First, some info about changes in washing machines

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There was a time when houses built with septic tanks or cesspools had dry wells for the so-called gray water. There also was a time in the South when the laundry was done on the back porch and the used wash water was used to scrub the porch and the rinse water either went to rinse the porch or went into the garden. Up in West VA, john drains his laundry line down the mountain below his house and the water rarely makes it more than 2 or 3 feet before disappearing into the ground. My soil is very porus. I think I am going to have a small hole drilled through the back wall over the laundry sink in the Spring. I will place the submersible pump in the sink and pipe the rinse water outside. I have one such arrangement near where I have the KA, but I don't use the top loaders much at all any more and the FLs are all on the back wall. The only hesitation I feel about this is not moving enough water through my sewer pipe to get stuff out to the street and having it get constipated. I guess I can put those enzymes in my toilet to start dissolving organic matter as it makes its way to the pipe under the street. As my little cousins used to say before their mother flushed, "Bye-bye, doo doo."
 
Hunter

Being in Oz, getting hold of American appliances is difficult...but I have no desire what so ever to replace my Euro machine with anything else but another one....

 

On the topic of laundering comforters - why every 3 weeks or so if you're using a cover? By all means, wash as you see fit, but I'd suggest this is not required. Just air them for a few hours over the line or in the dryer on 'no heat' for 1/2 hour.....our duvets only see water annually, yet are aired monthly with covers changed at the same time but, I should point out, that we use a bottom AND top sheet.
 
I love how the article says how Front loaders are "Inferior".

It's kind of sad when I think about it that Speed Queen/Huebsch are probably one of the last manufacturers to make a "Traditional" top loader with normal high water levels for a full load. The local Future Shop sells a brand called "Regency" which is also as close to a traditional top loader as you can get. I was surprised you can still buy them that way.

I switched to using a front loader because of a few reasons.. but before I get into that, my previous washer was a 2004 vintage GE Profile.

- The GE drank 180 liters of water per load, the Huebsch I have drinks 75 liters.
- The GE occasionally liked to rip or tear clothes, especially if I accidentally used the wrong cycle. The Huebsch hasn't ruined anything yet.
- The Huebsch can wash items that my GE simply can't, due to it's agitator.

I've considered keeping my old top loader, but the reasons are hard to justify. It has a soak cycle which the front loader doesn't have, but I can't ever remember using it. It's nice that it has 28 cycles, but I rarely ever used more than three.

As far as energy efficiency is concerned, I do like the idea where I'm using a bit more than half the amount of water and half the detergent to do the same job.

Although, the reason why I picked Huebsch was because it actually uses a decent amount of water to clean the clothes, as opposed to using as little as possible, like other brands. Even I know, you need water to clean clothes!
 
To Ronhic

Alliance Laundry Systems does sell stuff in Australia, I'm pretty sure of it. Although, I can understand brand loyalty.

My comforter just barely fits into my washer.. It doesn't tumble at all unfortunately. If it's getting wet, that's good enough for me. I like to wash it probably once every three months or so, because I have very oily skin.

If I want it to tumble to get additional gunk out, I'll just take it to a laundromat.
 
To Hunter

I think the problem is that Europeans take a different approach to designing the typical washing machine. They're proud of their engineering and the engineers build the kind of machine they would want in their home.

I don't understand why American companies design their machines so cheaply and poorly. (Excluding Alliance) It's not a difficult concept when you think about it. The beancounters probably control what the engineers think.

I kind of wonder what kind of machine a company like V-Zug would make if they ever decided to get into the North American market. Their washers have engineering which is practically unheard of anywhere else.

You know guys and gals, I think it'll be the European companies which will have to re-educate the North Americans on what makes a good washing machine.

When Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, LG, Samsung, etc all start hurting badly because Miele, Asko and Alliance are all eating their lunch, maybe we'll see some decent machines showing up in the retail outlets.
 
Qualin

Yes they do sell in Oz, but they are expensive and have proven to be, as a top load machine, ineffective when tested at the stated capacity - 64% dirt removal just doesn't cut it in my book.

 

Personally, for the same money, I'd have a Miele.... and put a cover on the quilt
 
To Ronhic

As much as I like top loaders, I would probably never buy another top loader again.

My front loader got things out of my clothes that my top loader didn't.

I think it's a shame that more manufacturers don't sell H-Axis machines. They give you all of the advantages of a top loader with none of the disadvantages and with all of the advantages of a front loader.

There is Staber Industries, but I've heard all kinds of negative things about their machines, unfortunately. Expecting your customers to fix the machine when it breaks down is idiocy. They have some neat concepts, but not the best execution of those concepts.

I'm not sure what the stigma is against H-Axis machines. Maybe people just like the idea of watching their clothing tumble in a window or through an open lid?

In all honesty, if there were better choices in Canada, I would have purchased a large capacity H-Axis machine (If they existed) instead of a conventional front loader. I can't see the clothes tumbling, but I know it'll be more reliable.
 
but I know it'll be more reliable.

I'm not quite sure what you mean....

 

A front loader IS A horizontal axis (H/A) machine.

 

A top-loading H/A machine could be what you mean and there are a few differences between a Front-load H/A machine and a Top-load machine with the same wash action, that is a tumbling action rather than an agitator one.....

 

- Front-load has bearings at the rear of the drum only - Top-load H/A may have bearings either side of the drum

- Front-load has a porthole door with a rubber boot (most cases) or door seals against outer drum (ASKO) - Top-load H/A has access via the top. This is normally via 2 doors - outer which may contain the detergent dispenser and inner, which is the actual wash-drum of the machine. A rubber seal exists here too.

- The vast majority of Front loaders sold globally are 60cm wide, with Nth American machines (and some Korean and one European one being a tad wider - Samsung/LG/Whirlpool) - Top-load H/A machines are normally between 40-45cm wide depending on brand and capacity (Staber excepted).

- Front-load machines can be accessed as soon as the door unlocks - Top-load H/A machines may require the user to manually move the drum to access the inner door (though many also return the drum with the access door facing up)

 

Given that it sounds as if there is a very limited (Staber only?) supply of Top-load H/A machines sold in either Canada or North America, how on earth can you say:

 

'...but I know it'll be more reliable'?

 

I would suggest, though can't prove it, that there would be very little difference in overall reliability between Front-load and Top-load H/A machines made by the same manufacturer particularly given that electronics, motors and other mechanisims, including bearings, are likely to be the same specification for a given price-point.

 

To conclude, these machines are not popular here and I doubt that any are currently listed for sale. They are, however, popular in parts of Europe, particularly France.

 

Over to you, my European colleagues!
 
Louis,

 

I had thought so too until I re-read the sentence 4 times before posting.....The previous sentence informs the intent of the second:

 

'<a name="start_37582.560542">In all honesty, if there were better choices in Canada, I would have purchased a large capacity H-Axis machine (If they existed) instead of a conventional front loader.'</a>

 

<a name="start_37582.560542">Followed by:</a>

 

<a name="start_37582.560542">'I can't see the clothes tumbling, but I know it'll be more reliable' </a>

 

No, definately stating that a Top-loading H/A machine that would be more reliable than a conventional front loader.
 
Well, yes, I should clarify.

A Top loading H/A washer doesn't have the boot that a traditional front loader has, so there's nothing to collect mold, mildew and other yucky things.

If they designed the rubber seal on the sliding door at the top of a Top loading H/A machine correctly, it shouldn't collect water.

It is my understanding that a Top loading H/A washer can have bearings on both sides of the tub instead of a front loader which can only have one at the rear of the tub. In theory, two bearings sharing the weight and G forces of the tub should provide better reliability.

Now, in saying this, I don't personally own one of these machines, so I don't know exactly what other peoples experiences are. So far, all I've heard are the problems Staber machines have, which isn't encouraging.

Apparently, Staber machines apparently suffer bearing failures just as often as normal front load machines, so maybe they only just have one tub bearing?

I apologize for the confusion.

So, Why are these style of machines not that popular anyway, when in theory it would be a perfection of tumble-style agitation technology?
 
TL HA was/is a staple of very-large volume commercial laundries. However, I've seen firsthand 50# FL HA commercial machines and they go as high as 150#. Just for fun, call the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas, ask for the laundry, and see what they use.

Look at the biggest Unimacs, they are all hugely expanded versions of a home FL. But then look at the biggest Wascomats. They are another beast yet. H axis, double bearing, trapdoor loading, but they load from the front nonetheless. No home machine works this way.

Hypothetically, the bearing loads are lower when the tub is supported at both ends. But don't you just know, that consumer manufacturers use that advantage to reduce the bearing integrity and cost rather than increase the reliability.
 
Here in Italy around 10-15% of all the sales orignates from top loading (horizontal axis ) machines.
We even have top loanding dryers and washer dryers.

In theory, as Arbilab said, the TLHA machines can be more reliable than front loading, because of the double bearing structure but in reality they are not as they are mechanically more complex!
Think of the double door and the opening on the side of the drum or the auto return mechanism to have the drum always ready in position (no new machine lacks this mechanism).

Staber machines looks interesting but they're hugely water wasteful (because of their werid washing drum) compared to their European counterpart and I too read that they're very failure prone.
Plus they have short wash cycles and a wimpy extraction speed. Too bad for a good concept gone bad.

Anyway I wouldn't ever get a machine where I can't see the clothes tumbling.
 
Not popular...

From a European perspective, probably because they can't be built under a bench or integrated into a kitchen....

 

From an Australian perspective, there has only been one or two sold here...both were expensive and had a smaller capacity AND lower spin speed than was expected for the money.

 

I've used a Baukneckt in Germany some years ago that would have been at least 15 years old - lovely brown beast it was....relatively quiet, cleaned well and had provided my partners grandmother faultless service.
 
Long Before H-Axis Washers That Were Front Loading

For both commercial and even domestic use had top loading H-Axis washers. Heck I've seen photo's and also are included in my vintage laundry manuals are models with tubs made from wood.

The advantage is was easy to see then in that such *pony* washers didn't require water tight seals the way modern front loaders do today.

As for modern "pocket" washers (large H-Axis washers are often divided into compartments beneath the bonnet),the advantages are easy to see.

First such machines are easier to load and unload than a similar sized front loader with a boot, especially as one goes up in capacity weight.

For commercial laundries in hospitals and or those that frequently do infected/hospital linen these units can be built into a wall where one has a clean and dirty side.

Despite their advantages top loading "H-Axis" washers have had limited market penetration in Europe and are virtually nil on this side of the pond except for Staber.

One big drawback is that once one goes over a certain capacity the drum must switch to a side to side design. This would be fine for a small washer but to handle large loads you're likely looking at a unit whose cabinet won't fit the standard 24" (or whatever it is) width of American top loading washing machines.

With toploading H-Axis washers of a small size such as those sold in Europe by Miele and others the drum is recessed and thus one has a flat surface. By nature *pony* washers have drums/tubs that are raised and covered over. This means giving up that flat surface. Now one could lower the tubs but that means for a washer of any decent capacity (to compete with the 18 or pounds an Amercian top loader holds), but then you are going to have a very deep tub with perhaps a small opening. Not something your average Mrs. American housewife may relish on laundry day trying to fetch out items from the bottom of the tub.
 
18 Pounds American Washer... that's about 8kg right?

Hi there... sorry for butting in... first congratulations to 'Launderess' for your profile picture showing my favourite actress of all times... Patricia Rout... I mean Mrs Bouquet!

You were mentioning 18 pounds TL H-Axis washers and... on condition that my conversion skills didn't betray me, it should be equivalent to approx 8 kilograms, which is the capacity of the 40cm TL featured in the link below from 'Hoover'. I don't have any experience with these machines but I find it hard to imagine such a huge drum in a confined space 40cm wide. It must have a larger diameter drum... meaning the user must be provided with very stretchy arms and a very solid backbone to unload this machine!

I agree with what 'arbilab' was saying about the reliability issue that might affect this kind of washers... the type of construction suggests they are sturdier and less susceptible to bearings failures compared to FLs but it's not necessarily the case. Have you seen the size of the bearings used on TLHAs and the flimsiness of their spider? If they had the same bearings assembly of a front loader on both sides of the tub, then yes... they would be indestructible!

 
Let me tune in here...

As a well known Topload H-axis lover I guess I can add my two cents here.

I guess you can say that each design is as good as it's execution (is that good english? lol). It's the way you build them, not the design itself that makes it good.

Topload H-axis machines have their own quirks and their own advantages.

Rubber gasket: They don't need a rubber gasket when there is an extra lid on the outer tub. My Philips has three lids, one in the inner drum, one in the outer drum and one on top of the machine. It doesn't need a gasket because the outer drum is closed by that second lid.

Two bearings: Not all toploaders have two bearings. Miele uses only one, just as in their frontloaders. The drum is only on one side mounted to the machine.
Miele did this because they claimed that it solved the problem of two bearings getting out of line. Apparently it was possible that the bearings got out of alignment in a severe off balance situation or so. Frontloaders would not have a problem with this.

Capacity: In a way topload h-axis machines use the cabinet space more efficiently. That's why for a long time the smaller h-axis machines had about the same capacity as the frontloaders. European frontloaders have a foot print of 60 x 60cm. Toploaders are usually 60 x 40 or 45cm. I'm waiting for a manufacturer to come with a toploader with a 60 x 60cm footprint, the capacity could be bigger than a same sized frontloader.

I told here before that Whirlpool still has an H-axis design on the shelf. Apparently they chose to make the V-axis HE toploaders over the H-axis design. It was explained to me that the H-axis with the two or three lids would be too complicted for the American consumers. I don't know if this would be true, we will never know I guess.

Yes, such a machine will be deep, but the big HE toploaders now on the market have deep tubs as well.

Here's the Whirlpool design again.

foraloysius++12-2-2011-13-07-42.jpg
 
Interesting Machine

You can read more about the Hoover here:

Yes, 8kg runs about 18lbs (or 17.6 closer to be exact)so compared to a standard European "top loader" this washer holds more.

However as stated above and as with all H=Axis washer to increase capacity there are several options; increase diameter and or depth of the tub.

Considering the small and rather narrow opening of most top loading H-Axis washers like the Hoover it may not be up every woman's street to go digging down into the bowels of the washer to fetch laundry.
 
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