Kenmore Short Agitator vs Whirlpool Tall Agitator

[warsh]

Hello!

I am new to posting, but have been a fan of the site for some years. I have a question. I had to replace my filter-flo (Well, I might try to fix it one day when I get bored) so I went to my appliance man and he had a Whirlpool available (like a 2009-2010 Top End) Direct Drive model. What I have noticed is that it has the short Kenmore style Dual Action "Dasher" (as he calls it) Agitator. I was thinking of buying the taller Whirlpool Dual Action (at least the auger part).

So get to the point you say...

Is there a difference in wash action in these agitators, the shorter Kenmore vs. the taller Whirlpool . He told me to leave the smaller "dasher" in there, but curiosity is killing the cat.

Advice?

 

[nmassman44]

They both wash the same. The shorter Dual Action will do fine. The taller agitator upper top part is out of the water and to me it's kinda useless.

 

[yogitunes]

well...a pic might help understand better......but usually the Whirlpool was taller only because of the fancy surgilator vanes comming all the way to the top, and to house the softener dispenser, where as the Kenmore would have a dispenser that sat on top of the agitator and snap locked in place...

I like them both, but preference goes to the Kenmore with the spirals that angle down....

like I said, a pic would help better understand which one you have, and are looking to replace it with.....there are several types of augers/spirals, and not all fit all bases...

and some do....like this large KA base, fitted with a Whirlpool Surgilator top spiral....it can house the dispenser on top(which actually would fit inside), or a plain cap as shown

 

[warsh]

This is what's in there. (Ebay Picture)

 

[warsh]

Here is what I am talking about going with.

 

[DADoES]

 
As others have said, changing the agitator won't make a significant difference on performance ... nor will it change the maximum water level, which on the taller auger will be lower than the square hole (which is where softener dribbles out when the softener dispenser is used), so you can see how much of the auger will be above the water line.

 

[warsh]

Short one it is!

 

[yogitunes]

I have found the Kenmore's slanted design to be a definate improvement over the straight vanes...especially with the DD short quick strokes....no comparison, it works better.....

if that slanted design would fit on the KA base, I would have the best of both worlds...

and you can always add the dispenser on top....

 

[nmassman44]

Methinks in reply #3 that agitator is the Triple Action agitator where it adds an up and down spring action to auger. I have seen that one in action and with big loads it really rolls the load well.

 

[yogitunes]

I thought so too Mike....but the cap does say "PLUS"......not "TRIPLE"......that added up and down is unique for the ones that do it...

 

[nmassman44]

It's funny how much they look alike...

 

[golittlesport]

yes, stick with the Kenmore

Many years ago I spent the summer in a house with a Whirlpool top load washer. When in use, only two-thirds of that big agitator is in water and actually doing anything. It is so tall that it makes loading and unloading difficult. Unless you just "have" to have a fabric softener dispenser, I'd stick with the Kenmore agitator.

 

[BrZandi]

WANT MY TRIPLE AXN AGITATOR/FRONT2BACK LID/HUGE BASKET BACK!

Ok guys, so...I decided to switch from a Whirlpool Gold Ultimate Care II washer/dryer set about 4 months ago to a Kenmore 80 series (110 model) and I do not love the agitator it came with. It is earning its "Shredmore" reputation and its driving me nuts. I know that the agitation motion is different between these two machines. But what I would like to know is whether or not I can replace my Kenmore agitator with one of the triple action agitators from the Whirlpool model I had before. I am pretty green in compatibility knowledge other than I know that the two brands have connection.
It would also probably be helpful to ask if additionally I could replace the standard wash basket for a larger size if I wanted to do that as well in the process.
And the other thing I am really wanting to know is if I can somehow modify or replace the top of the washer/lid to make the lid open front to back rather than from right to left. My laundry room set up is wonky and the opening is a huge pain since the dryer vent is to the left of the washer.
Gordon-I'm super impressed with your Kenmore collection & knowledge so I hope you might consider my plight worthy of your input. But please, anyone who is able-feel free to educate and answer me!!!
If I can't mod my washer to make me happier, I'm afraid it will be time to look for another washer or maybe even buy back my old one from the people we sold it to.
I anxiously await your responses, guys! =]
BrZandi

 

[murando531]

There are a few yes and no answers to your question from the knowledge I have, so I hope I'm able to help. The Whirlpool you previously had and the Kenmore 80 you now have, while having different lids, controls, etc., share the same exact mechanics, referred to as the Direct-Drive system. If you still have the previous Whirlpool, you can actually interchange the agitators because they all share the LEAP platform; the bolt, fitting, and height are all the same. The Whirlpool agitator will most likely be taller, but in my opinion that's a good thing because the spiral fins will push anything down that hasn't gone into the water yet at the start of the wash. As far as the basket goes, there is a lot more that would have to be done to put in a larger one. Yours I believe is a 2.5 to 3 cu.ft, where the larger ones are 3.4 or so. Because there is not only the basket, but also the outer tub, you'll be required to exchange more parts than meets the eye, and by that time it would be just as easy to exchange machines altogether. The same applies to the lid, because of the slight differences there are in the dimensions of the cabinets between the Whirlpool/Kenmore brands, despite having the same insides. I hope that helps at least a little.

If you don't mind me asking, what made you want to change out the Whirlpool?