Thread Number: 78025  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
Speed Queen 2018 TR7 impressions
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Post# 1020365   1/6/2019 at 18:00 (1,907 days old) by Bmoze (Boise)        

Our 10 year old Kenmore agitator washer recently died so we went shopping for a new washing machine. I was initially interested in an LG, due to their positive reviews, but learned about Speed Queens at a local dealer. So I researched Speed Queens and became aware of the controversy regarding their 2018 washers: that they’re poorly rated by CR and CNET and web reviewers such as Lorrain Appliance. I understood that the revised agitation system was the primary concern. I also read reviews by owners of Speed Queens and most of them seem to really like the machines, even the 2018s. I also read that some people think that negative reviews are being omitted from Speed Queen’s website.

I was intrigued by these issues and the huge difference in opinions about the 2018 models, so I asked our local dealer if I could try one first, because I wouldn’t otherwise buy one given the washer’s multiple bad reviews. He said we could try one for 30 days and return it if not satisfied.

We’ve done about 10 loads so far in the TR7. My wife and I like the machine a lot. Our household is just the two of us and we’re not hard on clothes. We camp and hike and work in the yard, but our cleaning rags are probably the dirtiest things we wash. All of the clothes we’ve washed have come out great - clean and well-spun, with few wrinkles out of the washer. The TR7 probably does a somewhat better job overall than our prior Kenmore. It also cost much more, but we like the warranty and the machine’s solidity. It seems like it has a chance of lasting longer than an LG or similar modern machine.

We also like that the TR7 seems to be very gentle on our clothing, much more so than the Kenmore agitator washer. Of course, that’s not a great trade off if your clothes don’t get clean, but if they do get clean, a gentle washer is a nice thing.

We did wash some cleaning rags and I’ll post some okay-but-not-great comparison photos. The rags got at least as clean as they did in the Kenmore, maybe more clean, it’s hard to say. The wash setting for the rags was super-soiled (hot water wash/soak/extra rinse) and the wash time was 80 minutes. All of other loads have been on heavy/duty, permanent press, or delicate with wash times of 30-40 minutes.

I hope nobody takes this the wrong way. I’m not interested in promoting Speed Queen. I became aware of this issue because I was in the market for a new machine. I wanted to check the Speed Queen out for myself and our local dealer obliged. I’m glad he did because we plan to keep the machine unless its performance changes before the month is out.


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Post# 1020370 , Reply# 1   1/6/2019 at 18:16 (1,907 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Good to hear reports of all types on these.


Post# 1020374 , Reply# 2   1/6/2019 at 18:38 (1,907 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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if this works out for you, and fits your needs....who can argue that, all the better....congrats!


the agitation has me a bit iffy.....but can't deny so far it does work


and the rinsing and extraction are more effective than past models....


I like too that your dealer offered you a 30 day trial.....a chance to see if you like it or not.....can't go wrong with that...


Post# 1020387 , Reply# 3   1/6/2019 at 20:35 (1,907 days old) by Lorainfurniture (Cleveland )        

The 2018 is not the worst washer ever. I took issue with the fact that they said it was better than the previous version. For someone who doesn’t wash heavily soiled clothes and prefers a gentle wash, the speed queen washer would be something to consider.

There are so many other washers that are just better in almost every conceivable way with the exception of build quality.


Post# 1020398 , Reply# 4   1/6/2019 at 21:40 (1,907 days old) by mrsalvo (New Braunfels Texas)        

I agree with "Yogitunes", that was a sweet offer to let you try it out first, to be fair esp. with many negative reviews. I can't argue with the results in the above photo, it looks well washed and rinsed. Hope this washer is all that you want it to be, and many, many years of good performance.

Good job.

Barry


Post# 1020413 , Reply# 5   1/7/2019 at 06:16 (1,907 days old) by neptunebob (Pittsburgh, PA)        
Except for the expense...

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For the cost of the Speed Queen you could probably buy 3 Amana models that wash just as well.  SQ just seems grossly overpriced.


Post# 1020450 , Reply# 6   1/7/2019 at 15:12 (1,906 days old) by Bmoze (Boise)        

Lorrainfurniture - Just wanted to thank you for your excellent washer reviews. They’re very informative and helpful. Almost went with the Maytag Commercial, based on your review, but wanted more flexibility with water level/load levels.

Post# 1020463 , Reply# 7   1/7/2019 at 17:11 (1,906 days old) by dylanmitchell (Southern California)        
Hacks

dylanmitchell's profile picture
Are there any mechanical or software hacks for the TR7 and other 2018 or 2019 models that will make them perform better? SQ made significant changes but wondering if there are ways to give these full fill loads and other non-energy efficient mods that clean better.
Washing machines use pretty simple tech I'm surprised I haven't heard of folks hacking machines with laptops or Raspberry Pi's. There are some mechanical controls you'd have to figure out how to interface with and actuate but you'd think a hacked machine would be a fun project.


Post# 1020464 , Reply# 8   1/7/2019 at 17:23 (1,906 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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I am sure you can hook it up to a computer and run any program you want.....anything is possible....










Post# 1020961 , Reply# 9   1/12/2019 at 17:46 (1,901 days old) by Lorainfurniture (Cleveland )        
It’s not that simple

Mechanically you have to retrofit. It’s not like any whirlpool agitator will fit on a speed queen. All appliance parts are pretty specific

Manufactures intentionally make it nearly impossible to alter the programming. There are specific plugs and the coding is unique. It’s not like the board has a usb plug.

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it will take a significant amount of skill to hack a mcu


Post# 1020973 , Reply# 10   1/12/2019 at 19:06 (1,901 days old) by LowEfficiency (Iowa)        

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Sometimes it's near impossible, other times not...

Many times boards are produced in huge batches, and the manufacturer actually does provision for programming them after the fact. They do this so that they can make fixes and improvements throughout production, without having to create new hardware parts each time the software changes. This of course would be obfuscated and not known to the user or even service personnel, instead being programmed (or re-programmed) at the factory.

But even if the boards WERE locked down with a permanent software load, that doesn't mean your abilities to change the machine behavior are eliminated. I say this because the software in those microcontrollers still relies on external sensors and communication with the outside world to function. So with clever manipulation of the sensor inputs, you can effect huge changes in the result, without actually changing any software. Perhaps the best example of this are the "piggyback ECUs" available for fuel-injected cars.

For example, if a new module was added which intercepted the signal between the fill level sensor and the control board, and also the output signal to the fill valves, you could add a "pre-soak" function to your washer simply by telling the original controller that the tub wasn't full yet when it actually was, and shutting off the fill valves to prevent the machine from overflowing. As far as the main controller knows, you simply have low water pressure and it is taking a long time to fill, so it proceeds on until your "pre-soak" modifier decides it has soaked long enough and finally tells the controller that the tub is full.


Post# 1093709 , Reply# 11   10/19/2020 at 10:21 (1,255 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        
Well this to me had been a surprise.

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Recently I had the opportunity to go down to my uncle's for the weekend and I was able to use their new Speed Queen washer and dryer. Last year, he and his wife were looking for a new set to replace their Whirlpool ones that were only a couple years old because it didn't clean very well and it was tearing up their loads. I suggested to them the Speed Queen because I was really pleased with the ones that I've used and that's what they ended up getting. Sometime during that year, I've made the discovery that SQ changed their regulations on their top load washers. I was a bit worried that they got one of the TR models but shortly after getting the SQs, they seemed to be really impressed with them so I was thinking that they went with both the TC5 and DC5. But when I saw them for the very first time just last weekend, I was shocked that it was in fact a TR7 and a DR7. I still wanted to try both them out so I put a load of my clothes in there and I'm going to be very honest on here, I was completely STUNNED! I went on a four wheeling trip that same weekend and so we ended up kicking alot of dust. I didn't really expected the TR7 to clean my clothes very well because they were really dusty but man this washer blew me out of the water! I took photos of my white socks to see the results very closely and I think it cleaned just as well as our LG front loader that we have.

I don't know, I'm not an expert here but now I think the TR series is not as bad as I thought they were. I still personally would want a classic model but maybe I wouldn't feel as bad if someone gifted us a TR set for our wedding present. Anyways, just thought that I'd share my thoughts about these on here.


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Post# 1093733 , Reply# 12   10/19/2020 at 14:10 (1,255 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        

That's considered clean?

Post# 1093738 , Reply# 13   10/19/2020 at 14:51 (1,255 days old) by smurdle450 (California)        
As a former 2018 Speed Queen doubter...

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I am very impressed with those results.

my first experience with one was at a vacation rental property. it was a first generation TR5 and it managed to take out a fairly sizeable mud stain. I was very impressed.

Sure, i refer the classic, but I'd be totally content with owning a TR series.


Post# 1093802 , Reply# 14   10/20/2020 at 03:20 (1,255 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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I'm sorry, but if my socks came out of the wash like that, they would go straight back into the laundry hamper.

Post# 1093811 , Reply# 15   10/20/2020 at 06:40 (1,255 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Here's a little video comparing the "Classic Clean" and "Perfect Wash" SQ top loaders from Designer Appliances.

He admits flat out that the TR (Perfect Wash) caused controversy among SQ fans and that recent tweaks to the cycles has improved cleaning performance.

As I mentioned in another thread, the wizards at SQ finally realized the cleaning performance of the TR could be improved by adding 20 minutes to the wash agitation portion of the cycle. No surprise then that the machine's cleaning score from the testing organization you love to hate showed substantial improvement from the very first TRs that came off the line back in early 2018.

The video is aimed at those in the market for a top-loader, so no mention of SQ's front-loaders.




post was last edited: 10/20/2020-06:56]


Post# 1093818 , Reply# 16   10/20/2020 at 07:50 (1,255 days old) by Aquarius1984 (Planet earth)        
Laundry Hamper returns

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Louis in his defence he probably didn’t :

Pre treat
Soak over night
Fill the TL with hot water to pre heat the tub and prime the water supply
Drain and refill the wash water immediately Select hot, utilising the 50c water at best from the water heater.

Then probably didn’t use a TOL American detergent with the separate added extras usually required like
Chlorox.

Oh don’t forget some of the blame lies with the fact the machine may never have seen Affresh in its lifetime so of course that affects the final result too.

😂😂😂😂😂😂

But Louis all this is quicker and better than popping them into a self heated euro machine with our one shot one product detergent and coming back to them two hours later and spotlessly white 😜


Post# 1093837 , Reply# 17   10/20/2020 at 10:26 (1,254 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Just to say, the socks are probably better than they appear in the photo.  White-on-white with the gray patches can throw the exposure wonky.  I've tried taking before (worse condition than those) and after photos of socks and found that lighting, shadows, and exposure is tricky.  I don't recall now if I abandoned the effort or did post pics here.


Post# 1093848 , Reply# 18   10/20/2020 at 11:47 (1,254 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        
Not saying I could get that greying out in 1 wash

But these socks are 2 or so years old. Not worn much, but still.

The worst discoloration I have on a white item is in the armpits of my work under shirts and that is just deodorant residue that yellows.


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Post# 1093863 , Reply# 19   10/20/2020 at 13:22 (1,254 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        

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Hey everyone,

So the socks from the after photos are just the discoloration stains, I apologies for not mentioning that above. That's actually normal to us because we usually don't try and get those stains completely clean. And to be fair, I've had those socks for quite a while now. I just got new ones since most of my other ones had holes through them.

The settings on the washer from the photo is what I used for washing my clothes. Normally I would use the warm settings for my dark clothes but since I had it mixed with my white socks, I put it on hot instead because not only my clothes were filthy but also we would use the hot settings for our white clothes, white sheets, and white cleaning rags as we find that it does the best job for that. I put it on extra rinse in case if there were any soap stains that would get on my clothes. And I used whatever was left from my Tide Mountain Spring detergent (The powdered kind).

Again I'm no expert but I still feel like I want a Speed Queen that uses the old school motor, transmission, and agitator separated from the tub.


Post# 1093900 , Reply# 20   10/20/2020 at 20:54 (1,254 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
I like Kirk Rivas's

presentation of the speed queen perfect wash series.

Post# 1093934 , Reply# 21   10/21/2020 at 04:32 (1,254 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Alex,

Discoloration stains can be removed with the right treatment. A frontloader with a heater and a good detergent is the best way to get rid of them. Oxygen bleach plays an important role in that. But on my trips across the big pond I had good results getting dirty socks clean too in a Kenmore belt drive toploader and Tide with bleach. Perhaps you are happy with getting not all the stains out of your laundry, but personally I can't stand laundry that doesn't come totally clean.



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