From What I Understand...

Front loading washing machines have always been more expensive to design and build than top loaders. The fact you are suspending twenty or more pounds of laundry (take the rated dry amount of laundry and multiply it by two or so to get what it weighs wet), for three or more cycles, times several per day or week, and you begin to see the stresses.

The above is one reason American shores rarely saw front loaders until recently; top loading washers are cheaper and easier to build.

Being as all this may, in order to bring costs down, something had to give with front loaders, and we see those results today. Even Miele made some changes to be competitive in the USA market, especially once there weren't the only front loaders around.

Look at the cost of the smallest capacity commercial/laundromat front loader, versus those sold for domestic use. IIRC, the cheapest Wascomat starts out at around 4K or so. However for that one gets a washer that will easily stand up to laundromat abuse for many, many years. Such machines are also designed to be repaired, even torn down, rebuilt and still keep on going for years.

Think it is a sin and shame that washing machines, both top and front loading are being sold today with average lifespans of five years.


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Post# 416331 2/17/2010 at 13:43 (5,180 days old) by aaronfitzy (Pennsylvania)
Checkrate/Likes when my spider arm rots and breaks into pieces in 5 or so years on my new Duet, I will be able to buy just the spider, and not the whole tub assembly. Unless I'm looking at the diagram wrong? Here's a link to Sears Parts Direct... CLICK HERE TO GO TO aaronfitzy's LINK

Post# 416345 , Reply# 1 2/17/2010 at 14:42 (5,180 days old) by iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes *Yes, but. . .* If the bearing goes, you have to buy the entire outer tub $169.99. Sounds like you are in the same boat I am, just pray it doesn't happen.

Post# 416360 , Reply# 2 2/17/2010 at 15:20 (5,180 days old) by aaronfitzy (Pennsylvania)
Checkrate/Likes *ok...* Yeah, I knew about the bearings. But from what I've read, you couldn't buy just the spider assembly on earlier models, you had to buy the whole tub. I'm hoping for AT LEAST 6-7 yrs on the bearings. We do a load of laundry about every other day, so its not being used that much...until eventually little ones show up! Aaron

Post# 416377 , Reply# 3 2/17/2010 at 16:09 (5,180 days old) by iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes "Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you." That's what my Dad always said. Don't over bleach, oversuds, or overload. Keep it dry when not in use, leave the door open. Buy a surge protector for the plug. You won't get 30 years out of it like Mom's Maytag.

Post# 416400 , Reply# 4 2/17/2010 at 18:12 (5,180 days old) by aaronfitzy (Pennsylvania)
Checkrate/Likes *very true...* I do take care of my machine...and everything that I own. I'm pretty anal about preventative maintenance on just about everything...lol. And BTW, my mom has never owned one Maytag...she's ALWAYS had Whirlpool/Kenmore products. She had her old belt drive Kenmore washer and Kenmore gas dryer from 1982 until last year. She had decided that she wanted something newer with bigger capacities. I think she gave away the old set for free..nothing wrong with them at all! I remember my dad doing belt changes on the washer/dryer a couple times growing up. My dad has taught me everything I know today..which I hope is alot..lol. Aaron

Post# 416422 , Reply# 5 2/17/2010 at 19:18 (5,180 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes Front loading washing machines have always been more expensive to design and build than top loaders. The fact you are suspending twenty or more pounds of laundry (take the rated dry amount of laundry and multiply it by two or so to get what it weighs wet), for three or more cycles, times several per day or week, and you begin to see the stresses. The above is one reason American shores rarely saw front loaders until recently; top loading washers are cheaper and easier to build. Being as all this may, in order to bring costs down, something had to give with front loaders, and we see those results today. Even Miele made some changes to be competitive in the USA market, especially once there weren't the only front loaders around. Look at the cost of the smallest capacity commercial/laundromat front loader, versus those sold for domestic use. IIRC, the cheapest Wascomat starts out at around 4K or so. However for that one gets a washer that will easily stand up to laundromat abuse for many, many years. Such machines are also designed to be repaired, even torn down, rebuilt and still keep on going for years. Think it is a sin and shame that washing machines, both top and front loading are being sold today with average lifespans of five years.