Aussie Maytag Centennial Agitator Change-out...

[streakers]

Hiya folks,

Have a Maytag Centennial -http://maytag.com.au/products_MDC1305AAW.asp which has the corkscrew type agitator which I find terribly harsh on all clothes...

Was wondering if there were any other types of agitators that I could get to suit my machine - without the corkscrew?

I'm a huge fan of Speed Queen washers - and like their 'plain jane' style agitators and was wondering if there were any like that which may suit my machine?

Any suggestions for suppliers in Australia also - would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers
Ste

 

[cphifer5115]

i used to have a simlar maytag centennial washer here in the states and i was able to change out the cork srew agitator out to this on that in that link. it's a two piece agitator with a lint filter in the top half of it. and it realy catches the lint realy good.

Whirlpool 387838 Agitator with Filter (AP3019581) - AppliancePartsPros.com

Agitator with filter 387838 / AP3019581 made by Whirlpool

www.appliancepartspros.com

 

[cphifer5115]

and here is the link to the fabric softener dispenser that will fit that agitator.

Whirlpool 63580 Liquid Fabric Softener Dispenser (AP3048948) - AppliancePartsPros.com

The Liquid Fabric Softener Dispenser is an OEM part for Whirlpool washing machines. It is designed to dispense fabric softener at the appropriate time during the wash cycle, ensuring that your laundry comes out soft and fresh. This liquid fabric softener dispenser fits most 1984 and newer 24 and...

www.appliancepartspros.com

 

[streakers]

I think I've

seen some Youtube videoes with those in them? Many thanks Chris - however do you know if there is any solid vane type ones? The flex vanes types are good - but I'd like to see if there are any other options before ordering from the US...

Chris are you able to confirm if the following videos (probably from a member of this site) are the same agitator?



Appreciate your help!
Cheers
Ste

 

[brisnat81]

Hi Steve,

If you go with the straight vane agitator, you'll need to start underloading the machine slightly. They still work fine, but all the cleaning happens at the bottom of the tub and there then isnt the corkscrew to assist the load to circulate. If you load normally, it'll just stop circulating.

Having had the Straight vane in a 24" machine and the Corkscrew in a full size machine, the corkscrew is less rough as the clothes constantly circulate, rather than sitting on the bottom getting beaten before slowly moving around.

The DD machines are generally rough compared to the long strong aussie machines, all changing to the straight vane agitator will do is slow the rollover down.

Just another perspective. They clean great, but it's easy to overwash.

Love the landcruiser by the way, we've got a 2009 Sahara that loves beach trips.

Nathan

 

[DADoES]

 
I've never understood why so many people think the auger itself is a cause of roughness. All it does is rotate 90° or so on the backstroke (or frontstroke, whichever) to promote the load circulating down to the lower fins where the cleaning action occurs. It doesn't even come into play on the low water level. Rollover is what everybody wants regards to their agitators, no?

Flexing fins reduce aggressiveness ... being as they flex under a heavy load.

 

[cphifer5115]

yes you can get a str8 vane agitator that is one piece. the link below is the part your looking for part number 63377 if you search on ebay you will be able to find the same part for a lot cheaper. But, I must say since i used to have the same washer, it doesn't not have any kind of lint filter on it from the manufacturer. Also it is true you will have to watch how you load the machine so you still have roll over, but i can tell you I was able to watch 8 large bath towels at one time in the machine and still had great turn over.

also there is a fabric softner dispenser that fits this agitator part number 63594

Whirlpool WPW10131112 Agitator (AP6015461) - AppliancePartsPros.com

AGITATOR WPW10131112 / AP6015461 made by Whirlpool

www.appliancepartspros.com

 

[cphifer5115]

pic of softner dispenser

 

[cphifer5115]

I have a video on youtube using the excat str8 vane agitator in the maytag centennial i used to have. below is the link

 

[appnut]

It's the washing machine, not specifically the agitator. I ought to know, I had a DD Kenmore (aka Lady Kenmore (Shredmore)) for 20 years. How long are you setting the washer for wash times? If you are setting the machine beyond 8 miinutes for wash on cotton/sturdy or 6 minutes on casual/wrinkle free/permanent press you are beating your washing to death. If washing is too soiled to get effectively clean in that amount of time in these machines, then soak for a while before completing the wash phase. Me, I ended up washing everything on gentle except for towels, underwear, and jeans. And only fill the machine about 3/4 full of washing when doing anything on gentle or you won't have any rollover.

 

[streakers]

Thanks for the input guys!

I appreciate all opinions - however I probably should clarify for DADoES, as I don't believe it's the 'screw' so to speak that is rough on clothes - I believe the whole design concept in my particular machine is rough in general.

The fast stroke - combined with an agressive (merely in my opinion) based agitator tends to be really really rough. Maybe I'm just used to a smoother, straight vane agitator like in the older Speed Queens. (They didn't have flex-vanes either) I find they still have wonderful turnover - without having the literally beat the you know what out of everything...

I often find large bed sheets jammed into the bottom of the Whirltag bowl - just because the bottom of the agitator doesn't promote roll-over. They'd be twisted into such a tight mess that I'd have to re-reinse the load again... I never had this problem with other (Speed Queen or any other) machines...

However - as I said - I'm all ears and am wanting to hear all opinions so I can make an informed choice about what to get...

(Currently thinking to just get another Speed Queen!!!) However husband can't justify the expense when there's nothing wrong with the Whirltag.

Chris - or anyone else - know of any other options without the 'flex vane' fins on the base? Sorry - I'm not up to speed with the correct terminology.

I've taken the screw part off the existing agitator - and it still works well - but not on full loads - exactly as Nathan observed.

Maybe I should just go and purchase a Speed Queen??

Nathan do you know if an old model Agitator from say an Aussie version of a 207 would fit??

 

[brisnat81]

Hi Steve,

It's a very different mounting system to the proper maytags, the centre post is much taller in the Whirlpools.

I've never had an issue with Sheets balling up in the bottom, they should move down the post in the middle and then come back up around the sides of the tub. (Think like a big O) Not backwards and forwards like in a long stroke machine. Are you dropping them in, or wrapping them around the tub?

Nathan

 

[streakers]

Definately dipping!!

However our linen is heavy - I think all 1250 Thread count - and king size...

Often they will gown down the middle as you say Nathan - rarely then do they come back up... It's like they're too heavy to push back up the outside of the tub - then they just sit in the bottom getting mashed into a big twist. When it does this - I can hear the transmission working hard, making a horrid metallic clanking sound, heard from the other end of the house!!

However this sound is not uncommon from what Maytag have stated - that it is normal to do that under heavy load...???

 

[brisnat81]

The direct Drive clanking is part of the experience My understanding is that its gotten louder in later models as they've used a thinner transmission oil.

For sheets that big, maybe you should look at a Miele or Speed Queen FL machine. That's a lot of heavy fabric to try and wash in a TL like that. Does it get any better if you only wash 1 at a time? Just to try it out and see?

 

[cphifer5115]

as far as i know all the vanes at the bottom are flex vanes on all the DD machines that whirlpool built.

 

[appnut]

Do not wrap the sheets around the agitator. Simply pick one sheet up by the middle of itand lift off the gorund and place in the machine. Do not wrap around the agitator. That should take up about 1/2 of the side of the agitator and bowl. Pick up the other sheet the same way and place opposite in the bowl. Pillowcases on the other two quarters. If you're adding anything else to the wash load, you are overloading the machine. These are Whilpool produced products and design, nothing like the Aussie Maytag A207. Completely different beast and approach to washing laundry.

 

[DADoES]

 
I routinely washed a set of queen-size sheets in my KA with three pillow cases and several shirts (sometimes 5 or 6) to make a full load. Never had a problem with poor performance.  Just sayin' ...

 

[streakers]

Wow - the knowledge here is awesome!

I would never have guessed that about the change in transmission oil being used. How on earth do you find out about stuff like that Nathan???

Appnut - as mentioned earlier - I'm not wrapping any items around the agitator - merely dropping them in around it. I wish I had one of the old models - then I'd be in Washer Heaven!

DADoES - I wish I had your luck - as I'm just trying to do the same - however I seem to be having nothing but trouble! I'm just saying that in my particular machine (Who knows - maybe something else could be causing the problem???) I find the action particularly rough and noisy. But then again - if I knew that before I purchased - I wouldn't have chosen this machine. I was also unsure as to if these machines were identical to those in the US - I remember seeing different models at Home Depot last winter - however nothing the same as mine.

Nathan as you've suggest - I've tried washing the sheets individually - however I must admit I get frustrated at this thought - considering by Aussie retail standards it's supposed to be somewhat 'Heavy Duty' (notice you don't see that anywhere these days!) and I should be able to fill the machine (not overfill of course) and wash an entire load without any problems. And considering the steep price tag (in excess of $1,200) I'd expected a better built and quieter machine.

It's a shame - as I would have opted for something different if I knew this would be the outcome, especially coming from a 15 year old Speed Queen to an Electrolux Front Loader (Had 6 of them in 6 months due to fault) then buying the Maytag. Speed Queen was fine - if not noisy - but otherwise still going strong... Regret getting rid of it!

It's also very odd - as we wash other bulky items - and probably not quite as heavy - without too much fuss.... I'm thinking with all this info that my bed linen is just simply too heavy for it??

How does everyone else go with heavy linens?

 

[appnut]

and I should be able to fill the machine

I hear ya. I grew up with machines that allowed me to match very closely the proper water level to load size in the 1964 Norge15, the 1970 Kenmore 800 (belt-drive Whirlpool product), my 1978 GE FilterFlo, and my mom's equivalent GE Filterflo. And I had the same expectation for the Lady Shredmore. I'd fill the machine loosely up to the top of the bowl, right under the lip of the bowl, and the machine would have so much extra water in it while agitating. That drove me nuts, just too much wasted water for the load, so I added more to get what I considered a "normal" amount of water, rollover, and laundry in the machine. But it was just too harsh on fabrics loading it like I used to do with other machines. Numerous people here told me I needed to give it more room of circulation so it wouldn't be so harsh. I also started using gentle 90% of the time and like I said, only filling the machine with laundry about 3/4 full at most to have sufficient rollover. Just a huge waste of water for what I was getting washed each load like that. And my water bills showed it. All in all, just went wayy too much against the way I was raised to fill the machine without overloading. If you see Roberts video on the load of darks in his 1964 Norge, that's bout what a load looked like when I did laundry in our Norge15. Now I will add, my mom always under utilized capacity, except when she washed sheets. She'd always start the machinne to filling, add detergent, and then go off and find stuff to put in the machine. Sometimes she'd have to turn the machine off after it had filled all the way up. Those scenarios, she wayyy underloaded for a full wter level. My dad knew she under capacitied all the time wasting water, drove him nuts. He always liked it when I did laundry. Was done far more efficiently. Personally, I have no regrets moving to a front loader. I hope I never have to go back to a regular type top loader. If I did, the only ones I would consider would be a Speed Queen or the F&P with the regular type agitator. I found DADoES' to be fairly reasonable on fabric care when I did the 6 or 9 loads of my laundry at his house at the 2006 wash-in. I put more in his machine than I did in the Shredmore by that time, per load. And didn't worry about fabric damage.[this post was last edited: 11/29/2010-01:16]