Direct drives have completely stopped production

[norgechef]

As far as i know they were discontinued as of March 2012, and i don't see the estate/roper/inglis direct drives at any stores lately so...i guess this really is the end of ALL Direct drives. I Wonder if Whirlpool corp. will ever start making direct drives again? i guess the new belt drives are ok but they should have still kept making direct drives, and belt drives at the same time. I really don't think we will see a belt drive outlast a direct drive though.....that new ''splutch'' instead of a transmission might be iffy on reliability.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

RIP WP DD's

That's sad. One of the last truly well made U.S. appliances are now out of production. I don't care for the new PSC belt drive. I don't like not having control over the water level or cycle times. It seems these machines spend a great amount of their cycle sitting there doing nothing. I also think the drive mechanism looks horribly cheap and that tiny 1/4 Hp. motor looks as if it would burn out after one large load. I hope I'm wrong and WP suprises us.
Nick WK78

 

[DirectDriveDave]

The only way I could see them possibly making them again is if the treehugger regulations some day back fire, or something else alone those lines.... You may say I am being overly optimistic, but anything is possible.

Our 22 year old transmission still works exactly as it should, I'd love to see how long those new spultches, mode shifters and the electronic control panels will last......

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Direct drives have completely stopped production

That is not entirely true.

Direct drives for U.S. consumer sales were completed in the first week of April, however they continue to be produced for commercial machines, for the 27-inch thin twin, and for export. If you live somewhere that gets export models, you can yet have one for some time. They may even have proper fill levels and water temps since they do not have to meet U.S. market demands.

 

[tolivac]

Used DD WP-KN machines should still be available through your local second hand places and swap shops.

 

[combo52]

Direct Drive Washers

As far as I know you can still get the 24" Thin Twin DD machine with either a Gas or Electric dryer. This machine still has a full fill and a Warm Rinse option, because it is smaller they can get away with doing this. I assume that they will soon replace the washer part of these machines with the new BD mechanisms.

 

From what I have seen and the tear-downs we did in training I expect that the new BD machine will not only be MORE durable than the DD machines and it is MUCH easier to dissemble and repair.

 

The DD machines are great machines, easily the most produced TL washer ever [ over 100 million and counting ] and overall the most durable TL washer.

 

[firedome]

WP/Estate?

pardon my ignorance, but were their BOL models Direct Drive?? We have a 2006 LSR 7333PQ4 Whirlpool here, and in the other place a 2010 WP BOL, model unknown. Have been very satisfied so far with both and never had them apart, so have no idea as to the power train type... these were bought in my "pre-enlightenment" (before awo) era. But I must say for sub $350 machines, they are not bad.

 

[spookiness]

i was out and about

Wednesday and personally witnessed Inglis, Roper, Whirpool, and Admiral DD machines in several stores, so they're sure not gone yet.

 

[300c]

On-Premises Maytag TL AGI

This machine is still in production and is a DD with a black, single-piece agitator and a spreckled tub. It has two water levels and has 3.2 cu. feet capacity. Does anyone know if it does a full fill, does full rinses and whether it has ATC?

It's called an MAT15MNAWW.

 

[washer111]

Just Whirlpool Or...

All brands in the US?

Since plenty of other manufacturers, such as the Luxury Garbage company, F&P, etc still continue to make them and sell them...

Our Simpson direct drive is pretty horrible at what it does, and yes, auto water level seems to induce weird noises from plenty of machines, and the machine will seem to think adding a ton of extra water is necessary, even if you stop to just check suds levels or turn-over (etc).

F&P's model's seems to be the best at what they do (excluding AquaSmart, as they seem to be a little iffy at their business).
But I know of F&P washers now 13 years old with electronic controls that haven't skipped a beat, and there are plenty of reviewers on productreview.com.au with 20 yo machines and their electronics haven't lost their marbles either.

It all comes down to the brand, really.

But seeing some of the review on Whirlpool's supposed "commercial grade" washers, and seeing some fairly new ones in use, I can say they are pretty POS. The resort we stayed at had them for management use only, the thing was LOUD and sounded like an old steam train when running. It was also badly rusting (only 1-2 years old), and didn't spin faster than 600rpm I believe (quiet, and clothes looked damp after use). I believe the model was 6ALSR(???). The 20yo squealy may tags worked better (and spin faster and louder!)

 

[firedome]

Can anyone answer my question

above as to whether the afforementioned BOL Whirlpools are Direct Drive? They don't mention stuff like that in their manuals...

 

[DADoES]

 
LSR7333PQ4 is a direct-drive/transmission machine, yes.

You can look up model numbers online to see mechanical/parts diagrams at sources such as SearsPartsDirect.com, PartsTap.com, RepairClinic.com, and even the owner literature section at some manufacturer sites (Whirlpool.com, GEAppliances.com).

 

[firedome]

Thanks DADoES

appreciate the info!
Anyone know about a 2010 BOL Whirly? It's Whirlpool brand, not Estate or Roper.

 

[firedome]

PS don't know the model #

of the 2010 one, it's 300 miles away.

 

[300c]

New BOL Roper Model RTW4640

I saw one today at Home Depot. It had three water levels and three temps, and it had a spreckled porcelain tub with a single-piece, straaight-vaned agitator. The lid stated that some of the cycles provided only spray rinses.

Am I right in thinking that a spray rinse might be adequate in some circumstances? Does this mean that other cycles do full rinses, and if so, with enough water?

There were two spin speeds (up to 700 RPM). It had a bleach dispenser but no Fabric Softener dispenser. There was no 2nd rinse switch. The cycle knob was rotary electronic.

For $359.00 it looked like a decent value. Thoughts anyone?[this post was last edited: 4/28/2012-17:43]

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Late to the party...

But this agitates me. The Maytags in my dorm which most are still running have a real motor and transmission in them. I just don't like the lowered water level.

 

[maytaga806]

I didn’t notice the publish date at first, I was about to say “And this is new news to you?” Lol.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

FYI...

The Maytags I referenced are the direct drives which are labeled Maytag commercial laundry.

 

[panasonicvac]

The end of an era

What a GREAT run for Whirlpool, they are the BEST cleaning top loaders that I've ever used. My Kenmore 90 Series, it's my all time favorite washing machine!