Thread Number: 57076  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Tub index
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 793691   11/13/2014 at 15:14 (3,423 days old) by WaterWitch (Pomona, Calif.)        

waterwitch's profile picture
Question: What is the purpose for tubs to "index" during a wash cycle? Is this something that some manufactures strived for, or does this just happen when something is malfunctioning with the machine?




Post# 793695 , Reply# 1   11/13/2014 at 15:43 (3,423 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

Is your washer tub indexing now Anthony??  cool


Post# 793699 , Reply# 2   11/13/2014 at 15:56 (3,423 days old) by washdaddy (Baltimore)        

Some machines do index while the machine is agitating. Not all makers use this function in their machines.

The purpose is to help the clothes move around in the tub. Some people like it, others don't.

The washer that I currently use is a Frgidaire TL that came with my apartment and it indexes. It's the first machine I've ever used that does that. I will say that it does like to tangle sheets into a mess when you go to take them out. I am surprised though that it does get the job done though.

People say that it deters rollover in the tub.

If you mention what kind of machine you have someone here will let you know whether your machine indexes or not.


Post# 793704 , Reply# 3   11/13/2014 at 16:45 (3,423 days old) by WaterWitch (Pomona, Calif.)        
1970's Westinghouse

waterwitch's profile picture
Revvinkevin, I picked up a Westinghouse off of Craig's list, and from what I've seen on YouTube, it's from the 1970's, and it indexes. I couldn't pass it up, the price was right. It was FREE! Lol! Washdaddy, interesting, I have known for some to index, but wasn't sure why. I've always associated indexing tubs on cheaper models.

Post# 793706 , Reply# 4   11/13/2014 at 16:51 (3,423 days old) by WaterWitch (Pomona, Calif.)        
Agitator

waterwitch's profile picture
It has a blue "swirl type" agitator, and agitates quick.

Post# 793711 , Reply# 5   11/13/2014 at 17:22 (3,423 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Indexing usually isn't so much an intended action as it is an effect of not having a spin brake.


Post# 793713 , Reply# 6   11/13/2014 at 17:26 (3,423 days old) by washdaddy (Baltimore)        

that is the exact machine my grandmother had. It does index.

Post# 793748 , Reply# 7   11/13/2014 at 20:14 (3,423 days old) by washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i)        

washerlover's profile picture
I find the indexing distracting and somewhat dizzying when I try to watch the action...

Post# 793760 , Reply# 8   11/13/2014 at 21:20 (3,423 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
Psst

mayken4now's profile picture

Cheap machines!


Post# 793789 , Reply# 9   11/14/2014 at 04:47 (3,422 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))        
Fault or feature?

arbilab's profile picture
Doesn't that spiralator reveal a Weasyhouse? Weren't those better overall than the subsequent Whites?

Whether intended, or simply marketed, as a feature, indexing results from a unidirectional spin brake. That is, it only brakes in the (counter) direction of spin and is relatively free to move in the opposite direction. I don't think that necessarily connotes cheapness. A positive brake is one thing. A unidirectional brake actually requires another set of parts to make it unidirectional, though those parts may serve a dual purpose such as transmission decoupling.


Post# 793818 , Reply# 10   11/14/2014 at 08:40 (3,422 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Washer Tub Indexing

combo52's profile picture
No Washer manufacturer ever set out to design a washer tub that indexed during agitation, As several mentioned it was just a CHEAPER way to build the machine. There is actually NO BRAKE at all, there is a torque spring that does hold the tub as the agitation reverses, but it is not a brake as such and the reason it is there is grip when the motor reverses to make the washer spin.

Only Franklin and Westinghouse ever designed and built washers that indexed, both of these brands were never considered good brands or great washers. Westinghouse TL washers from the 60s through the early 70s were terrible in regards to durability. WCI ended up with both these washer designs and did improve the durability quite a bit as the 80s and 90s moved on.

Indexing tub washers were a classic case of having a bad design and calling it a good thing, this is much the same as Spin Drain TL washers, they were basically built to spin drain because they were cheaper [ and sometimes more reliable ] to build, and then manufactures that built them tried to call it an advantage.


Post# 793857 , Reply# 11   11/14/2014 at 10:43 (3,422 days old) by cookietaster12 ()        

I loved the indexing Westinghouses!!! I, personally, do not think they were cheap machines. I believe they cleaned well, and depending on the usage, lasted long. As stated before, the indexing helped keep the clothes from becoming stagnant while the washing cycle progressed. My god mother had a Westinghouse with the blue agitator, and boy did it clean well. It lasted for a good 20 years. If I could get one now, then I would. Absolutely, my favorite washer of all time!

Post# 793924 , Reply# 12   11/14/2014 at 19:30 (3,422 days old) by camMURRAY22 (Savannah,Georgia)        
Indexing Washers

They index so that the dirt can escape from the clothes the minute agitation begins. I have a 1995 Frigidaire TL, it indexes and my sheets don't tangle up at all. Especially on spinning a heavy load of whites or colors, you can hear the agitator going "grunt grunt click click grunt grunt click" while coasting to a stop from spinning.

Post# 794072 , Reply# 13   11/15/2014 at 14:58 (3,421 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))        

spinspeed's profile picture
Guys I am curious, what is tub indexing? Is it where the outer tub is free to move during agitation? I have two F&P TL machines where the tub moves freely during agitation. All my other TL machines the tub is very static during agitation. .
Cheers simon


Post# 794079 , Reply# 14   11/15/2014 at 15:20 (3,421 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Most cases, the basket rotation is actively driven in one direction in repetitive short arc-distances, presumably by an effect related to the spin clutch and agitation mechanisms ... although it can typically be held stationary by hand.

Your F&P is different in that the basket truly is free-wheeling and the movement is sympathetic to the agitation and clothes motion.


Post# 794107 , Reply# 15   11/15/2014 at 18:24 (3,421 days old) by camMURRAY22 (Savannah,Georgia)        
Here's your answer:

It's called tri-action agitation. Call the company and see if I'm right.



Thanks,

Christopher

P.S.,

Here is a pic of one of the filter-flo washers here in Savannah at Bowen Refrigeration.


Post# 794112 , Reply# 16   11/15/2014 at 19:11 (3,421 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
GE Filter-Flow

combo52's profile picture
Washers DO NOT index, unless they have a broken brake pawl, and that is pretty rare.

Post# 794114 , Reply# 17   11/15/2014 at 19:28 (3,421 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        
I think.....

kenmoreguy89's profile picture
The tub shouldn't move at all to have the machine giving a full washing action.
Basket movement is simply counterproductive to the agitation.
So indexing machines, not to mention of course those new plastic toy-like junks that can't have it staying still .....not in my house thanks!


Post# 794115 , Reply# 18   11/15/2014 at 19:33 (3,421 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

kenmoreguy89's profile picture
Ge filter flo washers do not index during wash....absolutely not!
But they do that at the very start of the wash for few seconds until tub brake engages ....



Post# 794122 , Reply# 19   11/15/2014 at 20:14 (3,421 days old) by washman (o)        
Modern SQ indexes

when new.

Here's my first vid uploaded right after I got the machine





Next, dozens of cycles later:





As you can see, the indexing has settled down quite a bit. Only on the heaviest cotton blanket loads does it index and even then, it is very slight.



Post# 794261 , Reply# 20   11/16/2014 at 10:21 (3,420 days old) by camMURRAY22 (Savannah,Georgia)        
A golden oldie.

The older models wash better than the newer machines of today. The older work better too. Here's a pic:

Post# 794267 , Reply# 21   11/16/2014 at 10:50 (3,420 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

kenmoreguy89's profile picture
That's for sure camMURRAY22, I of course agree ......but why a pic of a fan?

Post# 794281 , Reply# 22   11/16/2014 at 12:08 (3,420 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia )        
Comments

ovrphil's profile picture
I love that SQ indexing, even if other non-indexing washers get clothes as clean. I can't imagine this idea not helping out with certain stains, dirt and fabric types/combinations. Anyways, thanks for posting the video - I learned something new.

Post# 794288 , Reply# 23   11/16/2014 at 13:38 (3,420 days old) by thefixer ()        

"No Washer manufacturer ever set out to design a washer tub that indexed during agitation"

So, your saying the Whirlpool VMW (DD replacement), whose tub indexes significantly due to the planetary gearing and no braking at all, is not designed to do that?


Post# 794314 , Reply# 24   11/16/2014 at 16:50 (3,420 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Clarification

mrb627's profile picture
I believe what he meant to say is that no manufacturer ever decided at the design phase to produce a machine that would positively index the tub. Of course, marketing research to determine if their was ever a manufacturer (WCI) proclaiming any benefit to a rotating wash action...

I always thought the indexing tub in the WCI machines helped take the strain of agitation off of the transmission. In an overloaded condition, I have seen those tubs really move...

Malcolm


Post# 794319 , Reply# 25   11/16/2014 at 17:24 (3,420 days old) by washman (o)        
The WCI

"stacker" that mom and dad had briefly in FL when they moved it indexed like a beast.
It also cleaned like an-about-to-be-fired maid. In other words, not well. They used it because, well it was there. But once it gave up the ghost, Dad got an Amanatag from Lowes. Along with an Amanatag gas dryer, that amazingly, still works!


Post# 794326 , Reply# 26   11/16/2014 at 18:01 (3,420 days old) by thefixer ()        

"I believe what he meant to say is that no manufacturer ever decided at the design phase to produce a machine that would positively index the tub."

Well, the tub in a VMW machine moves back and forth significantly during the wash cycle and it is obviously designed to do this. Whether you can call this indexing or not is a matter of semantics I guess. If we refer to indexing to mean a tub moving when it shouldn't be then I guess the term doesn't apply to the VMW as it clearly is supposed to rotate back and forth during the agitation cycle.


Post# 794377 , Reply# 27   11/16/2014 at 21:58 (3,420 days old) by camMURRAY22 (Savannah,Georgia)        
Pic of Galaxy Box Fan

Just to let you know that I love using the older stuff. I had that fan and my dryer since 1982. Me and my appliances are 32, the more you take care of your stuff the longer it lasts. Just like these Unimacs at my job in the laundry. Here's Big Troy:

Post# 794378 , Reply# 28   11/16/2014 at 22:01 (3,420 days old) by camMURRAY22 (Savannah,Georgia)        
The other 3:

washers Lil Troy, Rose, and Esther:

Post# 794721 , Reply# 29   11/18/2014 at 14:21 (3,418 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia )        

ovrphil's profile picture
I love that you name your dryers (and washers?).


Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy