2012-Conventional top load washers being discontinued?

[suburbanmd]

Suds saver

The federal test procedures still have provision for suds saver. Out-of-context excerpt:

For clothes washers equipped with the suds-saver feature:
X1=frequency of use without the suds-saver feature=0.86.
X2=frequency of use with the suds-saver feature=0.14.
ShH=fresh make-up water measured during suds-return cycle at maximum water fill level.
ShL=fresh hot make-up water measured during suds-return cycle at minimum water fill level.

 

[roto204]

Water Aid

Wow, the old solid-tub FilterFlo system, minus the filter.

 

[westyslantfront]

In my opinion, all this "going green" hysteria is alot of hipe and the only green is the green that I see going into
Al Gore's pocket. A $450.00 DD Whirlpool vs a front loader that costs between $1,000.00 and $1,400 EACH....by the time you make up the price difference in water and energy savings, the front loader is in the junk heap. My Electrolux made GE (Fridgemore) had bad tub bearings after 3 1/2 years and before it made 6 years, the computer boards stopped working. I saw the new big
Electrolux washers for $1,400.00 and they look like a larger version of my old Fridgemore. It is alot to pay for a washer that will not last as long as a $450.00 DD Whirlpool.

How about the Toyota Prius and other hybrid cars. The Prius costs #24,000.00 new and yes, you save money on gas but when the warranty is up, a new battery costs $5,000.00, not to mention other costly repairs. Oh well, there goes the gas savings. I wonder if people checked this out before they bought their hybrids? And how many people are now having their Toyota Prius' recalled due to faulty breaks and other problems. I am very please with my 6 cyl. Ford F-150 truck which sure comes in handy to haul washers.

Alternate fuels, conservation is great but first develop the technology to make it feasible.

Ross

 

[tolivac]

Prius cars and other hybrids-The traction batteries generally LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR!From my contacts with Toyota-not a single traction battery has had to be replaced.The only battery in a hybrid you really have to worry about is the ignition battery-a conventional Lead acid one like in any other car.That will have to be replaced every 3-5 yrs like in any car.
and yes-those pretty FL washers will never pay for themselves in the water and energy dept-add it up-Best Buy quotes a $500 ewater and energy saving over the life of the washer-That can range 5-7 yrs-the traction batteries in Hybrid cars last much longer than that.The Hybrid car has a better chance of gas payback.My Hybrid Lexus Rx400(2006) is doing just fine!One recal to fix the steering linkage motors-didn't even have to take my car to the Lexus place-The Toyota dealer did it for me at no charge and provided a loaner car-best service about cars I have gotten!
Back to washers-another thought came to me about Old TL washers-esp the Agitator transmission-And that is other uses for it if the life of the washer is gone.In some of my older Lapidary Journal magazines they have articles about how to use the agitate transmission to run a drag saw.A drag saw is a long metal blade that is abrasive or diamond abrasive impregnated so it can cut large gem and rock specimens-museams use drag saws to cut large geodes and meteors so the slices of these you see at a museam just may have been cut with the help of an old TL washer transmission!You can carry the transmission,drag saw blade and rock supports to the feild for cutting-just turn the transmission with a gas motor or even the PTO from a jeep or other vehicle.Cutters of jade have used these methods to break down really large jade specimens in Alaska.Large circular saws are used too-but without the washer transmission.Just turn the blade with belts and pulleys to the motor.
Oh yes for the price of some FL washer bases---you could buy that TL DD WP washer--but the DD transmission runs too fast and too short a stroke to work a drag saw.So for lapidaries bet they would prefer BD washers not only for clothes-but rock cutting if the washer is to far gone for cleaning.Better to use it to power a rock saw that languise in the dump.Suppose FL washer drum mechanisms could be recycled into giant rock tumblers!This has been done with dryer mechanisms-adapt the mechanism to turn a car or truck tire as the tumble drum.You change the "tires" between grits of polishing media.Some tumbler operators may have several of these mechanisms going at once to save time.You have to tumble stones for several days on each grit.