other thing is that when you remove the dirt chamber to empty it, dirt falls down onto the floor head and makes it dusty.... I read about those things in reviews and they were confirmed with my experience with the machine. Brian, the cord is not easy to wrap (it is 35 feet long though, that's great until you have to wind it).... the cord hooks are close together so you have to do a lot of revolutions to get it wrapped and if you don't do it "just so", the door won't close. I have thought about taking the sticker off on this and other vacuums (Eureka Smart Vac comes to mind), but I just didn't want to for some reason.... I think it would look better, but think I think once I take it off, I can't put it back on, so for now I'm going to leave it there... A cord winder would be a welcome addition!

Post# 169416 , Reply# 22 2/13/2012 at 09:49 (4,456 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks for the information Bobby! Regarding adjusting the speed of the brush roll: the high end Kenmore Progressive (Elegance in Canada) upright with Panasonic's Direct Drive beltless brush roll has a "gentle" slower setting for the brush roll, if I remember correctly.... :-)

Post# 169421 , Reply# 23 2/13/2012 at 11:05 (4,456 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes *I like mine a lot, too* I have one, possibly use twice. It's big, bulky, would never do well as a "daily driver".It was HOOVER'S "butch phase", Designed to attract MEN vacuumers. It IS the answer to an SUV. HOOVER used the GUV, too (Garage Utility Vac)If you collect, and WE all do, you need a nice "Z". Just like you MUST have a 28, etc Best of luck with it. P.s. LOVE the "nuclear cat".

Post# 169431 , Reply# 24 2/13/2012 at 14:48 (4,455 days old) by whirlpolf ()
Checkrate/Likes *Ach du Schande!* meaning: Holy shit! I am overwhelmed, I wish we could have these over here. They were being sold anywhere but not here. What a machine! McGuyver and a sparing sprinkle of StarTrek, this concept is more than worth collecting. Thanks for sharing the pics. Joe

Post# 169449 , Reply# 25 2/13/2012 at 18:24 (4,455 days old) by 1996kirbyg4 ()
Checkrate/Likes *that is awesome* personally out of modern vac's i think that is of the best looking vacuums ever. i have always wanted one, but they are harder to find than i thought. how does it do with medium pile carpet?

Post# 169460 , Reply# 26 2/13/2012 at 20:14 (4,455 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()
Checkrate/Likes I used it again tonight, and another thing I love is that it doesn't snowplow or push area rugs out of the way at all.... it goes right over them and doesn't leave anything in its path of destruction but a clean floor. John, I used to have a 28, but I accidentally smashed it with a falling Oreck that was hanging on the wall above it :o( It was in bad shape anyway. I think I'd rather have a Hoover Junior than a 28! I played with one at Terry's in Ruskin last year and totally fell in love! I don't have any medium carpet, but I'm sure it would do quite well because it is extremely powerful... on my thin carpet, it doesn't kick stuff back like the Hoover Convertible, Eureka F and G style machines, or Eureka Smart Vac, so that is a great thing!

Post# 169847 , Reply# 27 2/17/2012 at 05:49 (4,452 days old) by thermokid (Casper, Wyoming)
Checkrate/Likes *I have both models...* the white one and the grayish silver one. I bought the white one first off of Ebay. The seller said it was in excellent condition(only used once). HA.... anyway when I got it it has some kind of a valve that opens and shuts sending the suction either to the rug nozzle or to the hose, well this part is broke so the suction always stays on the rug nozzle. Oh well I thought, I will just call my trusty Hoover man In California and have him send me the part so I could fix it..... Well guess what? No replacement parts are available for this machine. It was an experimental model that TTI came up with and it bombed terribly. That is what I get for believing some jerk on EBAY. Any way then I saw the grayish model new in the box for $100 bucks so I said why not? I bought it and it is a nice machine(two speed motor, and Headlights) wow.. But the vacuum store I had bought it from must have had it stored in a musty basement or something because the machine just stunk of mold. I left it sit outside for almost a month to air out.Now it smells okay, but I don't use it at all because it is so heavy. I think it is heavier than my kirby.... Dan

Post# 169926 , Reply# 28 2/17/2012 at 20:48 (4,451 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA )
Checkrate/Likes *thermokid* If you ever get tired of the Z700 (Grey one) I would LOVE to buy it off of you! :)

Post# 170348 , Reply# 29 2/21/2012 at 11:25 (4,448 days old) by sleepdoc (St. Louis, MO)
Checkrate/Likes I love how the cat is about to use its laser eyes to disintegrate that Z! It's like the Death Star!

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