Thread Number: 39916
Check out this little PINK agitator... 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 591058   4/20/2012 at 15:15 (4,386 days old) by danmantn (Tennessee)        

danmantn's profile picture
Iddy biddy with not a lot of ability to create turnover looks like - I thought it was a toy version at first. Never seen a pink agitator, though. Looks like perhaps a new, asian machine?








Post# 591077 , Reply# 1   4/20/2012 at 17:27 (4,385 days old) by Lebron (Minnesota)        

lebron's profile picture
I'm sure it would turn over nicely if the user added more water

Post# 591081 , Reply# 2   4/20/2012 at 18:29 (4,385 days old) by brastemp (Brazil)        

This is a semi automatic washing Brazilian. Semi automatic agitator not very common here, most have impeller.

The name of this washer is Bellissima by Mueller.





CLICK HERE TO GO TO brastemp's LINK
Post# 591108 , Reply# 3   4/20/2012 at 20:57 (4,385 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        
"zigue-zague"

 Eduardo, does this really mean zig-zag or is it a way of saying back and forth? The spinners are cute.
Thanks

Post# 591136 , Reply# 4   4/21/2012 at 00:40 (4,385 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

Interesting little machine-"The Little Pink Agitator That Could!"Yes,think the tub should have more water in it-try to cover the tops of the agitator blades.and-the clothes would get turned over instead of paddled by the agitator.Guess you can't wash sheets,tablecloths or other large things in that machine?Looks to small for those big jobs.

Post# 591181 , Reply# 5   4/21/2012 at 08:05 (4,385 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

According to the website, these are to be paired with the spinners they sell. They do not appear to be twinnies.

Post# 591355 , Reply# 6   4/22/2012 at 13:15 (4,384 days old) by brastemp (Brazil)        

Hi Tom, zig-zag makes reference to the agitation system that for back and forth.
Mueller does not manufacture twin-tub, separate spinner only.

Post# 591461 , Reply# 7   4/22/2012 at 21:57 (4,383 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

These machines are great for cleaning.

Rollover isn't so good and the idea when this design was created was make the whole load be agitated at the same time.

Mueller has many different models, from a round wachine that was previously wooden made and now is fiberglass to the new front loader washer-dryer they are launching.

Mueller also was the first manufacturer to pruduce washing machines in Brazil.

Until now, the company focused only on semi-automatic washer models. They had launched and automatic top loader but it wasn't a premium model (although it's a great machine for it's price)

Mueller's quality and dependability is compared to the first Maytag wringers. It's almost impossible to find a brazilian that never had one of those or at least know somebody that has or had this machine. Luckily, they keep this quality until today.

If you buy a Belissima semi automatic, (all made of plastic) you can be sure it will last at least 20 years. Of course, cosmetically it's going to be horrible past 20 years and maybe you'll have to replace the belt and the hoses but the motor, transmission and tub seals will continue perfect as new.

Here in Brazil we have lots of semi-automatic washer manufacturers, but none of them was able to make something better than a Mueller.

The Belissima platform also has a derivate machine called Aqua. It's the same machine, but with an omnidirectional impeller instead of the agitator.

These machines are rated for 4.5kg capacity, but it'a fact that they make the transmission much stronger, because brazilians tend to overload the machines as soon as they know it's a Mueller. it won't be a surprise if you find people washing duvets and comforters in a Belissima.

Belissima was created to be the substitute to Mueller Pioneira (Pioneer), when new environmental laws baned the production of wooden made washing machines. But, the success of Pioneer and Mueller Plus, it's twin sister made in fiberglass is so big that they simply couldn't kill the Plus so, they have two machines similar in capacity and with exactly the same rating, but one is round and the other is square and the design is more modern.

Years ago, the belissima platform also had two other versions. Belissima Vision and Acqua Vision. It was the same machine, but with automatic fill, drain pump and two rinses. Almost like an automatic washer, but without the spin.


I personally asked Mr. Marcio Gonçalves, marketing director at Mueller to ask the webmaster to finish Mueller's website translation ASAP, specifically to aw.org members be able to visit it and understand it. He told me that the whole website will be translated within a few more weeks.

About the color, Mueller has always changed their colors according to the trends. Years ago the agitators were black, then they had blue (sky blue) and pink. Now they have Royal blue and also fashion colors like silver and black in some products.

I'm going to post some 3d animations made by mueler, explaining some of their products.


By the way, Mueller had requested UL certification and their plan is enter the american market in 2013. Probably the products they are going to sell there are the spin dryers, the static dryers and the front loaders (that use a decent amount of water) and cost much less than the huge multinational manufacturers.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO thomasortega's LINK
Post# 591462 , Reply# 8   4/22/2012 at 21:59 (4,383 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
Acqua Vision

 The Vision version is NLA but they still have the semi-automatic version.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO thomasortega's LINK
Post# 591463 , Reply# 9   4/22/2012 at 22:02 (4,383 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
Mueller Plus

 This is the fiberglass version of the first Mueller washing machine (Mueller Pioneira).


CLICK HERE TO GO TO thomasortega's LINK
Post# 591519 , Reply# 10   4/23/2012 at 02:46 (4,383 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Nina Soft

 chestermikeuk's profile picture
they look really interesting machines, would love to see the black washer dryer in action.

Their use of video animation is excellent, I wish a few more big names would take on the idea!!

The large agitator (blue) looks like a copy of the Servis Speed Queen Simplicity machine, with the high vanes and about the same speed and turn or Ziga Zaga as they call it!!

Post# 591525 , Reply# 11   4/23/2012 at 04:06 (4,383 days old) by qualin (Canada)        

I would consider purchasing one of these machines as something I could use for small loads.

Post# 591557 , Reply# 12   4/23/2012 at 08:40 (4,383 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

Qualin, those machines can be used for small and for big loads too.

The only problem, when washing blankets, duvets or comforters is how to get them out of the washer after they are wet and too heavy.

These machines handle, for example, 10 pairs of jeans easily.

Their newest semi automatic model is Mueller Family. The machine is reasonably small outside (looks like that tiny Haier) but it has a huge impeller and the thin and tall tub has an excellent design. It can wash up to 10kg of clothes (considering the brazilian standards) and it's motor is really strong.

These machines are very popular here in Brazil, because you can put the exact amount of water you need and also save suds. Most people have them paired with automatic washers, but use the automatic only for rinse and spin and then reuse the washing water for 3 or more loads.

These machines are also the best for mats and throw rags because they are built to stand impacts during the wash and as they don't have outer tubs and the drain is too simple, it never gets cloged.

After washing any load that reseases too much soil or lint, simply drain it and throw a bucket of water at once to rinse the tub and the space below the impeller and let it clean and ready for the next load.

There's also another model called Super Pop, which is smaller (3kg capacity) and comes in a box much smaller than the machine. Their secred is deliver the machine partially disassembled. the lower part of the cabinet comes in the tub. it saves freight costs and also when the consumers buy the machine in a store, they can take them home on the back seat of any car at the same time instead of waiting for a delivery.

Other model and also the best seller in Brazil is Pop Tank. Pop Tank is a "tanquinho" (Small laundry sink) that can actually be used as a laundry sink.

The drain is simple (it has a drain plug, like a sink) and an impeller on the side, like the hoover twin tubs. It also has a washing board.
Pop Tank has a twin sister called Pop Stock. It's the same machine, but it has a small cabinet with lock below the wash board, it has space enough to store detergent, softener, bleach, a soap bar and a brush. Also safe for kids because the door has a lock with keys.


Post# 591558 , Reply# 13   4/23/2012 at 08:41 (4,383 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

Mueller Superpop

It comes in a box smaller than the machine...

CLICK HERE TO GO TO thomasortega's LINK
Post# 591559 , Reply# 14   4/23/2012 at 08:43 (4,383 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
Mueller PopStock

 This machine has an storge cabinet and can be used as a laundry sink.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO thomasortega's LINK
Post# 591561 , Reply# 15   4/23/2012 at 09:00 (4,383 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
Mueller Family

 Their biggest washer.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO thomasortega's LINK
Post# 591600 , Reply# 16   4/23/2012 at 11:47 (4,383 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
@Chestermike

 Mike, I was trying to contact you but unsuccessfully.

Do you still have your Titan?

The Mueller Special washer and Mueller Special Washer-dryer were inspired at Titan and the problem with the fragile drum coupling was also considered and solved.

I can't post any detailed pictures or videos yet (only after the machine reach the stores in a few days) but I'd like to create a post comparing both machines and the solutions that Mueller created. But I'll apreciate if you can help me creating that topic comparing both machines as soon as they authorize me to post the pictures and the videos i've made of it.

Mueller already has some products across the pond (mostly countertop ovens) and Special will also be sold in Europe (probably next year too), I'm not sure in which countries.

As I said before, the Special has everything to be a best seller. It's a simple and reliable front loader with a very decent price that can beat the asian crap.
Considering cost x benefits, it's the best machine I've ever used in my life.

The first time I've heard "plastic", the first thing in my mind was "WTF, are they crazy?" but when I saw the machine i got shocked. It's simply marvelous.

It's dependable because it's simple and it uses a lot of "old school" design solutions, while the others try to create unuseful fashion trends that don't work or don't last only to increase the price.

For a small brazilian company, launching a front loader in a very competitive market dominated by huge international companies like Electrolux, Samsung, LG and Whirlpool can be really scary. But they were brave enough to do it.

Will they beat the big manufacturer on sales? Of course not! They don't even have structure to produce thousands of Specials in a day, but everybody is sure that this machine will be a nightmare to the competitors, because it's good and it's cheaper than asian crap. It will force them to make better machines or offer lower prices because the consumers aren't as stupid as they think they are. The consumers win! Best of all, while everybody is moving the production to China and Korea and creating thousands of unemployed people around the world, Mueller is defending the brazilian industry, hiring more people, proudly designing and producing 100% of it's products in Brasil and it helps our economy.

Mueller is the biggest 100% brazilian washing machine manufacturer and they NEVER had to advertise on TV or magazines. Until now, 100% of it's marketing was mouth to mouth thanks to millions of satisfied consumers in Brazil in more than 60 years. People buy a cheap machine expecting them to last 2 or 3 years and maybe clean fairly well, because it's not a premium brand... then the machines clean much better than people could imagine, hold loads bigger than they thought and last 15, 20 years or even more. When it has a malfunction, it's cheap and easy to be fixed (usually replace a belt or a hose). Get more for the price you paid is a lovely surprise, isn't it?



Post# 591736 , Reply# 17   4/24/2012 at 03:15 (4,382 days old) by qualin (Canada)        

Well, I guess I would have to see.. a 10 kg top loader is pretty impressive.

I like the machine with the built in cabinet. That could come in really handy.

Normally, I'm not a really big fan of plastic machines, but I will admit that would make them very light and portable.

Right now, I think Muellers biggest competition would be with Danby. They are a US based company but they make discount appliances. The specialize in making smaller appliances for the home.

They're the only manufacturer of twin tub machines left in North America. I've seen one, it's all plastic.

Their 3 kg top loading washer is cute though.

Post# 591742 , Reply# 18   4/24/2012 at 03:44 (4,382 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

From reading about these machines from Mueller,they sound like nice,simple,down to earth type machines-for someone who wants something SIMPLE and does the job.Like the agitator models-The Plus series-guess these guys can handle big jobs like sheets,tablecloths,comforters and such.May be worth looking at if they do make it to the US.

Post# 591791 , Reply# 19   4/24/2012 at 11:37 (4,382 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
@qualin

 Isn't Danby products made in China, Korea or any other xing ling country?

Post# 591928 , Reply# 20   4/24/2012 at 22:30 (4,381 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
@tolivac

 Yes, Mueller has always made their products to be simple.

But they always believe that simple and cheap can walk together with dependability and eficiency.

If we look carefully at the modern washers the world has today, there are thousands of item and features created only to increase the price or make the machines last less.

Honestly, who needs a washing machine full of leds, buttons, redundant cycles, outstanding spin speeds (ok, some countries need high speeds because of the weather and local habits), etc.

Talking about spin, for example. It's more than obious that a machine that spins at 2000 RPM is better for people in freezing countries like Sweden or Finland, for example, where everybody has to dry everything in a dryer or indoors.

But it's also much more stressful to some vital parts, like the bearings. It's also a little bit worse for the clothes.

At the same time, it makes no sense spin at 2000 RPM in a country like Brazil, with a very hot weather and most of the population don't even have a dryer. Most people here in Brazil never saw a dryer and the first thing people think is "why would I need a dryer if I can linedry jeans in 10 minutes after spinning at 700 RPM?

Mueller thinks like that. Putting 1000 or more RPM would increase the production cost. The machine would be much more expensive and the price would be a problem at the stores... How can they face Whirlpool, Electrolux, Lg, Samsung and GE with their high end products being a small company? Of course people would buy those international brands with fancy features.

Less than a decade ago, th brazilian market has changed a lot. The changes were really dramatic to everyone. People were used to standard top loaders and very few european front loader models.
Suddenly LG launched a washer dryer. People became curious about it. Of course, taking the clothes clean and dry from the washer is attractive to any housewife and those machines became popular almost overnight.

But... those machines are expensive. They were even more expensive. Some models reached 14 thousand reais (7 thousand dollars) and of course, only a small part of the population could have access to a washer dryer.

That's what Mueller have repeated. When they launched their first washer, we already had some models here, like the Economat, Westinghouse, etc. But those were imported and really expensive. Medium class families would still doing laundry in a laundry sing and using a washing board.

Now medium class (and even poor classes) will be able to have a washer dryer.

The machine is simple. It doesn't have fancy features, but it was created to be dependable and cheap.

They had to make a good machine because they simply don't have founds to pay for a mass law action like happened to Whirlpool with the Calypso so they couldn't take any risks. The machine is made to last and it must let the consumers very satisfied with the price they payed. The unthinkable happened: considering the cost x benefits, the machine is much better than any other we have.

OK, people can pay a lot of money for washer, of course it will have a better spin, of course it will have many other features but... A Mueller costs 50% less than a TOL premium brand model, it washes the same way, it rinses better because it uses a decent water level, it doesn't spin at outstanding speeds, but the spin is OK for our local needs. Consumers pay cheap and when they arrive at home and use the machine, they get surprised. It's not a cheap crap, THE MACHINE IS GREAT AND AS A BONUS, IT'S CHEAP.

Other Vantage the Special model has is the removable drum. Using the drum as a laundry basket is ok, but it's not the best about it. The best is being able to remove the drum and wipe clean the whole tub. Here in Brazil we don't have problems with hard water, but we have huge problems with our detergents (high sudsing) and our softeners (too greasy).

Our machines don't smell like the americans because our weather helps a lot, but most of the machines are nasty after a few months. Of course people can try to clean it using these chemical products but, of course they will never be the same as scrubbing the tub with a sponge and dishwasher liquid or even a soap bar. The machine will reach the end of its life with a sparkling clean tub. Brilliant, isn't it?

Post# 591943 , Reply# 21   4/25/2012 at 01:11 (4,381 days old) by qualin (Canada)        

To the best of my knowledge, Danby is an American company.

Now, as to the origin of their products, I'm not entirely sure.

Post# 591960 , Reply# 22   4/25/2012 at 03:45 (4,381 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Mueller v Titan

 chestermikeuk's profile picture
Would be interesting to see how both are made and what the differences are,like you say with a lower spin speed the machines dont have to be beefed up as much so plastic components can be used more....

Thomas, can you explain expand more on this statement " problem with the fragile drum coupling was also considered and solved."

Heres a link to my MonoTub Titan pics...


CLICK HERE TO GO TO chestermikeuk's LINK




This post was last edited 04/25/2012 at 07:55
Post# 591996 , Reply# 23   4/25/2012 at 07:50 (4,381 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
@Chestermike

 Thanks for your reply.

As far as I know, one of the resons that Titan didn't survive were some complaints about the coupling on the back of the drum that was weak and after some time, with the impact of the drum being inserted and removed it would start failing. (We all know that there are consumers and consumers... Some understand that machines must be cared to last longer, others simply don't care and toss the drum inside the machine like if they were playing bowling.

Also, a british magazine (I don't remember which one) destroyed it's reputation saying it was too expensive, the load capacity was too small, etc, etc, etc.

Every time I see a Titan, everything I see is a great washer with a wonderful idea and it's also cute and the huge door is charming.


BTW,your link isn't working.



Post# 592006 , Reply# 24   4/25/2012 at 08:22 (4,381 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Interesting...

 chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hi Thomas, link now working, hadnt heard that about the coupling, I dont think it was about for the longeivity to prove that, the tub only locks in one position, if not you simply cant shut the outer door, and it has a simple but very functional switch which activates the door locking mechinism and a light on the fascia which comes on when the tub is inserted and the door locked successfully, then the wash will commence.

It was well known that "Which" consumer group tested these machines , the word on the street is that they tested it with a max load of denims (7kg = 22 pairs) if thats true no-one would do that and it simply broke the model being tested...again it does bring up the issue of sustainable drum volume and ratio of load capacity!

I too think this machine has some unique features, wide access door, simply computer programming corresponding to all washable laundry codes (ITCL standards), Power Spray action which really does soak and power spray the clothes continually throughout the tub, heater in sump requiring less water per washload.....am not sure about the unique drum, but one thing I found is that if you do carry the drum around you load it very differently for a front loader than a traditional one, ie stacked like a TL then turn it on its side....tended not to ball things up as much on larger bedding etc..

Heres the pic of the poly drum connector, dont forget this drum is simply the holder of clothes, this fits like a glove in the stainless steel inner drum sleeve which rotates like a traditional fl- this has the main bearing...and then the SS drum sits inside the outer poly tub....so three drums really, not just a removable two drum affair!!

You could say the load baring is shared across all components, not just the brass connector at the back of the poly drum, alas volume of sales and longeivity will not tell us now!! I also think if it had come to market sooner with all kinks sorted (dont forget some of the first models produced that we now covet of Vintage washers had horrendous issues and consequences for many companies we now come to adore) that it might have been a different story, it was competing against Whirlpool Dreamspace / Duet and the Dyson contrarotator - and looked what happened to that!!



CLICK HERE TO GO TO chestermikeuk's LINK
Post# 592110 , Reply# 25   4/25/2012 at 16:43 (4,381 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
@Chestermike

 Thanks for the picture!

Yes, the coupling i mean is exactly that. it's well made and dependable, but not too dependable to survive on houses with stupid consumers that throw the drum rudely into the machine.

Mueller is made to be cheap so it doesn't have the recirculation sprays. Anyway, the water level is very high.

The coupling system is almost the same (three drums), but without this connector on the back of the drum. (more simple, less prone to failures)

About the test, what happened to Titan was simply ridiculous. I don't know about the load standards in UK but here in Brazil the test load is composed by specific types of fabric, specific sizes (sheets, pillowcases and hand towels) plus the stained stripes and there's also a sequence that must be followed to load the machine.

Unfortunately, the brazlilian test standards aren't ready to test a removable drum machine. the machine had to be loaded as a standard front loader. (without removing the drum) It's a fact that loading the drum like a top loader makes better washing and spinning results.

Special has very high cleaning efficiency ratings. Rinse efficiency isn't tested here in Brazil, but the machine rinses very well too.

Everybody knows that the capacity rate, when in KG/LBS is considering a load of mixed cotton (mentioned above). Why did Which? tested it with jeans (obviously we must use less capacity to compensate the thicker fabric). 22 pairs of jeans is too exagerated.



Post# 592137 , Reply# 26   4/25/2012 at 19:16 (4,380 days old) by JaredH ()        

the action reminds me of an SQ..that's probably how that Muller does it as well.

Post# 592151 , Reply# 27   4/25/2012 at 20:30 (4,380 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
@JaredH

 Mueller has absolutely nothing to do with Speed Queen.

Actually, the Mueller action is also 100% made of plastic. It includes cabinet, outer tub, tub, agitator, etc... Oh, the plug prongs are metalic LOL.

I don't know about the Action yet but I have it's older sister "Diva", which is LNA because it was replaced by "Class". The machine was ok.

Comparing to other premium brands at that time, the Diva was "the ugly duck". It's spin speed was too slow, the wash performance was good (i mean good, period) miles away from being excellent.
I hate the softener dispenser and I used it only a few times. because the machine had a spin activated softener dispenser but the spin had two ramps so the softener was always rinsed away before the final rinse.

But... that was the first Mueller's automatic top loader. and even with all of those project failures, the Diva used to last a lot. (Mine still looks like mint in box after years of use. so the ugly duck became a swan.

After many years, they launched the Class. It's almost the same as Diva, but with improved details. The dispenser releases the softener right on time, it has more cycles thanks to the electonic dial and it's more flexible. It's also dependable (Being Mueller, it's not a surprise)

They launched Mueller Linea. It was the same Class, but with an agitator instead of an impeller. It's agitator was fantastic (a huge agitator in a tiny drum) and the rollover was BETTER THAN THE OLD BENDIX ECONOMAT. Some people here used to say that Linea had the best tangling performance on the market. It washes, rinses, spins and ties a bow tie in minutes. Unloading was easy. simply grab one garment using two fingers and pull, the whole load comes together. LOL But that machine cleaned really well! (thank god they killed that agitator)
The cleaning performance was shocking even using only cold water.

I think that maybe they had to get rid of that agitator because of it, so they just launched Mueller Action, which has a dual action agitator and the rated capacity is bigger.


Among the other competitors at the same category, Mueller Class and Mueller Action are the best. The other's are Consul (forgot the model names, but those are ridiculous) and Electrolux LTC07 and LT06. Spin performance ratings are poor on all of them, but Class is a lot cheaper and lasts twice because it's simple, but they don't save money on quality.




Post# 597746 , Reply# 28   5/20/2012 at 10:29 (4,356 days old) by JaredH ()        

i am not saying they are related to SQ... i am saying that the dragging action is probably how it gets the clothes claen.


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