vintage Hoover 913/modern hotel lobby/windsor sensor

[brettsomers]

new member here, David from San Antonio, and i did something very unusual and freakish... im mostly a vacuum collector and my Hoover Heavy Duty model #913 is the crown jewel of my collection. i work as a hotel bellhop at a large 1000-room convention hotel here in the "alamo city" and have been dying to find out how my Hoover would perform on the two HUGE plush rugs in the lobby. the cleaner used by the houskeepers is the Windsor "sensor". ive owned one of these machines myself and was dissapointed by their deep cleaning ability. the rugs are vacuumed daily BUT are subject to heavy traffic. and they are quite heavy and dense piled. so i took my hoover to work last night and it collected a shocking amount of almost black dust, along with wool fibers, hair and such. i now believe that the 1960s model 913 is a much better rug cleaner than the "sensor". Anyone else with similar experience? btw, it took a good hour to clean these rugs.

 

[tolivac]

I can agree with you-a "direct air" type vacuum such as your Hoover is a more efficient cleaner than the "clean air" Windsor that your Hotel uses.Bet your Hoover has a smaller motor as well-but the fan and bag system on your Hoover makes it more efficent.I have a similar machine to the Windsor-Sebo-it too has a sensor in it that adjusts the nozzle height to the floor auomatically.It works well-but any of my "direct air" cleaners in my collection will do better.Even a Royal I have that has only a 3A motor-My Sebo has a 10A motor.The Sebo is a fine vacuum-but "clean air" systems are beaten by the traditional "fan first" or "direct air-or dirty air" systems.One Sebo I have in my collection was a trade in towards a Kirby.the kirby dealer sold the Sebo to me.I knew her well-to bad she went under.Got some of her other stock as well-and LOTS of Kirby Dirt meters and dirt pads.

 

[hoover1060]

Open fan is best

Most uprights with an open fan will outsweep the sealed fan clean air machines any day. The older Hoovers annd Eureka's with the low amp motors were/are excellent cleaners and still very usable today.
When I moved into my house 4 years ago I did the pre-move in vacuum with my Hoover 918 outfitted with a type W handisac. I filled up that handisac twice there was so much stuff in my rugs!
I love the old Hoover's, they are fun to clean with but very heavy. Currently I have US models 913 and 918, plus two Aussie models, a 912A and a U7008.

 

[bobbyderegis]

Please educate me. I failed Hoover model numbers 101. Is the 918 similar to the 519 made in England that weighed two tons? If it is, that machine ROCKS!!! I have 2 of them, one from the 50's and one of the last ones made in the 70's. Keep the Sebo. The Hoover is awesome.
Bobby in Boston

 

[brettsomers]

the 913 is a very heavy all-metal upright. it is painted hammertone grey with a black handle, cord and bag. the bag has vertical white threads in the weave that form a subtle stripe and printed with "The Hoover Cleaner" in red. the model also features heavy black rubber guards around the nozzle and headlamp. its my favorite cleaner and although the bag and cord on mine are original and good condition, i would like to put a new Genuine Hoover black cord, preferably heavy commercial style, on it. i have not had luck finding one. im also looking for a Genuine Hoover old-style black bag. i think there are some still around with the latter late 60s plain hoover lettering. i have a constant fear of damaging my original bag since i use it and clean it often.

 

[brettsomers]

HUGE pic

sorry!

 

[hoover1060]

Thats a beauty!

Thats the old style bag too!
Your hood is not original, but from a 918.
913 hoods are black....
I am jealous of that bag!

 

[hoover1060]

My gang...

Aussie model 912A, US models 913 and 918-01, Aussie model U7008

 

[brettsomers]

913 hoods

i have had two 913 models. the other did have the dark hood. i have seen 913 models on ebay with the same hood as mine. i believe that toward the end of the 913 production the hood was painted to match the base. btw, the other (earlier) 913 i had had only two rug thickness settings and the one i currently have has four (one of them unmarked/labeled). i also know that Hoover used at least two kinds of brushrolls and cords on the 913 model alone. does anyone else have more to add regarding model 913 variations?

 

[brettsomers]

ps

the serial # on my 913 is "EE251142" also, jeff, you wouldnt be jealous of my bag if you knew how much i paid for it. and you MAY know, since i think you were one of the bidders on the machine i got it from (ebay)!

 

[hoover1060]

there were two versions of the 913..

The first had two rug positions and ran from 1960-1969. Model 913-01 ran from 69-74 and featured the 3 position rug adjustment.
Model 918 came out in 1972 with the 4 position rug adjustment.
The 918-01 was the same as the 918 but with metric screws.

Starting with the 913-01 you had a choice of two agitators, a 2 brush-beater bar deal, or a 4 brush. Both used the two screw boat style brushes.

I'll take more pics, my two aussie machines use Convertible style slide in brushes...

 

[brettsomers]

ive always wanted a double-brush agitator for mine. but they cost an arm and a leg! and about the rug adjuster, mine has FOUR holes. labeled thin, normal and thick. the fourth selection (the lowest/thinnest) is unmarked. the label on mine simply says "913" it is a black label with silver letters. i recall the label on the other 913 i had (the one i took the bag and brushroll from) being different. the original brushroll on my current 913 used the two screw brushes. the older 913 i had used the single screw brushes like the ones on the 63, but black nylon, the bag was/is mint-condition and the agitator was/is also nearly mint. in addition to the bag and brushroll from the other 913 i also kept the owners manual. i AM keeping an eye out for one of the "lightweight" commercial convertibles of the 70s. David

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Here's mine...

I love my 918! It's just such a beast. I'm still not quite used to the growl of it, it is quite different than the smooth hum of a 63. I have fitted it with a bellows/fill tube assembly from a 63, so inside the dump out bag is a type C bag. I've also tried a Handisac and a Eureka F&G bag, but both are a bit too big for the black bag. I know it would clean better without a bag altogether, but I hate cleaning those damn dump-out bags. I also have a 913, but it is in need of a TOTAL overhaul. Every single blade on the fan is gone.

I remember your machine on eBay, David.. about a year ago in April. I even saved the pictures from the auction. I still lust after that bag!

Here's my 918:

 

[hoover1060]

David,

you have a 913-01 then, but the bag from an older model.
I remember your cleaner too, I was bidding for Fred who posted above....
I am glad to see the machine in a good home!
Which lightweight commercial are you looking for?

 

[bobbyderegis]

I must be going nuts! These are the exact machines I have, but I could have sworn they were model 519's. very rare to find now, used to be any dealer had 10 or 20 of them in the junk pile. I love them. Were they all made in England?
Bobby in Boston

 

[hoover1060]

History

This design dates back to 1940 and model 90, which was two-tone brown hammertone. Model 90 went from 1940-1942 and was based off the model 60. The Hoover Historical has a model 90 on display thats never been used.

Model 91 debuted after WWII in 1946 and ran til 1960 in the black/grey
Model 913 went from 1960-74
Model 918 went from 1972-1978
Model U7037 went from 1978-1982

As far as I can tell, it was sometime in the 1960's that production was transferred to the UK.

 

[brettsomers]

lightweight commercial convertible

in looking for the model(s) that feature the light blue hood (no light), cream base and long commercial cord. fred (i'm David, how do you do?) mentioned the hassle of the cloth bags. while i was cleaning the hotel, the bag would brush against my leg, resulting in dusty pants. when i clean my bags i shake them only a little and then finish with the upholstery attachment on one of my other hoover. i enjoy the drama of a shakeout bag. i would prolly not find it amusing if i did commercial cleaning on a regular basis. i have never seen one of these early 70s commercial convertibles on ebay, but i look forward to having one. btw, i will soon be ebaying a good quantity of my vacs. David

 

[hoover1060]

David...

There were two Commercial Convertibles, model 334(1963-1969) and model 344 1969-1975
The 334 was porcelain blue and pearl grey, while the 344 was Seal Griege light and porcelain blue, later light taupe.
I remember as a kid in the early 1970's going on family vacations and staying in Holiday Inns, all cleaned by those Convertibles and 913/918's
I have a 344 in vert good shape and all original, I'll post some pics of it tonight.

 

[brettsomers]

but my REAL hunger is for...

a 70s/80s quik-broom (cassette bag system) with a full size powernozzle. would be willing to trade. NOBODY has one of these it seems...

 

[programcomputer]

A Dumb question....for Jeff...

HI,

Wasn't one of those one that I found when I was still working in Lansing. I believe that was one that you traded me your Westinghouse Converto-Vac for... I'm so happy if I am right that you still have it.

Was it the 918 or 918-01?

Chad

 

[hoover1060]

chad..

That was the 918-01, and as you can see it still looks FAB!

David,

I've had a couple of those quick brooms come and go over the years, they were interesting to say the least.
There were two causes of death, one was a broken handle neck, the other was a burned out motor. That powernozzle worked too well that the wimpy handivac motor couldn't handle it, the bag filled up and the motor burned....

 

[hoover1060]

Commercial Convertible

Model 344, 1969-1975...this is an earlier one

 

[programcomputer]

Hooverlandever growing and ever beautiful

Jeff,

Man I can remember If i close my eyes the first time I saw what has now become clearly a countrywide classic the beginning vestiges of Hooverland. Every picture that I see of yours of pastels and deep dark tones serves to note that at one time Hoover was THE vacuum cleaner manufacturer with little if NO peers.

From the little second bedroom of your place in Seward Neb, to the huge basementful of cleaners now shown..you have in my eyes surpassed anything remotely possible to create from the unfortunate vestiges of Hoovers tattered state. you have in fact recreated the "vault" that is probably long gone and destroyed by Maytag.

sorry just had to give my HO...(humble opinion)

Chad

 

[brettsomers]

Jeff

is the bag on that commercial convertible made of the same fabric the swingette cloth bags are made of? what, other than the bag and cord, makes this cleaner different than a regular ole convertible? thanks

 

[hoover1060]

yes

Thats the same material as the swingette bag. Other than the cloth bag, and the 30' thick black cord, this is an ordinary Convertible.
The cloth bag would have given it WAY better airflow and pickup over a regular Convertible
This was the only machine to have "Hoover" embossed on the plug after Hoover started making vacuums for JCPenney in 1963.

 

[brettsomers]

about the bag...

does it have a dirt pocket? werent MOST other manufacturers using a dirt pocket in cloth bags? and when did eureka introduce a commercial upright? thanks for humouring me!! David

 

[hoover1060]

nope

No dirt pocket, that didn't come about for Hoover til the later 70's
Eureka had Commercial machines back in the 60's, and they had some following, but not until something red and chrome called Sanitaire came out did Eureka really take a bite out of Hoover's commercial business

 

[brettsomers]

eureka

let me throw THIS out... i think that a eureka with a 3.5 amp (or 6amp and less) metal upright with the dial a nap and ball bearing agitator is a better vacuum than Hoover, convertible OR 913/u7037. any ideas why hoover didnt start using the better sealed ball bearings, or something as simple as a dirt pocket in the bag? btw, i still prefer a Hoover!

 

[hoover1060]

Hmmm

Hoover didn't use the dirt pocket because people were supposed to empty the bag...
I'd agree that your Eureka with cloth bag would be a better performer than Hoover for 2 reasons:
1 - Eureka's bag was bigger, better airflow
2 - Eureka had a better height adjuster, and sat better on the carpet than the 4 position Convertibles did.
Now if thats anything over a 4 amp Eureka, NO, as the cloth bags could not handle the high airflow of that motor.
Neither would be better than a 913, with the size of its bag, its fan, and the way it sat on the carpet, very few would out clean it!

 

[brettsomers]

the rear wheels/adjustment mechanism on four-position convertibles is soo fragile. bulky threshholds and convertibles do not mix! jeff, have you ever used your 913 in a true commercial situation? i used it at the hotel and i also once cleaned my apartments office suite (they had not vacuumed in a LONG time, bad belt on the Hoover concept they have) and, although i am devoted to my 913, am i the only one irritated at the LOOSE weave of the 913 bag? the apartments offices are located on a heavy traffic downtown avenue and when i ran it over the FILTHY entrance mat, the sun was shining in and...can you guess the rest?