A Good Deal? Speed Queen Comm.Frnt.Load 30#

[someguy]

I know nothing about this machine except it's "lightly used". The owner wants $850 and I have always wanted a front loader like this one.

Any comments greatly appreciated. That includes warnings to keep away from it, etc.
It's true I don't know what I might be getting into here.
I understand it may have to be anchored and may need 240V. I hope it's not 3-phase.

Any and all opinions very welcome.

thanks!

 

[someguy]

another fuzzy view...

They didn't give a model or age. One owner thinks it's a 30# the other thought it was a 25#.

 

[whirlcool]

We have one similar to this at the animal shelter I work at sometimes. They clean very good and quick. You wouldn't believe all the stuff on the blankets that goes into our machine, but comes out perfectly clean each and every time! I think a total load takes about 35-30 minutes from beginning to end.

I believe that these washers also need a trench type drain built into the floor as well as 240V power. That's what we have at the shelter.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Yes, They have gravity drains. See if you can get the seller to post the model number, or better yet the specs of the nameplate. If you go to SpeedQueen's website, you can find out their convention for model numbers of commercial machines. If it is 3 phase, you have a few options. Either convert machine to 1 phase or build rotary phase converter. This machine will need to be bolted in at least 6 inches of concrete. If you get it, be sure that you have a few people with you, that machine weighs in the range of 500LB. to 630LB. These machines mean BUSINESS, they can be very dangerous if they are not properly installed.

 

[suburbanmd]

Those commercial washer/extractors have pretty unimpressive spin speeds and G-forces, judging from the specs on SQ's web site. Maybe they're paired with very powerful dryers in commercial use.

 

[launderess]

Washer/Extractor pictured are the same units at local laundromats.

Simple and basic no frills units designed to do the job quickly, and withstand abuse.

As other poster stated, these units are gravity drain and require bolting into six inches of concrete. And while they do not mess about when it comes to spinning, the results are pretty poor when compared to TOL or even MOL domestic front loaders.

Have done loads of thick and thirsty towels in the 50lb unit at local laundromat, and they emerged after the rather long final spin still rather wet. Takes almost an hour in those very hot laundromat dryers to get the darn towels even close to damp dry. And considering how much heat those dryers put out, that is saying something.

Did the same towels at home in either the Miele or Hoover TT, and not only did towels emerge dryer after the final spin, but took about 20mins to reach toasty dry stage in the same large laundromat dryers.

Just my two pence, do with it what you will.

L.

 

[sudsman]

The speed queen machines are designed to

give commerical users a load every 30 or so min. a load of towels will dry in 45 mins in a commerical dryer.. If prorgrammed to run a 10 min extract (as I do ours) the load will dry in 30 mins. with a warm last rinse. They do fine job of washing heavy soil items.. and can withstand years of abuse.

 

[gmmcnair]

I've used these in the laundromats before....

....they work really well as far as cleaning, but extraction is pretty lackluster like everyone said.

They would be awesome paired up with a spin dryer or an old laundry extractor to finish the job up.