Thread Number: 3524
Hoover 918?? 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 39604   5/6/2008 at 23:24 (5,830 days old) by charles~richard ()        

A nice lady has emailed me asking about my interest in a Hoover Commercial Model "918." I wrote back and asked if it wasn't a 913, the U.K. version of the U.S. commercial 91 that, once upon a time, was ubiquitous in every church, hotel, theatre, lodge and restaurant until Eureka Sanitaires (and Orecks and Windsors!) took over that market.

She replied that she just checked again and she's sure it's a 918. She sent me a photo of it (attached) and it sure does look like a 913 to me. Does anyone know if there was indeed a 918 and, if so, what the differences were between it and the 913?

I used to have a really nice 913 that I got rid of, and of course regretted doing so the minute it left the house. I have some very fond and humorous memories of that model of Hoover from my childhood.

One time, when I was 4 or 5, we visited my Uncle in Maryland. I was in Heaven there as he and my aunt had more vacuum cleaners than anyone I knew! They had an old upright Royal that I was afraid of because it looked like a Kirby, then a tan Hoover Constellation, some kind of porta-vac (GE maybe?), a Singer hand vac, and one of those huge commercial Hoovers.

My cousin Jackie still teases me about how when we were visiting, I brought that big Hoover outside from the garage where it was stored, and vacuumed their entire cement driveway with it! With the motor running!! For some reason I fell in love with that huge old sweeper, and the entire time we were there I dropped very broad hints about how we had "only one sweeper and you have a lot of them," and how I would love to take it home.

When we got ready to leave, I had my little suitcase in one hand and was rolling the big Hoover out with the other hand. Mama told me I had to put the sweeper back. I looked at my uncle hopefully. He said, catching Mama's frantic 'NO!' expression, "Why don't we leave it here, and whenever you come to visit us you can use it."

Well, I started bawling and crying, just utterly despondent and FURIOUS that I could not take the Hoover home with us! There was no consoling me, and I stewed and pouted about it for several days.

Another uncle was a pastor at a large church in Richmond. One time when we went there, the custodian was vacuuming the front area of the sanctuary with one of those big commercial Hoover uprights. I asked him, "Would you mind if I helped you run the sweeper?"

Mind?! He gladly handed the duty over to me and I spent the entire morning vacuuming the expansive sea of carpeting in the large vestibule, then pushed it inside the auditorium and did all the carpeting in there as well!

So anywaaaaay... her offer on the "918" is very reasonable and it does appear to be in very nice condition so I think I am going to agree to it. I do promise not to take it outside and use it to vacuum the driveway! :)

Post# 39607 , Reply# 1   5/6/2008 at 23:30 (5,830 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        
Oooh it looks like a stately vac

 I can hear it calling to you...

"Richard, come let us go for a vac"////LOL

Post# 39617 , Reply# 2   5/6/2008 at 23:52 (5,830 days old) by charles~richard ()        

It IS stately, and heavy as all get-out! This thing weighs about 50 lbs! It is a very durable machine, meant to withstand the rigors of even the toughest commercial applications. They just lasted and lasted.

It was not uncommon to still see many of them even into the 1970s, long after they were no longer made. I haven't seen one now in actual use in many years. Now, as I said, it seems to be mostly Eureka Sanitaires in the big places, with Orecks and Windsors in hotels etc.

Whenever I play the organ in an old church somewhere, I try to sneak away to do some snooping - to see if there are any old Hoovers or Kirbys tucked away somewhere. You just never know!!

Post# 39619 , Reply# 3   5/7/2008 at 00:14 (5,830 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        
Wow

 It does have that "Look"
but 50 lbs
Wow....that's a impressive machine

Like to see one in the metal some day!

Post# 39623 , Reply# 4   5/7/2008 at 01:36 (5,830 days old) by swingette ()        

Love those machines! There was/is nothing quite like the Hoover 90/913/u7037. Sold for about 40 years (1940s-1980s?) in the US.

One of my prized machines is my 913, and i recently aquired a very nice U7037. The smallish rear wheels on these heavy machines make them unsuitable for loose plush or shag-style carpet, but otherwise they are charming machines and a pleasure to use.

The three-amp motors on these machines run smooth and quiet, thanks in part to the sound dampening qualites of the heavy cast base and motor cover.

Hoover's stong airflow and the It Beats, as it Sweeps, as it Cleans agitator assure excellent performance. I've used both the Hoover #913 and Windsor Sensor on dense wool plush HEAVY commercial carpet and the three amp Hoover plainly gets more dirt out of the carpet than the high-tech Windsor.

Post# 39624 , Reply# 5   5/7/2008 at 01:42 (5,830 days old) by swingette ()        
Though 50lbs sounds more dramatic...

 These machines weigh about half that amount. Still, these DO take strength to use.

Post# 39626 , Reply# 6   5/7/2008 at 01:49 (5,830 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        
hehehe

 I may be 5 foot 100 pounds
but I;ll wrestle with that Hoover...

LOL

Post# 39635 , Reply# 7   5/7/2008 at 06:45 (5,830 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        
918, yes...

 I believe the 918 replaced the 913 sometime in the 60's - the main difference being the grounded cord, and the handle grip.
I think the bag also changed and just said "Hoover" instead of "The Hoover Cleaner."

~Fred

Post# 39636 , Reply# 8   5/7/2008 at 06:51 (5,830 days old) by electroluxxxx (……)        

there is a Hoover celebrity in a church here that is hardly used I am going to see if I can trade a bagless for it I think the pastor said it would be ok if he talked to the board of trusties.

Post# 39661 , Reply# 9   5/7/2008 at 18:13 (5,829 days old) by hoover1060 ()        
918

 Charles Richard,
The 918 replaced the 913 in 1972. The main difference between the 913 and 918 was the 3-wire cord, and the hood of the 918 was painted silver to match the base.
There was also a 918-01, the only difference was metric screws.
These were made in the UK.

Post# 39666 , Reply# 10   5/7/2008 at 19:19 (5,829 days old) by charles~richard ()        

thx for the info. so this one is not all that old then. does it still have the same huge fat bag as the 913 did?!

Post# 39670 , Reply# 11   5/7/2008 at 20:38 (5,829 days old) by hoover1060 ()        
Bag

 yes the bag is the same pattern/ shape as the older ones.
Any one of these old cleaners found today is worth saving!!

Post# 39677 , Reply# 12   5/7/2008 at 23:06 (5,829 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
I got one

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
of those for $10.00 There was a men's clothing store closing. I bought great hangers for $1.00 each. I asked about the cleaner. He looked and said, "Um, how about ten bucks"? And, there you have it. Rather, I have it. They are heavy, but very strong. Great HOOVER

Post# 39678 , Reply# 13   5/7/2008 at 23:17 (5,829 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        
Ooooh

 LUCKY JL...

I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one of those myself for $10

LOL

Post# 39687 , Reply# 14   5/8/2008 at 00:06 (5,829 days old) by swingette ()        

This is my 913 (late). It is painted like a 918 and has a rug adjuster like a 918. Two wire cord.

Bag is from an earlier-production 913.

Post# 39692 , Reply# 15   5/8/2008 at 01:07 (5,829 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        
OOOh

 Take me to your leader...

That's an ominous creature!

lol

Post# 39707 , Reply# 16   5/8/2008 at 06:30 (5,829 days old) by hoover1060 ()        
As a kid....

 Those cleaners were all over the place in commercial use, motels and hotels, stores, churches... they were good cleaners and built like tanks.
Still though in commercial use they were trashed earl on from all the abuse heaped upon them. Thats why I say finding them today is such a treat, especially onces in decent shape.
I've got 4 of these beauties, a 913, 918, and Aussie models 912A and U7008.
They are treasures!

Post# 39717 , Reply# 17   5/8/2008 at 14:39 (5,828 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Here's my 912...

 ...such a beautiful-sounding machine. Quiet and very slow-running, the smooth purr of the motor backed by the growl of the Agitator on the carpet! The video doesn't really do it justice, really.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO vintagehoover's LINK
Post# 39745 , Reply# 18   5/8/2008 at 18:18 (5,828 days old) by myhooverco ()        

Here is my line up of commercial Hoover cleaners. All are wearing original bags and cords.

Left to right...

Model 91
Model 913
Model 918
Model 918-01
Model U7037

Post# 39746 , Reply# 19   5/8/2008 at 18:51 (5,828 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Other Hoover Commercials:

 Left to right:

912A
912
960 - Like UK domestic 160 but with bigger bag and rubber/steel-lined fan chamber
925 - Like US version but without 'radio interference eliminator'
900

Before that would have come the 972 and 961. And I'm not sure what there was in the way of commercial machines before 1922, other than Model 3.

Models 900 and 925 have been significantly restored since this pic was taken, Model 960 has been fitted with a new motor, and Model 912A has been sold.

Post# 39750 , Reply# 20   5/8/2008 at 20:03 (5,828 days old) by charles~richard ()        

In Tom's photo it appears that the 913 bag is 'fatter' than the others -- or is it just puffed out? One of the things that fascinated me about this machine when I was a kid was how big and fat the bag was -- easily 50% fatter than other upright bags, even the Kirby. It was so fat that when your turn it on and lower the handle, the handle would be pressing into the front of the bag.

Jack, your videos are such fun!! One of these days, how about putting up a couple of your 925, the only Hoover that's still on my wish list...

Post# 39752 , Reply# 21   5/8/2008 at 21:04 (5,828 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Already done a 925 video!

 Unfortunately, it was filmed in my bedroom, which is very poorly-lit, and before my new carpet had been fitted. While I was waiting, I improvised for a while with spare off-cut bits from the living room!

I should also add the 925's had a lot of cosmetic work done on it since this video was made, and it looks much nicer now.

It's serial number 925600 - which I guess means it's the 600th one off the line!

Unusually, the chassis badge states that it's an Empire Product - ie, made in Canada - when Hoover's Perivale factory had already been producing cleaners since the last of the 425/750/900 model-range, which preceded the 450/800/925. The motor was made in Perivale.

In America, 8935 Model 925s were made in total. The figure would have been much lower over here, but sadly no one seems to have serial numbers for the pre-war Hoovers :(

I'll try and get round to doing a better 925 video at some point. I'm busy working on all sorts of mysterious projects at the moment ;)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO vintagehoover's LINK
Post# 39760 , Reply# 22   5/8/2008 at 21:16 (5,828 days old) by charles~richard ()        

JUST gorgeous.

Post# 39766 , Reply# 23   5/8/2008 at 21:44 (5,828 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

aeoliandave's profile picture
A wonderful lineup of 9XX Commercials, Tom.

Thanks again for the Genuine Hoover bag for my Canadian 918.

So Jack, your British 912s came with a headlight grill?

As for puffed up bags, I confess to a weird sensation touching and leaning into the bags on the 918 and my recent model 281. :-)

Dave

Post# 39767 , Reply# 24   5/8/2008 at 21:46 (5,828 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Admittedly...

 ...it does look a bit better than when I first got it!

Post# 39769 , Reply# 25   5/8/2008 at 21:49 (5,828 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Dave...

 Yes, our 912/912As came with headlamp grills - I presume as a safety precaution to stop people from poking their fingers in and touching the live contacts of an empty bulb socket.

Post# 39802 , Reply# 26   5/9/2008 at 04:35 (5,828 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Hoover 918---NOW THATS a HOOVER VACUUM-Will have to look for one of those-looks like a really heavy duty machine.but does it REALLY weigh 50lbs-find hard to beleive.No wimpy plastic there!!that thing looks like it could eat ANYTHING left on a floor.I would be crying too if I couldn't take one of those home!

Post# 39810 , Reply# 27   5/9/2008 at 06:41 (5,828 days old) by arh1953 ( River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

arh1953's profile picture
One of those would be the crown jewel to any serious or even half serious Hoover collector!

Post# 39824 , Reply# 28   5/9/2008 at 09:25 (5,827 days old) by hoover1060 ()        
THIS JUST IN.....

 A rescue, found on Craigslist (Thanks Fred!)

An all original model 913, that appears to have spent its entire life in domestic use. Its well used, BUT it was nearly sspotless under the hood, the original lightbulb STILL works, and the bag is F L A W L E S S !!!
The only bad part is the cord, which is spliced/taped up all over the place.
All it needs is agitator bearings greased...
Oh yeah, the price was $25!!!

Post# 39825 , Reply# 29   5/9/2008 at 09:26 (5,827 days old) by hoover1060 ()        
closeup

 Aside from some scratches on the hood, its in very nice shape!

Post# 39827 , Reply# 30   5/9/2008 at 09:28 (5,827 days old) by hoover1060 ()        
backside...

 There is a small dent at the right rear corner of the base, otherwise perfect!
Not a rip or tear or hole in the bag either!

Post# 39834 , Reply# 31   5/9/2008 at 10:55 (5,827 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Very Nice :-)

 Hey Jeff

That dosent look like its gonna take much to bring it up to standard :).

Im guessing the white length of cord has been spliced onto the original and the original plug cut off??

I love that bag design- although early 912s did have that bag over here according to the service info ive seen all the UK examples ive seen have the same grey bag that Jacks 912/912A have in his pic.

Seamus

P.S got your mail - will reply later this eve .

Post# 39854 , Reply# 32   5/9/2008 at 17:14 (5,827 days old) by hoover1060 ()        
and here it is

 In action, after giving the agitator a good greasing and a new belt.
The light bulb is the original!!!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO hoover1060's LINK
Post# 39863 , Reply# 33   5/9/2008 at 18:32 (5,827 days old) by charles~richard ()        

Now THAT is a vacuum cleaner and a half!! Seeing the big fat bag got me all a-twitter, it's just as I remember it with the handle pressing against it. I can hardly wait to get mine now!!

Thx for the video and for everyone who's been contributing to this great thread!

Say, does anyone have a 91x instruction book or other literature they could scan and post? THAT would really be fun!!

Post# 39865 , Reply# 34   5/9/2008 at 18:37 (5,827 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        
Fabulous!

 That's incredible, Jeff! I'm so glad that you boys were able to save it. And -- that bag -- amazing!

It sounds wonderful!

~~

I think David has a 91x manual scanned. I'm sure I've seen one posted before.

~Fred

Post# 39866 , Reply# 35   5/9/2008 at 18:41 (5,827 days old) by charles~richard ()        

You know, our church just got rid of all the carpeting in the sanctuary with the recent renovation.

Even though tearing all the carpeting out and putting in a new ceramic tile floor has greatly improved the acoustics, now that I'm getting a 918, I'm kinda sorry the carpeting is gone, haha!

I won't have anywhere to use this giant beast!! It really was made for vacuuming the acres of carpeting in churches, hotels, theatres, lodges, etc.

Wonder if I can put a few calls into local churches and see if they need someone to come vacuum ... will they just think I am a nut?!

Post# 39892 , Reply# 36   5/9/2008 at 23:33 (5,827 days old) by vintageroyal611 ()        

If you don't find a good home or it I desperstely want one of these monster Hoovers. Shoot me an email.

Post# 39895 , Reply# 37   5/10/2008 at 00:34 (5,827 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        
I Luv it!

 Sounds alot like my hoover 63
So I guess that's OK?

Man what a rumble is would stir
as it road thru the aisles
Chapel after dark
Austere silence abounds
abet for the sounds of one trusty Hoover
Assuring the sanctity of the hold grounds....

Post# 39896 , Reply# 38   5/10/2008 at 00:35 (5,827 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        
Holy Grounds

 Darn, I'm no spelling bee wiz
sorry

Post# 39901 , Reply# 39   5/10/2008 at 03:07 (5,827 days old) by charles~richard ()        

Well, I haven't even gotten it yet!

Another funny store -- my second job was working as an usher in a movie theater. I was a senior in high school. The other kids working there could never figure out why I was always so willing to do the vacuuming after the movies -- well, duh! They had a 913 that's why! I clearly remember that the hood was darker than the base.

Post# 39913 , Reply# 40   5/10/2008 at 10:17 (5,826 days old) by hoover1060 ()        
Thanks for all the nice words

About the new 913. The credit for finding it belongs to Fred, he found it on Chicago Craigslist and alerted me, It wound up being very close to Michael's house, so he picked it up one night this past week.
Yes it would sound like a 63, as the motor is a slight variation on that design, but this model has the UK sound.
We have not yet been able to determine when production of these was transferred from North Canton to the UK.
All this one needs is a cord and new brush strips, and she will be like new.
Here's a picture of the brush roll/underside...
Absolutely spotless!!!

Post# 39914 , Reply# 41   5/10/2008 at 10:32 (5,826 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Rating plate

 Here's my 912s rating plate - with royal crest as always!

Post# 39928 , Reply# 42   5/10/2008 at 13:08 (5,826 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        
Just remembered I have this...

Saved it off of Hoover's website a few years back... when they still had old manuals online.

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Back page

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Post# 39967 , Reply# 50   5/10/2008 at 16:58 (5,826 days old) by swingette ()        

Cool manual! Is that from 1977? By this time the pictures used in that manual would have been old!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO swingette's LINK
Post# 39968 , Reply# 51   5/10/2008 at 17:16 (5,826 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        
Fabulous!

 I knew you had done that at one point..

:-)

Thanks!

Post# 39970 , Reply# 52   5/10/2008 at 17:52 (5,826 days old) by charles~richard ()        

THANKS A MILLION for posting the manual! :)

It's really amazing that Hoover made the same machine, basically, for so many years isn't it. Guess, just as the Convertible, it's a design that withstood the test of time.

Post# 39988 , Reply# 53   5/10/2008 at 21:37 (5,826 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        
wow

 both manuals are great!
similar in some ways to my 63

do they still sell the brush inserts?
such a great idea

sort of cumbersome attachment system but bet it worked
alot easier to change the lightbulb tho

Post# 39991 , Reply# 54   5/10/2008 at 21:47 (5,826 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
I have one

 gottahaveahoove's profile picture
and used one in a church miles of red carpeting. I swear the lights dimmed when I turned it on...... Good thing there were lots of candles.

Post# 39992 , Reply# 55   5/10/2008 at 21:52 (5,826 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Commercial tool kits...

 It's interesting that the tool converter is like a giant version of the one used on the Popular-Priced 425/450/475/300 series.

Does anyone out there have a toolkit for any of the commercial models? They must be incredibly rare, I can't imagine many people bothering to attach and use the tools when commercial canister cleaners would often be to hand.

The rarest must be the tool kits for the 961 and 972 - they'd need giant converters!

Post# 40331 , Reply# 56   5/14/2008 at 07:26 (5,823 days old) by hoover_elite_20 ()        
Charles,

 Your story has touched me forever. The hoover 918 is a lovely machine and a great opportunity.

Post# 40807 , Reply# 57   5/18/2008 at 15:28 (5,818 days old) by big_brother ()        
I also have one ...

 A couple of years ago I chanced upon a 918 on e/bay. I swear it could never have seen dirt - must have been in the back of a closet somewhere all these years! (It was a steal at $20.) I had it with me at the convention a couple of years ago. I still occasionally use it to clean up our large conference room. It will still be going l-o-n-g after I'm gone!

B.C.


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