2018 Speed Queen topload models

[Chetlaham]

Does anyone have information about these or when they will be released? I've been dieing to know more about them. Being Speed Queen I have a feeling I will be very impressed. I've been looking through their patents and they are taking this very seriously.

 

[lorainfurniture]

Word around the campfire

It is going to have a lid lock, that locks only during spin. It’s likely going to have a bldc motor instead of a traditional split phase motor.

 

[Chetlaham]

Lidlock

Darn... Any idea when its being released?

 

[agiflow2]

It's a shame that there will be a lid lock. Personal responsibility must be out of style completely nowadays.SMH

 

[frigilux]

Glad both my sister and I have 2017 sets! Employed the couldn't-be-easier lid switch hack on both washers. Wonder if the 2018s will have a neutral drain, as do SQ's in other parts of the globe?

Improvements I'd like to see on SQ top-loading washers:

1) Separate temperature for soak/prewash and main wash cycles. I like to soak loads of heavily-stained kitchen whites in lukewarm water, then wash in hot. Can't do that automatically with current SQs.

2) Detergent dispenser. This would come in handy when using the soak/prewash options. FAQ at the SQ website said, "Since the machine spins out water from soaking but does not rinse, there is enough detergent left in the clothes for the main wash."  Really?  Why, then, is there almost no detergent left in the rinse after the first spin of a regular cycle? Face it; one needs to return to the washer to add a second dose when machine advances to wash fill.

 

3) Timed bleach and fabric softener dispensers. Bleach should be added the last 4 minutes of the wash portion of a cycle; not during the soak/prewash or at the start of the cycle.  Those stain-eating enzymes in today's detergent need time to work before bleach is introduced.  Currently, you can't use fabric softener if you choose soak/prewash options because it will be dispensed into the main wash water.  Likewise, softener is wasted if you choose an automatic 2nd rinse, because it would have been dispensed during the first rinse.

 

Was impressed that SQ added cycle flexibility and other cycle-oriented features to their series 9 machines a couple of years ago.  Unfortunately, they didn't add the infrastructure (so to speak) to support those features.

[this post was last edited: 10/8/2017-06:00]

 

[agiflow2]

And while they are at it how about porcelain tops and lids and zinc coated cabinets.

If Maytag sold their DC washers today, I don't think they would fetch the prices these machines do and you would get more for your money,..but we should just be thankful there is at least one maker left who still makes a traditional agitator washer.

 

[Chetlaham]

@agiflow2: Here is the thing, unless the law changed they can easily rid of the lidlock by using DC to brake motor. GE did this with their hydrowaves and it worked very well.

 

[yogitunes]

Eugene....

I get the detergent dispenser concept, wanting them on all machines as well....

but for times when there is not one, when adding the prewash/soak to a cycle, you are to add double the detergent at the start....

this was very effective during the belt drive years of Whirlpool's 'SuperWash'...although this only offered a short soak and a partial drain, then refilled for the main wash....

even my 1985 FilterFlo with the 'Extra Cleaning Cycle' recommends the high concentration of detergent, only one main wash for this, but two complete spin sprays and rinses follow to remove all the detergent....

 

[mtn1584]

Will they still fill to the top of the tub with water and have water level selections?

 

[agiflow2]

Didn't the original F&P based cabrio washers use the motor to slow the tub down ?

 

[appnut]

Eugene, I have a possible solution to the detergent dispensing issue with using soak/prewash and then programmed to go into the main wash.  Maytag offered a solution back in the day when they first offered this feature.  What about using the FS dispenser as dispenser for liquid detergent for the main wash?  Although I'm not sure the FS cup could be removed for easy cleaning as was the case for Maytags.

 

I think John has already stated the new 2018 models will also do a neutral drain like is done in other parts of the globe.   

 

[combo52]

2018 SQ Top Load Washers

We are going to service training on these in the next two weeks and will report back what we learn.

 

I am hoping for neutral drain as we are running quit a few service calls on the current TL machines with out of balance and machine walking complaints when users use too much water for the load being washed and the load goes out of balance, this was always a big part of the vibration complaints we got with MT DC machines.

 

I do hope they do not go to a lid lock, consumers do not like lid locks.

 

I would like to see in the new TL washers, dual action agitators, neutral drain and slightly bigger holes in the bottom of the wash basket, Porcelain tops on W&Ds on high end models, and better dispensers for bleach and detergent and maybe detergent as Eugene mentioned.

 

Overall it will be interesting, I have said for years that I would never have any interest in owning a current SQ TL washer, it is simply too crude, it is better than a MTDC washer in several important aspects, but the class act is a SQ FL washer, the FL SQ has over twice the life expectancy and just does a much better job.

 

If the MT DC washer was still in production and offered a 5 year full warranty it would cost every bit of $1000.00

 

John L.

 

[henene4]

Lid lock

If its a quick unlocking system (not the bimetalic ones which take ~2 minutes to unlock) and is only active during spin portions (which by the way are all verry easily achieved things), I'd guess most wouldn't mind it verry much.

I am curious how and if they will achieve more economic operation. I'd hope for a recirculation system for a F&P EcoActive kind of wash process and a good spray rinse operation.
Actualy always wondered why none of the HE TLs would use a recirculated spray rinse system. Just fill with a gallon or two, kick on the recirculation and let the tub spin at variable speeds anywhere from 50-250rpm, for a few minutes, then drain, spin at high speed. Repeat 3-4 times. Could even be used for softner application that way. Or could enable quick and efficent sanitize options in TL if a heater was integrated.

Also hoping for higher spin speeds. If they (finally) switch to an inverter based drive unit they could achive verry precise OOB checking and thus enable spins comparable to the Unimatic.

 

[pumpkina]

Thanks, John L.

You wrote that SQ TL "is better than a MTDC washer in several important aspects, but the class act is a SQ FL washer, the FL SQ has over twice the life expectancy and just does a much better job."

In what ways is the SQ better than the MTDC (Dependable Care?)

I thought that all front loaders suffered an inherent design flaw of having the central bearing arm (spider arm?) being the weak point, having to fight gravity ultimately unsuccessfully to spin clothes. What did SQ do to solve this problem?

Finally, I've read in general to avoid washers and dryers with electronic control boards due to their vulnerability to moisture, ease of damage, and expensive repair. What are you thoughts about SQ washers/dryers with electronic controls?

Thanks

Thanks

 

[lorainfurniture]

Short of getting the board wet, the speed queen control boards are nearly indestructible. Their rear main bearings are very robust, so they fail very infrequently. When it does fail, it’s a pretty easy repair.

 

[agiflow2]

I can see having bigger holes on the bottom of the washbasket, but a dual action agitator ? This machine needs no such agitator. The flexvane works perfectly just the way it is. I am able to make full use of the basket and get good turnover. The last thing we need are more dual action agitators.

 

[thomasortega]

Bigger holes on the bottom.... for what? to extract LESS water during the spin?

Gosh, I thought Speed Queen designers had much more technical knowledge than I have...

 

[agiflow2]

The Speed Queen i have AWN 432 could definitely benefit from some improvements. I wish these machines were better at rinsing for one and that they had at least 2 spray rinses for each spin. One 15 second spray simply does not cut it. It is Ok or permanent press but heavy cottons and towels forget it. I need three rinses.

 

[agiflow2]

"Bigger holes on the bottom.... for what? to extract LESS water during the spin?

Gosh, I thought Speed Queen designers had much more technical knowledge than I have... "

Seemed to work for WP/KM all those years regarding sand removal.

 

[thomasortega]

For sand yes... i mean, the bottom... but the lower part of the walls is better to use "slots" or curved cones.

 

[combo52]

2018 SQ Top Load Washers

Bigger holes in the bottom of the tub diffidently improve performance in terms of getting rid of heavy sediment, but can be a mixed blessing as things like bobby pins can get through if they are too large.

 

When GE came out with the replacement for the FF washers they had huge holes in the bottom of the plastic wash basket, and compared to the FF spin drain [ and grit&lint redepositing machines ] these new neutral drain GE washers were a huge improvement, customers loved the fact they finally had lint and streak free clothing [ GE service manuals are full of comments about the problems they had with lint and streaking complaints they had with FF washers ] GE redesigned the hole pattern in their wash baskets in the late 60s to try and cope with this problem [ they ELIMINATED most of the holes the lower half of the basket side wall ] .

 

The dual action was the biggest improvement in conventional agitator washers in the history of agitator washers, they improved capacity, they improved turn over and best of all reduced clothing wear and damage. It goes without saying that the Load-Sensor agitator in DC MT washers was by far the best and most effective agitator MT ever put in an automatic washer.

 

Note; Pumkina I will be glad to answer some of your good questions if you put a name in your profile and a year you were born.

 

John L.

 

[pierreandreply4]

speedqueen 2018 topload line

i wonder if the model awn432 will be in the new line or will the controls be all electronics?

 

[agiflow2]

That is the thing though about turnover. The flex vane they are using now is perfectly fine for turnover. I'm sorry but I wholeheartedly disagree about these machines needing a dual action agitator. I have steady rollover no matter what I wash in the SQ.

The super capacity belt drive Whirlpool washers seemed to do very well with the Surgilator. How much better does turnover need to be ?

 

[Chetlaham]

My understanding is that these will no longer be allowed to deep fill, so a dual action agi will not work. From all that I have heard is that these will be some type of impeller.

I don't know what agitators SQ uses in their commercial machines, but Id imagine that a DA agi would be much more trouble prone in a commercial environment where overloading is the norm.

@Combo: The very first GEs after the FF did not have full sized holes in the tub, at least the large capacity machines. It was not until a few years latter they put giant holes at the bottom of the basket.

 

[frigilux]

I thought I read in Speed Queen's FAQ section that only the Normal Eco cycle would not provide a complete fill beginning in 2018. My 2017 Series 9 fills completely for the wash in all cycles, including Normal Eco (albeit that cycle has, for all intents and purposes, a cold fill no matter what temp is selected by the user).

The current agitator does a fine job, but rollover is hampered significantly by the indexing of the tub. Mine indexes nearly a quarter-turn on a full load. The load immediately rolls over much more efficiently when I grab the tub to prevent indexing. Some here claim this happens while the tub brake is being 'broken in', but over two month later, mine is still indexing like crazy. In fact, it indexes as much as a 1970s Westinghouse, which was designed to do so.

The AWN542 I had a few years ago indexed a bit less than one-eighth of a turn, which was not enough to negatively affect rollover.

 

[combo52]

2018 SQ Top Load Washers

Hi Chet, I really dough that SQ TL washers will go to an impeller, But who knows, want to make a bet ?

 

I am not certain when GE went to the very large holes in the bottom of the plastic wash tub, but I have one [ super capacity dual action agitator ] now in the shop that we are restoring for the museum that has them, I guess you are correct if you think they did not have them at first, why don't you try to find out when they made this change and why? I never remember seeing an early one with small holes and we were putting transmissions in the early T models left and right, GE was giving out transmissions to anyone that would install them for the first 7 years of washer ownership.

 

I know they reverted to smaller holes because of pump clogging problems because the large holes allowed too much heavy sediment to settle into the tub drain hose and clog the drain pump.

 

 

Duel action agitators greatly improve turn over of large loads and therefore allow more laundry to be washed and increase water efficiency, CRs even called them the biggest advance in top loading washers in over 25 years in the early 80s.

 

No I have never seen them in commercial TL washers because they are so effective that manufactures do not want to encourage overloading and they are one additional thing that can wear out. [ top load washers are pretty much dead in commercial use now anyway ]

 

I can and almost always wash 10-12 pairs of my work jeans [ size 32W 34-36 I ] in a WP SC DD washer, A SQ will barely turn over this load and when I have tried loads like this you can see that some of the jeans are visibly beat up from the agitator and a standard large capacity MT [ well I won't go there ]

 

John L.

 

[Chetlaham]

What will the water usage be? I was under the impression that the 2018 regs basically force about the same water usage as a front loader- hence my bet on an impeller- but honestly its just a guess.

The models that I know have the same holes are 1998-1999 large cap machines. Its possible the small holes came latter (ie after 1997) but I am not sure.

As the pumps on GE washers those were a joke, along with the rectangular drain tube. Saw maintenance moan and groan about slow pump out.

The DA DD certainly holds more, thats for sure. In my current Queen I find myself running an extra load as apposed to my old Whirlpool built Maytag. FWIW one reason I left it behind was water leaking out during the delicate cycle. Often in the first drain the washer would shift directly into spin causing water to leak out onto the basement floor.

 

[agiflow2]

That is the problem with DAA. They encourage overloading and forcing the laundry down to the bottom vanes. I'm not saying a dual action isn't better all I am saying is it is not needed in these machines with a shallower and wider basket. The current agitators are fine.

 

[mrb627]

New Agitator

I believe this is the new agitator coming in 2018.

Malcolm

 

[combo52]

New Agitator

Cool Malcolm, well it looks like the clunky old transmission is gone, I would guess that the machine will operate more like a GE hydro-wave now.

 

Anyone that wants one of the old style SQ TLers better get off your ass and buy it fast.

 

We were warned a few months ago that the current TL washers were going to be in short supply toward the end of the year.

 

John L.