Indexing or Non-Indexing Tubs?

[appnut]

Dan, my last experience with a Montgomery Wards washer was from 1972 to 1977 with a machine purchased about that 1972 or earlier. At that time, they did a total of 4 spray rinses similar to Whirlpool/Kenmore, but as you noted it started spraying not too soon after it began spinning. Norge designed this on purpose to serve as its cooldown contribution to the cycle. It had one who wash cycle on the timer for all its cycle iterations. And this was a reasonably mid to upper level machine with variable water levels, 5 speed combinations, and 5 water temps. By the time it had gotten to the 3rd spin spray it was pretty close to full spin speed. It also did spray rinses after the deep rinse.

 

[frigilux]

Honestly, I don’t mind an indexing tub as long as it doesn’t index too much. In the 1960s and ‘70s, the Westinghouse and various WCI-branded machines with indexing tubs turn maybe 1/6th of a full revolution at a time. My 2017 Speed Queen still indexes about that much. It’s fun to watch and doesn’t hamper load rollover much.

 

My ‘86 Frigidaire top-loader didn’t index excessively. It just had a crappy agitator. That thing wouldn’t have rolled a load over well even without the indexing. It did, however have the awesome “full circle spray” for filling and the spray rinse during the first spin.

 

My 2004 Frigidaire (Electrolux-made) top-loader was a disaster. It would index almost 180 degrees on heavy, maximum capacity loads. The clockwise “power” stroke, which also operated the auger, was sometimes laughably short. Then there would be an Exorcist-like counter-clockwise stroke. Sheets tangled ruthlessly as they became wrapped around the agitator; even tore a sheet once. 

 

At first I was annoyed at the SQ’s mild indexing, knowing it really wasn’t supposed to; now I kind of enjoy it.