Commercial Washer Recommendations for Developing Country

[labboy]

Hello AW:

I’ve done volunteer humanitarian work in Haiti for the last 20 years. One of the places I’ve worked at for the last 5 years is a large hospital. My focus is managing the clinical labs (that’s what I do professionally) but I often get pulled into other projects / issues.

Recently that was the laundry. It’s problematic for many reasons. One of which is the machines they are using. Many recent model, cheaply made GE machines. They break or fail totally on a regular basis. (I would have never recommended they purchase them. Happened long before I was involved.). Power is very bad. But, they do have a nice setup with copious hot and cold water with good pressure.

I think commercial front loading units with gravity drain would be ideal for them. I’m thinking older electromechanically controlled units. II’d like something that’s relatively easy to service and has parts availability.

Any suggestions about older units I could find on the used market? I can ship to Miami and have units sent on a container.

Thanks for your help.

Bob

 

[jamiel]

I've got to think that old front load commercial machines (Wascator) would be the best solution rather than anything top loading. As you say, avoid electronics...hard mount if you can get the slab poured...think simple simple.

 

[henene4]

I do think going old school wouldn't be a good idea in a commercial setting like that.
Keep in mind probably no one there has significant knowledge of machine operations - neither of old or new. So saying just because it's a timer it'll be easier to service isn't really a valid way if reasoning if there is no one to diagnose and service there anyway.

I'd much more make that dependent on where the exact location is and if ANY supplier or servicer of machines is nearby.
I am aware that Haiti - due to its socio-economic situation and many other factors - has a SIGNIFICANTLY lower need for high quality, commercial grade machines like you'd need.
But I would be just as surprised if there is none at all - there will be some amount of hotels that need similar equipment.

And from there on basically any supplier of commercial laundry equipment will have a solution fitting the needs.
There are many commercial machines designed with reduced heating power or even none at all and adapted cycles for that special application.

Protecting the machines from over voltage is really easy - a surge protector even for that size of load is a minimal expense compared to the shipping you are talking about.
And most any machine of that class has brown out protection.

If the supplier is anything reputable - ELux, Alliance or Miele - you'll get parts and service even 30 years later.
The Miele WS 5xxx machines of the 90s are only now disappearing from laundromats over here, and that's just because repairs are getting uneconomical, not impossible.

 

[combo52]

Heavy duty, easy to repair commercial machines

Hi Bob, by far the easiest to repair and most rugged machines are going to find our Speed Queen front load washers. You can either get the smaller soft mount ones or bigger hard mount machines, depending on the size of your project and the budget.

Speed Queen is the world, leader and heavy duty laundry for commercial and residential use,

John

 

[grnappliance]

WCN Dexter or SC30 Speed Queen

I have observed a couple of machines with the electromechanical controls and gravity drains you're looking for. Most of the laundromats with equipment like that are usually using the brands Dexter and Speed Queen (both very good). Another machine is the Wascomat, but their mechanical platform is becoming quite old from what I've seen.

Both the Dexter and Speed Queen washers are hard-mounted to the ground, so if you go that route, you will need a concrete floor to bolt them to. Performance-wise, I would recommend the Speed Queens because they have better wash and rinsing performance, and they are very customizable to suit the requirements. If efficiency is important, Dexters have water-efficient wash cycles and save a lot of time as well.

As far as reliability is concerned, both machines are pretty similar, but I have more confidence in Dexter's build quality than Speed Queen. Both are also pretty equal when it comes to servicing, but again, Dexter is just a bit more accessible in some areas.

Whatever unit you end up selecting for the laundry, all front-loading, electromechanical, and gravity drain washers are generally built with reliability in mind. I'm confident in their ability to provide many years of long-lasting, dependable service. I hope this helps, and all the best with your project!

 

[whirlykenmore78]

For a Hospital laundry which runs 24/7/365

You need serious Industrial Washer-extractors and clean barrier machines. Alliance laundry/UniMac, Girbau, Milnor or Elecrtolux all have good options for healthcare laundry.
In any case it is important to make sure the utility connections are there for the chosen machines. These machines sold in the USA typically require either208-240/60/1-3, or 460-480/60/3.
Confirm your voltages and ability to bolt down any Hardmount machines before ordering.
Also confirm if the machines will need to heat their own water or if hot water of at least 60C is available.
WK78