KAWE760W Load Capacity?

[ladd]

Anyone know what was the advertised load capacity of our recently-deceased Kitchenaid KAWE760W washing machine purchased new in 1991?

We just replaced that machine with a new Speed Queen TC5000WN with an advertised capacity of 3.2 cu/ft and would swear that there is more room in the tub than with the old Kitchaid.

 

[repairguy]

I’m pretty sure the KitchenAid was a 3.2 capacity as well. It probably just looks different with the smaller SQ agitator vs. the large KA agitator with the auger that came all the way to the top of the lid opening.

 

[DADoES]

 
People IMO tend to underload WP/KA/KM etc. direct-drive toploaders ...

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Your new SQ:

While being the best new TL on the market today and it has a similar sized drum will not completely clean as large or dirty of a load as the WP/KA for 2 reasons.
1. No Dual Action agitator so it cannot roll over nearly as full of a load as a DD WP/KA washer can.
2. The lack of a neutral drain makes complete soil removal more difficult when loads are very dirty.
Nonetheless you made a good choice. There is no other traditional TL on the market that works as it should or will last as long.
WK78

 

[combo52]

Reply #2&3 are on the money

The KA will differently wash a little larger load and do a better job except the SQ will extract a little more water, The SQ TL you have is the closest thing replacement to your older KA TL washer, either machine should have around a 25 year life span if you repair it a few times along the way.

John L.

 

[ladd]

Thanks to all for the feedback.

It's just my wife and I, so really large loads rarely happen. When we do get really dirty clothes, it's usually just a few jeans and T-shirts, so I figure doing them by themselves with a full tank of water should turn out OK.

 

[DADoES]

 
More water isn't necessarily better.  Items float and ride the water currents, less contact with the agitator fins for mechanical action.

 

[ladd]

I've always figured that the friction from clothing hitting the agitator *and* other items of clothing in the tub generates the cleaning power. Always trying to get the balance of water and clothing at optimum.