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

CarmineD wrote:
Thing is though, Carmine. They're all doing it - fitting clutches or protected motorized brushes with belts that have to be replaced by the engineers. Hoover in the UK have adopted it, Vax (under TTi) of course and others are following this trait. I might add though to SEBO's credit, they were one of the first to fit "lifetime" motorized brushes/floor heads - but at least the belts can be replaced by the owners!!

vacmanuk wrote:

Hello Vacmanuk:

RICCAR/SIMPLICITY and others use [for many years in the industry] a fail safe switch that automatically shuts off the motor when the brush roll is under a strain and not revolving normally.  Allows the user to unclog the obstruction in the nozzle head then restart with the fail safe switch.  No clutch involved.  Haven't seen the $130 clutch on any USA vacuums yet except for dyson.  And.... I thought, until Keith told me, they were gone after DC07 and DC14.  If clutches are the wave of the future for vacuums in the USA, I'm glad I retired.  Brush rolls and belts should be a user replacement for $40 repair for both with no special tools required.

Carmine D.

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.