1997 Gas Maytag Dryer New in Box

[repairguy]

I ran across this Maytag gas dryer a couple of days ago new in the box. The box is what caught my eye scrolling through marketplace. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity for a heavy built Newton dryer that is 27 years old still in the box. This machine is in excellent shape just like it would’ve been delivered new 27 years ago. I’m going to take it apart and make sure everything still turns easily and it will be put into service.

Model LDG9806AAE
Serial 15837690SM

 

[repairguy]

And a few more

 

[maytag85]

This is the dryer that would have matched the 1997 Maytag Dependable Care I grew up with that was left behind in the move of 2006.

Congratulations, Melvin!

 

[gansky1]

 

Nice find.  I had the model below this, first model in the line with Intellidry feature, also gas fueled.  It was one of my favorite dryers, always accurate and fast drying.

 

[peteski50]

Maytag!

Great find Melvin Best of Luck
Peter

 

[swestoyz]

What a great save, Melvin! And one of the last Big Load/SOH dryers before the redesign. This would make for a perfect daily driver.

I had a 1999/2000ish younger sibling of this control panel for a few years before I put a Neptune 7500 panel on the dryer. I really liked the Intellidry display and is something I wish was more common place today.

Enjoy!

Ben

 

[qsd-dan]

Squirt some turbine oil in the drum roller and idler wheel shafts, check the belt. Shouldn't need anything else.

The redesign shortly after this (unnecessarily) complicated the teardown procedure.

 

[appnut]

Melvin, I had the 1993/1994 version of this, the LDE9824.

 

[maranoman]

The redesign shortly after this (unnecessarily) complicated?

With all due respect to Dan, when you look at the big picture, the redesign of the Maytag dryer front bulkhead definitely was necessary due to the introduction of the Neptune line.

I'm sure the Maytag design engineers were tasked with developing a single dryer design that would accommodate both their Neptune (notched front end) and Dependable Care (flat front end) lines. The only difference between the Dependable Care and Neptune dryers was the door - one slanted back and the other not.

The Neptune-era dryer also had a reversible door (as did the washer) to appease all customers. I could be wrong, but this was the first dryer design for Maytag with a reversible door. Like the washer, the dryer door had no handle, which was an improvement for both appearance and cost savings.

Probably the most significant point that is commonly overlooked is that the Neptune dryer's base, cabinet, front panel and door all use the same parts as the Neptune washer. I'm sure there were many other parts (feet come to mind) that were also shared. The cost savings for this I'm sure was significant. Did any other manufacturer during the 1990's - 2000's do the same? I'm curious.

I have to admit that the newer dryer bulkhead design can seem somewhat cobbled together and more complex compared to the SOH dryer design, but when you consider all the directives, restrictions and cost reduction mandates the dryer design group must have faced, they came up with a design that worked.

 

[qsd-dan]

I understand the design changes to keep up with the times (actually I don't but looks are big selling point for the gullible buyer) but I think Maytag could have done a better job making the teardown process just as simple as the older design.

Maytag should have made provisions for a reversible door and drying rack when introducing the SOH to the public in 1976, ZERO excuse for not carrying that out! Other manufactures had those provisions a decade or more earlier. Is it really that hard to stamp out 4 additional holes and plug them?

I also believe Maytag should have dropped the small capacity tub for the 10+ series standalone washers in 1980 (fine for the stacked units). There are other rants but not worth discussing.

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice, Melvin! Many happy years of Maytagging!

 

[combo52]

Maytag's change to a 27 inch wide dryer

Was definitely a cost cut and a standardization move, Maytag was starting to feel a lot of cost pressures unfortunately the 27th inch Maytag was not as big or as good at performing dryer as the stream of heat dryer which was not as good at performer as a 29 inch whirlpool dryer ever was.

Speed Queen's 27 inch dryer by contrast has a much bigger drum that Maytag 27 inch dryer and it's much easier to service in most ways, Speed Queen is the only company that maintains a full removable lower panel on their dryers making service on the gas burner or even the heating element on an electric dryer simple just two screws to remove the entire heater assembly on an electric dryer, for example.

In any event, it's really neat to find a brand new in the box dryer. I hope it goes to good use

John.

 

[repairguy]

Thanks everyone! Hopefully it’s going to be put into service soon. It will be replacing an early 2000’s GE at a weekend home where it won’t be used heavily.