Front loading washing machine with gearbox/transmission

[adam-aussie-vac]

Hey guys, has anybody either owned or used a washing machine with a transmission/gearbox? As earlier today I picked up a timesaver washing machine which does have a gearbox in between the motor and the drum, Has anybody else seen a washing machine designed like this?

 

[gizmo]

Hold on a minute... Where are all the other photos? You can't get away with just that photo!

 

Bendix front loaders for a start had a gearbox.

Hoover (slope front) Keymatics had a reduction gear on the end of the motor, and the other end of the motor had a pulley that turned at motor speed. The machine switched from tumble to spin by switching from the motor-speed pulley (fast pulley) to the reduction gear (slow) pulley. (this achieved by reversing the motor.)

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Okay okay, I’ll grab more pictures

And this machine is not at my house yet this is from another collector in Melbourne

 

[aussie-plugs]

Fascinating machine ...

I'm sure when you do get it home we'd all like LOTS more photos.

I'm particularly curious as to brand and where made, what the dials do and the curious button beneath the door - drain plug/pump engagement?

Have fun when it arrives!

 

[arbilab]

Westinghouse used a gearbox semi-sporadically among models.  We had both.  The spin side of the gearbox quit after much use and was replaced.  Not long after, the machine was replaced by a newer one with 3 belts, intermediate tumble idler, and spin sheave directly on the motor shaft.  Again after much use, I replaced the spin sheave on the new one. 

Easy enough for a kid to do without instructions or supervision.

 

[simpsomatic]

Servex

Made washing machines, refrigerators, sewing machines and heavy equipment.
Check it out at GOOGLE: "servex washing machine australia"

 

[turquoisedude]

GE's front-load washer-dryer combination units had a gearbox.  They had to do something to get the tub speed up to a blinding 208 rpm spin....LOL 

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Simpsomatic

Was it this machine?

 

[aussie-plugs]

Other pictures too ..

Adam,

I'm guessing this is the State Library of WA URL you found that picture at. There are a couple of others too. The third shows a wall of other appliances of the day.

Thanks for leading us to it.

Cheers,

Nick

Catalogue: State Library of WA & WA Health Libraries Network

 

[simpsomatic]

Servex

Adam,
Yes this is machine. I tried to download the pictures but thought copyright was preventing. 1953 and look at all those men drinking beer watching the demonstration. Yes, other pictures showing appliances of the day, electric jug, canister vacuum cleaner and several models of the fake fireplace electric radiators. Of note the sign "What Australia Makes, Makes Australia". My neighbors had one of these machines, small capacity, bolt down, no suspension, manual controls and gravity drain hence the front drain tap. Cannot wait to see pictures.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Washing Machine Gearbox Transmission

We have the Hoover Keymatic first series of washing machines which use a gearbox and transmission reduction system as Chris explained above.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Gearboxs in washing machines

Bendix is the other main user of a little gearbox in their bolt down washing machines which uses a series of slip gears to achieve wash , distribution and spinning speeds.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

ITS HERE

The machine had arrived and I unpacked it, everything works but I am not sure about the heater and unfortunately a little bit of paint came off when I removed the tape i’ve already ordered a part for it which is some 38 mm silicone tubing to fix the drain valve And I will upload a video to YouTube so you guys can hear how it sounds

 

[aussie-plugs]

Good for you!

What a wonderful piece of Australian history. And years of enjoyment for you as you restore it and make it a proud part of your collection

 

[chestermikeuk]

Ausie Wilcomat

Great work Adam, looks a fun machine to use with all the dials and controls, is it a bolt down model ? looks a cross between English Electric / Spacemates and Bendix.

Look forward to seeing it run, Enjoy the renovations !!

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

It is a bolt down Model, I will have to find

Somewhere where I can bolt it down, it will have a happy place in my collection and the funny thing was the collector I got it from got it out of a abandoned house, the house was torn down I think last year, If you’d like I could probably ask him if I can share the pictures of the Time Capsule of a house

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

He said yes

Here are the photos of the house that the machine was installed in

 

[circlew]

Interesting old house; the exterior reminds me of one I'd see in Tennessee or Mississippi.

Do you remember what brand the refrigerator is? It looks sort of like a Kelvinator we had at one time.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

I recognise it as Electrolux

I wasn’t the one who took the photos, the collector in Melbourne I’ve got the washing machine out did I just asked him if I could post them here