Thread Number: 50757
A Front Loader That Can Actually Balance a Heavy Load?
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Post# 730210   1/24/2014 at 16:36 (3,715 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Is there such a thing?

 

I'm seriously aggravated by my Affinity's anal approach to balancing before final spin.  I currently have two rubber-backed bathroom rugs in it, and after trying for upwards of 15 minutes, it simply gave up and was ready to render me a sopping wet mess as the finished product.

 

I watched boot movement and there were numerous opportunities to kick into high speed, but the machine is either too lame or too particular (I say both) to recognize them.  It won't even rotate fast enough to get the rugs sticking to the sides.  Washing one at a time would only be worse, which is why I threw two in there.

 

Yes, the load is heavy, but if the machine would simply take advantage of an adequately balanced load and go into medium spin to extract more water, which is standard operating procedure, it would have an excellent chance of successfully completing a final high speed spin cycle.

 

I am so ready to dump this machine in favor of something that recognizes a balanced load and takes proper advantage.

 

Any suggestions?





Post# 730215 , Reply# 1   1/24/2014 at 16:43 (3,715 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Have Not Done Heavy Loads In The AEG

launderess's profile picture
However for the Miele have long given up doing thick cotton blankets and such. Big Bertha seems always to get things into a ball, then starts spinning with a clang and bang. Now just take the darn thing out and put it through the mangle. Once that is done back it goes and the fun starts all over again. If Miele won't do a final spin without becoming off balance just take the thing out and put it through the mangle and be done.

Post# 730247 , Reply# 2   1/24/2014 at 18:17 (3,715 days old) by frontloaderfan (Merrimac valley, MA)        
Affinity

frontloaderfan's profile picture
I also have an Affinity front loader (2012). They do seem very picky about when they spin. I also have rubber-backed bathroom rugs and I find just washing the two of them leads only to frustration, which is why I actually bought another set of cotton bath rugs to wash along with them (I change them out between washes). The machine does much better washing five rugs that just two, even though they soak up a lot of water. I use the bulky setting for this. As long as I wash all the rugs at once, the machine spins them as it should and I don't have any problems with it.

Another reason why the machine used to be even pickier about spinning was the fact that it uses so little water that the clothes become tangled and it can't spread them out over the entire drum as it should in order to balance the load. After I "modified" the water level sensor, it has an easier time of spinning the clothes.


Post# 730269 , Reply# 3   1/24/2014 at 19:51 (3,715 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Mine doesn't have a bulky cycle, but I may have to look up the water level increase instructions if I can find them here.


Post# 730270 , Reply# 4   1/24/2014 at 19:59 (3,715 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
A FL Washer That Almost Aways Gets Thing Done

combo52's profile picture
Speed Queen, In nine years I have never had a load come out not the least bit wet.

Ralph, You may want to try washing three rugs in your Frigidaire, I wash anywhere from 2-5 rugs in my SQ and never have a problem.


Post# 730293 , Reply# 5   1/24/2014 at 22:22 (3,715 days old) by washer111 ()        

Our Miele (Computerised) handles the bulky loads just fine. It does decrease the spin for "serious offenders," and has not spun at all for a load with one small bathmat.

What it does do with really wet loads is spin up too quickly, overloading the pump. It sometimes thinks it has suds lock, so it stops, flushes water and goes again just fine usually.


Post# 730300 , Reply# 6   1/24/2014 at 23:29 (3,715 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        
neptune handles it

I have been impressed with some of the heavy,out-of-balance loads my '98 Neptune 3000 has been able to handle :)

Post# 730307 , Reply# 7   1/25/2014 at 01:44 (3,715 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

My machine will also run a lower speed spin for "serious offenders" and that's why I couldn't understand why it wouldn't do that today.  It had many opportunities the way I saw it.

 

I'll try John's idea and throw another rug in there next time.

 

I've heard that SQ front loaders are the best thing out there, but they come at a steep price. 

 

Considering that droughts like the one we're in the middle of currently may become more frequent as a result of climate change, I don't think I can seriously entertain the idea of going back to a top loader for a daily driver.


Post# 730309 , Reply# 8   1/25/2014 at 02:01 (3,715 days old) by hooverzodiac12 (Melbourne, Australia)        
ASKO!

hooverzodiac12's profile picture
Hey guys, my Asko was amazing at big heavy loads sometime unbalanced but as a 6kg machine it always took and spun out 8kg loads day in day out without an issue

Post# 730315 , Reply# 9   1/25/2014 at 03:11 (3,715 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        

laundromat's profile picture
When you wash small loads or just a few items, you need to put extra items like bath towels in to assure the load will balance properly. Most of the use and care guides supplied with front loading washers tell you not to wash smaller loads with just a few items because they won't balance causing the machines not to spin. Yes,some models are a bit more sensitive then others but,none the less,if its only a few pieces that cant be evenly distributed or so many items especially bulky ones like king size bedspreads,there isn't enough space for them to distribute in tumbling and can't be tumbled properly enough causing the heavier part to block any movement to redistribute and finally go into the spin.

Post# 730317 , Reply# 10   1/25/2014 at 03:29 (3,715 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

I'm aware of the issues front loaders have with small loads/single items, but the subject rugs were fairly large so I thought two of them would be fine, and that any more would be too heavy.  I think what may have caused the problem is that they were not made by the same manufacturer, and one did seem to retain water more than the other.

 

This still doesn't give the machine a pass.  They should have named it Affinicky. 

 

The machine spins out large single items better than most mixed loads.  King sized mattress pads or blankets are so large that they cover the entire surface of the drum, including the rear, so there's never a balancing act with those, nor does the machine shake much because the load is so well balanced.


Post# 730324 , Reply# 11   1/25/2014 at 05:26 (3,715 days old) by roscoe62 (Canada)        
My duet can be just the same

and not just with small loads, but worse at times with larger loads consisting of jeans or sheets, we're talking one cocked up tangled mess, not pretty.
Good Luck :)


Post# 730328 , Reply# 12   1/25/2014 at 06:48 (3,715 days old) by logixx (Germany)        

logixx's profile picture

Same here with jeans. Loads of darks can take their sweet time to balance, while large and heavy loads of towels are ususlly fine. I don't think mine is quite as sensitively programmed as the US ones, though, and has a stiffer suspension as well.


Post# 730329 , Reply# 13   1/25/2014 at 07:06 (3,715 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
Having used numerous fl's

ozzie908's profile picture
the only two I have had issues with balancing were both 8kg or above load washers and I noticed that LG was horrendous for tangling everything so that it would never balance to spin the other was a Hotpoint Aqualtis that would take forever to balance a load and it was very frustrating due to looking like it had got it sorted then it would re-distribute and make it worse!! Dumb machine....

On reflection I realise both are at the mid range of the market so were not as robust as others.

Austin


Post# 730347 , Reply# 14   1/25/2014 at 09:50 (3,714 days old) by aamassther (Hendersonville, NC )        

aamassther's profile picture
I know what you mean about the spin being finicky on the Affinity! The countdown on the display can stuck at "6" for 10 minutes. I learned with the Bosch Nexxt, which was even more anal, that if I set the spin speed to Medium it will spin. Then, if need be while still in the machine, I reset it to a higher spin speed. The balancing doesn't seem to be as picky when it's set for a lower spin speed.

Post# 730349 , Reply# 15   1/25/2014 at 10:26 (3,714 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
in my Frigidaires, all loads use to be 'affinicky'(love that term Ralph), and like others here have said, of a 12 minute spin, most of it playing around, lucky to get 2 minutes out of it......once the water level was increased, it now jumps right into high speed....so much better.....

say what you will, but of course the Neptunes never have issues with spinning and balancing....not that I did not experience a few, but you soon learn to adapt, an exmaple is pillows, it just does better with 4 rather than 2....

as for bathmats, and considering size/bulk, certain loads may just have to be adapted to wash with a few other items...

word of caution, carmats, although I have washed them many times in the Neptune, and it took once for it to go haywire and screw up the interior.....since then, certain things are best left to the laundromat..hate to say it, but if their machine gets messed up, not my problem....


most sales gimmicks, like buying FourWheelDrive, people are pushed into believing a FL for home use of bulky items is the same as a commercial unit at a laundromat...not always the case


Post# 730370 , Reply# 16   1/25/2014 at 11:33 (3,714 days old) by retropia ()        

I've not noticed any unwilling-to-spin issues with either of our Kenmore-by-Frigidaire-by-Electrolux front-loaders. Of course, they are smaller capacity than newer machines; I believe they only hold 2.7 cubic feet.

I am able to wash a queen-sized comforter in it, as well as throw rugs. Typically I will wash a large throw rug, say 32" x 50", with a couple of smaller ones at the same time.


Post# 730395 , Reply# 17   1/25/2014 at 13:08 (3,714 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

I'll give the medium spin speed trick a try next time.  That may be the best solution.

 

Increasing the water level may not be the best route since we're currently on voluntary 20% reductions in water use, which could easily become mandatory if things continue to get worse.  Word is out that by this time next week, we could be getting some wet systems coming through, which means those east of the Rockies will finally catch a break from the weather shenanigans they've been dealing with lately.

 

One thing I've found about the digital readout sitting there reading 2 minutes remaining for more like 10 is if you hit pause or cancel, it will start up again with more time on the clock.  Not that it helps anything.  What really irks me is that if you hit cancel during the spin cycle, the door remains locked and there's no tricking it into unlocking and allowing for an intervention.

 

If anybody knows how to conquer this do-no-enter arrangement, please advise.


Post# 730434 , Reply# 18   1/25/2014 at 15:31 (3,714 days old) by robliverpool (england Liverpool)        

robliverpool's profile picture
I know a lot of people knock Beko washing machines.... I'm guilty of it in the past but I have a mid range machine and it's great with spinning awkward loads no messing about it just does it.

Post# 730443 , Reply# 19   1/25/2014 at 15:53 (3,714 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)        

Our Electrolux IQ is also very picky about balancing. But, as in a former post, I have watched it re-balance perfectly balanced loads that show no eccentric motion at all when sped up enough to adhere to the sides of the drum. Often it will slow down, rebalance, and accept a less-than-perfect distribution of clothes and then ramp up into a vibrating spin. Although this makes for a nice massage for me, I often have wondered why it couldn't detect the good distribution.

Post# 730449 , Reply# 20   1/25/2014 at 16:05 (3,714 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
The only load my Speed Queen will fail on

jetcone's profile picture

is the "Deadly Dr. Frigidaire Sweatshirt Load®".

 

I haven't yet found a machine top nor front that can pass that test.

 

A single XXL sweatshirt.

 

But saying that, that is the ONLY load my Speed Queen won't complete.

 


Post# 730472 , Reply# 21   1/25/2014 at 16:52 (3,714 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

This is why a top loader or a spinner should be a part of a complete laundry equipment line up. I have had to resue a few hopeless loads from a front loader and plop them in one of the Maytags to give them a spin.

Post# 730474 , Reply# 22   1/25/2014 at 17:13 (3,714 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

The scenario EuGene described is another of the aggravating situations I have witnessed many times.  Makes absolutely no sense to me why the machine would want to re-balance a near-perfectly balanced load, only to mess it up and then go into spin with a the load not balanced as well as it was before the idiot machine felt the need to "correct" it.

 

I'm with Tom.  I'd like to have some kind of spinner option for occasions when the front loader exhibits its often spastic behavior.  I could cram one rug at a time into an Easy and spin the hell out of it.


Post# 730479 , Reply# 23   1/25/2014 at 17:35 (3,714 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

Or even a Spinex.

Post# 730489 , Reply# 24   1/25/2014 at 17:44 (3,714 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
The Miele Does This

launderess's profile picture
there are three graduated/pulse spins before the final main spin for normal cycles, and I swear it drives me up the wall when a load that is balanced for say the first becomes a banging clanging mess at the second or third.

This is one reason one has grown to love the AEG. Since the thing is totally computer controlled it will vary the drum movements and such to get loads near perfectly balanced. Once it senses that has happened it will go right into spin. It is a marvel sometimes to watch the AEG slowly lift and drop a wash load in the drum in order to break up and "clumps".


Post# 730502 , Reply# 25   1/25/2014 at 18:46 (3,714 days old) by electronicontrl (Grand Rapids, MI)        
What size rugs?

electronicontrl's profile picture
You say 2 rubber backed bath rugs? What size? I assume there is still room left to spare?
My Neptune MAH4000 handles unbalanced quite well. I can wash 4 large kitchen cotton rugs and the machine performs marvelously. Also I remember at one time having a 3' x 5' cotton rug with a hard backing. It was pastel color and would show dirt easily. I would fold it up like an accordion and then shape it into a "Letter S" to cram it in the Neptune. It came out clean and damp dry. The Neptune has been a great performer.


Post# 730521 , Reply# 26   1/25/2014 at 20:34 (3,714 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Two rugs, both around 36" x 24" or thereabouts.


Post# 730532 , Reply# 27   1/25/2014 at 21:04 (3,714 days old) by jerrod6 (Southeastern Pennsylvania)        

Don't have too much trouble with my Miele 1986 with its computerized control of the spin(and I guess everything else). The only time I've seen a problem in the 11 years I have had it was one time after the wash with a bathroom rug. It failed to get the balance it wanted, so instead of continuing to try to spin it added an extra rinse instead. All the other spins after that first try were fine.



Post# 730583 , Reply# 28   1/26/2014 at 02:56 (3,714 days old) by Haxisfan (Europe - UK / Italy)        
I would've thought heavy is fine...

haxisfan's profile picture
I've never experienced any issues of the sort with my 6kg Hoover front loader, it usually mangages to balance any load reasonably, but if it can't, after several attempts, it reduces the speed of the spin cycle, yet yielding good results in wringing out the laundry, thanks to the long final spin sequence.

Having said that, ever since I welcomed an 8kg Hoover front load washer in my household, I learned that such issues do exist, but only with ultra light loads. I guess every washer has to be considered separately and indipendently from the brand. It seems to me that balancing might be more tricky in a bigger capacity tub.


Post# 730616 , Reply# 29   1/26/2014 at 07:38 (3,714 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
ooooo Launderess

jetcone's profile picture

can you post a picture of the beloved AEG for us??

 

Inquiring minds want to know.

 


Post# 730773 , Reply# 30   1/26/2014 at 19:41 (3,713 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Jet

launderess's profile picture
You've seen pics of the AEG set haven't you? Did several threads when they arrived.

If you didn't just say the word and will repost links.

L.


Post# 730874 , Reply# 31   1/27/2014 at 06:52 (3,713 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Commercial

mrb627's profile picture
Wasn't there a TV Commercial where the yellow pages was used to show a top load machine spin up to speed without banging or tripping an off balance sensor?

We need all FL manufacturers to step up to the plate on that one...

Malcolm


Post# 730887 , Reply# 32   1/27/2014 at 07:45 (3,713 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Spinning With A Phone Book

combo52's profile picture
GEs new TLers [ 1994on ] could do this easily [ yes even with plastic tubs and those thin suspension rods ] Problem is newer FL and TL washers spin much faster than the old 500-650 range most older TL and FL washers spun at.

FL washers have and always be at a disadvantage when it comes to balancing a load when compared to a TL washer with a good neutral drain, guess this is why you will never see an extractor that is front loading, LOL.

John L.


Post# 730899 , Reply# 33   1/27/2014 at 08:38 (3,713 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))        
Malcolm

whirlykenmore78's profile picture

I think that commercial was for Maytag.

WK78


Post# 730925 , Reply# 34   1/27/2014 at 09:47 (3,712 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Thinking About It

mrb627's profile picture
I recall it was an Amana Commercial, possibly...

Malcolm


Post# 730932 , Reply# 35   1/27/2014 at 10:58 (3,712 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

You know, I never had this problem with the big Duet we had at the other house.  I really, really wish that machine wasn't too large to fit in the laundry room where we live now.  It was infinitely superior to the Fux in every way.

 

I've read enough here about a tilted tub (as the Duets use) being no more capable than a perfectly horizontal tub (like Fux uses) at balancing, but my experience says otherwise.


Post# 730947 , Reply# 36   1/27/2014 at 12:02 (3,712 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Tilted Drum Machines

mrb627's profile picture
Maybe the larger machines with a tilted wash tub have an advantage when dealing with smaller loads. I guess it would make sense to collect the vast majority of the load at the back/base of the tub.

The Whirlpool Duet that I had years ago used to fart around with balancing before the final spin, but I don't recall it giving up and shutting off.

Malcolm


Post# 730949 , Reply# 37   1/27/2014 at 12:19 (3,712 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        
Panasonic...

Never shuts off!
But it takes up to an hour to spin!
2 Things cause this:
1. Weak dampers (have to wait a bit still, but they will be exchanged in a year or so, at least within the first 2 years of the warranty)!
2. The drum design: I know, big washers are known to tangel, but this washer really is designed to tangle! As you may have seen on one of my videos, the paddles get smaller and thinner and less broad towards the front of the tub. This causes a really effective and good performing, hence verry tangling movement of the clothes from back to front on the outside and back to the back in the center of the tub (pretty much as fast as a bad roolover in a TL machine). If you now have big (jeans are perfect because they are more stiff than towels, but towels do this either) and small items mixed, they ball up into a clupm of clothing. But on the other hand, this movements boosts the cleaningpower (espacially on delicates, the clothes swim from the front to the back and the other way arround again and again) and helps rinsing and scrubbing!


Post# 730951 , Reply# 38   1/27/2014 at 12:23 (3,712 days old) by whitetub (Montreal, Canada)        

When I wash my bath mats (3 of them), I always put in two or three bath towels, and I don't have any problem spinning.



Post# 730961 , Reply# 39   1/27/2014 at 13:13 (3,712 days old) by logixx (Germany)        

logixx's profile picture

I washed my Eastpak shoulderbag today. During the final spin, the tub swung almost an inch to each side but because I had the spin set to Low, the washer didn't care. I don't think it would have worked had I set the spin to Max.


Post# 730978 , Reply# 40   1/27/2014 at 14:41 (3,712 days old) by joe_in_philly (Philadelphia, PA, USA)        

joe_in_philly's profile picture
My Kenmore HE3t has more stringent balance criteria for the high and extra high spin speeds than it does for lower speeds. Although it doesn't happen very often, if it is having a hard time properly balancing a load, I change the spin speed to medium and let it spin a minute or two. I then pause the cycle and switch it to a higher speed. It does need to rebalance, but since more water has been removed from the load, it is able to achieve balance more quickly.

If it can't achieve a proper balance after many tries, it will reduce the final spin speed. I can't recall it ever aborting the final spin completely.


Post# 730992 , Reply# 41   1/27/2014 at 16:04 (3,712 days old) by suds (Brisbane, Australia)        
Laundress..

suds's profile picture
..the AEG's (older and newer) seem to have distribution sorted. I thought I would try something this weekend as in the 15 months of ownership I have yet to have the sides banged or spin cancellation. So I laundered a single down filled bed pillow on the duvet cycle which only has an 800rpm final spin which was fine, distribution and ramping up to final speed took a little over 3mins. I then selected a 1600rpm separate spin - distribution and ramp up took just under 3 minutes - there was some vibration obviously but nothing vicious altogether - hassle free! During distribution she always seem to manage "splitting" the load that it hangs across the drum before she then speeds up, I have noticed this repeatedly with single / larger items as once that happens then final max spin commences.

:)


Post# 731027 , Reply# 42   1/27/2014 at 18:09 (3,712 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
When You Look At Suspension Systems For Say Older

launderess's profile picture
Front loaders such as my Miele 1070 vs the AEG Lavamat at first was shocked at how "cheap" the latter's shock absorbers seemed. then it dawned upon me how it could be so.

The Miele only having a limited amount of electronic controls will spin even the the most unbalanced loads. It will bang, clang, vibrate and whatever but never the less the thing will spin. Thus a very strong suspension system is required IMHO to somewhat control the movements of the tub and deal with those forces.

AEG takes a different approach. Since the motor and other functions are deeply controlled by computer in theory severely unbalanced loads should not be a problem. Either the machine will reduce spin speeds if it cannot get things properly balanced, or won't spin at all. Either way the tub shouldn't have to deal with the same forces as the Miele.



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