Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Today I took my Bissell deep cleaner (the commercial grade "BigGreen" Rug Doctor killer) to my parents house to do some carpet cleaning as a favor. I get there, use their Dyson DC14 to vacuum everything first, then went about carpet cleaning. Throughout the process, I noticed clumps of cat hair and carpet fibers trailing behind the Bissell on the forward passes. This led me to believe that the huge brushbar on the Bissell big green was picking up stuff the Dyson was leaving behind. Since the Dyson is seven years old at this point, do you think that it is in dire need of a brush roll replacement, belt replacement, or both? In the case of having the belt replaced along with the brushroll, I'm assuming that my parents would have to take it to a repair center since they do not have the special tools for taking the clutch apart and slipping the belt in and out. How much would such a replacement job with parts and labor generally run for? Thanks, Keith

I recently replaced the brush roll on the Lux Guardian in use at the home where I clean on a regular basis. I had forgotten what a chore that is SIX screws in the bottom plate, the neck has to come out, which means removing the light socket and the shutoff switch. No local service.
The closest service center charges 79.99 and replaces the brush roll, belt, both bearing/end caps, and the lightbulb.

The simple round or flat belt really is a better way to go. BTW Consumer reports did take Miele to task once for difficult belt replacement, failing to mention it is at most a twice a decade chore.

Trebor

Trebor wrote:

Hello Trebor:

The brush roll in the Guardian is wood and extra long length.  I would recommend replacement of brush roll complete, belt and bulb for $80 even if 7 or more years old.  The Guardian will easily last 20 plus years.  As will the MIELE.  Dyson DC14 with clutch?  7 years is a good run.  I wouldn't expend $100 to fit a DC 14 with a new brush roll and belt.  I'd do exactly as Keith opined.  Resell as is and use the money on another vacuum purchase. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Hoover and Vax have the reset button in place. SEBO's double safe cut on the X and shut off instantly on the Felix means less wear. The Vax and Hoover actually do have clutches  - electronically controlled via the reset button and if the belts fail on either model, the brand has to be called out for the machines to be sent to them.

vacmanuk wrote:

Hello Vacmanuk:

Are these belt/clutch set ups recent developments in the VAX/TTI models or a long standing feature?  What are the costs for repairs for belts when sent back for replacement? 

Thanks for the info.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Well, remembering that Hoover UK have nothing to do with TTi  = the charges are different although Vax and Hoover both offer 5 year warranty service whenever any of their models are purchased. Therefore you only pay for extra costs outwith the guarantee after it has expired. Hoover's Windtunnel Air that I pointed out earlier months ago in the same design format as the Vax Mach Air series all have reset buttons. Outwith guarantee you could pay up to £75 which is three quarters of the price brand new just for the belt replacement and then labour charge on top, before having to pay for the postage. Most buyers I know of won't stand for the excess replacement charge and unless they're seriously strapped for cash would consider buying a new vacuum cleaner instead of getting it repaired - a bonus as you know in the UK our models are substantially cheaper due to economy except the American brands like Kirby or Oreck.

Hoover and Vax also charge extra if you send the vacuum back with dirty filters - something I wasn't aware of when I had to send my Vax Mach Air back. The cheek of it!

Maybe there is nothing wrong with the vacuum.  The clumps could only mean that they should do what they are doing more often.  The more and slower you vacuum, gives the machine time to pull up the really deep down gunk, along with loosing the pet hair and wayward carpet fibers.   A carpet man once told me, 'You can never vacuum too much."  "You should vacuum once a week for every person in the house, adding another time for each pet."

This advice is, of course, given by someone that has two American Eskimo dogs and vacuums at least once, sometimes more per day. 

vacmanuk wrote:

Hello Vacmanuk:

You've hit the nail on the head. Why build in a $ 140 repair bill [for clutch/belt] to protect a $75 motor?  Doesn't make sense UNLESS you want to guarantee that owners replace rather than repair when something as little as a belt is needed.

Carmine D.

Just wrote:

Hello Just:

Excellent point.  In the future, before cleaning the rugs, vacuum daily with a good working vacuum.  Vacuuming each section with the 7 passes forward and backward method.  Then, shampoo the carpets.  Some may even find that the sahmpooing of carpets may not be needed.  Just spot cleaning.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Yes Carmine, but in the UK most buyers will repair their Dyson against Hoover or Vax, particularly if they paid a lot more money than the highest priced Hoover upright. There's still a lot of brand loyalty in the UK - which is why a lot more buyers tend to go for reliable brands rather than "best selling".

vacmanuk wrote:

I'm sure Vacmanuk that dyson is pleased by that in the UK.  Not sure the same dyson brand loyalty exists here in the USA where vacuum store owners and operators are not wedded to Sir James and his vacuum brand.  We have been told here once many years ago by a dyson employee, using dyson originated numbers as support, that the USA comprised 2/3 of the dyson market in new vacuum sales.  That's big share.  Not sure that percentage was and/or is accurate in the USA especially in recent years.  Why?  First, dyson has produced and sold alot of very mediocre vacuums at very high prices in the USA.  So there's a dyson track record.  Second, dyson has produced and sold some real lemons too, especially canns, a growing vacuum market in the USA in recent years.  Third, with the latest increases in bagless competition and clones of dyson at considerable lower retail prices, USA consumers have more options.  As in the the case of LG and even Shark, better bagless technologies [compression of dirt in the dirt bin with 1/3 fewer dirt bin dumps and/or completely washable cyclones] at the same prices and even less.  Forcing retailers to discount dysons regularly at least 20 percent off MSRP.  Something unheard of when dyson launched in the USA.  10 percent was the maximum off retail.  Finally, the sustained depressed economy in the USA, and in Europe, seeing sales of new high priced big box store vacuums wane considerable over the last 3 plus years.  With sales of lower priced bagged and bagless vacuums increasing.  As these have proved worthy contenders, whatever little dyson loyalty may have once existed for the new brand, is/has rapidly disappeared.

Carmine D.