GE profile filter-flo

[daveamkrayoguy]

Yes, Jerome:

General Electric and Westinghouse had long been competitors, and had started out with actually both building good appliances, so it's now neck to neck on their way to each making the worst...

 

 

 

-- Dave

 

[gelaundry4ever]

GE and WCI

I think GE was worse than WCI due to that hanging suspension. At least the WCI/Frigidaire had a real suspension. Don't get me wrong, the GE model T that I had did get the clothes clean. You could hear the transmission really grinding on certain full loads like light colors. When I did whites, the transmission knock would be the most pronounced. Dark colors, the double knock would fade in and out along with the transmission whirr. This was always on normal/fast. It did sound similar to a Whirlpool direct drive.
Another thing I remember was the spiral top of the agitator would grind and you could hear a low muffled banging and grinding from underwater. And of course, You could hear the tub ring sloshing back and forth during agitation. At least the motor sounded decent despite the high pich whirr it made.

 

[Chetlaham]

I'm with Jerome. I'm casting my vote as the model T being worse than WCI. WCI was mediocre and not made to be repaired, but at least it still cleaned somewhat, made much less noise, and was gentle. The model Ts were just a flat out noise making clothes jiggling clothing shredding LARP toy made to break after X hours of use. 

 

The motor itself was the only good thing on the machine. It was 1/2 HP induction, centrifugal start like most washer before the model T. Later versions went to PSC, which was also a good motor. This was before manufacturers began using smaller motors and/or VFDs.

 

[combo52]

1995 and later GE model T series top load washers

We’re great performing machines and top rated and most consumer magazines for the great performance.

They washed very well and they were the first GE to have a dual action agitator. They did not beat up clothing. They spun beautifully and quietly without any balance or walking problems.

They were the first GE washer not to have sand and lint problems. They did such a good job, flushing away, sand with a huge holes in the bottom of the wash basket.

Unfortunately, they did have transmission and brake problems, and they were not easy or cheap to repair when these problems manifest themselves, so they joined the ranks of many other automatic washers like the WCI machines Westinghouse top loaders before them Maytag dependable care machines, when you had serious problems with the transmission, main bearing, etc. the machines were generally trashing because of repair cost. That was the nice thing about whirlpool direct drive machines and the old GE flow machines. It was very easy to change a transmission and keep the machine running.

John L

 

[combo52]

1995 and later GE model T series top load washers

We’re great performing machines and top rated in most consumer magazines for the great performance.

They washed very well and they were the first GE to have a dual action agitator. They did not beat up clothing. They spun beautifully and quietly without any balance or walking problems.

They were the first GE washer not to have sand and lint problems. They did such a good job, flushing away, sand and lint with a huge holes in the bottom of the wash basket. We have kept and restored one for the museum as it is truly a significant machine in the history of automatic washers. The only top loop washer that gave it a serious run for the money was the direct drive whirlpool machines. The GE model T machines were about on a par overall with the Norge machines in performance and durability.

Unfortunately, they did have transmission and brake problems, and they were not easy or cheap to repair when these problems manifest themselves, so they joined the ranks of many other automatic washers like the WCI machines Westinghouse top loaders before them Maytag dependable care machines, when you had serious problems with the transmission, main bearing, etc. the machines were generally trashing because of repair cost. That was the nice thing about whirlpool direct drive machines and the old GE flow machines. It was very easy to change a transmission and keep the machine running.

John L

 

[gelaundry4ever]

the name model t

So why did GE call them model T? Why did their transmission use a different lubricant and not the same one from their old batch? I would assume the model s was the filter-flo washer.[this post was last edited: 2/14/2025-15:42]

 

[maytag85]

I suspect they wanted to call it the Model T cause, you know, because they wanted to mass produce it like the Ford Model T.

As mentioned, they had transmission and brake problems like John mentioned, weren’t exactly easy to work on from the videos I’ve seen on YouTube years ago.

Time usually filters out certain designs, while others stood the test of time better than others.

 

[combo52]

GE model T washers

They are called model T because that was the model year model T comes after the model S machines.

It has nothing to do with being named after model T automobiles

John L

 

[gelaundry4ever]

transmission lubricant

I suspect GE used lubricant from their transmissions from Ford. At least that's what I assume when they worked on their transmission design. I think GE Automotive and Ford Motor CO. probably designed the transmission. Unfortunately, it was way too small. Nobody stopped to think about it.[this post was last edited: 2/14/2025-16:38]

 

[maytag85]

Whenever someone mentions Model T, can’t help but think of the Ford Model T.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

to chetlaham

Many of these so-called super capacity tubs don't fill with water completely so therefore you can't wash a full load of laundry. This is very deceitful! This is why I choose Speed Queen Classic!

 

[combo52]

Reply number 148

GE automotive and Ford motor company ?????

 

[maytag85]

Just referring how GE’s Model T reminds me of the name Ford used for their Model T back in the 1920’s

Here’s one thing I will note, Henry Ford was friends with Thomas Edison (his company was merged with another to form GE), so there’s that.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

to combo52

Read the article in reply# 68.

 

[combo52]

Post number 68

I did read that entirely and you should reread the third paragraph, GE achieved their goals with this new machine.

If they continued building the old filter flow washer, they would’ve gone out of business or sold out many years earlier.

John L

 

[Chetlaham]

Huge Holes

Only some early models had the huge holes at the bottom. Many models had smaller holes below than those above the bottom. Once again you're cherry picking facts to better (or worsen) something than it actually is. 

 

 

Spin was quiet yes - if you pulled the leads off the drain pump. With the drain pump on it gargled and rattled the base plate. Awful noise.

 

 

 

[combo52]

GE first generation T model washers

ALL had the extra large drain holes in the bottom of the wash tub for better Grit and lint removal, the holes were made smaller in the next generations of this machine because they had too much trouble with the drain pump blocking and clogging with heavy sediment when people washed things like rubber backed rugs that had disintegrated.

Unfortunately, many products get redesigned in a way that makes them less effective because they have to be made full proof because of things that happen out in the real world that are hard to design for in the lab and testing. There are many many examples of this in all kinds of appliances and consumer products, this is why the museum I like to get the early versions in many cases, I love getting a product where the engineers had a higher degree of control in the product before the cost cutters got so involved with it, it’s also fun to get the later versions to show how the product finally evolved.

John L

 

[Chetlaham]

I will agree with you on this, the holes did get smaller. People also do manage to bring out the worst in machines.

 

 

My personal preference: Drive the drain pump via a half horse power motor. The Italian drain pumps in the model Ts had a lot of problems with developing slow pump out over time. That happened to me. Latter versions were a bit better but they just could not match the reliability main drive driven pumps.

 

 

My Speed Queen gobbles up threads from old towels that are falling apart, so far no stalling or leaking from the pump. 

 

[gelaundry4ever]

GE!

We bought ours from Lacks when they were in business. reply# 68 didn't mention anything about transmission lubricant or the leaking of it. Did they use the same oil or use an "upgraded" one? I want to know. It felt like a downgraded and sounded like one when we first got ours. I expected the same sound of the GE filter-flo only to discover it sounded similar to a whirlpool LEAP direct drive.

 

[johnb300m]

I want to know!

Lmaooo this obsession with oil.
Well guess what, you’re NOT gonna know.
You’ll have to find an old GE engineer from the project. From the mid 90s.
Good luck with that. They’re all retired or probably dead.

Drain pumps at 1/2 hp? What a colossal waste of energy, weight, steel.
You don’t need that.
I’m sure glad you aren’t in charge of any companies.