Thread Number: 40659  /  Tag: Pre-1950 Vacuum Cleaners
Hoover Model 425 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 431982   9/17/2020 at 13:28 (1,485 days old) by RonReeland (Granville, IL)        

Hi:
I purchased a Hoover 425 from an eBay seller over three years ago. It has sat in unopened cartons in my garage since then. I had long forgotten the condition of the vacuum. I was pleasantly surprised when I finally opened the boxes about one week ago. It was in very good condition. The seller was form Florida, if that might have something to do with its good shape.

I began to service and clean it up, but there was no major damage thankfully. The power cord and cord protector were unserviceable due to deterioration. The wiring to the switch had shorted to the steel handle leaving two small arc pits. I decided to replace all wiring in the handle all the way to the female socket at the lower end of the handle.

And I installed a three-wire grounded cord in the interest of safety. The green wire is connected to the steel handle. I added a screw thru the front of the bail socket into the steel handle to complete the bond to the motor and chassis frame. Finally, I installed new wiring from the male bail socket to the motor itself.

I removed all wheels so I could clean them and their axles thoroughly. The wheels in fine condition and have metal inserts so they are not worn and wobbly. I cleaned and greased the motor bearings. I also washed the agitator bearings in gasoline(outdoors), greased and reinstalled. The agitator was a little too stiff turning, so I changed the spring steel thrust washers to some that are less aggressive. That cleared up the stiffness just fine.

There were some yellowish spray paint spatters on the black motor housing. They were removed with Turtle-Wax polishing compound. The rubber furniture guard or bumper is in near perfect condition. Surprising, since so many are cracked and crumbled from age. The carbon brushes have plenty of life left. The armature commutator had little wear and does need turning down on a lathe.

The one big disappointment was the absence of a belt guard. I only noticed that fault when I reinstalled the agitator and a flat belt. Please see the photos of my machine. I do not see any evidence that there ever was a belt guard. All rivets are tight and look to be original.

Is it possible that Hoover first produced the 425 without a belt guard? Or just a factory defect that got by the inspectors? I guess I will have to cobble up some sort of belt guard.

I also noticed that the rug height adjustment mechanism has the letters "H, M L" stamped into the vertical shaft leading to the wheel's axle. I was never aware of that feature. The motor belt pulley seems to be worn as shown in one of the photos. But it drives the agitator in fine fashion with a flat belt.

One last question about the power switch on the handle: Should it be on in the "up" position or reverse? I installed with "on" in "up" position as most household wall switches are orientated.

Thanks,
Ron Reeland


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Post# 431993 , Reply# 1   9/17/2020 at 15:23 (1,485 days old) by Brando_husky (Las Vegas Nevada)        

Beautiful machine. I used to have one many years ago but I do recall it having a cover over the belt. Odd to see yours without one 
Post# 431994 , Reply# 2   9/17/2020 at 15:36 (1,485 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Wow a 3 year old time capsule! I always get mine open right away, if something broke in shipping or the seller forgot something, you can still get it resolved.

You must have got yours from a nicer part in Florida. lol I have bought a few antique vacuums from Florida and mine look like they came out of the bayou. lol

On my Hoover 700, up is off, and down is on. I assume the idea was to make it easier on your thumb when operating the cleaner.

Post# 466976 , Reply# 3   10/22/2023 at 18:23 (355 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)        
Re: Belt Guard

 bikerray's profile picture
The first picture is from the owners manual printed in Dec 1931 No belt guard
The second picture is from the owners manual printed in Aug 1932 belt guard added

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