Comparison of agitation - RotoSwirl vs. RotoFlex

[redcarpetdrew]

While we're waiting for Gordon's shipping guy to come pick up the three machines, I thought I'd have a little fun with them. When the pictures of the 900 set were posted, there seemed to be some discussion as to which agitator worked better. So, I figured a little side by side comparison was in order. Here's the two lab rats for our experiment...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Ooohhh, lookie! The 900's all lit up now!

I found a spare light tube for the 900's. Only one... So, they took their turns being lit up. The dryer went first...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Then I had to see the washer...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Another pic...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Washing by the pale moonlight...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

So anyway, here's the labrats again. What good would the comparison be without some video for the effort. See what you think. It was fun to make.

RCD

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[redcarpetdrew]

Sorry about the ad in the video. It seems that if you use music in the video, it opens the door for YouTube to stick it in there. I sure as hell didn't want it in there...

RCD

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Rotoswirl is certainly better !!!!!

 

[peteski50]

Kenmore!

I vote rotoswirl. I always liked that one better anyway.
Thanks for posting.
Peter

 

[dblrinz]

RCD

Great Video! Thanks!!!

 

[jeffg]

Rotoswirl = Best agitator ever IMO. Nothing before or since has ever beat it for performance vs. gentleness.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

I am a kenmores lovers ... but I think that the Rotoflex is the worst out that Kenmore has done, before the last one: The wash plate!!

 

[sudsman]

Rotoswirl

Gets my vote!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Full disclosure required!

I actually had to remove two towels and bump up the water level on the RotoSwirl (the white washer) for that turnover. Otherwise, it was just slogging around. Those two towels ended up in the RotoFlex and then I actually added two more and it still seemed to handle all of it just fine. There is a theory that since the RotoSwirl is a larger agitator setup, that it might cut down on overall capacity a little bit, but I don't know that for sure. The 900 with the RotoFlex sure did move the load. I am interested to see what everyone's opinions are and esp. Gordon's as he is the proud Papa to be of these...

RCD

 

[peterh770]

Hard to say. Flex allows more capacity, because Swirl is such a big agitator. But kind of like the straight vaned GE agitators, I could see Flex making more lint. Flex would get more hampered by a big load, and especially jeans, so I have to go with Swirl.

But I prefer a Surgilator.

 

[peterh770]

BTW, great video work! Thanks for doing!

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Dear PeterH770-
I do not see how the quantity of lints could depend from the agitator.....

 

[toploader55]

Great Video Drew

I like your selection "Fur Elise" for the Elegant Introduction for the Agitators. Eddie

 

[gyrafoam]

Sometimes-----

the amount of lint had a lot to do with the amount of fabric damage the agitator was causing. An unfortunate by-product of creating all that turbulence.

The Roto-Swirl was fairly gentle when compared to the flex or any of the straight-vanes such as the Surgilator.

I still have Jason's "65 Frankenmore" on steroids (with the high-frequency pulley). It agtitates so fast on regular speed the clothes don't know whether to roll up or down with a Super Roto-Swirl installed. Install a Roto-Flex and it becomes a huge Vita-Mix!