I found a NORGE

[paulwash]

Hello all I finally found my Norge washing machine. I’m going to need help with it. I was at an estate sale yesterday and was told it did not work but can have for $5.00. I would like to know what year it was made if anyone can help! I pick it up this Wednesday. I live in Niagara Falls. I was wondering if anyone is in the Buffalo area to help me fix it up ? Thank you all.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations

We all know the great feeling when a dream comes true. We are happy for you.

 

[combo52]

A Real Norge Washer

Yay great find, It is also a rare TOL model, poor a quart of water in it and see if it runs, keep us posted.

 

John L.

 

[dermacie]

I have been wanting a Norge myself. I cant wait to see the progress.

 

[norgeway]

I would say early 70s

One thing is for sure When you get it working you will see its the BEST washing machine ever built for really dirty nasty work clothes

 

[Unimatic1140]

That is a wonderful find Paul, congratulations. I would agree it's from the early 1970's. Do pour some hot water down the drain hose before you try it. You may want to tip the machine back slightly and see if the belt turns both the main drive pulley and pump pulley. The pump may be stuck from sitting idle all these years and need to be worked loose.

Edit: I found I have the brochures for that model in the Ephemera Library here, the brochures are from 1974...[this post was last edited: 9/9/2019-09:49]

https://www.automatice.org/cgi-bin/index.cgi?showdoc~296~Norge

 

[repairguy]

Congratulations! I always liked this Norge design machine.

 

[washerlover]

Hey Paul,

Congrats on a great find!!!! Norge rocks!!

Wish I were closer to be able to help. I have worked on many of these types of machines and please feel free to reach out to me with any questions and I will do my best to help out.

Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about your progress with restoring this TOL beauty.

 

[reactor]

Beautiful machine, Paul! Congratulations of a great find...you got a real diamond in the rough there. You will, no doubt, have great fun cleaning and fixing it up. Please post pictures for us as you progress.

 

[hippiedoll]

CONGRATULATIONS!!

You found yourself a NORGE burpalator, and it looks to have a fabric softener dispenser, WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!

So happy that you found a machine you were wanting, and at such a GREAT price too! VERY COOL!

I'm doing the HAPPY DANCE for you on this side of the computer, and I can't wait to see video of your new NORGE back in action!
)

 

[peteski50]

Norge!

Best of Luck on this great find!

 

[lotsosudz]

A REAL WORKHORSE

Congratulations! You have a real workhorse of a washer. There were few others, that could turn over a real dirty load, and get them as clean as these machines could. They were solid machines, and entertaining to watch. I had a early 60's mid model, and was sad when the transmission finally bellied up. Enjoy it , and don't be afraid to put it through it's paces. It can take it!
Hugs,
David

 

[appnut]

A clarrification to what some have said

This is NOT the TOL or next to TOL model.  This is a n upper level model because it's got the 4 speed combinations as well as the 4 of 5 water temp combinations.  Probably just about a perfect washer with that flexibility!! The TOL model would have preprogrammed buttons (10-12) as well as 3 agitation speeds.  And soak-to-wash detergent dispenser.  

 

[eurekastar]

What a great find!  Please be sure to post updates regarding your progress in its restoration.  Those are always fun posts to see!

 

 

[combo52]

TOL Norge Wassher

Hi Bob, by the time the 3/4 HP 20 # Norges came out there were no more 3 speed models, does anyone have a picture of a Norge of this vintage more loaded than this one ?

 

John L.

 

[ralph611]

Hi Paul
That is a beautiful machine. We had a friend that had one. It was a workhorse.

 

[gansky1]

It's just a jump to the left...

Well featured and very flexible.  This is a cool find, had a customer with a set of this era, always thought the washer timer dial on the left a bit unsettling.  Everyone is right about the washing ability, it's a strong machine.

 

Same 1974 brochure Robert mentioned above - Bob is correct, two models above the model from original post.  

 

Edited: I added the third model from the brochure Glenn mentions in 3, 2, 1..

[this post was last edited: 9/9/2019-22:12]

 

[DADoES]

 
I was writing out the details from the brochure, refreshed the thread in another tab and see Greg did the screen caps of three models.

There's also a fourth model.
LWA2050C -- 2 speed, variable water level.  Rotary four temp combos, rotary three speed combos.  Stated as 8 cycles.  Regular and Prewash cycles on timer.

I suspect there may be one or more lower models not in the brochure (1-speed?)

 

[DADoES]

 
Timer question:

The timers for the three upper models have a starting point designed with two arrows preceding the Automatic Soak Cycle.  Suds return??

 

[appnut]

Glenn, most likely for suds return.  Our Norge had a wide "dead" space between the end of the cycle and the beginning of the soak.  I discovered there was a couple of increments whereby it would agitate.   Found out as an adult, here, it was mostlikely the area for suds return for said feature equipped.  

 

[toploader55]

I remember a TimeLine from when I was about 12.

I couldn't imagine washing anything in a Norge for the 14 minute wash unless it was a pair of coveralls from a Off shore Oil Rig that were saturated with grease.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Nice machine and how interesting to see the timer over on the left instead of the usual right...

Whirlpool was putting its dryer timers on the left that time, too...

Hope you can show the world what a real neat and very rare washer really is, and may it be eternally everlasting...

-- Dave

 

[lesto]

A great machine. I have a Norge from this same time period (mid 70's) and it is a dependable workhorse. Mine has the soak-to-wash cycle as well as a separate "short cycle" with a 5 minute wash including two pauses during agitation and shorter rinse and spin periods than the normal cycle. I especially love the four combination speed control. These machines can really handle large loads.

 

[paulwash]

I cleaned up the Norge !!

So yesterday I was so excited. I picked up the NORGE washing machine from the estate sale. I cleaned it up really well. It washed and spin fine . I filled it for a second time . When the fill ended the tub indexed and then froze? No agitation, blew circuit breaker and I smelled burnt electric wires? But it spins out water with neutral drain? WHY OR WHAT would cause this? How can it be fixed my friends ?

 

[Unimatic1140]

When the fill ended the tub indexed and then froze? Paul did the agitator turn at all or did the tub simply turn 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn and then it locked up once it engaged the brake latch?

If it neutral drains and spins okay then the clutch spring is fine. It sounds like the agitation gears in the transmission may be locked up. The oil may have thickened and it may need to be taken apart and cleaned. The agitation gears may come loose with some very hot water in the tub (filled to the max water level). You may have to block the washer up and manually turn the pulley under the washer in the agitation direction (working the pulley back and forth) with the machine filled with hot water to get the gears to let go, once you get it moving it should be fine. Be sure the machine is unplugged before you do that.

You could also take the front panel off and apply some heat under the transmission (like with a few carefully placed 200 watt light bulbs) for several hours. If all else fails you'll have to take the transmission apart.

Edit: I just noticed you said it did agitate for the first try, maybe try the hot water trick first and see if you can turn the pulley in the agitation direction.

 

[neptunebob]

I was wondering...

If the Norge washer was so hard on clothes on the normal cycle why not use the delicate cycle for most clothes?  Also, when Maytag turned Norge into the Atlantis, did they do anything to make the washer less aggressive?  Now, why am I wondering about washing machines?

 

[paulwash]

I found a Norge

Thank you unimatic 1140!! I have it in my three car garage.. I’d have to move it to the basement in my house to fill it with hot water. I’m not super mechanicly inclined but I will get this problem solved. Some one in this area has to know something. I’ve been filling it with a hose and running it. Could it be anything else ? Why the first wash went fine ? Also blowing a circuit breaker .. burnt wire smell ?

 

[paulwash]

I found a Norge

Unimatic .. to answer your question the tub just indexed all the way till the brake stopped it and no agitation just froze and a humming sound then quiet and burnt wire smell.

 

[combo52]

Hot Burning smell

Hi Paul, Unplug it take the front off [ two screws at the bottom front and pop the top at the front and lift the front panel off the studs ] then tip the washer on its back remove the belt and see if the motor and pump turn easily in both directions.

 

Then turn the main drive pulley in one direction it should cause the agitator to move, the other direction it should turn smoothly but nothing will happen till you release the brake by closing the brake soloinoid with your other hand while turning the main drive pulley, now the tub should turn.

 

When you tested the machine with water did it leak at all ? Are there signs that the washer has leaked from the area above the transmission as evidenced by a possible rusty stain on the inside of the cabinet and front panel ?

 

If everything checks out mechanically it could have an electrical problem, Norge built washers with the 3/4 HP motor were famous for burned timer contacts etc, also durning look at and smell the motor for burning windings.

 

John L. 

 

 

PS, Thanks Bob and Greg for pointing out that this was not quite a TOL model, in this area we just never saw any Norge washers this fancy, but I knew that they certainly never built a 3 speed 20 pound machine.

 

[paulwash]

I found a Norge

Gentlemen thank you soooo much I’m going to try these ideas out ! I’m going to get this Norge to work. You are all great