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It's strange that some reviewers choose to use the platform to sound off about the seller rather than review the product. The G4 came out around 1993-96, so you are buying a machine at least 15 years old. Be prepared for minor irritations. A machine I may add that may have cost the original purchaser £1500. Now possible to buy one for under a £100. That said, they are industrially styled, robust, repairable and very efficient. The cloth bags CAN smell, but can be hand washed. (A replaceable paper bag goes inside) They do go wrong, mainly the beater bar, and it's fairly expensive but easily replaced. The white plastic fan can crack up, but look at youtube and there's plenty of videos showing you how to replace it. The mains cable does break inside the the outer sheath and this is difficult to find. Sometimes advertised simply as 'nothing happens when it's switched on', but only buy if you're savvy with mechanics. This model has a 'servo' effect, powering the model back and forth without running away with you! It's quite gentle. If this unit breaks down, and you're not too mechanical, best look for another complete machine and keep the old one for spares. They are mainly offered with an array of tools, some unused with the added text 'I don't know what they're for' Well, the spray gun, Suds gun and the carpet shampooer can go straight back in the box for a start (or the bin!). What is useful is the extra long hose, sometimes not with every machine. It's a little daunting to attach the first time, but easy the second. What else is available? Well don't discount the Heritage (1981) or the Legend (1989), old yes but superb quality, and these normally come with all the tools. Some come with a 'Handi Butler' strange name but is an attachment to drive a flexible shaft and calico polishing mop and 'soap'. Worth buying one just for this in the workshop as most are still unused, and of course it doesn't matter what the bag/handle or front beater is like, they all come off anyway. The early ones came with a wardrobe Moth removing attachment, don't even ask but think DDT and a blower! Watch for one fairly locally, no point in driving miles and miles and using petrol, (most sellers think they cost a fortune to post) P4D.co.uk will collect and deliver for £6.99 + VAT, get it down to 120x45x30 cms however. Belts and bags available on eBay,and if you want to know what model came out in what year, go to http://www.bags-and-parts.co.uk/pages/kirby-history.htm and print it off as an aide memoir. In a nutshell, it's unlikely you will buy a Pup. Most have been pressure sold to the vulnerable, treasured and serviced, and now find the (24lbs) weight is too much to lug up and down stairs as they get older and get sucked in (sorry!) with the latest Dyson ads. The alloy polishes up beautifully, by hand if you wish, the plastic washes and car-polishes up nicely, and they're a quality product, no two ways about it! I've collected a few on eBay now, back to 1965, and not one has had a major problem. Well, one had the lead broken as I mentioned earlier. Get to know them first via youtube and collectors forums if possible, they're not for everyone. But if you like the Yank lifestyle (and weird names of the attachments, Suds-O-Gun for a start!), industrial looks and a bit of 'status' really, go for it, it's a 1957 Chevy in your living room and you'll always get your money back reselling it on eBay anyway, even if it eventually doesn't work. Oh, happy Kirby'ing folks!Read full review
The Kirby is an excellant Vacuum ,, all round usage from cleaning yr mattress ,, shampooing carpets ,, normal hoovering for carpets .. It can also be used for a number of different usages ,,by spray for long reach heights curtains ,,added extra for suction and cleaning sofa's soft furnishings ,, and a suction beyond belief '' very powerful .. This hoover is still in my opinion the best ever !!!! Having been a previous owner of a Kirby ( gave a son the original ) i have had a number of differant hoovers and cleaners ,,, all served their purpose but still prefer the Kirby .. I myself am unable now to use the vacuum due to spinal problems ,, the man of the house uses it and like myself is still a firm admirer and user of The Kirby Generation 4 . Established and used for many years this make of Vacuum is in my opinion worth every penny spent when buying ,,pays for itself over and over ..Strong reliable easy to use .. The one thing needed and vital for upkeep is yearly servicing ,,plus being handled with due respect - - it may be strong but like any item bought for general every day usage treat with care and not mishandled ' will last for years .Read full review
We brought our G4 6 months ago having killed of several Dyson etc with pet hair. The Kirby G4 is an older machine in the Kirby range, however do not let that put you of buying one. We brought ours not for style or to keep up with the fashion for bagless more powerful cleaners, but because the Kirby G4 range of cleaners last for years and are the first of the Kirby cleaners to be self propelled, a bonus for my wife suffering from the onset of arthritis. Switch the machine on, select D on the foot switch, push on the handle and the machine moves forward, pull on the handle and the machine reverses. The machine is not light. We lift our G4 from the base of the handle were we find it hangs comfortably at arms length. The machine is basically a self-propelled fan body, with a bag dust collector. We use potpourri essence on a piece of cloth place inside the bag to freshen a room as we clean. Attachments are fitted to the fan body as required. The main brush rollers can be basic carpet cleaning, pet hair and we have seen some rollers for buffing wooden floors. All the rollers can be changed with no special tools. The brush assembly has 5 manually selected height settings. The middle setting hold the brush head about 1.5 cm above a carpet, switch the machine on and the carpet is lifted to the brush head. We have found that our machine has retextures used areas of carpet and the carpets pile generally look fluffed up and fresh. As for pet hair removable, we own a collie that moults twice a year turning our green carpet grey with hair. The G4, with pet hair roller fitted, has cleared all trace of the hair from the carpet with minimal effort. Our machine came with a dizzying range of attachment we are still find uses for, including a carpet shampoo attachment. The brush roller section is removed and the 12ft hose attached in its place. On to this there are attachments for floor, wall and curtain cleaning, general dusting, crevice tools, the list goes on. If you can purchase a G4 with a service history, yes a service history, then all the better. If you are looking at a machine with no service history do not despair. The G4, like other Kirby machines, are 1. made from metal not plastic 2. serviceable by either a service agent or by an competent DIYer, 3. all parts for the machine can be purchased from Kirby dealers 4. the cleaner can be dismantled for service and cleaning easily 5. designed to be around for a life time. From our experience with the G4 we may never by another cleaner. If we do it will be another Kirby cleaner.Read full review
Absolutely BRILLIANT, had a problem with dog hairs, had a 1800 pet vacuum cleaner, but it took ages to vac them up usually had to use the extension hose to get good results. This Kirby G4 picks hair and everything else up straight away and is so light to use when in drive, the head highers and lowers with foot pedals, so it also glides over the long pile rug I have picking bits up so easily. I would recommend this vac to everyone.
Very nice Kirby, vibrates to lift dirt from deep within carpet, can clean beds, sofas, car seats and carpet etc, came with 12 attachments which are interchangeable with my Dyson, Although very heavy it is well worth the money, it also uses a dry shampoo, compared with rug doctor that only does carpets.