Thread Number: 22403
HUGE DD KitchenAid "Mixer" sighting! 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 350727   5/22/2009 at 00:11 (5,450 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        

OK, so I had to grab your attention, thinking you would respond to an "off-topic" thread. Gocha! Hah. OK, so I actually found something that matches here quite well, although it probably aught to be listed in the classics. But since it was made in the early 1990's, we're still a few years off.

Although the KitchenAids share the same basic transmission and agitator designs as the Kenmores, they are a whole different animal. The strokes are considerably slower, and a bit longer than the typical direct drive top-loader one would pick up at Sears. The stroke frequency just a tad quicker than the GE Filter Flo, in fact. On spin, it will drain first, pause to engage, then spin at a slower RPM before ramping up to top speed on final.

As found, the whole inside cabinet, agitator, tub ring, and bleach dispenser was caked with old detergent. I spent the better part of 4 hours scrubbing off the residue. On the first test, I could not get it to fill, until I reversed hoses and found that only the HOT solenoid works, meaning that it will only fill on the hot/warm setting, negating the regular cycle but leaving the heavy cycle usable on the spigot. Easy fix. Another bug is the timber knob, which turns freely when pushed in. So, you guessed it. I need a valve job and timer work. But once that's all done, I shall have me a daily driver, bar none!

KitchenAids have appeared recently on Cragslist at about the same frequency as older GE Filter Flows. How long that can last is anybody's guess. In some instances, one of these gems can be had for a song. Mine being no exception, it was picked up freely for salvage due to the problems with the knob and filling. Destined to one day be a classic, I felt that this one would be worth saving. How many here would agree?

NorfolkSouthern




Post# 350728 , Reply# 1   5/22/2009 at 00:14 (5,450 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        
Follow the money...

 As per standard procedure:

NorfolkSouthern

Post# 350746 , Reply# 2   5/22/2009 at 06:51 (5,450 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
Didn't know they had a different stroke/speed...Always wondered why they came with the larger agitator on some models, and why kenmore/whirlpool never put the bigger base version in theirs....every DD I have ever owned I installed this agitator for better agitation.

Post# 350748 , Reply# 3   5/22/2009 at 07:07 (5,450 days old) by supremewhirlpol ()        

Now only if you had the electronic version with the lid insert! That would be worth keeping. I can't remember if it has a VFD screen though. The blueish-green agitator you don't see everyday, let alone early 90's KitchenAids. I'd say yes, it's worth keeping. UNTIL, you find the electronic version with the lid insert. But that's just my opinion though.

Post# 350768 , Reply# 4   5/22/2009 at 10:06 (5,449 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        

Can you upload a photo of the electronic version with the lid insert? I don't think I've ever seen or heard of one. I do know that Gansky1 has a KitchenAid with the Rapid-Advance control panel, which would be are highly desirable, if you could even find one.

NorfolkSouthern

Post# 350787 , Reply# 5   5/22/2009 at 11:53 (5,449 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        
different agitator/slower speeds

 laundromat's profile picture
If I remember corectly,the major difference between the Kitchenaid and Whirlpool washers is that the agitator on the Kitchenaid has a broader base that causes more turbulance and more roll-over.That is why their agitation speeds are slower than the W'pools.If one was to place a K'aid agitator in a W'pool washer,they'd be sure to get some serious issues regarding fabric tare.

Post# 350793 , Reply# 6   5/22/2009 at 12:53 (5,449 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
Most of these KA machines (after the initial model releases) have a 3-speed motor. High agitation runs at the medium motor speed, not high motor speed, so that makes for the slower agitation. The stroke arc is the same as any other direct-drive machine, they all use the same transmission gearing. KA uses a larger-diameter base (there's a ring of perfs in bottom of the basket under the agitator that are typically visible on a KM or WH DD), so the agitator effectively moves a slightly longer distance on each stroke.

This looks to be the same model my parents have, KAWE670BAL. If so, it should be about 15 years old, theirs was bought summer 1994.

I have a KAWE760WAL bought in 1991. Perm Press final spin on it progresses through all three motor speeds.

Post# 350815 , Reply# 7   5/22/2009 at 15:38 (5,449 days old) by iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        
COOL Mixer!!!

 iheartmaytag's profile picture
How many pounds of dough do you think you can mix in one batch? Cant beat that center mount dough hook, may not be as good as the planatary action. . .

I bet it will hold at least 25lbs of flour.

Post# 350820 , Reply# 8   5/22/2009 at 16:48 (5,449 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        
Mine's a KEWE670BWHO

 Close enough, anyway. And again, it does need some work. Besides the knob that turns freely when pushed in, the clear plastic that covered the dial was busted away, so I need to find that part. Oh, and I found a chip on the bottom of the white porcelain tub. And what else? Oops, I forgot the missing rubber bumpers on the lid! I think I already covered the water inlet valves. If anybody has this stuff on hand, I'm all ears!

The poor thing must have suffered a lot of abuse. It really needed a good home where it could be fixed, used, and cared for properly. I didn't go looking, really. Instead, it somehow found me and moved in as if it were another stray CAT. But it has good manners and appears to be house broke, so I sure can't complain!

NorfolkSouthern

Post# 350897 , Reply# 9   5/23/2009 at 00:04 (5,449 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas)        

The inside shot of your KA washer is identical to my 93' Whirlpool Electronic Control Washer. When we were looking for a washer we did see a few KA models and most looked exactly like the WP we ended up with.

Post# 351654 , Reply# 10   5/25/2009 at 22:34 (5,446 days old) by amyswasher ()        
softener dispenser

 how did you clean the inside of the fabric softener dispenser? I have a whirlpool washer and found out that the dispenser popout of the agitator(look almost like the in the picture). Does the dispenser itself come apart. I replaced the dog agits two years ago and couldn't believe what I found(it was creapy). Is there any way to clean it out?

Post# 351681 , Reply# 11   5/25/2009 at 23:45 (5,446 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        
Softener dispenser, correct model number: KAWE670BWHO

 You can remove the fabric softener dispenser, but it won't come apart. Your only option would be to keep running water through it until it runs clear. I would run water in mine, then slosh it around vigorously, then spin it around to empty. Keep repeating until it comes out as clean as it can get.

Let me correct myself on the model number, which I fixed above in red. I ran into another problem today, and that is its habit of slamming into spin when it should neutral drain. I remembered this after the fabric softener dispenser issue came up. I decided to not use mine until I can somehow get the spin problem solved. Both of my direct drive portables did the same thing. Wouldn't you know!

Shall I ask: Is there an experienced shredmore mechanic who can give me some ideas?

NorfolkSouthern

Post# 351852 , Reply# 12   5/26/2009 at 10:43 (5,445 days old) by jaytag (Atlanta)        
KA experiences

 I have a 1993 Superba in a rental house that has served well and it has the 3 speed which I have never had a problem with fabric care, definitely better than a shredmore. When I moved to Ga, I picked up a 1998 Superba set in 2007 which lasted 6 mos, dryer caught on fire and washer motor froze up. I then got another KA washer and it junked out and have a friend with a KA dryer and it shot craps too. Seems as the newer units where made cheaper. In my opinion.


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