Thread Number: 24227
1988 Hoover Turbomaster U4362 Softbag
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Post# 271132   3/10/2014 at 18:42 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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Here we have a lovely condition Hoover Turbomaster Soft bag, this is one of the rarer Turbomaster cleaners, although all the Turbomaster cleaners are getting increasingly harder to get hold of but this one and the electronic are especially rare as they are a non Total System variant as the Turbomasters were not made for that long, 5 years at most and many people bought the Total System versions with the on board attachments as it seemed to be the new trend at the time.

I am usually all for the Total Systems, however I do like my Soft bags and this cleaner is just very attractive in appearance and a gem to use and to my surprise is no heavier than the Turbolite!

This machine runs fantastically and has had a good bath, bag wash and polish, it came up pretty nice, the head lamp seems to be original, 12v 12 watt, VERY bright!
It only cost about 23 quid so was not to bad and it came with the tools.
The only real issue with it is that one wheel had smashed in half, which I knew when I bought it, I don't think I will find a replacement for some time, however, I managed to fit a Turbopower Junior wheel on which works well and will see me through until I track a Turbomaster wheel down.

Here it is anyway...




This post was last edited 03/10/2014 at 20:56
Post# 271135 , Reply# 1   3/10/2014 at 18:45 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
side view...

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Post# 271138 , Reply# 2   3/10/2014 at 18:48 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Back...Notice the sturdier cord hook and carry handle...

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Post# 271141 , Reply# 3   3/10/2014 at 18:53 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Other side...Notice the Turbopower wheel...

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Post# 271142 , Reply# 4   3/10/2014 at 18:57 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Tatty handle sticker...

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Post# 271144 , Reply# 5   3/10/2014 at 18:59 (3,671 days old) by Vintagerepairer (England)        

It was absurd that Hoover should wish to place a cleaner like this on sale in the UK. Why? Well whilst there is nothing actually wrong with it (for what its worth I think it is a most attractive cleaner), a "soft bag" cleaner catered very much for two niche markets, these being those who favoured a lightweight traditional cleaner, and those who were on a budget. When this cleaner went on sale, softbag uprights were amongst the cheapest available.

The Turbomaster softbag was not lightweight. It was also far from traditional. And further more, it was far from inexpensive. Add to this, at the same time Hoover were also manufacturing the U1104 Junior & exclusive versions of same, as well as the Turbopower Junior & Turbopower Junior Electricity Board Exclusive, and also the Turbolite from the USA.

So you see, the Turbomaster softbag missed it's target consumer on practically every level. It had no place in our market, and Hoover was competing with itself in terms of all the other softbag offerings I listed above. But that was Hoover to a tee.


Post# 271145 , Reply# 6   3/10/2014 at 19:00 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Hoover logo on bag...

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Post# 271146 , Reply# 7   3/10/2014 at 19:02 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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I agree with you Benny, But it that little bit more unusual.

Post# 271147 , Reply# 8   3/10/2014 at 19:09 (3,671 days old) by Vintagerepairer (England)        
Unusual

For a collector, I agree wholeheartedly and I am pleased for you that you own it. However, for the consumer of 1987 or so, the fact it was "unusual" was not exactly a selling point, at least not sufficiently so to justify paying the price to own one.

Not only this, "softbag" cleaners were not desirable by most consumers. It was the absence of weight and the low price tag which people chose them for. A Turbomaster was state of the art. Thus, to get one with a soft-bag could well be likened to seeing that Harry lad from 'No Direction' dressed up in his grandmothers flannelette night dress, should you be able to imagine such a sight. Hardly something which is going to appeal to their target audience.


Post# 271148 , Reply# 9   3/10/2014 at 19:14 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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I think your dead right, but then there is the Hard box standard and electronic non Total System what was the point in those? why would you buy a non Total System model if you were going hard box? Seems silly.

Post# 271149 , Reply# 10   3/10/2014 at 19:17 (3,671 days old) by madabouthoovers ()        

Sometimes, its the "unpopularity" of a particular model that makes it more collectable, and a talking point in years to come - much like it is here. Benny will look at this machine and say to himself - Christ - I haven't seen one of those for years!

We could say the same in 20 years time about anyone who still owns a pristine Hoover "the one" as they were famed for being a load of rubbish at the time.

I'm sure you remember the old Austin Allegro - how many do you see now? Wouldn't it be a talking point to see one again? They were about the most unreliable and ugly car that BL produced, but still turn heads today if we see one.


Post# 271150 , Reply# 11   3/10/2014 at 19:18 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Air freshener control slide.

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Post# 271152 , Reply# 12   3/10/2014 at 19:30 (3,671 days old) by Vintagerepairer (England)        

Ah, well you see there Alex, when the Turbomaster went on sale, most upright cleaners did not have on-board tools. Back then we only had two Electrolux models (610 and 612 Electronic), three Panasonic models (41, 42 electronic, and 43 electronic with headlamp), and two Regina Housekeeper models (standard & electronic). There may have been one or two more, but if there was, I am struggling to recall what they might have been. All the rest had seperate tools, of which the choice was seemingly endless.

Hoover was now entering the "on board tools" market with a cleaner which was not only a first for them, but one which was also superior in a good deal of ways to cleaners which had separate tools. The on-board tools added pounds to the weight of the cleaner and added even more pounds to the price tag. So, there were good grounds for thinking that the models without on-board tools may well have been attractive to the high-end consumer.

The reality was that although the weight and higher cost of the cleaner was a very real consideration, the cleaner was still very heavy and bulky even without the tools on. Further more, the difference in price was not seemingly broad enough for consumers to go for the cheaper model with separate tools. As the saying goes, one may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb, because when you are entering that price bracket, a few more pounds is neither here nor there, especially if one was paying in installments for their new Hoover cleaner.

As I mentioned in another thread, the cost of producing some goods is not proportionate to the extra revenue that a cleaner of a high specification may bring in. Thus, with the cost of making the cleaners without on-board tools probably being not that much less that those with them, and with the latter commanding a higher price tag, plus the cost of the separate tools for the former, it was highly likely that Hoover suspended production of all Turbomaster cleaners without tools so as to sell only those models which had them. Hoover has always carried a vast and overwhelming range of appliances, but sometimes even they knew they had to scale their ranges back. It was a rare event, one has to add.


Post# 271153 , Reply# 13   3/10/2014 at 19:31 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Cleaner head...

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Post# 271160 , Reply# 14   3/10/2014 at 19:57 (3,671 days old) by madabouthoovers ()        

Loving the wheel - must have been fitted by Bodgitt & Scarpa, the rednecks lol


Post# 271161 , Reply# 15   3/10/2014 at 19:58 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Carpet Care Selection and Tool Conversion door...

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Post# 271162 , Reply# 16   3/10/2014 at 19:59 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Steve...

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HAHAHAHA

Post# 271163 , Reply# 17   3/10/2014 at 20:03 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Brushroll on/off...quite unusal feature for the time...

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Post# 271164 , Reply# 18   3/10/2014 at 20:07 (3,671 days old) by madabouthoovers ()        

I remember Roger was selling his TM - the one with all the bells and whistles, and he said his had problems with the brushroll on/off control not engaging the pulley properly - I'm assuming that this function works properly on yours?


Post# 271165 , Reply# 19   3/10/2014 at 20:10 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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Post# 271166 , Reply# 20   3/10/2014 at 20:11 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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I haven't got my new brushroll I bought the other day yet so I don't know, I have watched it when I click it forward and back, the belt shifter moves completely to the left and completely to the right, so presumably it does work.

Post# 271167 , Reply# 21   3/10/2014 at 20:15 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Lovely shot of the lettering...

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Post# 271168 , Reply# 22   3/10/2014 at 20:17 (3,671 days old) by madabouthoovers ()        

Rogers was only partly shifting to the brushroll driving position from the idler wheel. I think it has 2 belts, one flat belt from the motor to the idler pulley and a v belt from the idler pulley to the brushroll. He said it was the flat belt that wasn't moving across properly. It certainly was a strange design using that narrow V belt  to drive the brushroll. Something similar was used in the Dyson clutch assembly, but that worked better.


Post# 271169 , Reply# 23   3/10/2014 at 20:18 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Very 80's height adjustment, LOVE it!!

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Post# 271170 , Reply# 24   3/10/2014 at 20:20 (3,671 days old) by madabouthoovers ()        

Pity it didn't have autosense!


Post# 271171 , Reply# 25   3/10/2014 at 20:23 (3,671 days old) by Vintagerepairer (England)        

The only problems with the belt shift was when the wire was distorted for some reason. That wire was perfectly formed to do its job and any interruption to it played havoc with it moving the belt across. A new or at least replacement wire from another cleaner would usually solve the issue.

Post# 271172 , Reply# 26   3/10/2014 at 20:25 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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Post# 271173 , Reply# 27   3/10/2014 at 20:29 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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Post# 271174 , Reply# 28   3/10/2014 at 20:31 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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Post# 271175 , Reply# 29   3/10/2014 at 20:32 (3,671 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

Very nice! And when can we expect a video good sir? (:

Scott


Post# 271176 , Reply# 30   3/10/2014 at 20:33 (3,671 days old) by madabouthoovers ()        

Perhaps you could photo the belt shifter mechanism Alex - It would be interesting to see it in detail - in particular the "wire" that Benny describes, as this could have been Roger's problem


Post# 271177 , Reply# 31   3/10/2014 at 20:34 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
H4 bag inside, genuine, of course!

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Post# 271179 , Reply# 32   3/10/2014 at 20:36 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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"can we expect a video"

You can! as soon as the brushroll arrives.

Steve, I will get a picture of the "wire" tomorrow afternoon, as the bottom plate is still off at the moment.


Post# 271183 , Reply# 33   3/10/2014 at 20:38 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
What it looks like with the bag removed...

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To my surprise, there is this sort of "bag cage" with a strange spring loaded "topper thing" which keeps the bag erect.

Post# 271184 , Reply# 34   3/10/2014 at 20:41 (3,671 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Air freshener disk under the little twisty cover...

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Post# 271187 , Reply# 35   3/10/2014 at 20:43 (3,670 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Fragrance fully closed...

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Post# 271188 , Reply# 36   3/10/2014 at 20:45 (3,670 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Fragrance fully open...

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Post# 271189 , Reply# 37   3/10/2014 at 20:48 (3,670 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Optional cleaning tools, if the cleaner didn't cost enou

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Post# 271190 , Reply# 38   3/10/2014 at 20:50 (3,670 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Sort of primitive hose conection method...

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Post# 271191 , Reply# 39   3/10/2014 at 20:53 (3,670 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
The hose suction is actually REALLY good...

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As you can see I the heavy stretch hose stays suctioned to my hand, a Turbopower 1 would not do that. Also notice how lovely and bright white that head light is. :)

Post# 271192 , Reply# 40   3/10/2014 at 21:01 (3,670 days old) by Vintagerepairer (England)        

Although the models without on-board tools were never that popular, I have to say the way in which the hose connects is, in my opinion, one of the best designs ever seen on an upright cleaner. I think I even prefer it to that of the Electrolux 500 series, though quite how easy it is to pull round a cleaner like this with the hose on the side rather than the middle, I don't know. Can you tell us, Alex?

Post# 271193 , Reply# 41   3/10/2014 at 21:20 (3,670 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Benny...

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I think your right, it is a pretty good idea, it can be pulled across the room a few feet and then, naturally beggins to go off at an angle due to the hose connection being at the side.
I think it is easier to fit than the Electrolux 500 cleaners as it aims upwards and you can very easily slot it straight down and in, rather than feeling around for the groove to slot into on the Electrolux and the annoyance of the lugs never locating first time. The hose on the Turbomaster stays in even without locking in place as the tool conversion door goes back down slightly, so the attached hose is positioned a little bit inside the air path to the nozzle, so when you pull it stays where it is.
Speaking of the Electrolux 500 series, the hose suction on this, in my opinion is FAR stronger than a 500 series Electrolux, despite the Turbomaster being louder.




This post was last edited 03/10/2014 at 21:39
Post# 271232 , Reply# 42   3/11/2014 at 05:56 (3,670 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)        
Hi

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Hi Alex, Great find. I do like the Turbomasters. What I loved about the Turbomasters with out the tools attached was the suction was better on the tools than the Turbmasters with the tools attached. One of the reasons was the connections sealed better so the suction didn't leak out.

JamesSmile


Post# 271235 , Reply# 43   3/11/2014 at 07:55 (3,670 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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I absolutely agree, I have used a Total System Turbomaster and the suction on this seems far stronger, I never found it an issue on the Total Systems with suction leaking I think it is mainly to do with the narrowness of the hose on those cleaners, so you are not getting the most efficient use of the suction.

Post# 272093 , Reply# 44   3/16/2014 at 11:44 (3,665 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        
Video as promised...

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Post# 272535 , Reply# 45   3/19/2014 at 13:18 (3,662 days old) by beko1987 (Stokenchurch, United Kingdom)        

Beautiful pictures! I will own one one day!

Post# 272830 , Reply# 46   3/21/2014 at 07:47 (3,660 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

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Oh that is a lovely model. What a pity they don't make them any more.

Post# 272834 , Reply# 47   3/21/2014 at 08:19 (3,660 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

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It is nice, I reckon it would look nicer with attached tools.


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