Thread Number: 17646
Difference between Kenmore Rotoswirl and Pentaswirl? |
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Post# 288543 , Reply# 2   7/3/2008 at 22:48 (5,444 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)   |   | |
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Here is a link to another archived thread full of Kenmore agitator pictures. This one has most, if not all of the agitator types that have been featured in Kenmores over the years. Quite fun to look at. Have a good one, James CLICK HERE TO GO TO 70series's LINK |
Post# 288556 , Reply# 4   7/4/2008 at 01:18 (5,444 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)   |   | |
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I would have to agree with you on that. However I am no expert when it comes to mechanics, but since I have never seen a Rotoswirl in a Speed Queen, I doubt it would work. But I could be wrong. Have a good one, James |
Post# 288566 , Reply# 5   7/4/2008 at 04:33 (5,444 days old) by kenmoreguy64 ![]() |
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I'm trying to think when the last Lady K was made that had a Roto-Swirl. I'm wondering if it was 1964? I know the 65s and 66s had the Roto-Flex, and I know by 1970 or so they'd gone to the Vari-Flex. I don't think I've seen a '67 to '69 Lady, so I don't know about those models. I do know that the last Standard Capacity Lady was the '72 model with Vari-Flex and that there wasn't specifically a '73 model, as the '72 continued until '74 when the large capacity model debuted with the Penta-Swirl. There wasn't a specific '75 model either (they just kept selling the '74) and the '76 was the new black panel model with the Dual Action just as James said. So, thinking about it, there may not have been a Roto-Swirl Lady since the mid-60s and there was only one Penta-Swirl Lady. Both surprise me a bit. James' facts are right on...the Penta-Swirl continued in MOL 60 and 70-series machines until the end of the 1980 models. When the tubs and baskets were redesigned in 1981, the line was simplified to Penta Vanes and Dual Actions in the large machines. The last Roto-Swirls for home use were the 1980 models too, as these were the last home-use 29-inch standard tub models for Kenmore in belt drive form, though there were some 24-inch for a couple years longer. They went direct drive after that. Kenmore retained the standard tub and Roto-Swirl into the later 80s for coin-op machines, and Whirlpool had standard belt-drives across the board until the end of the line, though they weren't common sellers. Interesting question Jeff, thanks! |
Post# 288569 , Reply# 6   7/4/2008 at 05:17 (5,444 days old) by jeffg ()   |   | |
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Gordon, thanks for the info. Very helpful! |
Post# 288947 , Reply# 11   7/6/2008 at 09:31 (5,441 days old) by kenmoreguy64 ![]() |
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I think the term "pregnant" is simply one of those many fantastic AW.org creations, at least it's not a WP official term. Recently I was scavenging parts from sales and repair guy who has been in his location for over 30 years. I saw a dusty old black roto-swirl and I said "Oh it's been a long while since I saw a pregnant roto-swirl at a parts shop!" He said "WHAT?!?!, you know, there are a lot of parts I'd rather have to multiply here than a dern agitator!". From there I had to explain the name.... In case of the two Roto-Swirls, the originals were called just that, and the newer slim version was indeed the "Super". This was even molded into the bottom of the agitator along the outer rim. When the agitator was changed from drive-block bakelite to splined polypropylene, the name remained on the outer rim. I'd have to guess that the Super Roto-Swirl was one of the longest lived agitators out there...used in production machines from 1963 to 1987 unchanged other than in color. I haven't witnessed a 'pregnant' version in operation since 1974, though I worked on many machines in the 90s with the super. For a while when I was a little kid, my mom's '61 Kenmore was the only machine I knew of that had the "fat" version - three or four friend's moms has the supers and I was sure they had cleaner laundry than we did! I'm currently looking for a white Super version. If anyone knows where I can put my hands on one, please let me know! Have a great Sunday everyone! Gordon |