Double-Duty Super-Surgilator – 16mm Film

[Marky_Mark]

One aspect that wasn't touched on is fabric gentleness. I recall a thread where someone mentioned that, in their experience, the Whirlpool Surgilator provided the best cleaning performance among the automatics they’d used—but it was also the harshest on fabrics. Interestingly, Consumer Reports found that the only single-speed machine to damage delicate curtains was a Maytag.

So, what’s considered the best overall agitator for a Whirlpool/Kenmore belt-drive washer? The Surgilator? Dual Action? Or one of the others? I have the PentaSwirl in my Lady Kenmore, and it seems to strike a good balance between cleaning power and fabric care—though it does struggle a bit more with overloads compared to some of the other designs.

 

[phillymatt53]

One aspect that wasn't touched on is fabric gentleness. I recall a thread where someone mentioned that, in their experience, the Whirlpool Surgilator provided the best cleaning performance among the automatics they’d used—but it was also the harshest on fabrics. Interestingly, Consumer Reports found that the only single-speed machine to damage delicate curtains was a Maytag.

So, what’s considered the best overall agitator for a Whirlpool/Kenmore belt-drive washer? The Surgilator? Dual Action? Or one of the others? I have the PentaSwirl in my Lady Kenmore, and it seems to strike a good balance between cleaning power and fabric care—though it does struggle a bit more with overloads compared to some of the other designs.

I think I have that PentaSwirl in my Kenmore portable machine.
That's the one with the agitator dogs and corkscrew gizmo, right?
I replaced the dogs a while back, easy job.

 

[Chetlaham]

It is advertising after all. Once you know the weak and strong spots of the machines you're dealing with you can use that to obtain any result you want, and to prove any point you want to prove.


Personally, IMO, the agitator in the film shown here pales in comparison to the dual action agitator.

 

[DADoES]

I think I have that PentaSwirl in my Kenmore portable machine.
That's the one with the agitator dogs and corkscrew gizmo, right?
I replaced the dogs a while back, easy job.

No. This is Penta Swirl. It was used only on 18 lb classic belt-drive machines, typically higher-level models such as the 800 and Lady Kenmore. There was also a Penta Vane used on lower-end 18 lb models.

 

[maytag85]

I honestly prefer the Super Surgilator and DDSS over the Kenmore agitators. The Super Surgilator seems to work quite well, washed a pillowcase that appeared to be cleaned but when I went to move the sheets over to the dryer, was amazed on how clean it came out.

The standard Bakelite Surgilator works well too, but is more persnickety with how the machine is loaded. Roll over with the standard Surgilator seems to be on par with a Maytag PowerFin on larger loads.

 

[agiflow]

What did they use on their extra large and super capacity models? I remember their extra roll agitator in the direct drive models.

The super surgilator with the extended fins was in the standard capacity and the 24-in models

 

[agiflow]

I can agree with Marky Mark about the Penta Swirl. I personally think it's a great agitator and I like it even more than the Double Duty which is also a great performer. Huge loads do hinder it's roll over some but that is true for most agitators. It's very effective in sloshing the clothes around the tub. I have plenty of videos with all different size loads.

 

[circlew]

I honestly prefer the Super Surgilator and DDSS over the Kenmore agitators. The Super Surgilator seems to work quite well, washed a pillowcase that appeared to be cleaned but when I went to move the sheets over to the dryer, was amazed on how clean it came out.

The standard Bakelite Surgilator works well too, but is more persnickety with how the machine is loaded. Roll over with the standard Surgilator seems to be on par with a Maytag PowerFin on larger loads.

When my neighbor V. replaced her 1972 Kenmore 800 washer in 1985, she didn't like the Dual-Action agitator in the new Kenmore. A Super Surgilator was then installed, and she was satisfied with the machine after that.