Comparison of A412 and Maytag Dependable Care

[kingfishg6]

What are the differences, if any, of the A412 I referenced previously and the Dependable Care Maytags (Model starts with LAT) of the mid-1990s? I have read that the Dependable Care, though unspectacular in bells and whistles, is nearly bullet proof and washes clothes well like Maytag used to do. Is the A412 just an earlier--1980s--version of the Dependable Care?

 

[vacerator]

kingfishg6,

my 1988 Maytag large capacity push button console washer had a whirlpool looking type transmission mounted against the underside of the tub. It spun with the tub.
It connected to the motor pulley via a long shaft.
My 1995 Fabric matic 3 cycle had the round shaped gear case.

 

[kenmore71]

For the most part kingfishg6, yes.
The 12-series machines were produced from mid-1984 until mid-1990. Late in that run (1989) the long-stroke pitman transmission was replaced with the short-strike orbital transmission. After that change, the only really significant change made to Maytag washers that came out of Newton up through 2006 was the "Load-Sensor" agitator that came along in about 1997.

 

[DADoES]

 
Dependable Care is largely a marketing term.  The full model number is more relevant and descriptive.

Older two-belt Maytags have a "pitman"-style transmission, which produces a longer, slower agitation stroke.

Newer two-belt models have an "orbital" transmission (refers to the internal gearing design) which produces a shorter, faster agitation stroke, similar to Whirlpool's direct-drive transmission.

Both types are "helical" drive and rotate during spin.

 

[kingfishg6]

Model number

The model number of the Dependable Care Maytag I am looking at is LAT 8714AAL with a serial number of A0202289 KM. Which brings me to another question: where is a good resource for matching production dates and places with the Maytag serial number.

I took a look at it today and it is in good shape with minimal dings and no scratches on the porcelain. It has new belts and no leaks water or oil. I don't know who had it--an old person with no kids--or a family who worked it to death, but from appearances it looks good. The color is the khaki and brown work up they had two decades ago.

 

[DADoES]

 
Per the parts diagram, LAT8714AAL has the newer-style orbital transmission.

A412 Series 10 (and later) also has the orbital.  A412 prior to Series 10 has the old-style transmission.

Appliance411 is a good site to reference aging by serial number.

 

[vacerator]

DADoes,

Dependable care was applied to genuine Maytags to distinguish them from "Perfoma"
line Norges badged Maytag Performa.
A huge mistake by Maytag, as the lower price point brought more Maytag buyers, but upon discovering the much shorter life, never returned as customers.