Thread Number: 86270
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Looking for high capacity Maytag or equivalent... |
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Post# 1108317 , Reply# 1   2/17/2021 at 06:52 (1,155 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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A WP built DD washer with a Dual Action Agitator would be your best bet.
Your current MT is a 16 gallon tub, the larger Mts are 19 gallons, the best you can do with a real MT is the larger tub with Mts DAA, [ load sensor ] but the WP built DDs are still 3-4 gallons larger than the largest MTs.
John L. |
Post# 1108326 , Reply# 2   2/17/2021 at 08:26 (1,155 days old) by ps91Rick (Lancaster, Ca )   |   | |
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Thanks John.. I don’t suppose you have a model number of a whirlpool machine that is in the right general area feature wise? I know zero about WP’s... otherwise I’ll poke around til I find something. Thx for the heads up! |
Post# 1108334 , Reply# 3   2/17/2021 at 09:48 (1,155 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 1108355 , Reply# 4   2/17/2021 at 11:19 (1,155 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)   |   | |
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Post# 1108373 , Reply# 5   2/17/2021 at 12:06 (1,155 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)   |   | |
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The standard capacity Maytag washers definitely wash and rinse better compared to the large capacity Maytag washers and the first ever washer I ever had was a early 80’s Maytag A209 short run washer and that definitely did a good job at washing and rinsing and sadly the motor died on it and in exchange I ended up with the A810 set.
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Post# 1108424 , Reply# 8   2/17/2021 at 17:22 (1,155 days old) by ps91Rick (Lancaster, Ca )   |   | |
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Ok. This LA510 was made in October 1980... that’s all I know so far.. |
Post# 1108428 , Reply# 9   2/17/2021 at 17:35 (1,155 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 1108438 , Reply# 10   2/17/2021 at 18:29 (1,155 days old) by ps91Rick (Lancaster, Ca )   |   | |
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I’ll assume that slightly larger probably means it’s not worth it as a step up from my existing machine. Is there a model of the same era with extra large capacity or is this size (LA512) as big as they get for that time period? Just curious.. thx!!! |
Post# 1108439 , Reply# 11   2/17/2021 at 18:30 (1,155 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Post# 1108440 , Reply# 12   2/17/2021 at 18:53 (1,155 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 1108446 , Reply# 13   2/17/2021 at 19:30 (1,155 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)   |   | |
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Look at the agitator and could how many holes go up the side. If there are 3 holes, then it's a standard capacity. If there are 4 holes, then it's an extra large capacity. Maytag only made 2 sizes for their machines during that time, and that's how you tell them apart.
You can also tell be looking at the model number. If the first number after the A is a 1, 2, or 3, then it's a standard capacity. If it's a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, then it's an extra large capacity. Hope this helps! |
Post# 1108461 , Reply# 15   2/17/2021 at 20:46 (1,155 days old) by ps91Rick (Lancaster, Ca )   |   | |
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Are kitchenaid washers any good? Here’s one for instance.. I’m guessing it’s a rebadged something or another.. CLICK HERE TO GO TO ps91Rick's LINK on Los Angeles Craigslist |
Post# 1108463 , Reply# 16   2/17/2021 at 20:54 (1,155 days old) by ps91Rick (Lancaster, Ca )   |   | |
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Also, are the much newer whirlpool cabrios any good? Such as this? CLICK HERE TO GO TO ps91Rick's LINK on Los Angeles Craigslist |
Post# 1108464 , Reply# 17   2/17/2021 at 20:55 (1,155 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 1108465 , Reply# 18   2/17/2021 at 20:56 (1,155 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 1108467 , Reply# 20   2/17/2021 at 21:18 (1,155 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 1108475 , Reply# 23   2/17/2021 at 21:44 (1,155 days old) by StuftRock1 (Kentucky)   |   | |
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That LA512 is definitely worth $150. I'm actually gonna be buying the white version of that washer as soon as all the ice and snow can bugger off.
Both the Speed Queen and extra large capacity Maytags are 3.2 cubic feet. The Whirlpool Cabrio has by far the largest capacity, but it is a steaming pile of garbage and not worth the plastic it's made of. The Whirlpool and KitchenAid direct drives are a larger capacity than the extra large capacity Maytags for sure, so if you need a large capacity, then that's what you should go with. The Whirlpool has a very fast and aggressive agitation, but the base of the agitator is smaller than the KitchenAid. It is also quite loud. The KitchenAid has a slower and gentler agitation, but the base of it's agitator is larger. It is also much quieter than the Whirlpool. These are all fantastic machines, except of course the worthless Cabrio. The Maytags are definitely the most reliable and dependable out of all of them. The Whirlpool would be the better direct drive choice if your clothes get heavily soiled. The KitchenAid would be better if you want a gentler wash and your clothes don't get very dirty. As for whether or not you should choose them over the Maytags? I couldn't tell you. The Maytags have the most gentle wash action while also being extremely effective at cleaning even the dirtiest of clothes. They also have a lint filter inside the agitator which is nice. I am biased here because I love those old Pitman Maytags. My dream machine is actually a harvest gold center dial 806. Because of my bias, I'm not sure I can give you an objective recommendation. I have an extra large capacity Maytag from 1994, and that thing can easily handle my queen size quilt, but not a very thick twin size comforter mostly because the one I have get's full of air bubbles. If I were you, I would keep what you have. If you need the larger capacity, then get the LA512. However, as I said before, that may just be my bias talking. |
Post# 1109465 , Reply# 26   2/24/2021 at 21:23 (1,148 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I'm pretty sure that Kenmore is the type that as earned the nickname "Shredmore."
The lighting isn't the greatest, but that Whirlpool tub doesn't appear to be a lot larger than the LA512's is.
I was surprised to read the claim that a modern Speed Queen tub is the same size as an LA512. We switched to an Amana (SQ clone back then) from a mid '70s standard size Maytag, and the Amana's tub seemed downright cavernous in comparison. |
Post# 1109471 , Reply# 27   2/24/2021 at 22:15 (1,148 days old) by qsd-dan (West)   |   | |
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The Whirlpool and Kenmore are older and specific parts for those are getting tricky, like timers. In my opinion, they're too low end to bother with. Find something closer to TOL.
The belt drive Whirlpool is too old for a daily driver. This design ended 35 years ago and you'll pretty much be on your own when it comes to repairs. Most parts are NLA so Ebay would be your main supplier. Replacing the belt is a huge undertaking on these machines and somebody who isn't familiar with that repair is almost guaranteed to screw it up. I can't even find one single Youtube clip on replacing the belt in these machines. |
Post# 1109479 , Reply# 29   2/24/2021 at 22:56 (1,148 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)   |   | |
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you can find just about any washer you want right in your back yard....even a matching dryer.....refurbished with a warranty.....
even cash off for a trade-in..... CLICK HERE TO GO TO Yogitunes's LINK on Los Angeles Craigslist |
Post# 1109485 , Reply# 30   2/24/2021 at 23:58 (1,148 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I'm guessing you're bent on a top loader. The reason I state this is because there are some nice looking Maytag Neptune front loaders in the 3rd picture that Martin posted above.
I've been using a 2004 Neptune that was in the house when we bought it almost three years ago. I like that it uses more water than current day front loaders and offers three rinses on the normal cycle, with an option for a fourth. That's still a lot less water than a top loader requires. I get a tap-hot wash when I want one, and although I have to cram it in there, it will handle a king size comforter. The basket may be smaller than today's giant machines, but the Neptune's footprint isn't any larger than the average top loader's.
There's also no BS balancing with this machine, which was a complaint I had with both my Whirlpool Duet and Frigidaire Affinity front loaders. This machine completes a cycle in much less time than front loaders currently on the market. The other non-BS feature is plain old knobs and dials. I have no patience for the membrane nonsense involved with cheap electronic panels.
Martin swears by these machines and can answer any questions you might have. |