Kirby Heritage II Legend Whole House Cleaning

[@TRec3791]

My dad's ex girlfriend had this exact Kirby. Heaviest thing ever to push around, I remember having to use 2 hands at times to move it along. Kirby really kicked it up a notch by inventing tech drive with the G series. I do love how the hose on this model looks like the Rainbow hoses. And hope you had an awesome turkey day.

[@joevans27]

Hahaha yh i have use 2 hands on mine 😂

[@karyholliday1189]

This is the vacuum we had when I was a kid. I would love to get one again. I would be interested in seeing what comes out of the bags in your videos, as we check out what comes out of the bin in your bag less machine videos. I don't know why but I always find that part highly satisfying. And I would love to see how much fine dust and grit your more powerful vacuums pick up...

[@VacLab]

Brian Can't here you go. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZfclnepith5bMk

[@1rbasslines]

Same model I sold in the 80''s great machine. I'm now restoring a 516. Still a fine machine.

[@VacLab]

I have a DS80 in rough shape...

[@530pjmckay]

I bought mine in 1984, still works great. Bought it with all the attachments - so glad I did. I have had it tuned-up, just like a car, twice. A janitorial supply in my area sells them used after they are refurbished for about $200 and up. I paid a little over a $1,000 for it new. Now I understand they can go up to $2,000 today. Yikes!

[@joevans27]

Im in uk and paid £40 for mine.. suctions great.. not braved the attatchments yet

[@Vacuum_And_Siren_Expert]

I got my Heritage 2 from a vacuum cleaner repair shop, along with it's older counterpart, a 1hd. I think mine has a Tradition upholstery nozzle, it's a deep blue color

[@johnnygonzales3211]

Beautiful and smooth sound on this baby😜

[@LlyleHunter]

Happy Thanksgiving to You and Your Family.

[@garrettdodson6110]

My old heritage II had he same bulb problem. It was traded in at Oreck and took it home after work. Machine ran flawlessly otherwise. When I’d vacuum it would typically come on and then go out a few minutes later only to come on again. For the first couple months it did this. Then oddly enough it stopped this weirdness and the bulb always stayed on and continued to work for the next two years. Then one day I turned it on and the bulb didn’t come on so I assumed it actually burned out. Right before I finished vacuuming and was about to shut it off the light popped back on. It was the oddest thing I had seen.

[@VacLab]

Garrett Dodson I now have two of these machines and it appears the periodic light bulb flicker is unfortunately "normal". Thanks for essentially confirming this behavior.

[@garrettdodson6110]

VacLab is there a vid of the other one?

[@VacLab]

Garrett Dodson not yet. It's fully functional but not fully polished.

[@garrettdodson6110]

VacLab you plan on keeping them both or will you be selling one maybe? I’d definitely be interested to have one back in my collection. I wish I still had mine.

[@VacLab]

Garrett Dodson at this time, none of my machines are for sale. I only have a small collection of around 30 vacuums. 😀

[@graysonsvacsandmowers5426]

Man, that vacuum looks so beautiful, it looks like it's just been unboxed. I've never used a Legend machine before, but I think that the performance of these are about the same as the Generation series. The only difference between the 2 is that the Legend doesn't have Tech Drive (which is one part you will never have to worry about breaking, but makes it difficult to push due to the weight). Either way, that's still an amazing machine.

[@VacLab]

You have more brush roll choices in the newer G series and the CFM density is slightly higher because the nozzle is a tad bit smaller. But similar performance, except for pushing effort. :)

[@graysonsvacsandmowers5426]

Very true, but with the G3 and G4 you can only get one style brush roll, but I've been experiencing with putting a G5 & Newer floor nozzle that has the BPI on the right so it can run the newer oblique stiff brushroll, the only thing you'd have to swap on the newer nozzle is the G3/G4 furniture guard and belt lifter.

[@VacLab]

Officially, you can get three brush rolls for the G3 and G4. They are 159394, 156294 and 156193. If you don't mind the BPI not working, you can choose four different brush rolls namely, 159398, 156197, 152505 and 152502.

[@tommynygaardjensen8398]

​@@VacLab I have the same model, it was bought a while ago for $100 with all accessories, now it needs to be cleaned, polished again and examined if spare parts need to be changed, but as it is now, it runs fine American work 💪best regards from 🇩🇰🇩🇰

[@ctrice19912001]

my sister had a Kirby Heritage I back in the 1980's when they came out. It had a "turbo" brush. completely different. The one that you have, she had. Its what is called "the Zip." brush. To her, this was lighter than the Classic III and Heritage I. after the Heritage II gave out. She never got another Kirby because they really went up in price.

[@mattjones7621]

Oh yeah!! Love this machine! Happy Thanksgiving! Oh, btw, the small prongs in the headlight may need cleaning. I have had that happen with a few I used to own. It should make a better connection after that.

[@VacLab]

I cleaned, fine sanded and polished the prongs as the first remedy to the flicker when I noticed it 2 years ago. Can't say it helped much. It's more of a cosmetic thing at this point, but maybe I'll dig back into this issue at a later date. Today's video didn't appear to expose much flickering though.

[@colinj5291]

@@VacLab Could also be a problem with your carbon motor brushes or you might have flat spots on the motor armature. All the lights on the older Kirbys are powered by the spinning armature against the carbon brushes.

[@VacLab]

@@colinj5291 polished the commutator and replaced the brushes on this model when I restored it years ago. No change. Now I have two of this model and they both flicker periodically. Might not flicker for 15 minutes, then flicker for the next 15 minutes, then stops again. Very frustrating.

[@LlyleHunter]

My Classic Omega model was built in 1973 and came with one row of bristles on each side of the brushroll as all machines did back then. It had a maintainence service at fifteen years old and received a the same as its replacement roll. When it turned thirty I brought it in for its second service and I saw that I could upgrade to the chevron pattern with two sets all around as modern cleaners have. Along with the brushroll upgrade Kirby had also made a major improvement to the way it makes its belts by adding a crosshatch pattern on the inside of the belt resulting in much better friction eliminating slippage. When I got home it was as though it had become twice the machine at thirty than it was when new. It's due for its next maintainence next year and I think that it's time to trade it. I'm fifty six years old now and I only use my Kirby twice per month to deep clean and I use an Oreck XL every day. I also have a few canisters that I use a few times per week and I'd use the Kirby more if it was powerdriven.

[@VacLab]

Use it when you want to get a workout. And welcome to the "geezers" club as I am 52. :)

[@oppy2002]

I just purchased a Kirby H 2, and the hose attachment fits on well but does not depress the two sensor pins that the other attachments do. It is not allowing the sweeper to start.

[@VacLab]

The engagement lever is probably bent, mis-aligned or broken.

[@oppy2002]

@@VacLab Thanks for the reply. I actually took it to shop, run by an old world sweeper craftsman, who determined right away that the sweeping yolk was a clasic and the handle and bag was from a Hertiage II. All the people in the shop called it " a Frankinstien". He quickly attached the correct mounting cup onto the hose and now it works perfectlly.

[@VacLab]

@@oppy2002 Yay! Glad it works now.

[@pixiemermaid]

I love this model of kirby.

[@freyas1page]

I was hoping to see how to use this vacuum on rugs. I saw you test the vacuum on a rug and then hard floor but no tips on how to use it to actually vacuum a rug. I have so many of them in my house and I struggle with this vacuum cleaner.

[@VacLab]

I have no rugs in my house. I do have some rubber backed foot wipe mats though.

[@kg5vacuums205]

Happy thanks giving

[@T_eaLeaves]

Maybe the connections could be shorting on some metal on the inside of the kirby?

[@VacLab]

The lighting issue was fixed in the H2L refurb videos.

[@williamkinkade2105]

the chrome Zippbrush was what came with the Heritage II. the Heritage 1 didn't even have the Zippbrush, it came with your standard turbo brush you'd see with any other vacuum.

[@jaredini]

The BPI. I have an earlier Heritage II (not Legend) that has the BPI. UK spec though, whether that makes a difference.

[@DilSeRe987]

Where to buy this ??? Outside USA shipping? Amazon doesn’t have this , only spare parts ??? N used ones.

[@VacLab]

Try eBay or thrift stores.

[@brandonrobinson3480]

I just bought myself same one. I can't wait soon I'm very excited

[@VacLab]

I love the way they sound. This model is responsible for starting my channel.

[@brandonrobinson3480]

@@VacLab It purr like a kitten.

[@brandonrobinson3480]

@@VacLab I finally yesterday got my heritage ll legend

[@VacLab]

@@brandonrobinson3480 yay!

[@devinklein3771]

I have a kirby heritage ii turbo I just have not put a video on youtube yet. But my light flickers as well plus my head light hood does not stay up. I dont know if that could be a problem.

[@VacLab]

Well, those issues aren't really problems per se, just annoyances I suppose.

[@Captain_Char]

this is my current everyday kirby, but my 519 is slowly taking that spot, hard floors you're supposed to turn the belt lifter to disengage the brushroll so its just suction on the floor as the manual states

[@fracturedmind8124]

I recently picked up a Legend II and it’s the first one of the legacy machines I’ve used extensively and I love it! I have a Heritage and Heritage II and all 3 lightbulbs will flicker too. My Heritage II has the older “winged” nozzle and doesn’t have the BPI. Love the legacy models. The G-Series will probably always have my heart though. The TechDrive makes it absolutely effortless. I do have one question though, do any of your headlights on your older machines just fall and won’t stay up? My Heritage II and Legend II won’t stay up and just fall straight down. Great video as always!

[@VacLab]

Your questions are answered in the H2L refurb video series. Check the playlist for more info.

[@evansimmons2001]

Ok how did you manage to make a hepa bag fit I would really like to know. And also if the headlight flickers there’s probably a loose connection I brought mine in and they said it was a loose connection and fixed it right away and I haven’t had issues since so you might want to check that out.

[@VacLab]

All Kirby HEPA bags fit on this model. Simply put, just install them as you would a paper bag. The flickering headlight issue was indeed loose wires/connections in the assembly itself. See the H2L refurbishment video in the playlist of the same name.

[@evansimmons2001]

The hepa bags I find don’t have the twist style thing only the universal

[@evansimmons2001]

Could you maybe make a quick video showing how you do it

[@VacLab]

@@evansimmons2001 Kirby's website along with many others show how to install a bag.

[@evansimmons2001]

VacLab ok I was just wondering since I don’t see the twist style connector on the hepa bags

[@hawaiisshadow]

I recently got one like this and I am wondering can you show how to shampoo with it? Thank you.

[@VacLab]

I don't have the shampooer for this model. 😞

[@joevans27]

Thats what I want to see as i bought this model the other year as I was fed up with modern vacuums that go crap after just a couple of uses. This is a powerful hoover. But ive not been brave enough to try figure out attatchments yet and would live to see how well it shampoo ckeans carpets

[@VivianMarieBlack]

Happy Thanksgiving. One thing I've noticed is that it seems to be less noisy than the newer Kirbys

[@VacLab]

Yes, it is about 3-4 dB quieter then the newer G series and the quality of the noise is much more pleasant.

[@cavariousavery9913]

Dude legend ii and heritage ii legend are the best bag vacuums..I would own a vacuum like this

[@richardlee1985]

I think these were the best looking Kirby’s

[@WJCTechyman]

The Rainbow videos you mentioned don't just talk about suction, they are demonstrating suction and airflow. If you watch the demo, they say, "Airflow is what moves the dirt, suction doesn't." It's part of the overall demonstration of the product that's usually titled, "Mini Vac" where they put a simple cloth filter in either the end of the hose, followed by the upholstery tool or where the hose couples with the machine. They then proceed to show that every vacuum has suction but with dry filters and bags, since they're porous, they lose airflow as the bag fills. They demonstrate with another filter cloth air moving through the hose but as the "bag" in the end of the hose fills, the loose filter cloth doesn't move as aggressively into the hose as it did when starting with a new "bag" would. They also demonstrate suction by putting a wadded filter cloth, some sand, or some other substance into the hose, and the hose sealed tightly to the palm of their hand, turn the machine on, then turn it off again, revealing the unmoved dirt saying this is suction, saying "it didn't move any of the dirt, did it?" They then proceed to turn the Rainbow on again with the hose not touching the hand and allowing the dirt or filter cloth fly up into the machine, thus saying, "You have to move the air to move the dirt." Something you have been saying for years. In fact, a good number of Rexair's tools have been designed with airflow in mind, like the upholstery brush with the jet holes drilled in the one edge of the brush and the "Jet-Air" rug tool, which has been discontinued but no replacement was made. I mean, even some of the power nozzles that Rexair made, like the R-1650/2800/4375 rectangular and the SRX with the vent gates at the front of them, as well as the modifications made to the PN12 RainbowMate RM12v2 and the SRX PN3. Sadly, I wish the Kirby company added air gates like this to the front of the Kirby's power nozzle, as it would make for decent cleaning of rubber backed carpets and rugs and rugs with a foam underlay.

[@VacLab]

I remember that Rainbow video well. What's hilarious is that he makes his audience believe that a one square inch single ply "bag" represents reality. I think a Kirby HEPA bag is around 500 square inches and of course has multiple layers. Nearly impossible to clog, even with fine dust.

[@DabblelyDiddly]

i am stunned how quiet this machine is. with headphones on powered by an emotiva basX amplifier i can still max the volume, your voice is just the same as the rest of your vids which tells me im not insane. I want one.

[@VacLab]

This is and probably will always be my most favorite sounding machine. 😎

[@trentenfarmer4878]

Were would you get one of these

[@adamsdryan]

Im considering getting the sanding brush because I have some sheet rock issues and, that looks like a zip brush btw.

[@VacLab]

Ryan Adams I have the turbo sander for my G4, which will be featured in an upcoming video.

[@adamsdryan]

I notice on the motor head the light is not illuminating is there an issue or is that reserved for later models where it's not green when the beater bar is jammed? BTW if you want a diamond I have 2 one is my normal daily unit the other is pieced together it's missing the sole plate on the vacuum head, it still works mind you and the shampoo system is not their but hoses and attachments I have, message me if you want it I'm in a small 1 bedroom condo in Atlanta and don't need 2 Kirby's, also the tech drive works and is permanently on because the pedal fell off I still have it, it could be an interesting unit for you to toy with should you be interested. Im happy to package and send to you for shipping alone let me know.

[@VacLab]

Ryan Adams I'm sorry, but I'm unable to unravel your questions about lighting. Could you refraise your questions please?

[@creighton808]

I think that is the same zip brush judging by the matinence video on the Kirby KZbin channel

[@fleetknightgreywolf7795]

Is legend2 have reusable bags? As is it the last one that has for if its the factory one I mean umm like

[@VacLab]

Fleet Knight greywolf if you mean shakeout bags then yes, that option did exist. Of course, I just blow out my HEPA bags and reuse them up to 8 times before throwing them out entirely.

[@nicholecrouch311]

Check to see if a wire has come loose from the assembly itself neither of my heritage II vacuum cleaners have that slot for the brush indicator that's really cool I just clean the brush roll every time I use the vacuum because my girlfriend and two stepdaughters all have long hair and it always ends up on the roller lol

[@VacLab]

The headlight wiring was the culprit in the end. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYiym4eFprekn5Y

[@dirtdog5045]

Happy Thanksgiving. How many cfms for the avalir at the nozzle and at the fan ?? Does it have more cfms than older kirbys ?? Looking forward to that video.

[@VacLab]

H2L @ Body = 161 CFM, H2L @ Nozzle 121 CFM Sentria II @ Body = 177 CFM, Sentria II @ Nozzle = 137 CFM The Avalir will be the same as the Sentria II since there only were cosmetic changes for the Avalir. In my "Whole House Cleaning" playlist, find the Sentria II video.

[@dirtdog5045]

VacLab Will do thanks for the response.

[@logansorenssen]

Surprisingly small difference, considering how much Kirby plays it up, but that partially corroborates my long-held opinion that the Heritage II Legend and the Legend II are basically the best Kirbys made, in terms of being a balance between power and handiness. (IMHO, the G3 and later are klunkier than the H2L, which is why I have an H2L and no particular urge to trade it for a newer Kirby.)

[@VacLab]

Eric Sprague I ptrefer the sound of the Heritage series for sure, but they require much more effort to push. They will give you a good workout. 😃

[@dirtdog5045]

VacLab I agree with both your comments, but I personally prefer the strong sound of the avalir, and think it's the best looking one to date. I've got the 2017 model, and the little bit of extra red they put on it makes it pop.

[@deliaslucero6536]

Great video!

[@nicholecrouch311]

Is the hose you have for your attachments plastic on the end or just painted black and metal? Mine is metal I literally just noticed that lol

[@VacLab]

I have two Heritage hoses, one with plastic ends and one with metal ends. The plastic ends are black.

[@evansimmons2001]

And how did you get the Kirby looking so nice

[@nicholecrouch311]

Try some gorilla super glue gel on the plastic extension it doesn't expand like their original glue and hold extremely well plus it won't look tacky and the seal will be much better than the packing tape

[@gemmymasterinflatables7477]

It’s not the bulb it just that the connection is lose and it wiggles and flickers my Kirby’s both do that

[@VacLab]

The issue actually was the connections on the wiring. I made a video covering it in the playlist.

[@gemmymasterinflatables7477]

Glade you got it fixed

[@tariqbattle6649]

How hard is it to push this kirby?

[@VacLab]

Medium effort. Not very difficult but not super easy like a newer G series with a Tech Drive.

[@tariqbattle6649]

@@VacLab So is it like pushing a regular vacuum then

[@VacLab]

Pretty similar, yes.

[@shawncapps4515]

Kirby Heritage 2 Legend Starship Care System cleaner is extremely impressive. I really like it alot. the vintage Kirby Starship Care System cleaner machines is extremely impressive. I have Ultimate G Diamond Edition. it does vacuum and shampoo. I like it alot. so I do. so good to go.

[@VacLab]

My sister has an Ultimate G Diamond edition and I have been attempting to locate one here cheap for almost a year now.

[@shawncapps4515]

very good. of course.

[@nickrusche]

It might just be me, but it sort of has a Sanitaire sound to it.

[@nathanielaranda8407]

I saw it lifting the carpet at 11:35

[@corey3151]

Nice heritage 2. Is there a lot of difference performance wise between the heritage 2 and the heritage? I have a heritage 84. Just curious.

[@VacLab]

If you compare both machines with the same fan and nozzle, I wouldn't expect much difference at all.

[@cavariousavery9913]

1988??!!!that's 31 years ago....old Skool ASF

[@VacLab]

Search for my oldest 1960's vacuum, the Dual Sanitronic 80 if you want to see even older school. 😎

[@cavariousavery9913]

Where did you purchase the vacuum cleaner...I want to collect the heritage ii legend... legend ii and the black diamond special edition heritage ii legend

[@cavariousavery9913]

If they have the black diamond edition one...if not I will get the heritage from 1982

[@VacLab]

@@cavariousavery9913 I get my machines from three primary sources. The curb, thrift stores and donations to the lab. Out of my entire collection, I've only purchased one machine as new.

[@nicholecrouch311]

What's special about the Kirby Heritage II and my opinion is they're freaking indestructible LOL

[@josephgalla717]

Hi there vaclab hey l got some good news l went to this vacuum shop and l bought a Royal vacuum and it's the anniversary vacuum and he sold it to me for $229.00 plus tax it came out to be $ 247.00 so l got another investment l also have a 90 day warranty if anything goes wrong accept rough or whatever. I went to Goodwill yesterday l saw the same vacuum it was so cheap l didn't because it was all rusted solid and that white corrosion it just needs alot of work so from now on no more Kirby or Royal vacuums from a thrift store can't take any chances and l don't trust anyone. thanks Joseph.

[@arcfa2267]

rainbow dealers show the upholstery tool stick on their arms in order to explain the suction suction isn't the thing that cleans your house they try to explain the air flow matters rather than suction

[@VacLab]

Arcfa22 yup, my channel is dedicated to showing why suction and airwatts mean nothing.

[@darthgamer6080]

@@VacLab Suction and airwatts are bagless marketing propaganda

[@shawncapps1173]

the Kirby Heritage 2 Legend 2 second generation.

[@johnedwards6479]

I have a kirby g3 best vacuum I've owned

[@trentenfarmer4878]

I have a Kirby sentria 1 it is really good

[@natej4230]

I don't like using the upholstery brush, because of the obnoxious hissing it makes, with that tab in the middle. The "wall brush" works better IMO.

[@NumaticVacuum]

I really like Kirbys but I think I would still much rather use an old Hoover from the 70s...Personally, I think the performance is just as good, if not better.

[@VacLab]

NumaticVacuum my U4007 has the best, most pleasant sound. The newer Kirbys don't sound nearly as good. But, the U4007 is very difficult to push on medium pile carpet.

[@NumaticVacuum]

VacLab I suppose it is down to personal preference...I agree about the sound, I think the Heritage ll and Legend ll sound great, a real vintage sound to them. The Legend ll stands to be my favourite Kirby though.

[@VacLab]

NumaticVacuum it is the very one that started my interest in this hobby. I always love using it.

[@trentenfarmer4878]

I want one

[@davidbell4548]

Family Guy

[@josh6715]

i bought one for $20 in good condition