Commercial Speed Queen - Info required please

[hoover3060]

Hi Guys

The commercial speed queen below has come up on UK eBay and im thinking about going for it as I have always loved the Speed Queen top loaders. Growing up I would go to English holiday camps every year and of course would always check out the laundromat. They usually had Speed Queen top loaders and I was always fascinated with them.

I remember once when I was 12 I was in the laundromat late one night when it was about to close and a lady had put a load in. Unfortunately the water had been turned off (must have been on a timer) Anyway I went back and forth to reception with a bucket filling it up with water and filling up the speed queen. (what you do to see a machine in action!)

Sorry I will get to the point as I got carried away with a memory!

Has anyone got any info on this machine? I would love to see a shot of the tub and see what kind of agitator it has and tub. Does anyone know? Also anyone have an idea on the age? What are the cycles likely to be like? What options buttons are there? It looks like its been changed so you dont need to add money to make it work? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Have any of the UK guys got any pics from previous eBay auctions of this machine?

Thanks Guys

Mark

 

[liberator1509]

Hi Mark

This looks like it is one of the standard SQ commercial machines sold in the UK - but with a timer instead of the usual coin-slide. The machines sold here were usually single speed three temp/three cycle models (hot/warm/cold and normal/perm. press/delicate). This machine looks like it only has a temperature control switch, though the other might be missing. There are cycle status lights to the right on the temperature control.

The timer was a factory fit option for applications where coin-operation wasn't required. The tubs were usually stainless steel, with a really nice classic SQ straight-vane agitator.

Hope this helps - and I hope you add it to your great collection.

Below is a link from the current SQ line up showing the current BOL cycle control

David

http://www.speedqueen.com/comm/vend/controlImage.asp?control=2

 

[mattywashboy]

hi mark
i use these machines whenever i go to the laundromat, they are very fun to use and great at cleaning. The ones i use have both the surgilator type agitator and the straight vane, i like to use the surgilator type tho.
The cycle is pretty straight forward, about a 10 min wash on regular and then a spin drain and spray rinse then deep rinse and spin drain and final spin.
I love em and would be good to have one in your collection.

 

[hoover3060]

Hey David!

Hope your keeping well! I meant to say hello and thanks for the response on my other thread but forgot, so thanks for that and thanks for the response on this thread. Im still not sure if to go for it or not. I have asked the seller for some more pics but who knows if ill get them. depends on the seller as some sellers will and some wont. Im hoping it has a s/s tub as they look nice and I always worry about rusting in enamelled ones. I cant make out if the bottom knob is missing or not but there is writing in the middle where the knob should be so maybe there isnt a knob and all you get is the temp dial and no options for different fabrics. Maybe your supposed to use the timer as the fabric selection by selecting lower wash times.
Im quite bad for washing nearly everything on normal wash anyway!

The reason why im wanting this machine apart from it being a fab speed queen is that we dont actually have an "everyday" washer anymore. I dont want to keep continually use the vintage ones as I dont want to hammer them. This would be our everyday machine and hopefully as its a hard wearing one it should last. (lets just hope it is all ok and working but a lot of eBayers like to have there positive feedback so heres hoping). Im guessing the plug over the top of the machine is the plug for the machine and its not a hard wire job as they would be a no for getting it.

I shall wait and see if I get any other pics.

Hey Matt

Thanks for your comments and your piccy! A spin drain...fab! Cant beat them. Neutral drains are boring.

Mark

 

[mattywashboy]

the way the single dial works is it has three temps, hot warm and cold and they each have a cycle with them so if u select hot its a normal wash, warm is perm press and cold is 'special', the perm press is a normal wash with a shorter spin time i believe, no idea what special is i think it just means cold should only be for special things not everyday wear.
there are a row of indicator lights next to the dial, top is 'in use', second is 'final spin' and i think the last one is 'out of balance'
i have used speed queens with this type of control but mainly the control in the pic below, which is the next model up. The speed queen u may get will have a straight vane agi, really cool as the top disappears under the water level slightly so you get some cool action.
Btw, if ur around, come onto msn and chat
matt

 

[aquarius1984]

Get It Get It!

A good friend of mine became Daddy to his first child 2 weeks ago so as soon as I get chance to I want to come up to see him. He is 30 miles away from you so I could pop in for a brew, id love to see a good old SQ. Remember them as a kid on welsh Campsites but never used them. They seem to be extinct around here. Rob

 

[hoover3060]

Hi Rob

Where is your friend located? You are more than welcome to pop in for a cuppa and a gossip!

Matt

Thanks very much for the extra pics you sent.

What I would like to know is does anyone know how to defeat the lid switch on the Speed queen? I understand because its commercial you cant even watch it fill and wash! Im wondering if its like the modern whirlpool where it works buy using the lid hinge to operate a microswitch under the top?

Thanks

Mark

 

[hoover3060]

Hi Guys

Well I decided to bid even though I didn't get to see anymore pictures from the seller of it.

I WON IT!!!

Im just hoping its in working order and its in good condition. Im hoping the marks in the picture are just dirt and not rust.

The listing does say barely used and as new but who knows. I would have thought because the seller has nearly all positive feedback its true. We shall see.

If there are problems I know though I can come on here for help!

Mark

 

[mattywashboy]

yaaaay

good for you mark,
i hope its in good nick too, it will be a good washer to have in ur collection plus if it is barely used then it should last a long time as a daily driver.
congratulations
matt