Several people have commented that Oreck's aren't in general heavy duty vacuums.  So what carpet types are Oreck's most appropriate for?   I believe CR gave most of the Oreck's tested in the last several years scores of good to very good for cleaning medium pile carpeting.   

Carmine has mentioned the failure of a Dyson DC07 on wool carpeting. 

I would think that deep shag and berber carpeting would have special challenges different from medium pile carpeting.  

I just bought the Electrolux Duralite also know as the Sanitaire Duralite. It is designed after the Eureka Ultra. I had a Eureka Ultra and wished I had kept it. I had hoped that they may eventually bring it back. Well this vacuum uses the same type bag the Ultra used, Style Z. The Ultra had a Vibra Groomer II, while this one has a wooden brush roll and different base plate. If the base plate wasn't a different style a Vibra Groomer II would work in it. This vacuum is 5 amps. Even at 5 amps this vacuum is very powerfull. These are also being sold on QVC. In reading the reviews people were saying this is not good removing pet hair on carpeting, but great on bare floors. After much testing the problem seems to be this. It is self adjusting and with a new bag in it the brush roll will stall or slow down. I even changed the belt to make sure. Once the bag gets some household dirt in it and the airflow is decreased  the problem disappears. I changed the bag and same thing happens...I have short plush carpeting in my home. It is only 3 years old. This vacuum would work great for business or low nap carpeting but probably would not work on very plush carpeting. I am keeping it all the same and put it in my collection for a keeper. I think I know a fix for this. The base plate also houses the front wheels. These wheels need to be a little larger than the ones on it, perhaps Electrolux will realize this and correct the problem.

In my case, it is not the carpet causing my Electrolux to fail, but a design flaw.

Sincerely,

Bud

One other note: My Eureka Ultra was almost twice as expensive as this vacuum, but the quality was much better. I prefer quality to a cheaper price. Also, one of the reasons I like the Ultra so well was the great easy change bag. That is still the same on the new Electrolux.

Improvements over the Ultra

Dual zipper outer bag.

Things I liked better on the Ultra

Vibra Groomer II

More slim line design

Did not stall out on any type of carpet and I believe it had a 6 amp motor

Attachment set was available for it if needed

Button for suction control on front of nozzle. I always used it on normal, unless using the attachements and needed a lower suction

So is it fair to say that if you have low pile carpeting, the top rated Hoover Windtunnel in the leading consumer magazine is probably overkill and not a good fit?  Just as a Oreck may not be a good fit for deep pile carpeting? 

Severus wrote:

Low pile carpeting, especially that with an evenly cut pile should be relatively easy to clean with just about anything save for situations where sizable abundances of pet hair accumulate.  A` vacuum that's fast and effective on deep pile may not necessarily be overkill.  (Overkill is more often an issue of how much you put yourself out on a limb for pricewise.)  If the vacuum also serves well for other cleaning tasks around the house then it's a solid asset.

As for Oreck, you must always consider the households it may serve in.  That matter, as with any other vacuum type or brand, is always varied. Rug cleaning needs are definitely different household to household and are magnified more by way of neglect than machinery.

Keeping deep pile carpet clean and looking good is more likely a real issue if -- it bears a lot of traffic and the owner is not fond of vacuuming.  I honestly believe that if you vacuum frequently, daily or several times a week, your chances of getting up destructive grit, etc., before it's worked all the way down into the rug are good.  Think of it this way, what would your hair look like if instead of combing or brushing it everyday, you opted to tend to it once a week OR every two weeks. Naturally, the longer you overlooked it, the longer it would take to get it in proper order.  Frequent vacuumers have a lot less to worry over in regard to depth of clean or the look of their carpeting.

Oreck is not my favorite machine nor the one I might suggest for someone whose moved into an environment where a "ravaged" rug cannot be replaced but it does serve a purpose and, used properly, may be as valid a buy as any Hoover depending upon the user's likes and frequency of use.  Really ratty appearing rugs can experience improvement with regular thorough professional cleaning where possible and vacuuming often as needed as opposed to when you feel like it.  Been there, done that and with the vacuum I had but not the vacuum I liked.

Venson

Severus wrote:

I have to come down on the same side as Venson WRT this statement.  Depends on the amount of low pile carpet to clean and how often you vacuum.  HOOVER WT may be just what the vacuum doctor ordered if you have 1500-2000 plus sq foot of low pile carpet and vacuum 1 or 2 a week.  On the other hand an ORECK is the best fit for 400 sq foot of high thick woven wool white carpet vacuumed daily.  Especially if the user for the latter is an older man/woman.

Carmine D.

Electrolux EL9025A Duralite Pro Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Features	Specifications
Specially designed 5-amp motor moves more air at less RPMs for a longer life and superior energy efficiency The extra wide, clog resistant air path is nearly 3x bigger than the nearest competitor Can lie flat (down to just 6'') to reach under beds and other furniture Magnesium components are lighter than steel or aluminum yet exceptionally durable Crevice and dusting tools stored at your fingertips Large, easy-roll wheels with rubber protects hard surfaces and improves mobility Dual-edge cleaning for easy cleaning along baseboards Positive lock, wear resistant magnesium handle release and magnesium dual-support handle socket and bag assembly for exceptional durability Power: 5 amps Filtration Type: CRI Green Clean Approved Capacity: 6.6 quarts Brush Type: - Cleaning Path: - Hose Length: - Power Cord: 30' Attachments: Crevice tool, dusting brush Dimensions and Weight Size: 44.5H x 12.75''W x 11.75''D Weight: 12 lbs. Warranty: 2 years Shipping Weight: 15.00 lbs. UPC: 023169121973 Please note: This appliance complies with the U.S. Electrical Standard. Please note: This appliance complies with the U.S. Electrical Standard.

Just for the sake of argument, I think I will disagree.   If it's true that almost any vacuum will clean low pile carpeting, would you really want to use a vacuum that has a very aggressive brush roll?   There are certainly a lot of Kenmores, Panasonics, and European brands with softer brushes.     Just because the Windtunnel is optimal for medium pile carpeting, is it really optimal for low level carpeting? 

For all that I'm not a fan of Oreck I must say Ive found them to be great for deep thick carpeting. The wooden brush rolls and thick bushy bristles are perfect for deep carpeting. Sebo's X suffers with high pile deep thick carpeting though - the sensor gets confused and can't lift the floor head high enough. For low carpet though Sebo's X models are brilliant. I've found the most aggressive brush rolls to be Dyson uprights.

Severus wrote:

Not completely true to mw SEVERUS.  An excellent example to me is the latest HOOVER lightweight bagged upright.  It is higher up off the carpet than the ORECK due to the larger wheels.  Does ok but not nearly as well IMHO as an ORECK.  Can't adjust the height on either the ORECK and/or HOOVER lightweight.  But the height can be adjusted on a HOOVER WT and/or HOOVER TEMPO for low pile carpet.  I certainly would not want to use a 12 inch cleaning swath on an ORECK and/or HOOVER lightweight for 1500-2000 plus sq feet of low pile carpet.  Takes too long.  I would use the 15 inch plus cleaning swath on a TEMPO or WT in a heart beat on this area of low pile carpeting. 

Carmine D.

Severus wrote:

Aggressive is a broad term.  Not forgetting that new carpeting usually gives up lots of loose fibers, as long as a brushroll with firm tufts of bristles does not pull up, cut or unravel carpet fibers all should be fine. A decent vacuum cleaner is designed to manage all standard pile heights.  There's no sense or practicality in making or buying a machine that works well with only one carpet type.  As well, there's no sense in producing modern carpeting that hasn't the strength to bear regular vacuuming.

If a vacuum is good on medium and high pile, then one might hope it will be all the more thorough and quick on low pile and cut your work time.

Performance on low pile as it is easy to clean to my knowledge has never been used as an example in selling.  You can't push the "deep clean" hype with it.  That has more to do with our secret longing to live like rich folks.  Thus, in the name of comfort, we're more prone go for harder to clean thick pile of affordable man-made fiber.

The larger part of the world hasn't a clue as to which machines have aggressive brushrolls.  The persons to who that may be of real concern would probably be museum curators or purveyors of antique carpeting.  Any kind of carpet requring a careful preservation regemin should be be cleaned using a straight suction rug nozzle (note that I said nothing about using your upright with the brushroll off) if there is the slightest question or concern regarding damage from vacuuming.  If there was a substantial amount of public demand for different grade brushrolls or an appreciable amount of complaint about unnecessary rug wear, I'm sure the option would be offered.

Venson

Severus wrote:

I agree to a point....although most do well on low carpet , some do far better and are eisier to use. The orecks we use do well in the offices and cubicals..small courtrooms and kitchenetts/brk rooms. short hallways ect....easy to use and small to fit in those tight spots/areas.

On the larger areas where their is far more surface area to cover we use...panasonics, riccars, tempos, sanit comm..ect ...works out very well among the diverse cleaning staff we have....all are happy [at the moment].

My view is this...an aggressive roller can be ajusted to the situation....or most. better to have more than you need in case you need it than to not have enough when needed.

turtle