Thread Number: 33682
/ Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
How to Prolong Life of Your Vacuum Belt? |
[Down to Last] |
Post# 366220   2/6/2017 at 00:02 (2,607 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I've seen several sources saying that on certain brands of machines, like Kirby and Royal, that removing the belt from the motor shaft will help prolong its life when not in use, thus avoiding unnecessary purchases of replacement belts. I wonder if any of you ever actually do this?
While that's easier said than done on any Kirby from the 505 (version 2) to the present Avalir, and on the Royal metal upright models 888, 893, 980, 990 and 2001 (Electro-Hygiene), on most Royal metal uprights as well as all Kirbys up to the first iteration of the 505 (and the American-Lincoln Sani-Sweep/Super-Sweep/Super-Vac and COMVAC 1300 and 1600), it's more difficult as you have to use something such as Royal's hand belt lifter or a slotted-head screwdriver to get it off and then back on again (getting it back on when preparing to use it is more difficult). It's also quite difficult to disconnect these if you have a Hoover or a Eureka/Sanitaire. Video 1 (by KG5Vacuums): Video 2 (by Matt Carley aka "The Cube"): ~Ben |
Post# 366224 , Reply# 1   2/6/2017 at 06:44 (2,606 days old) by vacuumlad1650 (Wauponsee, IL)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 366237 , Reply# 2   2/6/2017 at 11:18 (2,606 days old) by Marks_here (_._)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 366248 , Reply# 3   2/6/2017 at 13:51 (2,606 days old) by pr-21 (Middletown, OH)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I only take mine off the belt lifter when I am using my attachments and then I stretch it onto the belt lifter to put it back on when finished. I don't really go through many belts or have trouble with them slipping. I also have several Kirby's and other vacuums to use. I will say this, I do usually change the belt's on the Kirby's at the same time, when I do change them.
PR-21 Bud |
Post# 366305 , Reply# 4   2/7/2017 at 07:02 (2,605 days old) by crazykirbydude (Lexington, KY)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 366306 , Reply# 5   2/7/2017 at 08:49 (2,605 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 366314 , Reply# 6   2/7/2017 at 10:38 (2,605 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
4    
|
Post# 366353 , Reply# 7   2/8/2017 at 09:36 (2,604 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
The late Stan Kann, grandfather of the vacuum collecting hobby, removed the belts of his vintage uprights from the drive shaft before he put the machine back into its place among his collection. There was always a 'vacuum of the week', so many machines were not used for more than a year. Stan never wanted the belts to put tension on the bearings (in both the brush as well as the motor) while the machine was not in use. Some of his cleaners weren't used for years (like his Kirbys) because he didn't care for them. Except for his Hoover 700, which he loved to run to listen to the start-up sound, all the belts of the vacs in his collection were disconnected for storage.
|
Post# 366359 , Reply# 8   2/8/2017 at 11:25 (2,604 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
2    
Anyone knows that the belts could/should be removed to be stored that long. I, like most collectors, put new ones in when I host one of my mini meets. I have an arsenal of new belts, genuine H of course. I was at an outlet one day. There was a huge box of Hoover belts. Naturally, I bought them all. I always pick up belts during my thrift shop hunts, too.
There's nothing worse than opening a cleaner and seeing a distorted belt from non use. Well, there ARE worse things, but........................ It still is a very wise idea to run your machines.....keeps the grease, oil, motors running smoothly. Sometimes, I'll 'switch out' a set of vacuums like people switch out their summer/fall, winter,spring wardrobes. Why not? It's like using a 'new machine' again. |
Post# 366375 , Reply# 9   2/8/2017 at 15:42 (2,604 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 366388 , Reply# 10   2/8/2017 at 19:48 (2,604 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I dont bother removing the belt because I use 'vac of the day'
My vac collection is now down to 5; been letting go of duplicates & my least favorite vacs |
Post# 366391 , Reply# 11   2/8/2017 at 20:02 (2,604 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I have seven machines... but the 1991 Generation 3 still needs a clean up -- as well as a new cord -- before I use that one for the first time.
The two Royal metal uprights in my collection are both rare for one reason or another... although Royal made a lot of 880s from 1965 to 1987, the one I have (built February 1985) was sold by and branded for Stark's Vacuums which is a well-known family-run business in my hometown of Portland, OR, and the other, the 786 Prince, is also rare in that while it has the same features as the 880, it shares the same red trim as the Electro-Hygiene 903. Removing the belts on these two is, as I said before, easy, but getting them back on is more difficult.
~Ben |
Post# 366535 , Reply# 12   2/11/2017 at 07:01 (2,601 days old) by pr-21 (Middletown, OH)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I do try and rotate my machines, so the belts don't get out of shape too much. and to also give the motor some use as well. I usually use the vintage machines for touch ups threw the week, which gets them some use and use my newer machines for the main cleaning day. However, I have some vintage machines that clean just as well as some of my newer machines, of course the vintage machines don't edge clean as well as the newer ones, but I use a crevice tool for that.
Sincerely, PR-21 Bud |