Hitachi vs. Haier Twin tub for Aussie.

[pulsatron]

Hello everyone I hope everyone is well.
I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice on any of the following machines eg ever used or owned one and what they were like.
Hitachi P.S.70P- Twin Tub.
Hitachi P.S. 99 BSP- Twin Tub.
Haier XPB9099VS-Twin Tub.
reason being I am thinking of trading my little N.E.C. Twin tub in for one of these larger ones for when the day comes when
the Bosch front loader packs it in,(see thread 2329) to see what I mean.
I am now firmly of the view that some of these fully automatic machines, wether they be top loading or front loading just have too many bells and whistles built into them and therein lies the probability that something is more likely to go wrong.
The funny thing is when the repairman came and finally fixed the front loader, he noticed the twin tub next to it and remarked to my sister that if we were to alternate our washes each time we did it, over a period of time the twin tub would most likely outlast the F.L.,becasue of it's simplicity.
I wonder if he might be right?. I would be interested to see what other people think- is simpler better in the end?
Many thanks to all.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Twin-Tub Washers:

Hi! Pulsatron, I'm not familiar with Overseas Twin-Tub's as far as knowing how they operate compared to the ones we've had here in the US, but I've owned a few Hoover's thru the years and even though the Twin-Tubs are more Manual Labor, than Automatic, I really like using them. I've just gotten another Hoover from a Dear Friend and I'm looking forward in getting it operating and using it for some of my Laundry. I wish that I had the Matching Dryer as well. The Hoover Dryer was I believe made by Maytag unless another company made both of them respectively for Hoover and Maytag, because they both have the Lint Filter on the Back of the Drum, like the Maytag "Halo-of-Heat" Dryers. I'll probably get a lot of "Static" and possibly "Horse-Whipped" by at least someone who likes Front-Load Washers and I'm not totally against them, I prefer the older Models over the newer Model. I'm talking about ones that were Manufactured from the 1950s to the 1970s at least and maybe even the 1980s, depending on the Models. Good luck with the decision that you make, I'm sure no doubt that as you mentioned about their being so simple and with what the Repair Tech told you, you couldn't go wrong with a Twin-Tub Washer, besides getting so much Laundry done in a shorter time.

Peace, Happy Twin-Tub Washing and Fun Times, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[toggleswitch]

Like you, I believe less is more.. didn't even put electric windows, doors or a sun/moon roof in my car.

But as I mature (read: become a decrepit wretch) the joy that comes with throwing money @ a problem rather than DIY becomes infinitely more appealing! LOL.

[The next freikin' car will be LOADED!]

In theory I was thinking about getting a Staber 2000, due to its simplicity and user-servicable mentality. As a plus the tub us supported from BOTH sides.

The small port-hole, the lack of a repair "team" (service/suport) and the noise level were turn-offs.

I still think it is THE model of simplicity as far as automatics go... as is our own home-grown Maytag Dependable care T/L (traditional) line.

Commercial & Residential Laundry Equipment | Staber Industries, Inc.

Staber Industries is a leader in the commercial and residential laundry equipment industry. Staber delivers American made, high quality laundry solutions. No job is too large or too small!

www.staber.com

 

[toggleswitch]

Now what was your question? LOL

--> is simpler better in the end?

IMHO- As simple as possible but still automatic. I like timers, not computers.

I like the idea of having a twin tub as a back-up though!

All of you are giving me very expensive ideas!

(I am officially lusting after [and coveting?] Laundress' "new" SS twinnie by Hoover.)

 

[Designgeek]

Pulsatron, I don't have experience with those, though I have a Danby TT-420 twin-tub, which has an American-style agitator that operates on an intermittent-reversing cycle. I also have a large Hotpoint TL automatic, which is a pretty standard American machine. I find it's useful to have both; the Danby is a compact machine, it's fast and handles most of the wash; the Hotpoint handles items that are too big for the twin-tub.

Things to look for:

Pulsators can cause tangling if the machine's not loaded correctly, but you get a greater load capacity. Agitators don't tangle as easily but the center-post takes up space so the capacity is smaller. A pump for discharge is more convenient than a gravity-drain. Make sure you can run both the washtub and spinner at the same time (I hear there are/were some machines where you can't), this will save time when doing multiple loads. However on most machines you can't drain the washtub while the spinner is operating, or the water output will exceed capacity of the pump and might back up into the spin tub; you'll figure out how to overlap the cycles as efficiently as possible without running into trouble. Straightforward timers and speed selectors are for me easier to use than semi-automatic cycles where I have to guess how the machine is going to behave on a given setting. On a twin-tub that means a timer for the washtub, a timer for the spintub, a "normal/gentle" selector for the washtub, and a discharge switch for the pump.

There tend to be two distinct designs for rinsing and spinning.

One, "overflow rinse / dry spin," as on my Danby machine: you rinse in the washtub, whilst running additional water through it; the water overflows through the drain & pump, carrying off suds & suchlike that float on the water as the rinse cycle progresses. At first I thought this would be less water-efficient, but in fact it's very efficient since I keep the water throughput down to the necessary minimum (by the end of the process, the water in the washtub is clean, so I save that water for the wash cycle of the next load). Then the load gets spun out in the spin tub with no additional water running through the spin tub. Using this procedure, I can wash two loads an hour, which is plenty fast for me.

Two, the "extract/spin" procedure, often found on the classic British twin-tubs such as the Hoovermatic, and also available on some of the current Asian machines. Water is run through the spinner whilst spinning at high speed; the water spins out through the load and carries off the detergent residue and so on. This is said to be highly efficient, though if the spinner is packed too full it's possible that the water won't get to the bottom of the load. This procedure is said to be very fast, since it saves the need for a separate trip through the washtub to rinse; possibly as fast as four loads an hour.

Note, check the user manuals; machines designed for "overflow rinse / dry spin" often are designed with more conservative spin motors that can't handle the added load of continuous water going through an "extract/spin". Machines designed for "extract/spin" will tend to have more powerful spin motors to handle the load of that extra water. Yes, this does make a difference; don't use the "extract/spin" process in a machine that's not designed for it.

Re. simplicity:

All other factors equal, simpler designs have fewer things to go wrong and are easier to repair. However I tend to believe that if you operate any machine at slightly below its normal capacity, and keep it well-maintained, it will last a good long time, i.e. well beyond its normal rated lifespan. The things to watch out for on automatics are computer-control circuits and various seals.

On any machine, don't let water drip down underneath to where it could cause rust (wipe it up with a rag when it happens), keep the door(s) open after use so the interior will dry out (moisture can lead to mold), and load the machine in such a manner that it's not going to vibrate excessively during the spin cycle (for example, not to mix heavy and light fabrics in one load). On automatics, turn off the water supply when not in use (so as to not keep the valves under pressure). For any machine, see if you can get hold of the manufacturer's lubrication chart, and apply fresh greases & oils when and where indicated.

In any case, whatever machine you get, it would be interesting if you could report back on how it operates and performs.

 

[pulsatron]

Thanks for the information

Designgeek,
Thanks so much for all the information, it has been invaluable reading, I must say your Danby Twin-Tub sounds pretty good what
a pity they are not available here in Australia, I think they would sell pretty well.
I am leaning towards either of the Hitachi models at the moment
although the Haier is considerably cheaper.
The Hitachi machines look to be better quality and I guess this is because the Haier is all polyproylene, where in the Hitachi, the spinner tub is made of stainless steel.
The Haier machine also has a much slower spin (for a t.t. that is),it spins at 900 r.p.m.s. but the Hitachi spins at 1800r.p.m.s. twice as fast.
When I make my decsision I would be only too happy to share how it works with all of you.
Once again thanks for the info.
Regards, Steve.