Kenmore 12581414610 Owner’s Manual

Use & Care Guide
Manual de Uso y Cuidado

Kenmore®

Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Aspiradora con tanque

Model/Modelo: 125.81414610

Vacuum Cleaner Help Line:

1-877-531-7321
8:00am-5:00pm EST, M-F

Sears Brands Management Corporation
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 USA

www.kenmore.com
www.sears.com

®

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Before Using Your New Vacuum Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Kenmore Vacuum Cleaner Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Important Safety Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Parts and Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13

Performance/Safety Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Canister Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-18

PowerMate® Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-21

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23

BEFORE USING YOUR NEW VACUUM CLEANER

Please read this guide. It will help you assemble and operate your new Kenmore vacuum
cleaner in the safest and most effective way.

For more information about vacuum cleaner care and operation, call the Vacuum Cleaner
Help Line at 1-877-531-7321. You will need the complete model and serial numbers when
requesting information. Your vacuum cleaner’s model and serial numbers are located on the
Model and Serial Number Plate.

Use the space below to record the model number and serial number of your new Kenmore
vacuum cleaner.

Model No.____________________________________________

Serial No. ____________________________________________

Date of Purchase ______________________________________

Keep this book and your sales check (receipt) in a safe place for future reference.

PACKING LIST

Your KENMORE VACUUM CLEANER is packaged with the following parts and
components assembled separately in the carton:

• Canister Vacuum Cleaner (with Floor Brush)

• PowerMate

• Crevice tool

• Handle & Hose Assembly

• Telescoping Wands

• Use & Care Guide

• Dusting Brush

• Attachment Holder

®

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KENMORE VACUUM CLEANER WARRANTY

KENMORE LIMITED WARRANTY

FOR ONE YEAR from the date of sale this appliance is warranted against defects in
material or workmanship when it is correctly installed, operated and maintained
according to all supplied instructions.

WITH PROOF OF SALE, a defective product will receive free repair or replacement at
option of seller.

For warranty coverage details to obtain free repair or replacement, visit the web page:
www.kenmore.com/warranty

This warranty applies for only 90 DAYS from the sale date if this appliance is ever used
for other than private household purposes.

This warranty covers ONLY defects in material and workmanship, and will NOT pay
for:

1. Expendable items that can wear out from normal use, including but not limited to
filters, belts, bags or screw-in base light bulbs.

2. A service technician to clean or maintain this appliance, or to instruct the user in
correct appliance installation, operation and maintenance.

3. Service calls to correct appliance installation not performed by Sears authorized
service agents, or to repair problems with house fuses, circuit breakers, house wiring,
and plumbing or gas supply systems resulting from such installation.

4. Damage to or failure of this appliance resulting from installation not performed by
Sears authorized service agents, including installation that was not in accord with
electrical, gas or plumbing codes.

5. Damage to or failure of this appliance, including discoloration or surface rust, if it is
not correctly operated and maintained according to all supplied instructions.

6. Damage to or failure of this appliance, including discoloration or surface rust,
resulting from accident, alteration, abuse, misuse or use for other than its intended
purpose.

7. Damage to or failure of this appliance, including discoloration or surface rust,
caused by the use of detergents, cleaners, chemicals or utensils other than those
recommended in all instructions supplied with the product.

8. Damage to or failure of parts or systems resulting from unauthorized modifications
made to this appliance.

9. Service to an appliance if the model and serial plate is missing, altered, or cannot
easily be determined to have the appropriate certification logo.

Disclaimer of implied warranties; limitation of remedies

Customer’s sole and exclusive remedy under this limited warranty shall be product
repair or replacement as provided herein. Implied warranties, including warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are limited to one year or the
shortest period allowed by law. Seller shall not be liable for incidental or consequential
damages. Some states and provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, or limitation on the duration of implied warranties
of merchantability or fitness, so these exclusions or limitations may not apply to you.

This warranty applies only while this appliance is used in the United States.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.

Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUC

Read all instructions in this guide before assembling or using your vacuum cleaner.

TIONS

WARNING:

Your safety is important to us. To reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock, injury to
persons or damage when using your vacuum cleaner, follow basic safety
precautions including the following:

Use your vacuum cleaner only as described

in this guide. Use only with Sears
recommended attachments.

Disconnect electrical supply before servicing
or cleaning out the brush area. Failure to do
so could result in brush unexpectedly starting
causing personal injury from moving parts.

Do not leave vacuum cleaner when plugged
in. Unplug from outlet when not in use and
before performing maintenance.

To reduce the risk of electrical shock - Do
not use outdoors or on wet surfaces.

Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close
attention is necessary when used by or near
children.

Do not use with a damaged cord or plug. If
vacuum cleaner is not working as it should,
has been dropped, damaged, left outdoors,
or dropped in water, return it to a Sears
Service Center.

Do not pull or carry by cord, use cord as a
handle, close a door on cord, or pull cord
around sharp edges or corners. Do not run
vacuum cleaner over cord. Keep cord away
from heated surfaces.

Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug,
grasp the plug, not the cord.

Do not handle plug or vacuum cleaner with
wet hands.

Do not put any objects into openings.
Do not use with any opening blocked; keep

free of dust, lint, hair, and anything that may
reduce air flow.

Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers, and all
parts of body away from openings and
moving parts.

Turn off all controls before unplugging.
Use extra care when cleaning on stairs.

Do not put on chairs, tables, etc. Keep on

floor.

Do not use vacuum cleaner to pick up

flammable or combustible liquids (gasoline,
cleaning fluid, perfumes, etc.), or use in

areas where they may be present. The
fumes from these substances can create a
fire hazard or explosion.

Do not pick up anything that is burning or
smoking, such as cigarettes, matches, or hot
ashes.

Do not use vacuum cleaner without dust cup

and/or filters in place.

Always change the dust bag after
vacuuming carpet cleaners or freshener,
powders, and fine dust. These products clog
the bag, reduce airflow and can cause the
bag to burst. Failure to change the bag
could cause permanent damage to the
vacuum cleaner.

Do not use the vacuum cleaner to pick up
sharp hard objects, small toys, pins, paper
clips, etc. They may damage the vacuum
cleaner.

Do not operate the vacuum cleaner without
the exhaust filter or filter door in place.

The hose contains electrical wires. Do not use
when damaged, cut, or punctured. Replace
if cut or worn. Do not pick up sharp objects.

Always turn off and unplug vacuum cleaner

before connecting or disconnecting either
hose, wand, or PowerMate

Hold plug when rewinding onto cord reel.
Do not allow plug to whip when rewinding.

You are responsible for making sure that
your vacuum cleaner is not used by anyone
unable to operate it properly.

WARNING:

This product contains a chemical known to
the state of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.

®

.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Proper assembly and safe use of your vacuum cleaner are your responsibilities. Your vacuum
cleaner is intended for Household use. Read this Use & Care Guide carefully for important
use and safety information. This guide contains safety statements under warning and
caution symbols.

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PARTS AND FEATURES

It is important to know your vacuum cleaner’s parts and features to ensure its proper and
safe use. Review these before using your vacuum cleaner.

REPLACEMENT PARTS

tleB 20-53013*

Dust Bag (2-pack):

Dust Bag (6-pack):
Exhaust Filter:
Motor Safety Filter:

®

PowerMate
To order a replacement part call 1-844-553-6667

Agitator Assembly:

20-53291*
20-53292*
20-86880*

20-81002*

KC84REEJZ000

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.oN traPtraP

Scan to reorder bags or go
to kenmore.com/reorderCQ

CANISTER

ATTACHMENTS

CREVICE TOOL DUSTING BRUSH ATTACHMENT HOLDER

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TELESCOPING WANDHANDLE & HOSE ASSEMBLY

Wand Release
Button

POWERMATE

®

Please pay special attention to these hazard alert boxes, and follow any instruc­tions given. WARNING statements alert you to such dangers as fire, electric
shock, burns and personal injury. CAUTION statements alert you to such dangers
as personal injury and/or property damage.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

Before assembling vacuum cleaner, check the PACKING LIST (page 2). Use this list to
verify that you have received and identified all the components of your new Kenmore
vacuum cleaner.

WAND (TELESCOPING)

WARNING

Electrical Shock Hazard
DO NOT plug into electrical supply until

assembly is complete. Failure to do so

could result in electrical shock or injury.

POWERMATE

Align wand and insert
onto PowerMate® until
the wand locks into
place.

®

The wand length is
adjustable and requires
no assembly.
To adjust, simply push
on the wand adjust
button and slide the
upper wand to the
desired height.

NOTE: When adjusting
the wand length you
may have to hold the
PowerMate® down
with your hand or foot.

HANDLE ASSEMBLY

Insert wand into
handle until lock
button snaps in
place.

To remove: Press
wand release button
and pull up on
handle.

To store: Disconnect
hose from wand and
canister to prevent
stress on hose during
storage. Store hose
in a loosely coiled
position so the hose
covering is not stressed.

ATTACHMENT HOLDER

Align the attachment holder clip with the
front of wand. Push and snap into place
on wand.

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HOSE

To install: Line up
the hose latch tab
with the notch in
the canister hood,
and insert hose
into canister until
it snaps into place.

IMPORTANT:

Push hose firmly into the canister until the

hose latch tab snaps into place. The
vacuum cleaner will not operate until hose
is fully connected.

To remove: Do not open hood before
removing hose. With hood closed, press the
hose latch tab in to release and remove hose.

CANISTER

1. Open the canister hood.

2. Check to see that the dust bag isproperly

installed. See BAG CHANGING (page 16)
for instructions.

3. Check to see that the motor safety filteris
properly installed. See MOTOR SAFETY

FILTER CLEANING (page 17) for instructions.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION

Moving parts! To reduce the risk of personal injury,
DO NOT touch the agitator when vacuum cleaner is
on. Contacting the agitator while it is rotating can cut,
bruise or cause other injuries. Always turn off and
unplug from electrical outlet before servicing.
Use caution when operating near children.

HOW TO START

WARNING

Personal Injur y and Product Damage
Hazard

• ALWAYS turn off the vacuum cleaner
before unplugging.

• The cord moves rapidly when
rewinding. Keep children away and
provide a clear path when rewinding the
cord to prevent personal injury.

• DO NOT use outlets above counters.
Damage from cord to items in surrounding
area could occur.

• When any abnormality/failure occurs, stop
using the product immediately and discon­nect the power plug.

NOTE: To reduce the risk of electric shock,

this vacuum cleaner has a polarized plug;
one blade is wider than the other. This plug
will fit in a polarized outlet only one way.
If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet,
reverse the plug. If it still does not fit,
contact a qualified electrician to install the
proper outlet. Do not change the plug in
any way.

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WARNING

Personal Injury and Product Damage
Hazard

• DO NOT run over power cord with

PowerMate®. Personal injury or product
damage could result.

• DO NOT pull plug from wall by the

power cord. If there is damage tothe
cord or plug, personal injury or property
damage could result.

3. Lower the wand from upright position by
pressing on the HANDLE RELEASE pedal.

1.

Pull cord out of canister to desired length.
The cord will not rewind until the cord rewind
button is pushed.

2.

Plug the polarized power cord into a 120

Volt outlet located near the floor.

To rewind: Turn off and unplug the vacuum

cleaner. Hold the plug while rewinding to
prevent damage or injury from the moving
cord. Push cord rewind button.

4. Select a pile height setting by pressing
the height adjustment pedal on the rear of
the PowerMate®. The pile height setting
shows on the indicator.

Height
Adjustment Indicator

Height
Adjustment Pedal

5. Select a position on the handle 3-way

On/Off switch.

Slide the switch forward to
the CARPET position to turn on
suction from the canister motor
and the

PowerMate® agitator.
The CARPET indicator button will
turn green, and the

PowerMate®

agitator will start to spin.

Slide the switch forward to the
FLOOR position to turn on
canister motor suction only. The
FLOOR indicator button will turn
green, and the PowerMate
agitator will not spin.

Slide the switch all the way back to turn the

vacuum cleaner off. The CARPET and FLOOR

indicators will both become gray.

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SUGGESTED PILE HEIGHT
SETTINGS

Attention: Refer to your carpet manufacturers

cleaning recommendations.
Some more delicate carpets may require
that they be vacuumed with the PowerMate®
agitator turned off to prevent carpet damage.

For best deep down cleaning, use the XLO
setting. However, you may need to raise the
height to make some jobs easier, such as
scatter rugs and some deep pile carpets,
and to prevent the vacuum cleaner from

shutting off. Suggested settings are:

HI – Shag, deep pile, super-soft, or ultraplush

carpets, and scatter rugs.

MED – Medium to deep pile.
LO – Low to medium pile.

XLO – The preferred setting for many

carpets and also for bare floors.

NOTE: To protect bare floors, slide the 3­way On/Off switch to the FLOOR position to
turn off rotation.

CAUTION

DO NOT leave the PowerMate® running in
one spot for any length of time. Damage
to carpet may occur.

CAUTION

Product Damage Hazard

Use care if the PowerMate® and wand is
left in the upright position as it may tip
over easily. Property damage can occur if
tipped.

VACUUMING TIPS

FOR BEST CLEANING RESULTS

• Slide suction control
toward HIGH to
increase suction for
upholstery and carpets.

• Slide suction control
towards LOW POWER
to decrease suction for
lightweight rugs or drapes.

• Keep the airflow passage open.
Check each assembly area in REMOVING

CLOGS (page 15) occasionally for clogs.

WARNING: Turn off and unplug vacuum

cleaner from outlet before checking for clogs.

HIGH

LOW POWER

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SUGGESTED SWEEPING PATTERN

For best cleaning action, the PowerMate
should be pushed straight away from you
and pulled straight back. At the end of
each pull stroke, the direction of the
PowerMate should be changed to point into
the next section to be cleaned. This pattern
should be continued across the carpet with
slow, gliding motions.

NOTE: Fast,
jerky strokes
do not provide
complete
cleaning.

®

®

EDGE CLEANER

Active brush edge
cleaners are on both
sides of the
PowerMate . Guide
either side of the
PowerMate along
base-boards or next
to furniture to help
remove dirt trapped
at carpet edges.

®

®

®

The PowerMate

must be in the flat position

for storage attachment. Use the handle
release pedal to place it in this position.
The wand will slip out of the slot as it is lifted
up for use and will slide into the slot as it is
lowered for storage.

Storage
Hook

POWERMATE

®

STORAGE

Slot

The lower wand has a U-shaped storage
hook at its base that slides into the U-shaped
slot on the canister. The storage hook allows
the wands and PowerMate

®

to be stored with
the canister to conserve storage space. The
canister must be stored on end for this feature
to be used.

ATTACHMENTS

CAUTION

DO NOT attach or remove handle or wands while vacuum cleaner is ON. This could
cause sparking and damage the electrical contacts or electronic controls.

ATTACHMENT STORAGE

This vacuum cleaner is equipped with on-

board attachment storage. The floor brush

is stored in the canister, and the dusting
brush and crevice tool are stored in the
attachment holder on the wand. See

ATTACHMENT USE TABLE on page 13.

ATTACHMENTS ON HANDLE

NOTE: If the PowerMate® is attached, turn

vacuum cleaner off before removing handle

from wand.

1. Press wand release button and pull up on
handle.

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2. Slide attachments onto handle as needed.

The floor brush will click into place.

See ATTACHMENT USE TABLE (page 13).

ATTACHMENTS ON WAND

1. To remove wand from PowerMate , lock

wand in upright position.

2. Press wand release pedal with foot and
pull the wand straight up and out of

®

PowerMate

.

®

3. Slide attachments onto wand as needed.

The floor brush will click into place.

See ATTACHMENT USE TABLE below.

ATTACHMENT USE TABLE

CLEANING AREA

ATTACHMENT

Crevice Tool

Floor Brush

PowerMate

Dusting Brush

1 . Always clean attachments before using on fabrics.

2. The 3-way On/Off switch should be in the FLOOR position.

®

Furniture1Cushions1Drapes1Stairs Floors Floors/Rugs Walls

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detepraCeraBneewteB

2

PERFORMANCE/SAFETY FEATURES

WARNING

Personal Injury Hazard
To avoid accidental agitator starting,

always turn off and unplug the vacuum

cleaner before cleaning the agitator area.
Failure to do so can result in personal
injury.

OVERLOAD PROTECTOR

The PowerMate® has built-in protection against
motor and belt damage should the agitator
jam. If the agitator slows down or stops, the

overload protector shuts off the

The canister motor will continue to run.

To correct problem: Turn off and unplug
vacuum cleaner, remove obstruction, then
press OVERLOAD PROTECTOR RESET
button.

If the PowerMate® motor still does not run
after reset, have the unit serviced by a

Sears or other qualified service dealer.

ELECTRONIC SUCTION CONTROL

The electronic suction control allows you
to change the power of the vacuum
cleaner suction motor.

Increase
Suction

Decrease
Suction

PowerMate®.

Increase suction
for upholsteries,
carpets, and bare

floors.

Decrease suction
for draperies and
lightweight rugs.

CHECK BAG INDICATOR

When the vacuum cleaner is running with
normal airflow, the CHECK BAG indicator
is green. The indicator turns to dark red

whenever the airflow becomes blocked. If

that occurs, check the disposable dust bag,

motor safety filter and other possible clog

locations shown in REMOVING CLOGS
(page 15).

To correct problem: See "Check Bag Indicator
activates" in TROUBLESHOOTING (page 23).

NOTE: The indicator may activate when
using certain attachments due to reduced

airflow through attachment.

THERMAL PROTECTOR

This vacuum cleaner has a thermal protector
which automatically trips to protect the
vacuum cleaner from overheating. If a clog

prevents the normal flow of air to the motor,
the thermal protector turns the motor off

automatically. This allows the motor to cool
in order to prevent possible damage to the
vacuum cleaner.

To correct problem: Turn off and unplug

vacuum cleaner to allow the vacuum cleaner
to cool and the thermal protector to reset.
Check for and remove clogs, if necessary.
Also check and clean or replace any clogged

filters. Wait approximately fifty (50) minutes

and plug the vacuum cleaner in and turn
back on to see if the motor protector has
reset.

If the canister motor does not resume
operation
above, have the unit serviced by a Sears or

other qualified service dealer.

after the reset procedure described

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