Digital Maytag - Coolest 90's Top Loader, EVER!

[swestoyz]

On a continuation of the dishwasher tread from the Imperial thread, today I make a 1 day trek to Chi-town to pick up some pretty sweet machines.

I don't think I would justify a trip to Chicago to pick up a used Maytag dishwasher, so there had to be something else to sweeten the deal. Why would i drag home an Orbital Maytag? Looks normal from below, right?

 

[swestoyz]

Black faced machine - what gives? Nice to see the tub block received some use today.

 

[swestoyz]

(April 1991)

Hum, what's this strange model number?

 

[swestoyz]

Woah - no way.

 

[mayfan69]

I've got the US brochure for these!

Hey Ben,

Nice find!!! I've got the US sales brochure for these!
Pity we never got them in Oz.

Cheers
Leon

 

[swestoyz]

Yes way.

 

[swestoyz]

Heavy Duty.

 

[swestoyz]

This is by far one of the coolest washers made. I'll go into specifics later. Ever since I saw the set in Newton I knew this was a machine that I just had to have.

 

[swestoyz]

These machines were incredibly well thought out and engineered. Flexible cycles, fine tuning adjustments of your wash and rinse temp, water level, cycle times, rinse times - you name it, you can control it.

YAY for no more 90 second rinses!

 

[autowasherfreak]

AWESOME!

I think I like that control panel better than the Whirlpool/Kenmore electronic panels. Will there be a video in the making soon?

 

[swestoyz]

The best part about these machines is they are almost un-Maytag like. As soon as you hear it kick in you are reminded of that Maytag Quality sound. Same simple functions, same dependable quality - but with an extraordinarily flexible computer controlled system.

I think what I love most though is the water valve. I *think* this machine, along with the 1957 WI-57 Unimatic Fridigaire, are the only US top loader washers made, up until 1991, that regulate the wash and rinse temperature by measuring the output temp via a thermostat that is built around the outlet housing. The thermostat sends signals to the computer to adjust accordingly to the hot and cold solenoids.

 

[swestoyz]

I'm feeling UNBALANCED!

The machine also has a 1 model only feature for a Maytag. You can fill the machine with water - leaving the lid OPEN! Try that on your A806!

I feel horrible for the couple I bought the machine from. They were an older Indian couple. While they were quite happy that I was ecstatic about the Maytag, I couldn't reciprocate the same amount of joy for them when I helped Sam carry in his sister-in-law's used Calypso. They'll never have properly rinsed clothes again! I gave him a hand and hooked it up and gave him some pointers on replacing his plastic dryer vent hose with a metal one.

More to come tomorrow once I'm able to play with the machine more and read up on the service info. Maybe a video? We'll see.

Ben

 

[mayfan69]

Love it!

Catalogue Page 1

 

[mayfan69]

Another page

#

 

[frigilux]

And yet another Maytag I've never seen before. She's a beauty, Ben! It's cool you can adjust rinse times, etc.

I understand manufacturers want to simplify the washing process, but it would be great to give owners the option to fiddle and fine-tune cycles if they want to.

Looking forward to video when you get the time.

 

[tuthill]

Hey Ben, awesome Maytag! First time I've seen a club member get one of these.

 

[DADoES]

<blockquote>I couldn't reciprocate the same amount of joy for them when I helped Sam carry in his sister-in-law's used Calypso. They'll never have properly rinsed clothes again!</blockquote>In my experience, Calypsos rinse very well.

 

[goatfarmer]

"The machine also has a 1 model only feature for a Maytag. You can fill the machine with water - leaving the lid OPEN! Try that on your A806! "

This newer set I picked up a few weeks ago also does that.

Nice set, Ben! The manager at the parts store here in town has a set of those. Never asked him if he'll sell them. From what I remember, he got 'em for next to nothing.

kennyGF

 

[chestermikeuk]

Maytag Computer Touch

Wow, what a find, I love the dark control panel, and seeing it light up in the dark would be cool, also a nice feature is the "Minutes Remaining" indicator, enjoy, Mike

 

[swestoyz]

Thanks for the comments guys. I guess I feel like a used car salesmen right now; making claims for things that aren't quite right! lol Very excited still. Looking forward to running a wash load through it today.

Glenn, I was hoping that you wouldn't see this thread... ;-)

More later,

Ben

 

[revvinkevin]

I think I remember seeing those new.....(??)

Hey Ben... WOW... that is SOOOO awesome you were able to find one, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

After seeing your photos I think I vaguely remember seeing that model new in some appliance store way back when.

What a great find!!!
Kevin

 

[jaxsunst]

Don't Dis the Calypso

I love mine, the secret is how you load it. Load it like the instructions for a vintage Frigidaire says in the manual on this site and clothes comes out perfect every time.

 

[swestoyz]

Did some wash in the Maytag today. Very impressed with the Orbital. Would you believe this is the first time I've ever seen an orbital in action?

At first I wasn't sure what the roll-over would be. The stroke seemed to be too fast to be effective. As soon as it started to pull the clothes down, BAM - it was washing like a jiffy. Not sure how that sock ended up in that load of mix ;-)

A few photos and a YouTube video that walks through the computer control interface. Enjoy!

 

[swestoyz]

Self cleaning lint filter. I was worried this would be plugged and nasty. Surprisingly it wasn't too bad.

Orbital Experts - is there supposed to be a stop o-ring on the agitation shaft?

 

[swestoyz]

Don't brand me a Calypso hater ;-) You would have had to of been at Greg's in '07 when the wash from the Calypso went straight to the Super Unimatic with enough soap still left in the clothes to re-wash then in the Frigidaire! I still love'em though, that's why there is one in the basement.

Yay for extra long rinses in this Maytag!

Ben

 

[andrewinorlando]

I too find Calypso's rinse very well, and wash just as well, too. Just have to know how to use one. After 8 years, mine still works as well as it did when it was new! I'd buy one all over again......

Now this Maytag...she's just a beauty in every way.

 

[super32]

No stop ring after 86'? They did away with the stop ring and went to the set screw. That is an awsume washer. I had a set of 9904 which was the succesor model to the 9900. If you come across a load sensor or one of the newer double action agitators from a newer dependable care washer, drop it in and try it. Thats what i did with mine.

 

[repair-man]

What a nice machine !

I like the electronic control a little more on the black face than the later white one. I never knew how flexible the cycles are. BTW all Maytag's from the '12' series on (about 1984-1985) fill with the lid up. I have never seen this machine except in the book. The white panel ones where a little more common around here. In fact I have only run across one or two A9800. Seems everyone bought the A9700.

 

[gansky1]

Always wanted one of these too!

Very nice!

Love the "UNBALANCED" indicator tipped to one side!

I'll stack the computer controlled Whirlpool up against that orbital any day for washing ability - take the load from the WP and put it in the 'Tag. I wonder if there's an "UNCLE" indicator light on that display? Hahaha!

The 80's brown-button Maytags I've had and sold all filled with the lid open, had you not seen that before?

 

[swestoyz]

UNCLE!

The 80's brown-button Maytags I've had and sold all filled with the lid open, had you not seen that before?

I must admit that I really never played with a Maytag made after 1980 until a few days ago. When I read through the Service Lit for this machine I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread - and also that the lid open filling was an option just for this machine. Little did I know that a few pages later the same feature was listed for the other models as well.....

Guess you can teach an old dog new tricks!

I the Computer-Controld Maytag will sit next to the Rapid Advance KitchenAid. I suspect this will happen quite often actually!

I like the electronic control a little more on the black face than the later white one...

At first I thought that I liked the white better, but after seeing this machine, and knowing that the white can turn yellow - I really prefer the earlier black now. So sleek!