Thread Number: 68865  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Maytag ID?
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Post# 916575   1/20/2017 at 14:01 (2,651 days old) by Judyk (MIDDLETOWN)        

Can someone identify this machine and if it's any good. I'm wondering how old it is and if it's any good. Thanks

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Post# 916578 , Reply# 1   1/20/2017 at 14:08 (2,651 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts)        

super32's profile picture
Looks like an A482.

Post# 916579 , Reply# 2   1/20/2017 at 14:12 (2,651 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Generally....

mrb627's profile picture


These are very highly regarded machines.
Easy to repair and last a long time.
A guess would be 1980-1984ish...
Someone better in the know can confirm.

Malcolm


Post# 916580 , Reply# 3   1/20/2017 at 14:13 (2,651 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Probably early '80s.  I don't know the model number, but there are no buttons for speed options so it's probably not equivalent to an 806 in that regard.  I presume wash and spin speeds would be determined by the cycle selection, and couldn't be changed -- if it's even a two-speed machine.

 

The experts here will be able to give more detailed information on model number and performance.


Post# 916582 , Reply# 4   1/20/2017 at 14:26 (2,651 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
That is the same model but slightly newer than my 1984 LA511. It is a extra large capacity single speed Fabric-Matic. Probably one of the best ones you will find, a real workhorse that will last forever. Only repair ever needed on mine in 33 years was a new motor coupling.

Post# 916583 , Reply# 5   1/20/2017 at 14:36 (2,651 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture
This is a FabriMatic. One speed.

Delicate/Knit/PP are intermittent agitate then pause.

This was Maytag's answer to Delicate without using a 2 speed motor

I had a set almost exactly like this and regret selling them. They were from a summer home on the Cape and were only used 4 months a year.

It would be worth your while to look at the set I posted in your other thread that's on the Cape.

These are almost indestructible and parts are still available. If I had the room to store a set, I would scoop these.

It would be roughly 3 hours one way to score a nice set. You can always get a 806 when it comes around. But these are nice...

capecod.craigslist.org/app/59650...


Post# 916617 , Reply# 6   1/20/2017 at 17:41 (2,651 days old) by JudyK (MIDDLETOWN)        

Toploader 55, Do you know the dimension (width) on these? I would like to get them, but I have to think about it - I'll need to find a truck, then help...Thanks!

Post# 916627 , Reply# 7   1/20/2017 at 18:13 (2,651 days old) by vintagekenmore (Spokane, Washington)        

JudyK if you can or are able, look on top of the control panel, the model number and serial number are located up there...that is almost identical to my A412 except mine is not a Fabric Matic and my timer dial is shaded differently than this one. If you can score this...DO IT........I love mine, I wouldnt get rid of it for anything!!

Post# 916630 , Reply# 8   1/20/2017 at 18:47 (2,651 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
They are 28 1/2" on dryer and 25 1/2" width on washer. Depth is 25 1/2". Get them if you can and hopefully you will be just as satisfied as I am after all these years.

Post# 916635 , Reply# 9   1/20/2017 at 19:56 (2,651 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

kenmore71's profile picture
1984-1990. A482. Contractor model.

Post# 916638 , Reply# 10   1/20/2017 at 20:27 (2,651 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
The 5 starting the model number always meant Fabric-Matic in these years with a delicate intermittent cycle one speed motor. Higher the start of the model number meant 2 speed and more buttons to push. But all the same design from cheapest to the absolute best. They used to be the same build the entire line, unfortunately not now.

Post# 916640 , Reply# 11   1/20/2017 at 20:44 (2,651 days old) by JudyK (MIDDLETOWN)        

TopLoader55,

Thanks for the link again. I'm still getting my bearings with washers/dryers. I've had BAD luck with digital ones, as my friend did too. I tried finding an older one, but it's hard and not knowing the different models.

I wrote to the woman, and this is what she replied: "They were in the house when we bought it. They are app. 20 yrs old but previous owners were snowbirds. We have replaced the heating unit in the dryer. Have not had any trouble with washer. "

I have to figure out a way to get a truck, and some help on this end, so I've got to noodle on it a bit. If anyone on here lives in MA and wants to make an extra $100 for delivery, let me know. Its anywhere between a 2-1/2 or 3 hour ride each way.


Post# 916641 , Reply# 12   1/20/2017 at 20:56 (2,651 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Great washers------- right up until the Orbital's arrived in the early 90's with the modified Power-Fin.
I was not too impressed with the combination of limited rollover and a 90 second rinse. When rinsing a full load in an Extra-Capacity machine, the clothes rarely had a chance to roll once. Never had a problem with the standard Power-Fin.
Personally, I would not consider an Orbital.

IMO unless you wash a lot of delicate items, you probably won't miss a Two-Speed. The Fabric-Matics were just fine.


Post# 916697 , Reply# 13   1/21/2017 at 05:49 (2,650 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Ibought a similar set

When my old Kenmores both died..You can bet the Tags will NOT be here long, the dryer is ok but very slow compared to the Kenmore , the washer is just like every Maytag I ever had any dealings with, it walks all over the place and nothing helps, I would GLADLY trade you my Maytag set for some old belt drive Kenmores.

Post# 916733 , Reply# 14   1/21/2017 at 10:20 (2,650 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Hans, if you guys are up for the drive these look pretty good:

www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/T...


Post# 916769 , Reply# 15   1/21/2017 at 14:30 (2,650 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        
Something doesn't seem right

rp2813's profile picture

Wow Hans, this is the first I've ever heard of a walking Maytag of this or CD vintage.   My experience has been that they weigh a ton and are hard to budge even when you want to move them.

 

I agree though, that belt drive Kenmores are capable and reliable machines and worth considering.


Post# 916791 , Reply# 16   1/21/2017 at 16:23 (2,650 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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She doesn't want to drive to Indiana, she sure ain't driving to Nebraska....


Post# 916832 , Reply# 17   1/21/2017 at 19:52 (2,650 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Maytags That Walk

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We get far more service calls every year on these good old two belt helical drive MTs because they walk than all other washers combined.

 

These washers are too narrow have no self-leveling feet and an unsophisticated suspension system, if it wasn't for fact that they were about the only washer built in the last 40 years that had a spin cut off switch these washers would have done more damage than the new exploding Samsung's.


Post# 916909 , Reply# 18   1/22/2017 at 09:52 (2,649 days old) by kenwashesmonday (Carlstadt, NJ)        

The only washers I've seen walk when properly leveled on a good solid floor were GE Filter-Flo washers. My Maytag A606 has never moved an inch.

Post# 916947 , Reply# 19   1/22/2017 at 14:28 (2,649 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Same here, Ken.  A GE FF a friend of mine had would walk as far as the water supply hoses would allow it to.  As I said above, even when I wanted to move my Maytag 206, it was hard to make it budge.


Post# 916955 , Reply# 20   1/22/2017 at 15:01 (2,649 days old) by beekeyknee (Columbia, MO)        

beekeyknee's profile picture
John,

When will you ever quit disseminating false information? I had one of these early shreadmores and my mother had one from the early '80. They were installed properly. I've known other people that have had them too. Same problems. Those self-leveling legs didn't work. They had to be greased and if the floor was very unlevel in the back, then you were out of luck. No auto shut off. Plastic outer tubs. Light weight. Always banging around. Noisy.

I will grant you, the early belt drive Kenmores were good machines. Locking legs, heavy, auto shutoff with buzzer and many other great features. The later ones - sorry, nothing. Couldn't even get the damn things apart w/o taking the whole cabinet off.

The Maytags I put in for myself, my mother and my nephew haven't moved an inch. Granted, they're not perfect machines but they don't dance all around, knock things over, end up in the middle of the floor and cause general mayhem.

I've always wondered why you dislike Maytag so much. Did they screw you over? Did you loose money on them? Did one of them pinch your finger? Or you got shocked?

Being a tech in the field, I'm sure you know that installing a machine back into some kind of little alcove or laundry closet is very hard to do, but self-leveling legs on the back of washers don't work well either. All least they don't on those late Kenmores. And other than the things mentioned above, just where does your loathing come from? Many, many of us would like to know, because frankly we're tired of hearing it (trust me I know because I've talked to many). Do you know that you run off members, especially paying members, just because of a personal vendetta or belief of yours? Isn't that self defeating and bad for the site? I don't agree with everything that's said on here, but I don't drone on about it for years, on one particular brand or one particular subject.

So, if you would like to do us all a favor, tone it way down (if you're capable)and explain yourself, if you care to, we would all greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

B.




This post was last edited 01/22/2017 at 16:27
Post# 917007 , Reply# 21   1/22/2017 at 19:38 (2,649 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        

combo52's profile picture

Brain, Wow, there is not a single word in my statement that is untrue or unfair.

 

Every year we get at least a 3 dozen calls for MTs that are walking all over the laundry room [ easily more than all other TL washer walking calls combined ], Yes most were not installed properly with the lock nuts tightened on all four feet, or the floor is very unlevel or other wise weak. And we spend a 1/2 hour leveling and tightening [ and prying those crappy hard rubber caps off the feet and reinstalling them ] the lock nuts and solve the problem in 75% of the cases [ except for all the MTs we have to condemn with totally shot dampers ].

 

Even my old bosses who were dyed in the wool MT guys always complained how much harder it was to get a MT washer to be stable than the older WP-KM 29" wide machines and always complained to MT about not having Self-Leveling legs.

 

Maytag Was The Only Company That Did Not Have Self-Leveling Legs on their TL washers, they were too cheap to spend the money to improve the machine. Even the Norgetag and the Amanatags had SLLs.

 

We do get calls occasionally on WP built DD washers that are walking or vibrating, but they are much easier to solve, usually even an 85 YO women can tilt the machine forward off the rear feet slightly and drop it down and get the machine to be stable again.

 

Brain, I think the real issue here is you need to get over this infatuation you have about me, I have invited you to call me with any concerns you have with me, but you never do, instead you blow up every few months or so, I don't know whats going on at your end but you could talk to your doctor or other health care professional.

 

PS I am Check Marking this post for you, I know how much you like it when I do this.


Post# 917024 , Reply# 22   1/22/2017 at 21:29 (2,649 days old) by kenwashesmonday (Carlstadt, NJ)        

I think it's a bad idea for any of us to constantly put down any of the washing machines that members here like, use, and collect. I personally think that the 1966+ Maytag washers are the best washing machines ever made, but I understand that not everyone is going to agree with that. I was also an appliance service tech for a time, but rarely worked on Maytag washers because they hardly ever needed service. The only purpose that I can see for self leveling legs is to make appliance installation more idiot-proof for under-trained or lazy delivery men.

I enjoy seeing all the machines that members have and can see good in most of them. This sort of "Ford sucks" language is not something we should be doing here.


Post# 917029 , Reply# 23   1/22/2017 at 22:19 (2,649 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
In 33 years my Maytag has never moved. I have to watch it and rearrange the load with heavy rugs. If it goes off balance it shuts off, even with the lid open. You use a level and adjust the legs front and back and then its golden.

Post# 917035 , Reply# 24   1/22/2017 at 23:10 (2,648 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Self-leveling rear legs (never seen all four be such) makes for much easier installation when access to the rear is obstructed.  Helped a friend swap-out a direct-drive for a VMW at one of his rental properties.  The VMW doesn't have self-leveling rear legs.  There's cabinetry on the right side, dryer on the left.  I eye-balled the rear, tightened the locking nuts and they had to stay as-is with further adjustment on the front to the best imperfectness that could be mustered with the machine stable.


Post# 917043 , Reply# 25   1/23/2017 at 00:00 (2,648 days old) by beekeyknee (Columbia, MO)        

beekeyknee's profile picture
John,

Infatuated with you? If that wasn't so sad it would be funny. Post (#916955) is statements and questions, most of which you did not answer. I shouldn't have bothered to ask the questions as I figured you probably wouldn't answer. You never have and most likely you will continue to make some or many false statements toward Newton manufactured belt drive machines.

I can't see that I "Blow up every few months or so" at you. In reply #20 there were only statement and questions. I didn't make inflammatory remarks toward you. If you took them that way, I am sorry. I am saddened that we can't have a civil discussion about machine brands, types and their operation w/o some making oppressive remarks toward other peoples, ideas, questions and brand loyalties.

When I first joined AW.org I was impressed with your knowledge of appliances, electricity, troubleshooting, etc. Then after awhile a picture slowly began to develop of the way you treat people. Especially people who appreciated older Maytag machines. I know for a fact that many of those people no longer donate to AW.org and/or no longer participate in the forums because of the condescending way you sometimes treat these people.

When I caught you in a lie last summer in the Dirty Laundry forum, I called you out on it. I wanted to do it in that forum out of fairness to you. This time I call you out in the Imperial Forum. Everyone can see now. If you notice, I didn't start any of these threads. Last summer I baited you. Today I responded to one of your replies.

Lastly, my relationship with my doctor is very good and judging from the way you phrased that sentence it seems as though you are eluding to my psychological well being. If that was your intention, I don't think that is appropriate. Judging from my past posts, I think my psychological well being is about as good as the next persons around here.

And John. You can check mark all your posts you like. It really doesn't make any difference to me.




This post was last edited 01/23/2017 at 01:04
Post# 917060 , Reply# 26   1/23/2017 at 05:56 (2,648 days old) by beekeyknee (Columbia, MO)        

beekeyknee's profile picture
OK John,
You say you have invited me to call with any concerns I have with you. Well, we've talked on the phone once, several years ago and it was a fairly pleasant conversation. I think it was before Thanksgiving or Christmas. Probably a busy time of year. I don't remember. It's been too long ago.

Now look at the very beginning of the thread, photo #9. Does that picture happen to make you recall anything? Now go down and read reply #3. I sent you my name, address, phone number (which you should already have had if I was in your contacts), told you I would send you money, or cash or even a prepaid USPS box, if that's what you needed. Now I realize you're a busy guy. Probably too busy to worry about something that small. Or maybe I'm not one of the "In Crowd". Not one of the "Old Aberdeen Farm" crowd. I didn't know about you guys then and I was too busy running my nightclub and DJing for three hundred people a night. That "In Crowd" thing may have been uncalled for, but I do know some people that feel that way. I know you can't sell all your inventory, but the odd part here or there? If you have very many, I doubt you're going to use them all up in your lifetime.

Now scroll down to Reply #5, first picture. Out of no where, Ralph offers this part to replace the broken plastic one. Emailed him and it showed up in the mail three days later. Just like that, it shows up. I don't remember, but I don't think he took any money for it. Plus he threw in some extra parts I didn't ask for.

If I should think about going on a trip sometime, I wonder which direction I would think about? Not to the person that has the most things to see or the one that lives in the best place to visit. But that one person that showed me a random act of kindness. Those are the people that live in my heart.

Last of all. I'm sure you have seen all kinds of strange things being a service tech. I've seen some weird things and I'm not. A Maytag washer moving around by itself, installed in a cramped location, not leveled right, out of balance switch maybe not working, legs not locked or floor not solid. Yeah, the machine probably moved. My Mom's and both grandmothers washers from the '50's, '60's, and '70's, most all installed on a concrete floor, properly leveled with leg nuts locked would rarely or never move. If they did move, the legs were adjusted until the vibration stopped and they stayed put. She would clean underneath them with a yardstick and a sock so they would stay level. The feet weren't touched unless the cabinet became unstable.

In 1980's the first direct drive machines came along. The tubs were a lot taller and the out of balance switch had been removed. The machines were a lot lighter and had auto leveling back legs. The same installation location was used. Sometimes the machine would stay in place and sometimes it would be in some other location of the room(or as far as the hoses would let it stray). Move the machine back in place, pull it forward and set it back down to level it with back legs. Later in the day, a few days later or maybe a month or so, the Machine vibrates away from wall again. Coincidence? I don't think so. Design flaw? Quite believable. User error? Possible, but not too likely. Same installation surface, same users, different machines. The machines changed while everything else stayed the same. Back to an older, heavy machine, properly leveled with a working out of balance mechanism. The machine vibration and moving around the room disappears again. With all else being the same, I think most would conclude that the newer machine is at fault. I'm not saying what you have seen in the field. Probably about anything. But an older machine, properly installed and in good working order, should not bang against itself and move around the room on its own.

Does this sound correct to you? If so, can we please compare apples to apples and quit arguing about what you see in the field as to what we see in our homes. Or you can discuss what you see in the field as compared to what you see in your museum or home? Can we also quit talking about one particular brand over another until we see a pattern developing? At that point, I think it would be fair to discuss design flaws. Does this sound fair or not?

Brian


CLICK HERE TO GO TO beekeyknee's LINK


Post# 917181 , Reply# 27   1/23/2017 at 18:09 (2,648 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

We had a Maytag A207 washer from 1973 until about 2002. It was installed on a concrete floor, and I'll have to say it never moved a bit, even when washing items such as rugs. I always made sure the legs were adjusted properly, with locknuts tightened.


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