A606S

[sudsmaster]

The "S" stands for "Special".

Well, almost. It stands for "Suds Saver", and I'm under the impression that such machines are relatively rare these days.

But I happened across one over the weekend, and couldn't resist the urge to take it home.

 

[sudsmaster]

The interior

This one has no trace of grease or oil in the bottom, but there is some sign of slight water leakage through one of the tub support bolts. You can also see a damper pad peeking out from under the damper. I wonder if I can release the springs, lift the tub, slide the pad back in place, maybe glue it down, and give it a coat of silicone grease...

You can see there is an old-style water pump, complete with complementary dessicated spider ;-). The hose leads to the back where the suds saver diverter valve resides. A closeup of this diverter valve from the back will follow.

 

[swestoyz]

Well Rich, once you start feeding 'em, they start to just follow you home! Congrats on your most recent find! Looking at the dial, it appears to possibly be a 66-68ish machine. Do you have any other shots or info? How's she look under the skirt - if you don't mind me asking. =)

Ben

 

[swestoyz]

Hey - you just posted another shot! Those clamps look factory fresh. Amazing...

 

[sudsmaster]

Suds Saver Buttons

Here's the buttons for the Save Suds/Drain Suds options.

And no, I haven't gotten to cleaning up the control panel yet.

 

[frigilux]

I grew up with a 1960 Kenmore with a suds-saver and I think they're a great way save water. Plus, they're fun to play with and the big open sink of detergent-laden water makes the laundry room smell so good.

Congrats on your new find!

 

[sudsmaster]

The Suds Saving Secret

Here's a shot of the diverter valve from the back of the machine. Note the two drain hoses. I don't think they are original - they are cheesy poly plastic, with modern wormdrive clamps. I will be looking for more original hoses. I'm assuming that when the button is pushed for "Save Suds" and the dial is set to "Suds Return", then the other hose is opened up and sucks the suds back into the washer. I think!

 

[sudsmaster]

The diverter valve from the front. You can see the valve support bracket, the valve solenoid housing, and the control wires leading to it. Wonder if it actually works?

 

[sudsmaster]

The control dial. Please note the "Return Suds" setting. I assume that this setting, plus the "Save Suds" button, will result in suds being sucked back into the machine for the next wash.

 

[sudsmaster]

Ben,

This is another '67 machine (S/N suffix DK). The belt area of the machine is squeaky clean - no sign of oil or grease. As you can see from the photos, the outside of the machine isn't in as good shape as the other A606; plus the tub shows signs of abrasion (but no rust or chipping). I'm going to have to get a laundry tub (preferably a dual tub) to really get the most from this machine, but meanwhile I'm planning on hooking it up outdoors for testing with a plastic barrel for saving/sucking suds.

 

[polkanut]

Mom had a 1967 GE Filter-Flo w/ suds-saver, a 1981 GE Filter-Flo also w/ suds-saver, and a '97 Maytag w/ suds-saver. My wife and I have a '98 Maytag w/ suds-saver, and matching dryer. Too bad no makes them anymore, a great money saver if you ask me!

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice Find,that's the one my mom had forever,and a day.

kennyGF

 

[bobbyderegis]

Hey Suds!
Looks like you're hooked! Told Ya.
Bobby in Boston

 

[swestoyz]

Rich,

Nice score, looks like she should clean up pretty easy. This unit appears to be a May of '67 machine. Does it have the same lint filter and agitator as your non Suds machine? These machines are like pups - always following you home!

Ben

BTW - working on bringing home another Suds machine myself... more details to come! This one is a dream machine.

 

[sudsmaster]

ben,

Yep, the machine is pretty much identical to the other A606, except for the original pump and the suds saver valving and controls. Same agitator, same lint filter.

Let me guess, you found an 806S?

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a 806; needn't be a suds saver though.

Interestingly, here's what Doug Emley has to say about suds saver washers (not that I agree with him - at this point I have no opinion on the matter):

"A few old machines were built with so-called "suds saver" features. They are characterized by having TWO drain hoses. On is supposed to lead to an external "suds" tank (usually a laundry tub-sing) where the wash water from a first load can be re-used for a second load. There is a suds diverter valve in the washer, and sometimes a suds return pump separate from the main washer pump."

"If you have one of these washers (not likely; they're pretty rare) do yourself a favor and disonnect the suds pump and/or diverter valve. Route all pump disharge out theough the drain."

"Or else get a gun and shoot the boomin' thing. They're just about impossible to get parts for."

Of course, this is from the same guy who claims that Maytags have clutches built into their transmissions.

 

[frigilux]

More ideas for suds-saver container: At one point, I had a 1959 Kenmore washer with suds-saver. Not having a sink in my small laundry space, I bought a big, heavy duty garbage can (the kind you drag to the curb, not the light-duty type you'd have in your kitchen) and it worked perfectly. It was rectangular and fit right between the washer and the wall. At the end of wash day, I'd pull it out and empty the inch of water at the bottom of the can into the kitchen sink or the bathtub.

 

[sudsmaster]

A big garbage can is a good idea. With any luck, I'll be able to test the washer in an open area of my courtyard this weekend.

 

[polkanut]

When my wife and I purchased our home in '98 the washer and dryer were included. The old laundry sink had been changed out for a suds tub. The washer was a suds-saver. The suds tub was made by the W.P. Johnson Co. of Des Moines IA. When we remodeled we moved the washer and dryer upstairs and the tub came with, and works GREAT!

 

[sudsmaster]

Polkanut,

Any chance you could post a photo of the "suds saver tub"? I've never seen one...

Thanks!

 

[bpetersxx]

this is a special suds saver tub
Sears sold them for years
suds water drained into the tub thru one hose hookup and the rinse water drained thru another hose hookup to the tub
correct me if wrong but is this tub missing the pipe that diverts the rinse water to the drain in the tub
dalangdon posted this and I saved the post