Do any current washers still use this type of agitator?

[jeffg]

Hi All, anyone know if any current washers still use the older style Kenmore agitators? My mom had one (made ~1980) and it got clothes really clean but was also very gentle.

I've spent a week looking for a picture of one, the closest I could find is this:

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/JPEG/VINTAGE/1-15-2007-21-26-39--Unimatic1140.jpg

The agitator I'm looking for looks similar to this (at least the bottom 3/4 of it), but it had a much smaller cap that was the same color as the rest of the agitator.

And info appreciated.

 

[irishwashguy]

Sadly,they have gotten away from this design. mostof them are the dual action agitators or with the case of the Fisher and Paykel, they have more of a Norge type of agitator.The BOL GE and Frigidaire have kind of a striaght vane.

 

[scott55405]

The new Speed Queen toploaders I think still use a one-piece agitator, but it's not the ramp style like this. They also use the standard 68 stroke per minute wash action and have a 710 spin. We have a commercial one here and it's a good machine.

 

[westytoploader]

Koblenz Electric does in fact make a washer that uses a ramp agitator, shown here. Judging by the control panel and washbasket, they seem to be similar to the Speed Queen or previous Amana machines. However, you would have to make a trip to Mexico to get one...but they are out there!

It is also worth noting that the old-style Hoover single-tub washers are still being made in Mexico as well.

 

[irishwashguy]

I forgot about the Queens!!

They also do

 

[jeffg]

Thanks all for the info. Koblenz turned out to be a dead end (the referenced model is now discontinued), and Speed Queen's Flex Vane agitator isn't quite what I'm looking for.

I like Kenmore's older design because it creates an effective wringing action, without subjecting clothes to a lot of friction against the agitator's fins. Looks like I'll have to find an older Kenmore model and hope it's not too expensive to keep in running order.

 

[gefliterflo]

I know what one your talking about, my Mom's old Kenmore used to have it too. Mine was white, and the cap was the same color and you could screw it off. I agree, it is an excellent agitator. Its similar to the Rotoswirl.