Maytag questions for Volvoguy87

The 906s are pretty great. They are the same capacity as the 806s. The control panel and timer parts are MUCH more difficult to find for the 900s and they are more complicated to work on too. IF you want a lighted control panel with a large capacity, your only option is an A806. They were made from about 1966-1980. After 1974, the washer and dryer control panels had gold paint on the bottoms, before that they had blue/silver paint in the same location.

Maytag only made regular and large capacity machines. The 100 and 200 series was regular capacity, and the 400, 600, and 806 series was large capacity.

As for dryers, if your A806 has the blue/silver paint, then you will be looking for a DE806 or DG806. The DE series is electric and the DG series is gas. The HoH gas dryers use a standing pilot light, so they tend to suffer from more rust and deterioration. This is called a Halo of Heat or HoH dryer. They have the lint filter in the back of the drum (that plastic circle in the center). Their capacity is also smaller than the later design. Personally, I prefer the HoH design, even though it is a little smaller and it might take a little longer to dry. Their capacity is better suited to the regular capacity machines, but I have a HoH dryer in regular use and find it does a fine job.

If your A806 has the gold paint, you could find a HoH with the gold painted control panel, but good luck. They are RARE! I have one right now and am trying to get it running, but that's for a different thread. If you get an A806 with the gold paint, you'll more than likely end up with a DE808 or DG808. These are of a design marketed as the "Big Load" dryers. They are of larger capacity and have the lint filter just inside the door. They are fine performers and are long lasting too. The gas version (DG808) has electronic ignition so there is no standing pilot and they are less prone to rust and deterioration than the DG806 dryers.

An easy way to spot a gas dryer from the front is the gas access door. It's a small door in a lower corner of the front of the dryer below the main door.

If you find a set in good shape, go for it! They are common enough that you'll find one eventually (except for the elusive gold control panel HoH dryer). Who knows, you might end up finding a second dryer somewhere along the way which would certainly speed up your laundry day.

The Big Load dryers are a bit easier to find parts for than the HoH dryers and are easier to work on too. I love my HoH dryer, though, and am not considering changing my loyalty there. I like working on gas dryers more, but the electric ones aren't at all bad. Dryers are simpler than the washers anyway. Both the 806 and 808 dryers would have a lighted control panel and a lighted drum. The lint filter in a HoH dryer is easy to clean even though it is at the back of the drum because the drum is relatively shallow. The Big Load lint filter is easier to clean, but the HoH lint filter isn't much more difficult. Just be aware that the HoH dryers are quite wide, while the Big Load dryers are a few inches narrower.

One other thing to consider is a Suds Saver. An A806 is a white machine without a suds saver. An A806S is a white machine with a suds saver. A suds saver can reuse the wash water and save lots of water, detergent, and water heater fuel. You have to have a tub sink next to the washer to use it though. If you can get a Suds Saver, I would go for it. I wish I had one.

Clear as mud?
Dave


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Post# 418671 2/26/2010 at 04:25 (5,167 days old) by beekeyknee (Columbia, MO)
Checkrate/Likes Back in 2008 you answered some questions for harvestgold in San Diego. I was wondering if you would answer a few more for me, along that line? You said that the 800 series were TOL in the dial version(and more flexible, being able to select specific functions with in a cycle) and The 900 series were TOL in the push button version, but less flexible, lacking the dial. That makes perfect sense. You also said the 800 series had the highest capacity. Why would the 800 series have more capacity than the 900? Are the parts(for instance the timer) in the 900 control panels harder to find and/or work on? Push button would be fun, but if it's going to be an aggravation to get parts for, I don't think I want it. I also might want to just spin something out, and I don't know if I can do that with a 900. Do you know? I've seen service manuals for the 900's and they do look more complicated. I want to get a set with the helical drive, lighted control panels and the power fin agitator. Did the capacity go up in later models that included the helical drive? I don't want any of that orbital drive junk. How can I tell by looking at model numbers when the switch was made to orbital drive, or do I have to peek inside to be safe? If I find an 800 set in good condition should I go for it? Nice matched sets don't seem to turn up often. I'm not concerned with color as much as cosmetic condition. I can recondition mechanicals, but I can't fix a busted control panel, dents and scratches, or chipped porcelain. There are so many things to consider. About the dryers. Should I look for an 800 series dryer or an 808 series with the bigger door and the lint filter in the front? You said the 800 series had the lint filter in the back of the drum. Is that the plastic circle in the back center of the drum? If it is, that looks kind of inconvenient. Are the gas or electric dryers easier to work on and which have parts that are easier to find? Do you know where I can find service manuals for the dryers? I found the service manuals for the washers on here, but I haven't seen any for the dryers. I'd appreciate any information you can give me. Sorry for the long message. Thanks much, Brian

Post# 418744 , Reply# 1 2/26/2010 at 12:52 (5,166 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)
Checkrate/Likes *I'll try my best.* The 906s are pretty great. They are the same capacity as the 806s. The control panel and timer parts are MUCH more difficult to find for the 900s and they are more complicated to work on too. IF you want a lighted control panel with a large capacity, your only option is an A806. They were made from about 1966-1980. After 1974, the washer and dryer control panels had gold paint on the bottoms, before that they had blue/silver paint in the same location. Maytag only made regular and large capacity machines. The 100 and 200 series was regular capacity, and the 400, 600, and 806 series was large capacity. As for dryers, if your A806 has the blue/silver paint, then you will be looking for a DE806 or DG806. The DE series is electric and the DG series is gas. The HoH gas dryers use a standing pilot light, so they tend to suffer from more rust and deterioration. This is called a Halo of Heat or HoH dryer. They have the lint filter in the back of the drum (that plastic circle in the center). Their capacity is also smaller than the later design. Personally, I prefer the HoH design, even though it is a little smaller and it might take a little longer to dry. Their capacity is better suited to the regular capacity machines, but I have a HoH dryer in regular use and find it does a fine job. If your A806 has the gold paint, you could find a HoH with the gold painted control panel, but good luck. They are RARE! I have one right now and am trying to get it running, but that's for a different thread. If you get an A806 with the gold paint, you'll more than likely end up with a DE808 or DG808. These are of a design marketed as the "Big Load" dryers. They are of larger capacity and have the lint filter just inside the door. They are fine performers and are long lasting too. The gas version (DG808) has electronic ignition so there is no standing pilot and they are less prone to rust and deterioration than the DG806 dryers. An easy way to spot a gas dryer from the front is the gas access door. It's a small door in a lower corner of the front of the dryer below the main door. If you find a set in good shape, go for it! They are common enough that you'll find one eventually (except for the elusive gold control panel HoH dryer). Who knows, you might end up finding a second dryer somewhere along the way which would certainly speed up your laundry day. The Big Load dryers are a bit easier to find parts for than the HoH dryers and are easier to work on too. I love my HoH dryer, though, and am not considering changing my loyalty there. I like working on gas dryers more, but the electric ones aren't at all bad. Dryers are simpler than the washers anyway. Both the 806 and 808 dryers would have a lighted control panel and a lighted drum. The lint filter in a HoH dryer is easy to clean even though it is at the back of the drum because the drum is relatively shallow. The Big Load lint filter is easier to clean, but the HoH lint filter isn't much more difficult. Just be aware that the HoH dryers are quite wide, while the Big Load dryers are a few inches narrower. One other thing to consider is a Suds Saver. An A806 is a white machine without a suds saver. An A806S is a white machine with a suds saver. A suds saver can reuse the wash water and save lots of water, detergent, and water heater fuel. You have to have a tub sink next to the washer to use it though. If you can get a Suds Saver, I would go for it. I wish I had one. Clear as mud? Dave

Post# 418817 , Reply# 2 2/26/2010 at 19:02 (5,166 days old) by beekeyknee (Columbia, MO)
Checkrate/Likes *Clearer than Mud* Your answer cleared up a lot of questions for me. Now I know what to look for. I want an A806 washer and 806 or 808 dryer in gas or electric. What ever I can get my hands on I guess. Think I'd rather have the 808 dryer. Do you know where I could get a hold of a service manual for the dryers. Saw the manual for the washers on here, but not the dryers. Temperature, thermal safety cut outs, and so forth may need to be checked. Guess I'll start watching craigslist, ebay, and going to local auctions. Do you have any other ideas? Do people sell things on here much? Noticed you're interested in the antique fan collectors site, too. I have an old fan that used to belong to my great grandfather. It's a GE,12",four brass blades,non-oscillating,three speed fan that's pullman green in color. I think it was made around 1920. I reconditioned it 4 or 5 years ago. Took me about two weeks. A long time ago they used to paint the train cars in a very dark green. I guess someone named Pullman made them. I find it ironic too, that my grandfather picked that color. Maybe it was because he worked for the railroad all his life. Darryl Hudson of South Carolina sent me the parts for the restoration. The only thing that's wrong with it is it's missing the rear bearing cap. Darryl wasn't too hip on the idea of sending me a replacement. He said they're hard to find. When I run it on high speed, oil leaks out the back because of the missing cap. The oil recirculates in and out of the oil cups. I use Zoom Spout Oiler in mine. There's no detergent in it, so it doesn't varnish the shaft in the bushing and make it bind. I have some nice pictures of it I'll send you sometime. Thanks for all your help. Take care. Brian

Post# 418871 , Reply# 3 2/26/2010 at 21:30 (5,166 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes *MAYTAG DRYER WIDTH* Dave great descriptions and answers one minor point the HOH dryer 1966 on is the same width as the big load dryers 28 1/2 " wide.