difference between DA and Triple Action Agitators

[vintagekenmore]

Finally purchased my washer and dryer for the new house (pics to come later). It is a Kenmore 90 series washer and dryer. Washer has multiple speed selections; Normal (slow agi and fast spin) Heavy Duty (fast agi and spin) to name just a couple. It is a DD set so not my first choice but could not beat the price of 350 bucks..like brand new except for one blue smudge on the dryer door. This washer has the Triple Action Agitator and my question is, what is the difference between this particular agitator and the DA...which is actually what I prefer but took what was available at the time. Thanks guys,

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

The Triple-Action is generally the same as the Dual-Action, but adds an "up & down" motion to the equation.   There is spring tension pulling the auger down and as it turns, allowing the auger to "climb" the clothes or what ever (bulky items?) you are washing as it rotates.   I believe this is supposed to help "pull" the items down as well.   Either that or it's supposed to have a more gentle "pull" on the clothes?   (I'm not too sure about the last part)

 

You can see what I mean by grasping the auger and pulling it straight up.   It should move about 1/2 - 3/4 inch, if memory serves.

 

Though you really can't tell in the photo, this is a "Triple-Action" in my KM Elite Catalyst washer.

 

Kevin 

 

[strongenough78]

My Grandmothers Kenmore Elite has this agitator. And it seems to be pretty problematic. She's had to have it worked on a couple of times over the past few years and it still doesn't work right. I think now it's just the agitator dogs, but I haven't taken it apart yet to see for sure.

 

[cleanteamofny]

Triple Action in Action:

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[kenmoreguy64]

This thread should be in the Deluxe forum, no?

 

[vintagekenmore]

probably so.....but I may have selected the option for older machines when making my post

 

[lebron]

IMO

I've always felt that while the dual action agitator is a great concept, it is not that effective in practice. It needs bigger vanes! Like 2 or 3 times as wide, now that would be cool. When watching one operate I always am thinking of better ideas. How could you get the auger to move continuously in one direction rather than in a jerky ratcheting motion? The idea I came up with is to have a little motor built into the lid that ran while the machine was in operation and attached to the top of the agitator. Biggest drawback in my design is that you would have to have the lid closed while the machine was running

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thanks for the video

They are quite effective compared to the same machine and load without one.

Is this machine making its own lights flicker? I had to put my KA on a separate circuit to stop it from making its own light show with the fluorescent light in the laundry room.