I need to know how to change my kirby into a blower?

Hi There,

Here's a step by step guide explaining what you have to do to change your Kirby from a vacuum into a blower:


Step 1. Make Sure That Your Kirby is Unplugged from the wall. Remove the front nozzle of the machine by lifting the housing that contains the headlight upwards. Now rotate the belt lifter from the green "Belt On" setting to the red "Belt Off" position:


Step 2. With the belt lifter turned to the red "Belt Off" setting, Turn the knob at the top of the bell shaped agitator housing to release the brush housing from the vacuum:



Step 3. Locate the attachment called the saftey cup that attaches on the Kirby in the exact same place as the brush housing did. This part does two things; Activates the safety switch to the left of the fan, and secondly covers the opening to the fan chamber to prevent anything from getting inside the fan housing and damaging it.



Step 4. Once you install the safety cup it is a good idea to check if the vacuum is working. If it is not (assuming it did work with the nozzle) - check if safety cup switch actuator isn't broken (see picture).

If it works then but it does not when you install the hose (next step) you will know that you did not turn the hose far enough.


Step 5. Take the bag off the Kirby. On the bigger end of the hose there is a line that you have to match with a little bump on the kirby fan housing (marked with red dots). Push the end of the hose over the Kirby exhaust as far as it can go.



Step 6. Turn this hose end clockwise (you may have to apply considerable force).


Step 7. It has to be turned far enough to press another safety switch that is on the unit just behind the exhaust neck.



Step 7. You are done and ready to use it as a blower. We would recommend turning it on outside. Hose may have some dust accumulated on the inside and it may blow a lot of dust in the first few seconds of use. Also shake the hose well while outside to loosen any dust/dirt accumulations on the inside.

Be very careful when blowing dust out of computers or other electronics.
1. Dirt from inside of the hose may damage components.
2. Airflow is so strong that it may break circuit boards if they are not well mounted around the perimeter.
3. Using Kirby a lot of static electricity may be generated that may cause circuit failure due to electrostatic discharge (harmless to people - deadly to electronics).

NEVER operate blower with the nozzle on. There are 3 important reasons for that:
1. Kirby is designed to have much higher RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) with the hose or safety cup so it will push more air than with the nozzle.
2. If you use kirby as a blower with the nozzle - dust and dirt that is in the nozzle from vacuuming carpets and/or rugs will be blown into the air.
3. If there is nothing (no nozzle no safety cup) Kirby vacuum simply will not turn on.

I really hope that the above instructions were helpful to you in converting your Kirby into a blower. If you have a question on any of the steps, please feel free to use the comment field to ask them, I'm always more then happy to answer any follow up questions you may have.

If this was helpful to you, please be so kind and rate the repair helpful, or by leaving feedback for me. This is really appreciated by the Fixya community when a repair was able to solve your problem.

Thanks again,

Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

Hi There,

Here's a helpful video that we recorded showing you exactly how to replace the belt on the Kirby Generation vacuums, step by step. This video will also show you how to do the basic maintenance on the roller brush to prolong the life of the belt as long as possible.

If you need to still purchase the belt for your Kirby G5, here's a direct link to our website to the belt that your machine uses:
Kirby G4 & G5 Vacuum Cleaner Belt. Kirby Part # 301291A

Here's the video repair presentation:


Please feel free to ask any follow up questions if you need help, I'm always more then happy to answer any question you may have. If you found this helpful, please be so kind and leave feedback, and / or rate my repair helpful.

This is greatly appreciated, and keeps Fixya experts continue posting free repair advice here on Fixya.

Thanks so much,

Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

Here is the link to the detailed instructions for belt changing. When you take the brushroll out, make sure that the brushroll spins freely. If it doesn't it will burn up your belts and needs to be replaced. (brushrolls available also by using this link)

http://reviews.ebay.com/CHANGING-THE-BELT-ON-A-KIRBY-G3-G4-G5-GSIX-ULTIMATE-G_W0QQugidZ10000000003720039

Hope this helps...
Marci

Hi!
You need to take the power nozzle off and attach the thing that looks like a little plastic cup with two hooks on it. This is the intake guard. Attach it to the front. Now remove the cloth bag and put the hose on the hole where the bag was. You'll have to line the arrow on the hose up with the notch on the Kirby and push the hose arm toward the Kirby until it pops on. If you need to, lube up the edges of the hole with a wee bit of vaseline or hand lotion. This makes the hose engage easier. Since you lost your manual, you may need belt change instructions as well. Here is a link to my online guide that will show you how....

http://reviews.ebay.com/CHANGING-THE-BELT-ON-A-KIRBY-G3-G4-G5-GSIX-ULTIMATE-G_W0QQugidZ10000000003720039

Hope this helps...
Marci

Here are instructions for changing the belt. I have manuals too!

http://reviews.ebay.com/CHANGING-THE-BELT-ON-A-KIRBY-G3-G4-G5-GSIX-ULTIMATE-G_W0QQugidZ10000000003720039

Marci

Here is a link to the help you need,,,

http://reviews.ebay.com/CHANGING-THE-BELT-ON-A-KIRBY-G3-G4-G5-GSIX-ULTIMATE-G_W0QQugidZ10000000003720039

The G5 manual is out of print, but the G6 and Ultimate G models are exactly the same and wil work perfectly for your questions.
Marci