Hoovermatic
Congratulations Matthew on getting this great machine.
The longer hose is actually from a later model where it exited from the lower rear of the machine and hooked up over the sink. The hole in the wash tub lid was designed to let the end of the original hose pass through so that suds could be returned to the wash tube on the first spin.
As with any vintage machine but a bucket of HOT water first into the spin can and leave it to sit for about a half hour and then check for leaks. If no leaks then spin it into the wash tub and leave it there for a half hour. Still no leaks then top it up to above the impellor with more hot water, and leave it again for about half and hour. to check for further leaks.
WITH THE CORD REMOVED FROM THE WALL SOCKET gently turn the impellor, to help free it up, in older machines they can often be a bit "sticky" at first, but the hot water will be a great help in freeing it up. Before you try switching on the motor fill the machine up to the water mark, otherwise you are likely to have a shower you were not expecting.
The good news is that if you need to replace the hoses, automotive water hoses should be fine and are easily available at modest cost, indeed it will also work on the pump outlet on the top of the machine.
These machines are notorious for tangling so its best to put the clothes in with the machine off and then switch on, making sure the clothes move easily.
Finally, when emptying the wash tub make sure the lid is in place until the water level has dropped below the level of the impeller, or again you risk a shower.
here are UK instructions, just ignore the bits about the heater
Happy washing
Al
