Thread Number: 6525
Kirby G Series machines 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 72371   6/16/2009 at 15:38 (5,418 days old) by luxflairguy (Wilmington, NC)        

I've been contemplating buying a Kirby G series machine. Is there really much difference between a G3 and the later machines? I had a G3 and very much liked it, except for the amount of weight it had when using it with the hose. But I miss the self-propelled feature.
Please share your thoughts! Greg aka Luxflairguy

Post# 72373 , Reply# 1   6/16/2009 at 16:41 (5,417 days old) by vibragroomer ()        
TechDrive

 The TechDrive (transmission) shifts much more smoothly. In fact, it shifts so smoothly that you don't really notice it. The G3 was a little jerky.

Post# 72374 , Reply# 2   6/16/2009 at 16:44 (5,417 days old) by tristar ()        

Regarding the powerplant itself, there is virtually NO difference between the G3 and all the models in between through the Sentria. The Diamond Edition offered a 2-speed motor, but it was the only exception.

The G3 originally had a jerky shifting transmission due to the lack of a centering spring. Because of that, it was also the easiest to push! The G4 and later all used a very similar transmission, but the actuator had a centering spring on it to return to neutral when you let go of the handle. The Sentria supposedly has a different gear ratio so that it accelerates differently.

The G3 and G4 machines originally had Lexan fans in them. Because of this their fan chambers are shaped slightly differently from a G5 and later. However, in a G3 and G4 you can install a metal fan from a Tradition or earlier machine to make a beast out of your Kirby! Most G3's and G4's nowadays have had their fans replaced with the modern Kevlar fans from the G5 and later.

The outer bags were also different. The G3 had a fairly typical felt-lined vinyl outer bag. The G4 came with a better filtering bag meant for use with the Micron Magic bags. The G5 and later came out with the best filtering bags designed for use with the Micron Magic HEPA bags.

The Emptors also had some minor differences. The G3-G5 all had the same flattened emptor while the G6 and later machines all have a rounded emptor. The new emptor design is supposed to improve performance, but in actual practice it doesn't make much difference.

The last thing that really changed in the designs was the nozzle. The G3 and G4 had the indicator light on the left side and the G5 and later switched the indicator to the right side. The later G6 machines introduced the new style "Oblique" brushroll that has staggered bristles.

So what does it all mean? They all really clean about the same. I've had variations of almost every variety and I've kept the G3 for the simple reason that it cleans just as well as the rest of them do and it was the first machine I bought to start my current collection. I'm sure some other members feel differently, but I've thrown different tests and situations at my Kirbys and they've all done about the same. They're a great vacuum though! Versatile and powerful...gotta love it!

Post# 72379 , Reply# 3   6/16/2009 at 19:02 (5,417 days old) by riccarlover ()        

I COMPLETELY agree with Eric. All the G Series machines are the same. I do have to say though after using all the G Series the G4 seems to be the quietest for some odd reason. Maybe it's just me...
:)
Clayton

Post# 72381 , Reply# 4   6/16/2009 at 19:56 (5,417 days old) by xraytech ()        

I think they all perform the same, but I prefer the G6 because I like it's black and gold color scgeme the best of all of the Generation series

Post# 72383 , Reply# 5   6/16/2009 at 20:37 (5,417 days old) by luxflairguy (Wilmington, NC)        

Thanks for all the info!! How "special" is the 2 speed feature on the G7? Or is it just a "topside" version of the safety switch? Inquiring minds want to know!! Greg

Post# 72391 , Reply# 6   6/17/2009 at 00:27 (5,417 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        
Generation after Generation....

 I agree with everyone else. There is minor cosmetic differences between models, but performancewise, there is NO difference between the Generation 3 and the Sentria. The only reason I prefer the Generation 3 is that it uses regular screws, whereas G5 and later machines use Torx screws, so it's a little less user-serviceable. When I received my Sentria, the front nozzle was busted, so I used a nozzle casting from a Generation 3, and with a Generation 3 brushroll it works just fine, only difference is that the BPI is on the left side. As for the Diamond Edition with the two-speed switch, that's the only G series I don't have (I do have the conventional Ultimate G), but I understand the two-speed switch was discontinued because everyone was using it exclusively on high, and it burned out the commutator prematurely. Can anyone verify this?

Post# 72394 , Reply# 7   6/17/2009 at 05:24 (5,417 days old) by vintagehoover ()        

Ohio_Tuec - I heard differently; I thought the issue with the 2-speed switch was that people used accessories like the shampooer and polisher on 'low', and THAT burned the commutator out! I thought that's what our group was told when we toured the factory last August (I remember someone asked our guide about this issue, I forget who!)

Anyone?

Post# 72402 , Reply# 8   6/17/2009 at 07:15 (5,417 days old) by samotronic ()        
2 speed switch

 I have a Diamond edition model with the 2 speed switch, a feature that I use all the time and think was a great asset. I would have to assume that Vintage Hoover is correct because the 2 speed switch is designed to lower the speed for throw rugs, etc, not raise it. The Kirby instinctively wants to devour throw rugs and with the lower speed it thoroughly vacuums them without consuming them. I use it for dusting as well as it does not cause the dusting tool to adhere to the surface and stiffen the hose.

Post# 72403 , Reply# 9   6/17/2009 at 08:10 (5,417 days old) by vacfanatic (Omaha, NE)        

vacfanatic's profile picture
Here is one of my favorites I own. Rarely use it, don't wan't it to get scuffed! :-)

Kirby

Kirby

Kirby

Post# 72408 , Reply# 10   6/17/2009 at 11:47 (5,417 days old) by bimmer740 (Long Island, New York)        
Diamond Edition

 bimmer740's profile picture
I too have a Diamond Edition (bought it NIB on eBay) and I absolutely love it!! I use it weekly and I think the tech drive seems to be better than on the G4 I had a while back. I don't use it on small area rugs often but when I do that Two Speed switch is a life saver! Like someone else said earlier, it makes it possible to vacuum an area rug or door mat easily without pulling it right up into the machine. I use the Kirby Hepa bags in my unit and while they are expensive, I noticed they greatly improve air flow and they last me a long time. The Diamond Edition is one machine which I will never part with, I plan to have and use it for many years to come! I use a little Windex to wipe it down every few weeks and I still think it shines just like new.

Post# 72417 , Reply# 11   6/17/2009 at 13:22 (5,417 days old) by kirbyluxhoover (Pinole, CA)        
Bags

I have a G4,G5 and G6 and the bag fitting is the same as the Heritage II and I don't see why the better filtering bags can't be used in all of them. The HII, Legend, Legend II and G3 all used plain yellow papers bags. My friend who is not a collector uses the better G4/G5 Bags in his G3. Why not get the better filtering? I am planning on using a G bag in my HII once I get it restored. I am going to keep some of the vintage yellow bags around for sake of my collection.

Post# 72422 , Reply# 12   6/17/2009 at 13:31 (5,417 days old) by tristar ()        

I'd hope that anyone who uses the HII or later uses at least the Micron Magic bags. They don't leak anywhere near as bad as the HII/G3 style did and with the batting inside the bag, they maintain suction longer.

The history lesson was to show what was introduced with who. I know some people who have converted their pre-HII Kirbys to using the HII style Emptor with the cloth HEPA bags. I converted my sister's Classic III to that setup before I gave it to her for Christmas.

Post# 72424 , Reply# 13   6/17/2009 at 13:48 (5,417 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Micron Magic

 thunderhexed's profile picture
I use them in my Heritage II, Legend II and Generation 3. I love them. My machines don't get so dusty after use.

Post# 72428 , Reply# 14   6/17/2009 at 15:03 (5,417 days old) by vibragroomer ()        
I had a Diamond G

 and just gave it to my Mom, complete with attachments and Rug Renovator. It is a great machine. She just wanted to borrow it to use the Rug Renovator. But after vacuuming with it a few times, she decided her carpet didn't need the Rug Renovator treatment. So I just gave it all to her -- like I didn't already have a few vacuums around our house already! When I used it, I always used low speed on throw rugs and outdoor entrance mats.

Post# 72429 , Reply# 15   6/17/2009 at 15:11 (5,417 days old) by vintagehoover ()        

Beautiful, Andrew! Makes me miss mine...it was sold last year to help pay for my trip to North Canton!

Great cleaner, but not terribly practical for my house.

Post# 72452 , Reply# 16   6/18/2009 at 04:25 (5,416 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        

You are probably right James, as I mentioned prior, I cannot confirm or deny this, but one thing is certain - Kirby must have discontinued it on the Sentria for a reason. Also, having the two-speed switch makes it impossible to swap top housings with other G series machines. Thanks to everyone who posted photos. I do have a question though. On Vacfanatic's photo postings (picture number 2 which shows the side profile of the cleaner) you will note that the bottom 2 rows of motor vents are blocked off. This is true for the Sentria also. Does anyone know why Kirby did this? Couldn't this cause a greater propensity to overheat? I would think the more cooling vents, the better.

Post# 72454 , Reply# 17   6/18/2009 at 06:21 (5,416 days old) by vintagehoover ()        

Ohio_Tuec - could the blocking-off of the lower vents be an attempt to prevent dust/fluff, or perhaps foam or moisture from the shampooer, from being sucked into the motor by the cooling fan?

WRT the 2-speed switch, I'm sure it was discontinued because it caused premature burn-outs, like you said - it's just the reason behind that which I'd like someone to confirm. I don't think running it constantly on 'high' was the issue, because surely 'high' was just 'normal' for the rest of the G-Series? I thought the switches' function wasn't to boost the power, but to lower it when needed? I did appreciate the feature on my Diamond Edition, I used it a lot!

Post# 72455 , Reply# 18   6/18/2009 at 08:38 (5,416 days old) by tristar ()        

The switch's function on the Diamond edition was to LOWER the speed, not boost it. When the machine was set on "high" all the speeds were the same as other G series machines.

The lower vents have been blocked off on about every Generation vacuum I've seen or used. My G3 is blocked off as was the G6. I've always wondered about that too!

Post# 72456 , Reply# 19   6/18/2009 at 08:51 (5,416 days old) by kirbyvacuum (Long Island New York)        
Diamond G

 Hi Andrew What a BEAUTIFUL Kirby I have the g 3,4,5,6,. I would have to say i love the way they clean the rugs our carpet is very thick with the power drive on it just sails throught the place. I use to use my Heritage 2 it is ok but MUCH HARDER TO PUSH. As far as color goes on the G series i love the Diamond first then the G3,5,6. Take care Doug

Post# 72458 , Reply# 20   6/18/2009 at 09:46 (5,416 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        

Actually, I just took a look at my G4, and all the vents are exposed. My Generation 3 as well. No, this was something they had to have done later on, maybe starting with the G6 or Ultimate G. Ordinarily, they usually ADD a set a vents when they make the machine more powerful (as they did in the case of the Dual Sanitronic 80 - It has additional vents the Sanitronic didn't have). When they beefed up the engines on later Volkswagen Beetles (1970-up) they received an additional set of louvers on the engine lid. Course then I had a devil of a time keeping small leaves and other debris out of the engine bay.

Post# 72471 , Reply# 21   6/18/2009 at 14:51 (5,416 days old) by tristar ()        

Hmmm........I do know that my G3 was rebuilt at some point in it's life, so perhaps it's a modified pan. I have to wonder if one of the reasons they blocked off some of the louvers is to keep it from blowing stuff away from the cleaner? The Generations have a nasty habit of blowing debris such as fur and leaves away from the left side of the machine while you're using it...

Post# 72496 , Reply# 22   6/18/2009 at 23:45 (5,415 days old) by briankirbyclass (Eudora Kansas)        

briankirbyclass's profile picture
I own a Hair Salon that is completly carpeted,,even under the hydraulic chairs at the work stations (With rubber mats directly under the chairs.
( i have an eversion to cold,bare floors,,am just a carpet kind of guy)
I bought a G4 to use in the salon, when they first came out, and soon found out i could not use it in the salon for vacuuming the carpets, as the exhaust blew the hair away from the machine, before i could vacuum it up! Was VERY frustrating.
Too bad, but i solved the problem by trading the G4 for a Heritage 2, with the G Series top fill tube installed, so that i could use the G series Micro bags in it. Also had a more agressive brushroll installed in the Heritage 2, which makes it very easy to push and manuver,,and grabs up every last hair on the floor without blowing it away from the machine.
Works like a charm!

Post# 72500 , Reply# 23   6/19/2009 at 04:19 (5,415 days old) by thermokid (Casper, Wyoming)        
Diamond Edition side air vents etc.

 Kirby cut off some of the sidevents starting on the Diamond Edition. The reason being was like Tristar said to keep the motor exhaust from blowing stuff away from the Kirby. The other improvements Kirby made on this machine were they slowed down the transmission(the reason for this was because the previous G series Kirby's would hop across the floor when they were pushed to fast.) Especially on Berber carpet so they slowed it down and now the machine glides slowly over the carpet without hopping. All Kirby did was make the gears on the outside of the transmission larger so it changed the gear ratio.They also made the brushroll stiffer.And the extra switch was to slow down the motor as using it on oriental rugs etc. I have never used the switch on my Diamond Edition yet. I changed all the outside transmission gears on all my G series machines. Now they work great.( I got my info about these changes when I worked in California as a service manager for a large Kirby Distributor. That was my dream job of a lifetime... My Kirby Diamond Edition is my Daily Driver. Nothing Sucks Like a Kirby!!!!

Post# 72502 , Reply# 24   6/19/2009 at 10:11 (5,415 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        

Thanks for the info Dan. What you are saying makes alot of sense. Although it might have been better for them to move the vents to another section of the machine. I'm not so sure that the problem of commutator burnout was not related to lack of ventilation. I never found the Tech Drive to be as "herky-jerky" as the Hoover Power Drive. Even on the WindTunnel, it really hasn't improved much in all these years, and quite honestly, I'm not sure the weight it adds to the machine when it's not running makes it an asset. I would love to see Kirby offer a non power-drive machine (maybe retro-styled) based on the old 500 series for those who don't want the added weight.

Post# 72505 , Reply# 25   6/19/2009 at 12:03 (5,415 days old) by riccarlover ()        
Dan...

 is 110% right!!! I use my G4 on the berber and it bounces like a jack-rabbit!!! I like to use the Kirby espically on berber because it's difficult to clean. I also end up taking it in ever year or so to get it tuned-uped from all the bouncing and works WONDERFUL afterwards.
Clayton
:)

Post# 72525 , Reply# 26   6/19/2009 at 20:23 (5,414 days old) by swiveltop (Galveston, TX)        

"The generations have a nasty habit of blowing leaves away from the left side of the machine", Maybe you should rake before vacuuming. LOL

Post# 363046 , Reply# 27   12/3/2016 at 13:41 (2,691 days old) by 123go (USA)        
Late to the party but hey I'm here...

 I just bought a second G series to use in the basement. Yaaay' no more carrying down stairs with a bad back here.
I had the (G6) and bought a second Kirby (G3) for $20 at a yard sale not long ago. Needed some TLC like a handle pivot assembly mainly, so for ($32.50) I got a brand new one off ebay to keep handle from falling and possibly breaking.
I read it is common on the G3 since they have plastic pins in the assembly instead of metal like all other G's idk?
Had some excess noise so while in there cleaning it up I replaced it's old worn down lexan fan with the Kevlar version I ordered so another ($12). Noise was a penny inside the case though...lol

My total investment cost so far has been $64.49 (-1 Penny) found inside it. The brush roller wasn't even touching the carpet so it needed adjusted to #2 setting and that was it on repairs. So I spent a little time/cash on it but well worth it all for me to have a perfectly operating Kirby. Not a show machine by any means but a great work horse. I've used it several times so far and it does absolutely wonderful.
I cleaned it up the best I could in/out and if not for the 2 deep scratches on the aluminum light cover it would be a very nice shiney unit. Easy fix so I may find a used one cheap someday?

I'm just posting on this old blog because I didn't know until reading here that Kirby blocked the vents off later on? I thought about applying thick scotch pad inside on the the vents of my G6 to slow the air down but never did. Never thought about blocking it off completely but I just might now?
Also' it's correct that although the G3 trans is rather jerky it really does pull better than any other G models I've used,I like that about it. Sort of like my Wheel Horse tractor, better hold on to it on takeoff...lol
Though I don't visit here as often as I'd like, thank you all for a great site here.
Take care!!

Post# 363080 , Reply# 28   12/4/2016 at 11:36 (2,690 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)        

sptyks's profile picture

You had better NOT block or slow down the airflow from the side vent of a G series Kirby. Doing so will cause the motor to overheat and burn out. The air coming out of the side vent is the exhaust of the cooling fan inside the motor housing. This air is what cools the motor. DO NOT block it off!

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