Thread Number: 42891  /  Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
13" kirby carpet nozzle or not.
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Post# 449187   1/11/2022 at 16:49 (807 days old) by vacuser (milford,ohio)        

vacuser's profile picture
would like to get some input on these pictures.this is advertised as a 13"it just don't look that way to me. ??? are they trying to pull a fast one ?

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Post# 449191 , Reply# 1   1/11/2022 at 19:15 (807 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
vacuser

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Dwayne,

Definitely not the 13" nozzle. In front is the Super Renovation Group nozzle.

~Ben


Post# 449197 , Reply# 2   1/12/2022 at 04:55 (807 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Not sure who "they" is in this case but if it's advertised as being the small head nozzle they likely are just confused and not trying to scam anyone (what's the point?). Trying to pick those nozzles out from 100x listings of this vacuum from memory is difficult.

There also is an early transitional version too if I am correct that has the big fat nozzle with the side wings that extend over the sides of the wheels.

Photo courtesy of chuffle, from a 2008 post.


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Post# 449198 , Reply# 3   1/12/2022 at 09:07 (806 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
The shampoo head is 13 inches but the rug nozzle is 15 inches. I have the 13 inch rug nozzle for my Heritage, it's a joke. I would never want to try and clean with it.

Post# 449203 , Reply# 4   1/12/2022 at 10:52 (806 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)        

kloveland's profile picture
I agree the normal 15 inch rug nozzle covers a wider area faster. I don't understand why so many collectors want the optional 13 inch nozzle on their Heritage. It takes more time to vacuum with a smaller nozzle and the Kirby doesn't feel as well balanced. It tends to flip back a little with the smaller nozzle.

Post# 449209 , Reply# 5   1/12/2022 at 13:09 (806 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)        

human's profile picture
While it is true that a 13-inch nozzle would be less effective for cleaning wide open floor spaces, it would come in very handy for tighter spaces with more obstacles; for instance, I'd love one to have one to vacuum the Persian rug under my dining table.

As far as collectability goes, the fact that it is comparatively rare makes it more desirable. Some collectors are completists and want it all.


Post# 449211 , Reply# 6   1/12/2022 at 14:06 (806 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

suckolux's profile picture
Edgar, I give you full points on all counts there I think you nailed it

Post# 449215 , Reply# 7   1/12/2022 at 14:35 (806 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)        

kloveland's profile picture
I have wall to wall carpet throughout my house. In a smaller home the 13 inch rug nozzle might be nice. I guess it all depends on the person's needs. In my experience the smaller nozzle causes the Kirby to flip back a little even on the older Kirbys while vacuuming.

It seems like collectors want Kirby to go backwards in time from what I've read on Vland over the years. No self propel and smaller nozzles. I know the average person appreciates the self propelled feature and wider nozzle. It makes sense that collectors would prefer the older designs. Since we are vacuum collectors.

If you want a vacuum with a smaller nozzle. You could try a Royal.


Post# 449219 , Reply# 8   1/12/2022 at 15:15 (806 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
dysonman1

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Tom,

Those Kirby machines that did have the 13" nozzle originally will also have a shaved headlight cap casting, in order to make the cap fit correctly against the 13" nozzle.

I have seen 13" nozzles on machines that were designed for the 16" nozzle, so the (unshaved) headlight caps will not go down all the way toward the smaller nozzle.

Others have also shaved the 13" nozzles to make the standard-issue light caps (for 16" nozzle) fit against them, but shaving the nozzle castings to make them jibe with the light caps (16" nozzle) is not a good thing because of the rarity of these smaller nozzles.

~Ben




This post was last edited 01/12/2022 at 16:50
Post# 449236 , Reply# 9   1/13/2022 at 00:49 (806 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Edgar is right, its for the rarity factor and also wanting to have a full presentation of all the variations available - and also for maneuverability for those that run their vintage vacs. That smaller nozzle tends to slot itself rather nicely between table and chair legs. But like Tom said, if you have a big house with a lot of open floor area (or a museum!) that smaller nozzle becomes a chore to use.


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