Kirby Tradition

Austin,

Yes, the very first Kirby Traditions did have their speed switch inside the headlight, which had a lock lever on the outside.

On these, the motor would not run until the headlight cap was all the way down toward the nozzle, hose, Miracle Head or Handi-Butler, as well as being locked into place. This kind of speed switch, installed near the headlight lens, was problematic in that some users would jam the headlight cap toward the nozzle or hose, causing the speed switch internals to fail to the point where the motor would run on high speed all the time.

Afterward, Kirby then put the speed switch back on the fan case. But the headlight cap still had the lock on it. The speed switch also had this blue rubber dust cover to protect it from moisture generated by the use of the Rug Renovator--the original intent of the speed switch being mounted to the underside of the headlight cap. Yet even that presented problems for the speed switch... dust would sometimes jam it, again causing the motor to run on high speed all the time.

Then Kirby ditches both the locking mechanism for the headlight cap and the dust cover for the speed switch... and the rest is history for this model. Kirby subsequently issued advisories to modify cleaners built with the speed switch on the headlight so the switch is on the fan case; and on those units built with the dust cover over the speed switch, to remove the dust cover.

~Ben


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Post# 283204 6/4/2014 at 23:31 (3,606 days old) by vintagevaclover (Athens, GA)
Checkrate/Likes My dad found one of these at an estate sale for under $20 when I was a kid. We had it forever and when I moved out I took it with me and I still use it. My parents had it reconditioned at one point and it still runs like new! One thing that puzzles me though is I found out doing research that the tradition was the first kirby to have paper bags as opposed the the shake out bag, however my tradition has a shake out bag and I'm just curious as to why. Not that it's a problem though.

Post# 283210 , Reply# 1 6/4/2014 at 23:46 (3,606 days old) by marks_here (_._)
Checkrate/Likes *You could get either one at the time* Also some of the first one had the safety switch in by the light then they went back to the one by the fan.

Post# 283214 , Reply# 2 6/5/2014 at 00:45 (3,606 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes Austin, Yes, the very first Kirby Traditions did have their speed switch inside the headlight, which had a lock lever on the outside. On these, the motor would not run until the headlight cap was all the way down toward the nozzle, hose, Miracle Head or Handi-Butler, as well as being locked into place. This kind of speed switch, installed near the headlight lens, was problematic in that some users would jam the headlight cap toward the nozzle or hose, causing the speed switch internals to fail to the point where the motor would run on high speed all the time. Afterward, Kirby then put the speed switch back on the fan case. But the headlight cap still had the lock on it. The speed switch also had this blue rubber dust cover to protect it from moisture generated by the use of the Rug Renovator--the original intent of the speed switch being mounted to the underside of the headlight cap. Yet even that presented problems for the speed switch... dust would sometimes jam it, again causing the motor to run on high speed all the time. Then Kirby ditches both the locking mechanism for the headlight cap and the dust cover for the speed switch... and the rest is history for this model. Kirby subsequently issued advisories to modify cleaners built with the speed switch on the headlight so the switch is on the fan case; and on those units built with the dust cover over the speed switch, to remove the dust cover. ~Ben

Post# 283267 , Reply# 3 6/5/2014 at 10:39 (3,606 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)
Checkrate/Likes *Ben,* The headlamp switch would jam in low speed, not high.the problem was now you could stick your hand into moving parts With the switch jammed! It's like cramming a pencil into a washing machine to watch it's cycle, only the switch is broken and the washer is a high-speed dust chopper!

Post# 283926 , Reply# 4 6/10/2014 at 01:10 (3,601 days old) by vacuumssuck213 ()
Checkrate/Likes *shake out bag.* I have a Kirby heritage with a shake out bag I honestly find it more convenient in the sense of no bags to buy just empty and go. Cleaned it o ut today with my windtunnel was super easy and surprisingly Clean my question is was the hege the last Kirby with a shake out type if not which model was?

Post# 283934 , Reply# 5 6/10/2014 at 06:24 (3,601 days old) by adiosTor3ador ()
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Last shake out bag* Was on the Heritage 2 and Legend 2 it was an option that you could select. It shows it in a manual for the Legend 2 that I have I can post pictures later.

Post# 283964 , Reply# 6 6/10/2014 at 11:54 (3,601 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *the Classic III* Was the last model to come factory with a shake-out bag (although sometimes you will see F&G conversion kits on them). When the Tradition debuted in 1979, in was the first Kirby to come factory with a disposable bag system (and not a very efficient one!).customers could still opt for shake-out bags. In 1981 came the Heritage I with the in improved bag system. You could still opp for a shake-out bag (and a 13 inch nozzle!). Then came Heritage II, Heritage II Legend and Legend II (the Legend II being a gap-filler for the delayed Generation 3). These models all had the improved and efficient Mini Emptor, with larger back wheels. Customers could still order a 13' nozzle and shake-out bag, however the back wheels would have to be changed to accommodate the larger Sani-Emptor. The shake-out and 13' inch nozzle are RARE options today, especially when you see both on a Kirby!