Corkscrew Agitators

[agiflow]

I don't see the need for a DAA in a large capacity belt drive with a wide tub.

The direct drives needed them more and the VMW platform definitely benefits more from them.

I've got two super capacity belt drives without dual action agitators and I've loaded both of them up to the tub ring and still get turnover.

The Penta Swirl I find is a powerful yet gentle agitator. It has that soothing wavy wash action that's even more pronounced on bulkier loads.

Just my $.02

 

[tolivac]

I like how Speed Queen does not use a DA agitator. Their current design WORKS without using a DA agitator. I sort of think of SQ as the “Kirby” of washers since they use their tried and proven design.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

surgilator

What do you think of the surgilator?

 

[agiflow]

The Surgilator, especially in its last form for the belt drives as the Double Duty is a brute strength knock em down kick butt agitator.

 

[tolivac]

Surgilators

This agitator is BETTER than the DA agitators any day. I have owned washers that had the SURGILATORS better by far.

 

[neptunebob]

I did not know Whirlpool was in ancient Greece. I would think something like the screw of Archimedes would somehow be in a public domain a long time ago and how would it be patented by Whirlpool?

 

[circlew]

In 1976 I was working part time at the Sears Catalog Merchant Store that my mom's friend Faye owned. I remember the Dual-Action agitator being a really big deal, and there was a Lady Kenmore washer with it on display in the store. According to Faye, the reason Sears had it as an exclusive for the amount of time it did, was because Sears was the one footing most of the cost of its development.

 

[launderess]

Mr. Archimedes.

Rest assured the man and his famous invention are quite well known, many may not know what Archimedies screw (or devices based upon it are), but never the less.

From ship propulsion to industrial washing machines, Archimedies screw is well known.

Batch/tunnel washers came about thanks to Mr. Archimedies's invention.





On another note WP sued Maytag over patent infringement when latter introduced their version of "corkscrew" agitator to Canada.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlpool_Corp_v_Camco_Inc

https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2000/2000scc67/2000scc67.html

 

[agiflow]

Will say this though that the DAA does give more uniform turnover compared to the Penta Swirl.

I've noticed the 74 Kenmore goes out of balance a lot with that agitator in that jumbo tub.

It is very temperamental with loads that are not of the same weights

Even the surgilator in the 85 machine has more of a uniform turnover and
doesn't go out of balance as easy.

Regardless though I still really like that Penta Swirl. It's a very decent agitator for that large tub.

 

[DADoES]

 
Today's Whirlpool Patent of the Day (dated 1997-07-29, filed 1993-08-31) details improved types of augers with 1) a contoured/curved edge or 2) rubbing nubs on the bottom surface.

 

[launderess]

Is this the new patent design?

 

[gelaundry4ever]

super surgilator

So what was the difference between the surgilator and the super surgilator?

 

[DADoES]

 
Super Surgilator had the three large lower fins protruding slightly past the skirt.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

surgilator and dirt

I like how the surgilator scrubs out ground in dirt without beating the fibers out of your clothes.

 

[DADoES]

 
All mechanical washing methods cause wear on fabric fibers.

 

[launderess]

If it's roll over that's wanted, this wins bar none.

 

[mickeyd]

Not a fan ~

Further homogenization of the former stark originality of all thing washing machine, all the look alike nonsense is depressing when recalling the glories of the once unique panoply of machines at our disposal.

Have an old friend and former colleague who is super smart and multi-talented, but oh what a row we had when he insisted that his whole agitator in his brand new Whirlpool was turning round and round in circles. No washer sense of what a round and round load would look like in a top loader. He always washed full loads of like clothing: "I just washed 25-- TWENTY-FIVE-- shirts," he'd boast. I had to make him watch me fill his Whirlpool to Extra Low with no clothing on gentle speed before he believed me. Doubting Thomas indeed, his name is Tom, and he'll love that I told this story.

Laundress, I have a Whirlpool with the twist monster removed from the agitator and it works just swell without it. Alternativley, I switch in the massive Kitchen-Aid agitator, unmolested, for the rare mega load, or king-sized quilts, or a three blanket load.

Cheers, nice query!

 

[launderess]

Honorable mention, Frigidaire.

 

[dominic20]

Agreed

I love duel action Agitator's especially kitchenaid
I finally have a blue wide base