Amana to Speed Queen

[yogitunes]

At what point did Amana stop making the TL machines and when did Speed Queen start making them again as TRUE Alliance machines?...

How can you tell the difference?....both machines almost look alike

If I pick out a used SQ, how do I know it's not Amana junk underneath?

 

[alr2903]

Check for a leak and rust, it's their forte' alr2903

 

[danmantn]

Speed Queen was sold to Alliance in 1998. Due to a non-compete agreement, Speed Queen was not allowed to be sold in the consumer market until 2004...at which time Speed Queen came back in a blaze of glory. I'm unsure at what point Speed Queen stopped making it's own and went to just making Amana's for the home market...I would guess early to mid 1990s as I've not seen any Speed Queen machines from that time period.

When researching Speed Queen, I had an at-length conversation with the SQ rep at the SQ HQ...he said when re-entering the market they kept all the "tried and true" pieces, and improved every where they could. I would imagine that's mostly in terms of the quality of components, vs any radical design changes. I'm continuous amazed at how well the agitator work for it's small size (even though it's from the Amana days). Now if we could just get Speed Queen to be a bit sexier...the guy at SQ said they are pretty firm on keeping things simple. Oh, to see a ramp agitator in a SQ. They are listening though as they redesigned the control panel/graphics on the TLs and increased the window size on the FLs based on customer and dealer feedback.

Link to Wiki article that has more links to the actual events.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_Queen

 

[aldspinboy]

Martin... there is a comparison sheet in the Speed Queen thraed from mrb627 for the Amana washer the gear case are plastic verses stainless steel drive parts and a plastic outer tub verses stainless.
Not as nice as your machine !
A TRUE SPEED QWEEN AND LIGHTNING FAST I LOVE YOUR WASHER HERE IS YOUR TUB.

 

[aldspinboy]

Pic 2.

 

[yogitunes]

Thats where the issue comes in, you would have to literally open the machine up and look at least for the outter tub to know its an updated SQ by Alliance......

and although I do really like the new TL SQ, there is the capacity and thorough washing, but I think the agitator needs to have bigger vanes....

there are only 2 machines I have ever operated that if you are washing anything but a full load, the lid must be closed, the wash action and splashing does not permit the lid to be open, you would need a glass lid to observe, even kenmore and whilpool machines on a half load don't perform this well....

and those machines are My mothers 1964 GE FF V12, and the SQ solid tub....

 

[supersurgilator]

I saw an Amana washer in a Menards ad last week that looked like a Whirlpool. Anybody know if this could be the case now?

 

[nmassman44]

The outer tub on my SQ washer is Porcelain on steel. Inner is Stainless steel. The washer's agitator really doesnt need to be bigger. It does fine just the way it is. Rollover is very good and it doesnt need a spiral upper to get the load to the base where the cleaning action is. I am amazed at how much I can put in and how clean everything gets.
On the Amana washer at Menards yeah thats a Whirlpool washer in disguise. Like the Maytags of today are as well.

 

[mrb627]

Three Vanes to Four

Speed Queen switched from three vanes to four when the solid tub went away. The four vanes stir up the load very well. When properly loaded and water level is matched to the load size with the variable water level control, it does a marvelous job. As far as the cork screw agitator, I believe if you are putting enough clothes in the machine that you need an auger to roll them over, then you are overloading the machine.

Malcolm

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[mtn1584]

SQ Agitator is just fine the way it is!

I love that agitator, I've washed my queen sized comforter in my SQ TL as well as many large loads, and the rollover was perfect. I've had WP and Kenmore machines. The tub, agitator, and wash action in my Speed Queen are far superior!!! And I can't stand that dunkadunkadunkadunkadunka that WP/Kenmore DD machines make as the dogs move the auger.

 

[goatfarmer]

I don't "think" there was an Amana/Whirlpool connection.

 

[angus]

There wasn;t until Whirlpool subsumed Maytag which already owned Amana. I am surprised that an Amana today would resemble a Whirlpool because of how they would position each brand offering in the market. But nothing would surprise me anymore...

 

[danmantn]

I think everything that Whirlpool owns looks/runs/acts like a Whirlpool.

 

[autowasherfreak]

We have a Maytag (TL) at work, and everything about it screams Whirlpool. Kind of sad that they all look and sound alike these days. I think that's why I like the older machines best you could tell the difference between a Maytag and Whirlpool even Kenmore had a distinctive look.