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Thread Number: 30706
/ Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
Late 1979 Kirby Tradition |
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Post# 339929 , Reply# 1 12/24/2015 at 13:12 (3,039 days old) by KirbyClassicIII  (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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kirbvacsrock
Walker,
Yes, of course there were. Units built prior to serial #F500000 not only came with metal fans, but also these had the speed switch mounted to the inside of the headlight cap, also with a lock, to ensure the machine would not run unless any of the front-mounted accessories (rug nozzle, hose, Crystalator, Miracle Head, Handi-Butler or Rug Renovator) were properly attached. This speed switch was notorious for being busted as some users would slam the headlight down toward any of these accessories, which had a metal pin that jibed with one of two slots on the speed switch (one for low speed, one for high speed). Kirby issued an advisory to its service centers in early 1980 to bring in any of the affected units for conversion to the bottom-mounted speed switch (as last used on the Classic III) free of charge. At first, when Kirby changed back to the speed switch as mounted on the fan case below the intake opening, a blue dust cover was installed around it, to keep moisture out of the switch when the Rug Renovator was being used. However, that was still problematic as the speed switch arm ended up getting jammed, causing the motor to run high all the time. Thus, Kirby then advised its dealers to remove these covers. Apparently, the one that you have probably had its metal fan replaced a long time ago. Your example falls between serial no. F500000 and F999999. ~Ben | ||
| Post# 339991 , Reply# 3 12/26/2015 at 15:40 (3,037 days old) by Marks_here (_._) | ||
Gee that's strange  | ||
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Post# 340003 , Reply# 5 12/26/2015 at 23:48 (3,037 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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I don't see any mention of moth crystals in the original 1979 version of the instructions (with the locking headlight cap), either.
www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-... The Crystalator was referred to as just an air intake nozzle, even then. ~Ben | ||
| Post# 340077 , Reply# 7 12/27/2015 at 21:07 (3,036 days old) by Marks_here (_._) | ||
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There is nothing about the crystalator/mothproofer in my instruction manual. Starting in section 7 page 24 it tells you how to use the air intake nozzle.
I got mine on August 16, 1979 with a note saying: out only 2 weeks THE KIRBY COMPANY A Division of S & F 1920 West 114th Street Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. 44102 June 21, 1979 To: ALL KIRBY DISTRIBUTORS Listed below are the currently effective suggested prices of the kirby Tradition with Shag King and other Kirby products: Kirby Tradition, including Shag King, with Standard Set of Attachments $419.95 Model 1579 Miracle Head $ 34.95 Model 2579 Handi-Butler $ 79.95 Model 5579 Rug Renovator $ 64.95 Model 8579 Handi-Waxer $ 12.95 The above are cash prices. They do not include carrying charges or state or local taxes, if any. Very Truly Yours, Adrian E. Budlong Jr. President NOTE - These prices do not include the new polypropylene attachment box which will not be available for approximately 60 days, at which time you will be informed of your new cost and suggested retail. sc Bulletin No. 8433 Printed in U.S.A. . . . no other appliance in the world does as many things for you as the KIRBY | ||
| Post# 385682 , Reply# 9 2/9/2018 at 15:20 (2,261 days old) by Reo580 (Holland, Michigan) | ||
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| Post# 385737 , Reply# 10 2/10/2018 at 11:31 (2,260 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
 Reo580,
People traded their Classic III just to get the Disposable Bag System on the Tradition. However that early disposable bag system really reduced airflow because the fill tube was too narrow therefore reducing the Tradition's cleaning performance.
Fact: the Classic III was a much better cleaning machine because the Dump Out bag system did not restrict airflow unlike the poor performing Tradition with it's Disposable Bag System. Kirby fixed the airflow problem when the Heritage came out. The fill tube was much wider so airflow was kept at it's maximum.
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| Post# 385738 , Reply# 11 2/10/2018 at 11:58 (2,260 days old) by Oreck_XL (Brooklyn, New York 11211) | ||
Like everything else, there's a learning curve. It never ceases to amaze me how Kirby waited until 1979 to introduce a disposable bag system when most other companies had it decades earlier. VERY late to the game. I just wonder how much longer they're gonna milk the Generation series platform. The Classic line lasted 20 years, and the Generation series is going on 28. They've gotten more mileage out of it than any previous line. I had seen prototype drawings on here of what the new Avalir could have looked like and was disappointed to find it was a warmed over G-series machine.
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| Post# 385791 , Reply# 13 2/10/2018 at 23:40 (2,260 days old) by Oreck_XL (Brooklyn, New York 11211) | ||
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Oh come now don't you think 28 years is enough? Volkswagen tried to do the same with their venerable beetle but eventually the carbuying public got tired of it in spite of all the improvements throughout the years. Thus came the advent of the Rabbit, and while no where near as popular it was a step forward. I was excited when I saw the Generation 3 for the first time, but I do believe Kirby has milked the G-series platform long enough. It's time for something radically new and LIGHTER. Perhaps with a switch in the handle like the Avalir prototype boasted.
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| Post# 385820 , Reply# 15 2/11/2018 at 12:17 (2,259 days old) by Oreck_XL (Brooklyn, New York 11211) | ||
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I guess then we'll have to agree to disagree. I don't want build quality to suffer either, but I do feel 28 years is quite long enough and I would never put Kirby's integrity in the same league as TTI. I expected something truly revolutionary with the Avalir especially since it coincided with the centennial of Scott and Fetzer. Unfortunately that ship has sailed. I only hope Kirby isn't prolonging the G-series platform because they aren't doing well.
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| Post# 385826 , Reply# 16 2/11/2018 at 16:25 (2,259 days old) by jade_angel (Fort Collins, CO) | ||
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I don't want some bagless plastic fantastic, for sure - if I want that, I know where to find it. But I wouldn't mind a somewhat lighter design and/or a less clunky attachment system if there's a way to do it without compromising airflow. | ||
| Post# 385850 , Reply# 18 2/11/2018 at 21:06 (2,259 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana) | ||
It seems the issue with today's society is everyone has to have something new and trendy and expensive to show off to their friends about, they don't want something that works consistently and reliably and never fails, they just want something that works long enough for the new model to come out next year that has a more expensive price and some flashy new feature so they can pitch the old one in the dumpster. It's like owning a Lada 1600 versus a Toyota Prius. Or in vacuum terms, a Kirby versus a Dyson. There's no need to change something just because "the design is old". I always stick with what works and never change from it. I still have a 25 year old TV set, I still listen to CD's and watch DVD's, I still have my Zune and not a Bluetooth and I still have a pager and not a smartphone.
My Kirby Ultimate G has worked reliably with little to no maintenance for the last 16 years. It's due for a total tune-up and refreshment though. A Dyson or any other bagless plasticrap that is supposed to be "innovative and revolutionary" can't even go 6 weeks without clogging, or breaking. If it clogs? Good luck getting that out, you have to take the entire vacuum apart. Also, you need a heavy vacuum so that it will sink into the nap and create a secure suction bond to the carpet and pick up stuff deep within the fibers. All those plastic vacuums only skim across the surface and will bounce up over any lump in the carpet. Those old Power Drive Hoovers must weigh as much as two Kirbys but they can hunker down into and clean the carpet like you wouldn't believe because they weigh so much. And they won't tip over if you happen to be stretching to get that last cobweb in a corner or at the top of the stairs. | ||
| Post# 385855 , Reply# 19 2/11/2018 at 21:42 (2,259 days old) by Oreck_XL (Brooklyn, New York 11211) | ||
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You're looking at it more from a nostalgic eye than what most people look for in a vacuum today. Would you buy a brand new car that hadn't changed its sheet metal design since 1990!? Perhaps but if you're like most of the public probably not. It was a revolutionary step forward 28 years ago! I remember Consumer Reports calling it "robotic" in a 1990 issue. The truth is, the Tech Drive did and still does add bulk to the machine and in that way the Legend II was better. I do think as jade_angel pointed out tool conversion could be improved. Why not offer a 12 inch granny head to customers again? And for those frugal customers who don't want to spend money on bags offer a shake-out with a Sani-emtor? I'm all for keeping a design that works but R&D really should've had a new design out there a long time ago. I might be very wrong but here in New York Kirby has lost a lot of dealers. Maybe they're prolonging the G-series as long as they can because they know the end is in sight. It happened to Air-Way not all that long ago and it could happen to them too.
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| Post# 385886 , Reply# 20 2/12/2018 at 10:28 (2,258 days old) by Oreck_XL (Brooklyn, New York 11211) | ||
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| Post# 386006 , Reply# 22 2/13/2018 at 21:54 (2,257 days old) by Oreck_XL (Brooklyn, New York 11211) | ||
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I was excited as anyone the first time I laid eyes on the new Generation 3, and subsequently with the G4, G5 and so on. But my point was just proven AGAIN with the Avalir 2. It's a Generation 3 in drag. All the improvements won't make a bit of difference when the outward appearance goes on unchanged. I would love to see Kirby thrive and more distributors come about, but how can they when they keep dressing up a 28 year old vacuum? You're right in that many homes today utilize bare floor space now more than ever. A good canister or central vac is the ideal way to go. In hose mode, the Kirby is awkward at best, unless you install the small handle.
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| Post# 386013 , Reply# 23 2/13/2018 at 22:34 (2,257 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin) | ||
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The G3 did nothing to impress me. It wasn't until a G6 I got at a yard sale got my attention. I did recently get a Sentria. I am impressed with the improved air flow and how the newer drive tech handles. (on the Sentria that is) | ||
| Post# 427669 , Reply# 24 6/25/2020 at 16:37 (1,394 days old) by sillysid123 (Lincolnshire ) | ||
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hi guys. can anyone date my kirby tradition? H210893 cheers | ||
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Post# 427670 , Reply# 25 6/25/2020 at 16:48 (1,394 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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sillysid123
You have a mid-1981 model with the ribbed foot switch button. It was one of the last ones out the door before the Heritage replaced it in September 1981.
The attachment set also had the new-style air intake guard commonly seen with the Heritage/Legend series attachment sets, rather than the older style that was actually a Crystalator. ~Ben This post was last edited 06/25/2020 at 18:09 | ||
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