top of page
Kirbys 1990 to 2005
Kirby Generation 3 (1990-1993)
The Kirby Generation 3 was the next biggest redesign since the Kirby 'Classic'.
The Kirby Generation 3 (The dawn of a new generation) introduced the unprecedented 'Tech Drive'. The drive that powered the rear wheels took up to 90% of the effert out of pushing and pulling the unit when it was on and engaged; Making it the lightest full-sized upright to use on the thickest carpets; Making Kirby the front runner in the home care industry and it won various awards with it's 60+ new improvements.
The Kirby Generation 3 (The dawn of a new generation) introduced the unprecedented 'Tech Drive'. The drive that powered the rear wheels took up to 90% of the effert out of pushing and pulling the unit when it was on and engaged; Making it the lightest full-sized upright to use on the thickest carpets; Making Kirby the front runner in the home care industry and it won various awards with it's 60+ new improvements.
Kirby Generation 3
The new style design to take Kirby in to the new millennium in a new 'alablaster grey'
Kirby Generation 3
Side view of the new Generation 3. The new design wheels have a soft rubberised coating making it run quietly and smoothly over hard floors.
They also made the hose a foot longer.
They also made the hose a foot longer.
Kirby Generation 3
Front view of the redesigned power plant and power nozzle.
The red accent stripe on the bumper was stuck on separately to the bumper itself.
The red accent stripe on the bumper was stuck on separately to the bumper itself.
Kirby Generation 3
Rear view of the power plant and handle.
The handle now connected to the unit like a car seat belt.
Easier than the previous pin design on the previous models.
You can see the drive and neutral pedal under the on/off switch for engaging the tech drive.
On/Off button enlarged giving better access to the user.
The handle now connected to the unit like a car seat belt.
Easier than the previous pin design on the previous models.
You can see the drive and neutral pedal under the on/off switch for engaging the tech drive.
On/Off button enlarged giving better access to the user.
Kirby Generation 3
The Kirby Generation 3 now had a second safety switch on the exhaust port. So now if the 'Mini Em-tor' hose or shampoo tank was not engaged correctly the unit would not start up.
The early mini em-tors on the Generation 3 also had a translucent bottom but soon became 'ababaster grey' like the rest of the Generation 3.
The early mini em-tors on the Generation 3 also had a translucent bottom but soon became 'ababaster grey' like the rest of the Generation 3.
Kirby Generation 3
The new design bag hanger now connects more easliy to the handle.
Kirby Generation 3
The new Generation 3 height adjustor.
Kirby Generation 3
The handle tilt latch is now to the left of the rear of the handle.
Kirby Generation 3
On the new designed brush roll there are now three height settings so you can adjust the brush roll as it wears.
On previous models you adjusted a screw on the brush roll.
On previous models you adjusted a screw on the brush roll.
Kirby Generation 3
The new handle fork label.
Kirby Generation 3
Front view of the Generation 3 bag hanger and branding on display at the top of the Kirby bag.
Kirby Generation 3
The front view of the power plant without the power nozzle attached. You can see the new style safety/speed switch to the left of the fan.
Kirby Generation 3
The Kirby Generation 3's new style brush roll. It now has ball-bearings on the roller for greater life expectancy.
Kirby Generation 3
Rear angled view of the power plant and bag system.
Early production run machines had clear bottoms on the mini-emtors. This was short lived and the mini-emtor soon became all one solid colour.
Early production run machines had clear bottoms on the mini-emtors. This was short lived and the mini-emtor soon became all one solid colour.
Kirby Generation 3
This is my new unused Kirby Generation 3. I took it out of the box just to take pictures of it.
The Generation 3 introduced the new styled attachments.
Although in countries that held on to the previous 'Legend II' model a while longer, this new design tooling also appeared on late legend II's.
The Generation 3 introduced the new styled attachments.
Although in countries that held on to the previous 'Legend II' model a while longer, this new design tooling also appeared on late legend II's.
Kirby Generation 3
Here is my unused Generation 3 turned on. (Don't worry the nozzle was never lowered to the floor and the brush roll was never engaged so there's no dirt in it and no mark on the brush roll. So the unit is still unused)
Kirby G4 (1993-1997)
The Kirby G4. The next model to carry on the improvements of the previous 'Generation 3'.
Kirby G4
Front view. The G4 came out in mid 1993.
Kirby G4
Side view.
Kirby G4
The colour was called 'stone grey' and 'slate'.
The early G4 had had a 700 watt motor but then was reduced slightly with a motor modification.
The early G4 had had a 700 watt motor but then was reduced slightly with a motor modification.
Kirby G4
Kirby G4 handle fork label.
Kirby G4
On the G4 the handle tilt latch was moved to the front under the handle with 3 positions.
Centering spring added to the handle base that keeps the transmission from moving forward or in reverse when the handle is released.
Centering spring added to the handle base that keeps the transmission from moving forward or in reverse when the handle is released.
Kirby G4
Rear view of the power plant.
New cut away neutral/drive pedal to prevent transmission from accidentally engaging when going over carpet dividers etc.
New cut away neutral/drive pedal to prevent transmission from accidentally engaging when going over carpet dividers etc.
Kirby G4
In 1994 Kirby introduced 'Micron Magic' improved electrostatically charged paper bags and improved filter material of the outer cloth bag.
bottom of page