What is meant by indexing of the tub?
a simple question from a beginner
- Thread starter wilkinsservis
- Start date
Help Support :
partscounterman
Member
Indexing
On certain american automatics, the tub turns with the agitator on either the back or forth stroke. So the agitator oscilates, and the tub turns with it one way, catching a ride with the agitator say on the clockwise stroke (I hope I am making sense)
On certain american automatics, the tub turns with the agitator on either the back or forth stroke. So the agitator oscilates, and the tub turns with it one way, catching a ride with the agitator say on the clockwise stroke (I hope I am making sense)
westytoploader
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2004
- Messages
- 4,485
More on Indexing Tubs
To follow up on this, the agitator stroke does not remain in one place during oscillation (like it would on a Speed Queen or Belt-Drive Whirlpool); instead it moves around with the tub. From my experiences, modern washers with indexing tubs are boring and subpar at cleaning; since the tub and agitator are turning all the time there is virtually no turnover. Current indexing-tub equipped machines include Frigidaire top loaders, and Frigidaire/Kenmore 27" stacked W/D machines. There are other brands as well, but I can't remember them off the top of my head. But that's discussion for the Deluxe forum.
Vintage machines, on the other hand, are a little different. My parents had a 1986 Westinghouse that washed very well, and Robert's (Unimatic1140) 1966 Wizard Citation is another prime example. A vintage washer with an indexing tub is OK; just avoid the modern ones at all costs. YUK!
--Austin
To follow up on this, the agitator stroke does not remain in one place during oscillation (like it would on a Speed Queen or Belt-Drive Whirlpool); instead it moves around with the tub. From my experiences, modern washers with indexing tubs are boring and subpar at cleaning; since the tub and agitator are turning all the time there is virtually no turnover. Current indexing-tub equipped machines include Frigidaire top loaders, and Frigidaire/Kenmore 27" stacked W/D machines. There are other brands as well, but I can't remember them off the top of my head. But that's discussion for the Deluxe forum.
Vintage machines, on the other hand, are a little different. My parents had a 1986 Westinghouse that washed very well, and Robert's (Unimatic1140) 1966 Wizard Citation is another prime example. A vintage washer with an indexing tub is OK; just avoid the modern ones at all costs. YUK!
--Austin
Indexing
The AU Simpsons, Hoovers and Westinghouse all index.
The AU Simpsons, Hoovers and Westinghouse all index.
The AU Hoovers, Simpson and Westinghouse should not index, they have a solenoid operated brake which holds the tub steady during agitation. The brake on these machines has some slack in it, allowing the tub to rock side to side a bit during agitation, but that is not the same as indexing, where there is a mechanism that allows the tub to turn one way during agitation. If a Hoover or, more likely, a Simpson/Westinghouse is indexing, it indicates wear in the brake band as a badly worn brake is only effective in one direction.
Fisher and Paykel machines, both current models and the older Gentle Annie series, have a completely free tub during wash - there is no brake and the tub can move freely either way. On the Gentle Annie it can only move so far before the agitator drive block contacts the spin drive block, then they drive together for a bit. So on a Gentle Annie during wash the tub rocks back and forth a little and occasionally you hear a slight knock and the tub moves firmly a small amount. This is an accident of the drive mechanism design, not a deliberate action.
Chris
Fisher and Paykel machines, both current models and the older Gentle Annie series, have a completely free tub during wash - there is no brake and the tub can move freely either way. On the Gentle Annie it can only move so far before the agitator drive block contacts the spin drive block, then they drive together for a bit. So on a Gentle Annie during wash the tub rocks back and forth a little and occasionally you hear a slight knock and the tub moves firmly a small amount. This is an accident of the drive mechanism design, not a deliberate action.
Chris
