Chronology alert! You may notice that the video quality looks different than recently and I still have hair... this was filmed 5-6 months ago and was stored in my extra footage.

The Hoover Elite is honestly one of my favorite vacuum platforms, since I get a lot of nostalgia of growing up with these style of vacuums from my childhood. It's a shame that this one couldn't be fixed because of the broken motor mount, but at least the motor is still good, usually these are mostly retired or trashed when they break fans (my parents Dimension Limited for example). Now that I've gotten into the hobby of collecting vacuums, over half of my collection is filled with Elites, and I am now in belief that these Elites are a perfect example of planned obsolescence, which was definitely prominent when TTI purchased the Hoover company. They still made the Elites for commercial use through the Maytag tenure and even for 5 more years after the TTI takeover in 2008 before being discontinued (along with parts support) altogether in 2012, so now the only way to repair these is if you buy another cleaner of the same platform to use as a parts cleaner. These may not be the best cleaners of their time, but I argue that these are WAY better built than any Hoover of today, and thanks to the introduction of modern HEPA cloth bags, some can be retrofitted to these older cleaners to up the filtration just slightly.

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, they were pretty ubiquitous back in the day. A lot of them were sent to an early grave by TTI discontinuing support for them. I definitely have some nostalgia for them, but at the same time I have a hard time seeing why people love them so much. I think I probably just worked on too many of them back in the day!

I remember on ebay there was a person selling the motor retainer a few years ago. I was able to buy one after Hoover discontinued them, and combined that with a 20 pack of aftermarket HEPA type A bags and new brushroll. The bags lasted about 2 years, and the brushroll lasted about 3 years, but I just needed to replace it again with a new CWP unit. The owner doesn't want a new one just yet and actually has a Eureka One-something but she used it twice and now it sits with a half-full bin of dust in the corner. I took my X7 over there once to clean their house and they were amazed at how full they got. I told the owner that I'd got halfway on her for a Windsor Sensor XP12, Sebo 350 Mechanical, or Sebo G5 but she said no. For background, they have 4 cats and there's two people with long hair.

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

Yikes, that's a lot of hair in their house. That is just a testament to how much vacuum design plays a role in cleaning. The Sebo has less airflow but will typically outclean an older machine like this.

@MarcelloTheBandit

2 жыл бұрын

@@HouseOfVacuums The daughter was amazed when she heard the X7 pulling cat litter through matted carpet. I've taken my Sanitaire SC889A over there a couple times and while I like using that there, the Sebo was just easier because it didn't bog down. What would you try in that situation because I'd also thrown around the idea of a Riccar R25D or Simplicity Allergy Vacuum. Even a Miele crossed my mind but I don't think they'd like having to invest like that.

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

Good question. We are really talking about 3 different kinds of vacuum. Simplicity's sole full-size upright is the S20EZM and I would consider it to be in the entry level category (even if it is at the upper end of that price range). The Riccar R25 models are great mid-range machines in the $400-600 range. They are made better than the Simplicity, but don't quite compare to Sebo, Miele or the Riccar Tandem Air machines. Between Sebo and Miele, I would personally pick Sebo all day long. Warranty, build quality, parts availability, customer service... you name it, it's pretty much better across the board with Sebo. And I say that as a dealer for both. Another thing to consider is that Miele no longer makes uprights, so if you were looking specifically for an upright that might be the deciding factor. Miele's are bad machines, but in that upper price category I think that Sebo brings more to the table. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!

@MarcelloTheBandit

2 жыл бұрын

@@HouseOfVacuums not necessarily only an upright. It's just what they're used to. I was thinking about a C1 or C3 with an SEB236 or SEB228 since they have a lot of angles in some rooms, but that's really the only thing. I was ablento get the X7 through about 90% of the house just fine and they're used to that, but under desks and console displays got a bit awkward.

@LlyleHunter

2 жыл бұрын

I completely agree with you. Every house needs a canister vacuum and any house that has a large area with carpeting needs an upright as well. Even houses with central vacuum systems need canisters and uprights for specific tasks.

It's unfortunate you can't save it but looking at it. It's on It's last legs especially with the motor mounts which is common for them to break on them. Fortunately my elites got good motor mounts in them and hopefully they stay that way.

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

Ha, those motor retainers are like gold for collectors!

The elites are one of my favorite line ups

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

Well then this video was made for you! Ha. Cheers!

I have the Hoover Futura the dimension style which is the higher end version of elite. I think it does a really good job at cleaning carpets it even can suck dirt up when the machine is not even close to it. I think the hose suction is alright it gets the job done for me. The filtration is pretty decent but not like a bypass machine the one layer bags seem to make the inside dirty quickly the allergen bags do alright but probably not as good as a hepa bag. The only direct air machine I’ve seen that was proven to have filtration was the bissell pure air but those are hard to find.

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

For the money at the time, they cleaned very well. It is definitely outclassed these days, but they are certainly interesting machines!

Thanks for the video, Matt.

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

You bet!

I try to keep vacuum cleaners running as long as possible

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

I agree!

I’ve got a few Elite based machines in my collection. I’ve got a Elite 350, a DirtFinder, a tan Dimension, and a Caddy Vac Deluxe. I use my Elite 350 the most out of the bunch and it’s seen some upgrades come it’s way. It now has a 20 blade fan, a new CWP brush roll and a HEPA type Y bag installed. I’d be curious to see if there are HEPA A bags available though.

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

There are probably some HEPA bags you could get to work in a pinch. Much like the Oreck, Riccar R10, etc the bags are so big that eventually the dust will start to get out once the filter media is saturated. That's why I still like having a sealed HEPA post-motor. But they are very interesting machines to be sure!

My thrifted Navigator Lift Away has an obscene amount of dirt around the motor… and didn’t come with any filters. It must have lived a rough life, as it very well may have never seen any filters other than the post motor HEPA filter. Given the previous owner didn’t bother to use ANY of the pre motor filters, it probably didn’t do much to help actually clean. That’s probably why it ended up at the Salvation Army. I definitely won’t make the same mistake, and will be ordering a new floor nozzle hose, and a full set of filters for it. :) spent the whole day yesterday giving it the best clean of its life.

I purchased a Hoover wind tunnel on sale at Target around 2002. The platform looks identical to this vacuum. It was awesome for dirt pickup but I could always smell dirt when using it. It makes sense now from exactly what you showed in your video! I owned the vac for about 10 years and finally upgraded to a bagless vacuum. Bad mistake and one 1000’s of people have made as the bagless vacuums are a mess to dump, require a ton of maintenance ie filters changed or cleaned frequently etc! I will never own another bagless vacuum. The manufacturers know people don’t maintain vacuums and when I read the reviews most of them overheat because of clogged filters and again the manufacturers love this because they sell more vacuums then ever before! I currently own a Panasonic bagged upright and love it except for 2 things. You don’t have a manual switch for carpet height and the roller doesn’t have the ability to shut off. It does have a ton of suction however!

@HouseOfVacuums

Жыл бұрын

Despite the Panasonic not have some features that you would like, they are fantastic machines and will provide years of reliable service. Good find!

I'm wondering if you could do a service or review video of the Hoover Commerical Hushtone sometime?

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

I would actually really like to do a video on that machine. I haven't seen one in quite a bit, but if I get one in for service I'll definitely make a video!

I love the Hoover Elite’s that’s a bummer this one couldn’t be saved! If I were fixing that Elite I would’ve got that up and running again! I have lots of Hoover Elite parts and usually when I get an Elite that I don’t want in my collection I usually scrap it for parts. But for today’s standards I would consider them more as a collectors vacuum and not use it in a regular household as long as they have wall-to-wall carpeting still which lotta people don’t really have anymore most of all of them have hardwood floors or tile and little throw rugs too! 😊

@HouseOfVacuums

Жыл бұрын

It always surprises me how many people collect these things... but they are becoming very hard to find. Scarcity drives interest.

I'mma just point this out right now I am an amateur collector and restorer of older vacuums mostly but that very specific body design I'm pretty sure was the Hoover caddy vac and I don't care what anybody else says I always see those as a caddy vac whatever the name is it's a caddy back to me especially seeing as how it would come with a removable tool caddy that held the hose and tools hence cadivac

@HouseOfVacuums

Жыл бұрын

While this one wasn't labeled as a CaddyVac, it did have the Caddy on it at one time. I know the exact model you are talking about. Hoover definitely got a lot of mileage out of this platform with all the variations they made over the years.

Interesting video Matt. It is a shame this machine was in such terrible condition. Poorly designed and just a very poor machine compared to today's machines. It also is a shame that the Hoover name has been dragged through the mud with machines like this. Sad with all that has happened to the Hoover company it has come down to this. Thanks, Matt, for this video. I enjoyed it very much. John in Ohio

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, John!

I wish someone would find out what the exact design of the motor mounts for the Hoover Elites, so someone could 3D Print them.

@WJCTechyman

2 жыл бұрын

Or just cut and shape a piece of sheet metal and screw it in. If you do both sides it makes it better than the O.E.M. piece.

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

I've thought about trying to do an aluminum sand casting of one... if only I had the time!

You say direct air machines don't perform well at the end of a hose? the Kirby moves enough air at a fraction of the wattage of some bypass machines, yet enough to match them. I wouldn't use a turbo tool at the end of it but using a small electrified brush would suffice. Also, remember that direct air machines scaled up suck your leaves up during the fall going down the street and are used in dust collection in wood shops and other factories. Also, the filtration on Kirby machines is HEPA grade these days. There are some disadvantages of Kirby machines like switching between hose and rug tools but anyone using them frequently enough can switch from hose to floor in a matter of seconds.

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

So what we are running into here is sealed suction (inches of water) vs. airflow (CFM). Any direct air machines like the Hoover or Kirby will move a LOT of CFM to the floor given its only 6-8 inches between the floor and the fan inlet. While direct air machines will indeed move air through an attachment hose, that is not what they are designed for. Direct air is a "pusher motor" design, while bypass machines are "puller motors". So while bypass machines need higher amperages to get CFM to the carpet, their sealed suction will typically be at least 2.5-3X that of a direct air machine. This makes them superior for tools where inches of water is more of a factor. Not saying one is bad or one is good. They both serve different purposes and it is up to the consumer to decide what is most important to them. Most of the market has moved to bypass designs for filtration and tools. Also, as most homes have started moving away from carpet since the early 90s, the demand for direct air has also decreased. Cheers!

I’m shocked nobody has put their 3D printers to work to reprint those old motor mounts. It wouldn’t take very long to model and print out that little bracket.

@HouseOfVacuums

Жыл бұрын

I feel like I saw one a while back on Thingiverse, but I might be making that up...

Another thing.. did you know Bissell copied Hoover? They got sued for that

When I see a paper bag It's almost as cringe as bagless.... not quite as cringe... cuz it's still a bag.

That is one nasty machine!

More camera time on the machine and less on the naughty old gay guy please!

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm, I am indeed getting old. The orientation would certainly be a shocker to my wife and kids let alone myself...

@FrenchFryCheese04

10 ай бұрын

I'm sorry what now?

For some reason i see these models all the time and the motors have failed along with the brushroll

@HouseOfVacuums

2 жыл бұрын

They are definitely getting up there in years... fewer and fewer clean examples floating around these days.

@FrenchFryCheese04

11 ай бұрын

And failed I mean by rusting, locking up and dusty