Australian-made Simpson "Fluid Drive"
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rinso
Well-known member
I always wondered why more manufacturers didn't use a fluid drive, AKA as a viscous drive, instead of a dry clutch. To me, it seemed like a perfect way to allow needed slippage in the first part of the spin cycle.
ragnboneman
Well-known member
on the surface a fluid drive sounds like a lovely idea.
But anyplace you have slip you have heat.
Heat ages things.
Heat is wasted energy.
Speaking from an electricians perspective working in heavy industry I like things to be as simple as possible with parts that consumables or easily serviced.
Fluid drives don't fit into this well because you cant see inside and they are not meant to be easily replaced or serviced most of the time.
When they fail its spectacular and messy.
But anyplace you have slip you have heat.
Heat ages things.
Heat is wasted energy.
Speaking from an electricians perspective working in heavy industry I like things to be as simple as possible with parts that consumables or easily serviced.
Fluid drives don't fit into this well because you cant see inside and they are not meant to be easily replaced or serviced most of the time.
When they fail its spectacular and messy.
astorobsession
Well-known member
@ragnboneman
I see what you’re saying, although these machines do seem to be washing away 60 years later without failing. They are the best quality with metal gears and parts.
I see what you’re saying, although these machines do seem to be washing away 60 years later without failing. They are the best quality with metal gears and parts.
ragnboneman
Well-known member
I'm hardly an expert on Wash machines.
I do know however some of the lubricants used up until the 1960 for precision machines used oils that don't age well.
If its not giving you trouble for 60 years they did something right.
But 60 year old oil might.
Is there a way to change the fluid drive lubricant and what sort of oil was used then and what can it be replaced with now?
What are modern equivalents for these machines?
( Whale oil was once very commonly added to fortify oils. Automatic transmissions used a lot of specialty oils. I see a potential connection here... )
I do know however some of the lubricants used up until the 1960 for precision machines used oils that don't age well.
If its not giving you trouble for 60 years they did something right.
But 60 year old oil might.
Is there a way to change the fluid drive lubricant and what sort of oil was used then and what can it be replaced with now?
What are modern equivalents for these machines?
( Whale oil was once very commonly added to fortify oils. Automatic transmissions used a lot of specialty oils. I see a potential connection here... )
astorobsession
Well-known member
@ragnboneman
Good question.
As both sides of the driving mech are insulated with screws, you would think so! I have no experience in this however...
Good question.
As both sides of the driving mech are insulated with screws, you would think so! I have no experience in this however...
Fluid drive for automatic washer, clutches
Was a pretty reliable system, but it was expensive to manufacture, and often slipped too much, Speed Queen had a lot of trouble with machines that would not get all the way up to Speed.
I don’t think this washer has been washing clothes for 60 years, the only time you see a 60-year-old automatic washer. It’s either had a huge amount of repair work done on it, or it has not been used for a good part of that time.
John
Was a pretty reliable system, but it was expensive to manufacture, and often slipped too much, Speed Queen had a lot of trouble with machines that would not get all the way up to Speed.
I don’t think this washer has been washing clothes for 60 years, the only time you see a 60-year-old automatic washer. It’s either had a huge amount of repair work done on it, or it has not been used for a good part of that time.
John
