I always loosely load my Maytags, never had anything damaged before. Always use the slower agitation with smaller and medium loads, reduces wear and tear on clothing not to mention the machine itself, also used a little less electricity.
People will debate until the end of time long stroke vs shore stroke agitation/transmissions, but it’s a fact that longer stroke agitation tends to pull items down and the wash action is brisk without being too aggressive, as long as the machine is loaded correctly.
qsd-dan mentioned a few times in the archives his grandparents had a Maytag 806 set from the late 1960’s which washed clothing from the 60’s and 70’s era which his grandfather wore up until 2001. Believe he mentioned he even has towels that were washed in nothing but long stroke Maytags for decades and are still around, even some clothes from the 1990’s as well.
Some people can debate long stoke vs short stroke agitation, but if you have items that were washed in nothing but long stroke machines for literal decades, just proof that long stroke agitation is more gentle.