Thread Number: 37411  /  Tag: Brand New Vacuum Cleaners
Hoover Discontinuing the Venerable Self-Propelled Windtunnel
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Post# 399236   10/6/2018 at 22:30 (1,999 days old) by speedqueen (Harrison Twp MI)        

The dealer where I work part time says ESSCO(the general supplier) is out and won't have any more in as Hoover is giving it the axe.

End of an era, if you ask me, one of the last pre-TTI cleaners they still offered, one of the few cleaners of good quality, too.


Post# 399238 , Reply# 1   10/6/2018 at 23:02 (1,999 days old) by Gj3476 (Prosper,TX)        

gj3476's profile picture
The self propelled Windtunnel had a great long 20 years! 1998-2018.

Post# 399240 , Reply# 2   10/6/2018 at 23:23 (1,999 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )        
thank you TTI

vacuumdevil's profile picture
It's about time! That machine really can't compete in today's market feature wise.
Definitely had a good run.

Buy one keep it in the Box, sell it in 20 years :-D


Post# 399242 , Reply# 3   10/6/2018 at 23:41 (1,999 days old) by Gj3476 (Prosper,TX)        

gj3476's profile picture
And they’re really great vacuums too! Excellent suction and well built! I have a one I got at Goodwill back in February. Mine was made in October 2001.

Post# 399246 , Reply# 4   10/7/2018 at 02:33 (1,999 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
I have one of the first ones, the ones that had a recall for the handle catching fire. They have an incredible amount of torque, could probably pull a boat with them. Those propulsion wheels are something else, I'd venture to guess they are stronger than Kirby's system.

Post# 399249 , Reply# 5   10/7/2018 at 06:37 (1,998 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

fan-of-fans's profile picture
That's too bad, while I don't think the newest ones really compared quality-wise, and I thought they were loud, I still liked them. Yes, definitely an end of an era and the lineage of Hoover's SP machines. So this leaves Hoover with, like one or maybe NO bagged uprights? That really comes as no surprise.

Post# 399256 , Reply# 6   10/7/2018 at 10:07 (1,998 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )        
from my point of view as a vacuum tech .

vacuumdevil's profile picture





Post# 399262 , Reply# 7   10/7/2018 at 14:11 (1,998 days old) by henrydreyfuss (Ohio)        
Can't compete feature-wise?

henrydreyfuss's profile picture
It had every feature you'd expect in a modern upright, sans lifetime belts. They also featured exceptional carpet cleaning performance, most modern clean-air machines can't touch.

That's a shame.. I still like seeing affordable bagged machines in stores. They had common problems with plastic parts of their self-propelled mechanism breaking (replaced a lot of idler pulleys and actuator arms back in the day), but if taken care of, they cleaned great and lasted a long time.

I do wish they were quieter, and the belts lasted longer. TTI should have just addressed a couple issues on it, and released a 2.0 model.


Post# 399269 , Reply# 8   10/7/2018 at 15:39 (1,998 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )        
nope

vacuumdevil's profile picture
@henrydreyfuss

No sealed HEPA. No easy change bag .
No life time belt
Until recently no sealed bearings in the brush roller and self-propelled.
No telescoping wand.
No Center feed section
Edge cleaning.
No easy access tools you have to bend over and assemble them.
Not bare floor friendly that's the big one ! Even though you can shut the brush roller off it will scratch the floor.
Bare floor switch is not on the handle.
It weighs more then Miele u1 /s7
The hose is too short .
you can't lift it by the handle without snapping the self propel.
It's really loud.

Hoover has other Vacuums in their lineup That superseded this vacuum in almost every way .
That being said I have one of these in my collection because it came with the house.



Post# 399271 , Reply# 9   10/7/2018 at 16:01 (1,998 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

fan-of-fans's profile picture
Just had a look at Hoover's website. Admittedly it was a quick one, but from what I can tell there are 0 bagged vacuums and 0 canister vacuums in their lineup. Very disappointing. The future of vacuums appears to not be very diverse. :(

Post# 399272 , Reply# 10   10/7/2018 at 16:30 (1,998 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
I loved the Hoover Ultra Self Propelled WindTunnel. I bought one for my aging parents on their anniversary because their single-floor condo had acres of deep-pile plush carpeting. It made life so much easier for my late father as he was in charge of vacuuming on Fridays. The self-propel mechanism worked very well for him, and the filtration layers in the vac were a great help for his allergies.

It was neat knowing it came from the original Hoover home in North Canton. We Canadians knew what it meant to use a high-quality American-made product. Those were the days....those little towns of North Canton and Bloomington proudly kept North American homes clean for many decades.

End of an era. :-(



Post# 399289 , Reply# 11   10/7/2018 at 23:32 (1,998 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        
vacuumdevil...

myles_v's profile picture
Very few, if any, current Hoover machines meet all of the things you listed. It was a $200 machine, not a $500 Miele. In my opinion, the self propelled Windtunnel was one of the last half-decent Hoover machines. No easy change bag? Seriously, how difficult is it to pull the cardboard collar off the plastic tube? It doesn't get very much easier than that.

Also, there was no need to bend down and assemble the attachments. The hose is stored on the side of the machine and it's always ready for use.


Post# 399290 , Reply# 12   10/7/2018 at 23:51 (1,998 days old) by gregvacs28 (U.S.)        
my

"...0 bagged vacuums and 0 canister vacuums in their lineup"

 

it's depressing.  I remember shopping Spirit canisters at Kmart and being happy.  undecided


Post# 399301 , Reply# 13   10/8/2018 at 10:33 (1,997 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)        
No great loss...

human's profile picture
Hoover hasn't been Hoover since they dropped the Convertible. Now THAT was a REAL vacuum cleaner!

Post# 399307 , Reply# 14   10/8/2018 at 14:46 (1,997 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )        

vacuumdevil's profile picture
@myles_v
I have to bend over to use the hose . Most consumers struggle putting thst bag on believe it or not.
Hoover has been out of the regular vacuum market for some time. The focus with the Hoover name is commercial, low end vacuum sales.
I've been mean to do a review on one of these for a while maybe I'll dust off ,change the belt on mine out and make a video.

@gregvacs28 look at this part of Hoover's website.

www.hoovercommercial.com/...
www.oreck.com...


CLICK HERE TO GO TO vacuumdevil's LINK


Post# 399341 , Reply# 15   10/9/2018 at 09:22 (1,996 days old) by FantomLightning (Ohio)        
I...

Wonder if this machine may find its way into the Royal line up of machines like with the UR30075 and UR30085 based on the Tempo and non SP WT...

Post# 399346 , Reply# 16   10/9/2018 at 12:31 (1,996 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)        

kloveland's profile picture
It's sad. But time moves forward. In my experience they cleaned well but they were so freakin' loud! I've had a few but I no longer pick them because they are so loud!

Post# 399354 , Reply# 17   10/9/2018 at 16:55 (1,996 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Keep in mind that if we're talking about the new bag model one that was recently pulled, it's based on a 20 year old design. It will be loud, dusty, and clunky. It's part of the history.

But they actually did a study that Americans associate loudness with power. So just like a supercar, the louder it is the more powerful people think it is and will want to buy it. I can attest that the Windtunnel doesn't need any help advertising its power, but with that exhaust vent and the motor equipped, you will certainly feel like you're in a windtunnel!


Post# 399357 , Reply# 18   10/9/2018 at 18:46 (1,996 days old) by speedqueen (Harrison Twp MI)        

Apparently even Electrolux knew that consumers associated loudness with power back in the 1960s, because they designed the 1205 with less noise insulating capabilities than preceding models because of that fact.

I still think it was a capable cleaner, and in fact far better than what most other manufacturers are selling. I don't think any defects were too glaring other than the fact that it doesn't look like a rocket ship like may models from Shark, Dyson, etc.


Post# 399491 , Reply# 19   10/13/2018 at 21:07 (1,992 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        
@vacuumdevil

Truth to be told most comsumers today struggle with any vacuum that requires more that plugging it into an outlet and finding the power switch to turn it on and off. Over and above that most are clueless what to do after that.

I manage janitorial staff for the past 30 years. I know from first hand experience. That is why we see so many by the curb on trash day or at the local thrift stores.


Post# 399493 , Reply# 20   10/13/2018 at 21:26 (1,992 days old) by electromatik (Taylorsville, North Carolina, U.S.A.)        
@fan-of-fans

That is precisely my fear as well...

:(


Post# 399496 , Reply# 21   10/13/2018 at 21:44 (1,992 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        
@fan-of-fans & electromatic

We will never run out of big box disposable vacuums. They will keep reinventing garbage.

Makes me glad I believe in the Kirby. Maybe expensive to buy and weigh a half ton. However it will last forever and and still will out clean most vacuums on the market 30 years from now. Best of all I won't be in a position to figure out which is the best disposable vacuum on the store shelves.



Post# 399504 , Reply# 22   10/13/2018 at 22:46 (1,992 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

fan-of-fans's profile picture
I think the trend is going toward the rechargeable stick vacs like Dyson first came out with and now other makers are doing, and secondly the robotic vacuums. As for more traditional corded uprights, it seems to be the Shark style machines are what everyone is following. Even more traditional bagless tools on board machines are getting fewer in favor of these styles.

There may never be an end to big box vacuums, but this is the direction they are headed. They aren't reinventing themselves, they're just following the "leaders" of Dyson and Roomba because that's what people want and need.

Unfortunately the only big box retailer where you can still get a decent bagged upright or canister vacuum just filed for bankruptcy. It may mean an end to that brand as well, not that anyone seems to care...

Of course there's always Kirby, Aerus, Rainbow, Miele, Tacony, etc. But in many many towns all you have available is Walmart stuff. Which means the end of bagged machines and canisters is pretty much sealed.

It is nice that Hoover still offers the Guardsman and Portapower in their commercial lineup, as well as some older machines repackaged. It seems they still put a lot into that line.


Post# 399522 , Reply# 23   10/14/2018 at 04:39 (1,991 days old) by electromatik (Taylorsville, North Carolina, U.S.A.)        

We are living in a time when people are living more hectic lives and people have little desire to understand anything other than instant gratification. People today desire speed and little else. The bagless propaganda has led people to think it is "modern" and easy. People are falling for the propaganda hook line and sinker. It does unfortunately look like we may be in a Betamax versus VHS type war vis-à-vis bagged and cordless. Sometimes consumers can be manipulated into believing in one over the other. It's sad for those who like quality.

Post# 399523 , Reply# 24   10/14/2018 at 06:50 (1,991 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

People won't be so "gratified" when they find out a bagless vacuum requires MORE care than a bagged one-and takes more time to empty and clean-replace the nasty filters,wash the smells out of the dirt bin.Then to top it off replace the whole vacuum because the motor burned out from the owner only dumping the bin but not cleaning or replacing the filters he doesn't know about because he threw the instruction book out with the box.Then the cycle repeats.

Post# 399540 , Reply# 25   10/14/2018 at 12:40 (1,991 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        

The fact that bagless vacuums require more care is the driving force for me that I don't want one.

I have a Rainbow E series I got from a friend. I have no interest in using, much less as a "daily driver".
1. because of the set up and clean up.
2. There are far better performers in my opinion.
3. I don't have any phobias about a dust and or dirt.


Post# 399549 , Reply# 26   10/14/2018 at 16:21 (1,991 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)        
Engineered to fail...

human's profile picture
Modern vacuum cleaners are engineered to fail in a number of ways, from the filters that nobody cleans to the circuit boards inevitably burn out, effectively functioning as self-destruct mechanisms. Now, they're making them cordless and no doubt sealing the battery compartments so users will be forced to throw them out when the batteries fail. The amazing thing is consumers are so damned gullible they not only fall for this shit, they actually fall all over themselves to buy the latest version of it.

This is why we're doomed as a species...


Post# 399688 , Reply# 27   10/17/2018 at 18:33 (1,988 days old) by ridgidwd0670 (se wood co ohio)        

ridgidwd0670's profile picture
I hope the 'discontuniation' is temporary!

& also bring back the Convertibles & Elites!

They still have the Quiet Pro canister


Post# 399693 , Reply# 28   10/17/2018 at 19:38 (1,988 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

fan-of-fans's profile picture
I'm pretty sure the Elites and Convertibles will never come back. Although, Hoover does still make the Guardsman Commercial, so the Convertible does still live on in a modified form.

I never heard much about the Quiet Pro. I assumed it was discontinued because it's not on their website that I can see.


Post# 399694 , Reply# 29   10/17/2018 at 19:43 (1,988 days old) by gregvacs28 (U.S.)        

huskyvacs-

 

"But they actually did a study that Americans associate loudness with power. So just like a supercar, the louder it is the more powerful people think it is and will want to buy it." 

 

Well not THIS "American" !  I actively IGNORE and denigrate noise makers.  lol.  Don't get me started.   yell  

 

 

kirby519-

 

"Truth to be told most comsumers today struggle with any vacuum that requires more that plugging it into an outlet and finding the power switch"

 

I don't find that difficult to believe.  But is it blatant ignorance, or because people feel they've evolved beyond having to worry about such things? 

 

 

vacuumdevil-

 

"pod vacuums" by Oreck?   

A plethora of emotions rolls over me: from being perplexed, to distrust, to disgust, to a subtle 'hoorah' for progress...... and back to disgust....

 

 

tolivac-

 

"People won't be so "gratified" when they find out a bagless vacuum requires MORE care than a bagged one-and takes more time..."

 

 Yep, you've called it.  Will those who are gullible just accept the bad designs as 'normal'?

 

 

human-

 

"...consumers are so damned gullible..."

 

Gullible sounds very true.  But that doesn't let the developers off the hook for bad designs like a sealed battery compartment.

 

My solution to a sealed battery compartment that prevents me from occasionally unplugging the battery and resetting my tablet(also helping to wipe out potential viruses)-   drill a perfect hole in the back behind the battery plug.  I was getting tired of prying that whole body off my tablet.   

 

But most people probably won't have the intelligence to come up with this plan NOR the tools to do it.  What does that make people like us, who can do this? 

 

 


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size
Post# 399707 , Reply# 30   10/18/2018 at 02:07 (1,988 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
I guess people like this is why vacuums went to battery power.






Post# 399773 , Reply# 31   10/19/2018 at 19:21 (1,986 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        

He was just used to starting his Mantis garden tiller.

Post# 400098 , Reply# 32   10/27/2018 at 15:59 (1,978 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

fan-of-fans's profile picture
Who sold the Hoover Windtunnel SP? I used to see them in the trash here pretty often so someone must have. lol

I know Sears used to sell the latest blue one but when I went today they didn't have it on display so must have sold out.

I seem to recall Walmart used to sell the older ones, like the hunter green or maroon.


Post# 400264 , Reply# 33   11/1/2018 at 11:38 (1,973 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )        

vacuumdevil's profile picture
@fan-of-fans everybody! Most big box stores,vacuum shops, QVC/HSN mail order .
Hoover even had stores at one time that sold them .


Post# 400268 , Reply# 34   11/1/2018 at 12:06 (1,973 days old) by gregvacs28 (U.S.)        


I remember the Hoover stores.

I suppose all those have since been closed, probably around 2009?

The last time I went to one, around 2002ish, they were carrying a commercial tagged canister that was the Hoover Spirit. It was black or red or some ugly colors and didn't say Spirit, but it was.
It didn't have a PN. The Spirit run ended in the late 80s. I seriously thought about buying one for old times sake as I was doing serious collecting at the time; but it was too ugly and would have tarnished the memory. A Hoover Spirit is supposed to be a pastel color.


Post# 400326 , Reply# 35   11/3/2018 at 00:52 (1,972 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )        
You guys inspired me to make a video on the subject. ㈳

vacuumdevil's profile picture





Post# 400402 , Reply# 36   11/4/2018 at 11:44 (1,970 days old) by royalfan (Chicago)        

royalfan's profile picture
@vacuumdevil That was really long! But extremely thorough especially compared to the 5 minute reviews I've seen on this machine.

Post# 400616 , Reply# 37   11/9/2018 at 18:49 (1,965 days old) by allanbmw (Provo, Utah)        
Help!! UH30015

Hello,
My daughter was born 4 months premature. Her twin died in my arms. Scarlett, who survived, has autism. As you may know, these kids bond with machines, not dolls or stuffed animals. In Scarlett's case, up-right Hoover's. I've lost track just how many she has now, but for almost 2 years she's been after me to find model number UH30015, a white model that hasn't been made in maybe 10-12 years (yes, she KNOWS the model number!). My wife, in an effort to calm her, began promising one by her birthday, 4 September. I gave her a hard time about that, because Scarlett was really expecting one then. I've constantly been on eBay and other sites including overseas, trying to find one. I ended up painting a blue one with disastrous results. Naturally she looked first at the model number and noticed it has no light. If you could possibly point me in a direction where I could find even the parts to "make" one (I even have the part numbers!), I and my family would be forever grateful. I'm pretty sure Scarlett would be too.
Thank you kindly,
Allan Beamer


Post# 458922 , Reply# 38   12/28/2022 at 23:40 (455 days old) by AmtrakSebo1997 (Vacmasterthegreats basement)        
allanbmw

amtraksebo1997's profile picture
Are you still looking for that model? Because I'm sorry to say that it's quite rare. there's a blue version of it that is slightly more common, but that has been discontinued, too. Thankfully, Hoover did make a bagged white upright, although it's not a Tempo. Here it is:

hoover.com/products/complete-per...


Post# 458943 , Reply# 39   12/29/2022 at 12:50 (454 days old) by AmtrakSebo1997 (Vacmasterthegreats basement)        
allanbmw

amtraksebo1997's profile picture
Oh yeah, I'm sorry to hear about your loss of your twin. I'm sure they are very happy up in heaven, and will be waiting for you, and your family there. Also, I hope your other daughter is doing well, and will still be happy even if you didn't manage to get that specific model of Hoover. I wish you the best,

-AmtrakSebo1997


Post# 458949 , Reply# 40   12/29/2022 at 14:20 (454 days old) by wstonehockertv (North Carolina)        
allanbmw

I want to remind your daughter Scarlett that I'm also autistic and that I was also born premature (four weeks early according to my mom). I used to be part of the vacuum community for many years, but I am no longer part of it due to drama amongst the members.

Post# 458957 , Reply# 41   12/29/2022 at 19:18 (454 days old) by AmtrakSebo1997 (Vacmasterthegreats basement)        

amtraksebo1997's profile picture
Do you still collect vacuums?

Post# 459126 , Reply# 42   1/3/2023 at 08:55 (449 days old) by wstonehockertv (North Carolina)        
amtraksebo1997

I was never a collector.

Post# 460202 , Reply# 43   2/10/2023 at 21:10 (411 days old) by AmtrakSebo1997 (Vacmasterthegreats basement)        

amtraksebo1997's profile picture
Oh ok, I get why you wanted to leave, drama is terrible. Well I hope you find success in whatever you pursue, unless it's something dangerous and/or illegal.

Post# 460216 , Reply# 44   2/11/2023 at 14:29 (410 days old) by wstonehockertv (North Carolina)        
amtraksebo1997

Hoover is still offering good machines thanks to TTi. Hell of a lot better than Maytag that's for sure.

Post# 460807 , Reply# 45   2/28/2023 at 21:19 (393 days old) by AmtrakSebo1997 (Vacmasterthegreats basement)        

amtraksebo1997's profile picture
While I can't speak on behalf of the quality of TTI Hoovers too much, because I haven't used that many TTI Hoovers, I can speak on behalf of some of Maytag's products. Mainly the bagged Hoover windtunnels. While the build quality isn't anything that rivals Sebo, the power and preformance are very solid I think.

Post# 460812 , Reply# 46   2/28/2023 at 23:51 (393 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        

panasonicvac's profile picture
The TTI Windtunnels were definitely much better than Maytag's. I agree with William on this. Hoover in my opinion went downhill after Maytag acquired Chicago Pacific which owned Hoover. And Hoover I think bounced back after they were acquired by TTI. I would gladly take a TTI Windtunnel over a Maytag Windtunnel.


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