Thread Number: 17342
Installing Kevlar Fan In Kirby Generation 4? 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 186714   6/21/2012 at 23:35 (4,318 days old) by Wolffie ()        

Hello, my name is Wolffe, I turned 15 just yesterday, and I am a vacuum enthusiast.

I have always been a Kirby fan since a boy. My dad one day brought home a Kirby he found in the trash (my dad was a druggy, so that may not be true), which I believe to be the Kirby Dual Sanitronic 80 (It may have been another older model, but it was green with a green bag and this zipper that opened to this inflated pouch). I loved the damn thing, it was so powerful.

It was hard for me to use due to its weight, I found it hard to push, being a youngling. Then it happened.

My father brought home yet another Kirby, the Kirby Generation 3. It was love at first use. I used it almost everyday. I used it to the point the floors were never even dirty, I just loved using it. The techdrive was breathtaking, it was easier to push than even a cheap plastic vacuum! Sure, the transmission on the G3 was insanely jerky, but I loved it. It had real character. It was so powerful I actually ripped up a part of the carpet on accident!

Sadly, the drunk my dad was, he gave it to his boss without even consulting me. I was crushed.

But, upon yesterday, my 15th birthday, I made the decision to buy a Kirby Generation 4. It is a bit scratched up, but has all the accessories and is fully functional.

The reason I got the G4, is it had a superior transmission to the G3, but not the poor looks of the G5 and later. (In my opinion). I would be giving up the kevlar fan of the G5 for the metal fan of the G4.

I have heard reports that the G4's metal fan is superior to the G5's kevlar fan in terms of suction, but then again, a kevlar fan is virtually invincible. Sucking up coins, large plastic wrappers, most things would not be trouble at all.

But then again, if reports are correct, I would lose power with going with the G5 or later.

I have noticed that Kevlar fans do fit the G4, but I am unsure as to if I should upgrade. With the G3, I sucked up a coin or two every once in a while, and besides a belt snap a few times a year, it was fine. This is my very own vacuum though, and I want to treat it best I can. I am not going to TRY and suck up coins, but things happen.

What do you guys suggest?

CLICK HERE TO GO TO Wolffie's LINK on eBay


Post# 186716 , Reply# 1   6/22/2012 at 01:00 (4,318 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Typically all of the Kirby G series vacuums had the plastic fans.didn't know of any from the Kirby factory equipped with metal fans-I do like the metal ones better.Presently I have a G4 that was rebuilt by Kirby that I bought from a Kirby distributer that went out of business.also in the collection from them was a rebuilt G3,and a G5.Plastic fan are not invincible-too many coins,pebbles and such will break them--and be careful with paper or small cardboard items vs plastic fans-leanred it the hard way-if the paper or cardboard item gets caught in the fancase and rubs the plastic fan-the paper can erode the fan RAPIDLY!!!If after you picked up a paper wad or cardboard and hear it rubbing on the fan-stop the vacuum right away and remove the item.If the item is in the fancase-be sure to unplug the vacuum first.We don't want a finger being bitten off by a fan if the vac accidently starts!Wether plastic or metal don't want my fingers near a fan spinning at 12-15,000RPM!The paper or cardboard won't harm a metal fan.

Post# 186735 , Reply# 2   6/22/2012 at 08:46 (4,318 days old) by kirbyloverdan (Egg Harbor Twp . NJ aka HOOVERLOVERDAN ❤️)        
Kirby

kirbyloverdan's profile picture
never put a metal fan in the G series . Someone must have replaced it with metal.

Post# 186741 , Reply# 3   6/22/2012 at 09:29 (4,318 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
Generation fans

 Wolffie,Starting at about the Heritage all Kirbys used a grey plastic fan.(Previous metal fans were great but nothing is perfect and they would often break a corner off a blade with abuse such as rocks,nails,pennies,etc.)With age and use the grey fan will first develop tiny evenly spaced cracks which become bigger with use causing possible 'wobble' and then will break away usualy in a circle.The condition described above with paper can also happen on new carpet with much lint and fuzz if bag not changed and fill tube fills.Seldom any permanant harm to motor.A grey fan showing cracks should be changed to the new white fans which will probably never give trouble.A grey fan that is good on a low milage machine can be left alone.Changing fan is not that difficult is you have mechanical skills.I DO NOT remove front housing,instead removing motor rearward.If needed I or others can explain.There are no bad Kirbys but the Sanitronic,Legend & Generation seem the best.I have many accesories if needed later.--Happy Vacuuming--Jimmy

Post# 186752 , Reply# 4   6/22/2012 at 11:42 (4,318 days old) by alexhoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
"reason I got the G4, is it had a superior transmission

alexhoovers94's profile picture

High there nice G4.
I respect your opinion and all but I stongly disagree, the G5 is like the nicest G series kirby. (in my opinion) The colours of the G5 are nice, the belt lifter is very nice and the style of the hood is very nice also, all in all for me the G5 looks the best out of the entire G series.

I would put my top three kirbys G series as

1. kirby G5
2. kirby ultimate G
3. Kirby G4

I hope you enjoy your G4.

Post# 186782 , Reply# 5   6/22/2012 at 17:37 (4,317 days old) by Wolffie ()        

I have done research, and according to everything I can find, the G3 and G4 had metal fans, and then fans became Kevlar after that point. I have even watched videos of people talking a G4 apart to replace the metal fan (as it had dents).

Are you guys SURE?

Some sources would be nice.



Post# 186785 , Reply# 6   6/22/2012 at 18:40 (4,317 days old) by kirbyloverdan (Egg Harbor Twp . NJ aka HOOVERLOVERDAN ❤️)        
I own every

 kirbyloverdan's profile picture
Kirby G series NIB and always buy the first one`s out .

They NEVER put a metal fan in the G series .

I`ve seen the videos on Utube and most people have said they replace the plastic with metal which slows the motor down .

At all of the conventions they shoot quaters through the fan to show the strength.

They were a grey plastic in the begining before they used the off white ones they use now.



Post# 186801 , Reply# 7   6/23/2012 at 00:35 (4,317 days old) by Wolffie ()        

appliances.lovetoknow.com/Kirby_V...

According to this site, the G5 and above did have a Kevlar fan. I did see this multiple places. Would it be worth getting a kevlar fan? I have seen them on EBay.

Post# 186820 , Reply# 8   6/23/2012 at 07:04 (4,317 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture

Everyone is correct.  Kirby NEVER installed metal fans in the G series models.  Besides, the plastic fans are much more durable. 
Post# 186838 , Reply# 9   6/23/2012 at 09:57 (4,317 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
Kirby fans

 Wolfie,First I should have said'Happy Birthday'.Life is not always perfect but hope all is well with you.It is a positive thing that you can type and spell with intelligence,after all you chose a quality Kirby over Chinese plastic!I might also explain since you are new and I am not that I have a vac store.To be more precise I think the grey plastic fan was first used on the blue Tradition which also introduced type 1 paper bags and was used on ALL Kirbys untill maybe the G-5.They then changed to the white plastic with better material and slightly different design.Most of the few problems with the white fan are from paper and carpet fuzz clogging fan chamber as above.On a tour with VCCC members in Cleveland we saw the Kirby test lab where nuts,bolts,screws,nails are continuously fed to a Kirby which holds up well.If you do need parts later for Kirby I use genuine although some generic are OK on other brands.All above is correct.Good luck with your G-4,also check fill tube for possible cracks and rear wheels for proper amount of rubber.--Best Wishes,Happy Vacuuming--Jimmy

Post# 186860 , Reply# 10   6/23/2012 at 11:57 (4,317 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA)        
You are correct

 jfalberti's profile picture
Jimmy. The Tradition was the first Kirby to use the Lexan fan. I remember because I sold the Tradition and that was a selling point.

Joe

Post# 186882 , Reply# 11   6/23/2012 at 13:21 (4,317 days old) by Wolffie ()        

Okay, understood. But every "white fan" I look at says it is constructed of Kevlar, and none of you have said that is incorrect. Is it or is it not constructed from kevlar?



Post# 187151 , Reply# 12   6/25/2012 at 18:18 (4,314 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
Kirby fan

 Wolfie,I believe 'Kevlar' is correct.From my point of view it is more important to know that is is the only genuine fan now available than material.These white fans have done very well since introduced about the G-5 and are a good repar for G-3,4 if the old fan is showing wear or damage.I recall hearing that Kirby consulted with NASA on the design of new fan.Anyone know more?Let us know when you get & 'test drive'--Jimmy

Post# 187242 , Reply# 13   6/26/2012 at 15:35 (4,314 days old) by kirbyloverdan (Egg Harbor Twp . NJ aka HOOVERLOVERDAN ❤️)        
I just called Kirby

 kirbyloverdan's profile picture
and they said it is an Engineered Polymers . It is not Kevlar .

Post# 273682 , Reply# 14   3/27/2014 at 15:35 (3,675 days old) by 123GO (USA)        
Kirby - Nasa - Kevlar - WOW????

 New guy here' read this old post and had to jump in.
As a retired plastics molding tech I made alot of military parts from Kevlar & Nylon like M16/M60 butts,grips,stocks ect...Alot of Crane naval products too for rockets & controls.

Kirby calls it "Engineered Polymers" ,some say its Kevlar {even their salesmen} is only due to copy right laws. Du-pont owns copy rights to Kevlar name but there's a few other companies who make it now or something very similar.
One small ingrediant change for better or worse makes it a different material although truth is its basicly the same stuff. Lets say its a generic Kevlar because its made by someone other than Dupont. Cheaper that way but it dont mean its lower grade. Trade names always stick in our minds due to advertising. Kevlar is a high grade Nylon similar but better than Nylon 6-6.

Kirby article from NASA.gov site below:



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Post# 273735 , Reply# 15   3/27/2014 at 20:18 (3,674 days old) by BikerRay (Middle Earth)        

bikerray's profile picture
Kirby only sells the white plastic ( they call it Amodel ) fans with different spacers and spindels for all the different models now. I have seen a 509 with a new plastic fan in it.

I've also been seeing some of the new fans warping and the fins bending over. Hint, don't use the inflater tool too long, it seems like when back pressure builds up the fan just spins and heats up the air in the fan chamber rather than moving the air.

Post# 273790 , Reply# 16   3/28/2014 at 10:18 (3,674 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)        
Kirby Amodel fans

 sptyks's profile picture

Here is some more info on the new Kirby Amodel fan:

 

www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-...

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