All topload KA laundry was sourced from Whirlpool, of the direct-drive design. The early models were 2-speed and had straight-vane agitators, predating the release of dual-action "auger" agitators from Sears control. Initially only two models were offered. One pair fully electronic-control. The other fully pushbutton, several collectors have these and they've been seen on eBay and Craigslist sales. IIRC, the final KA line may have included the Catalyst feature, and for sure the triple-dispenser. Whirlpool dropped laundry from the KA brand when Maytag came into play. The local Whites Auto had a nice model pair on the floor for some while after the line was discontinued, which I'm wishing now I had bought the set as collectibles.
KA washers with dual-action agitators had a larger base, and the three-speed machines typically ran at the medium motor speed for high agitation and the low motor speed for low agitation, thus making for a gentler action. Some later models *may* have run high motor speed for agitation on Heavy Duty, can't say, haven't experienced one.
KA also touted their "stepped spin" feature, which started spin at low speed, then "stepped-up" to high speed, said to reduce wrinkling. The Perm Press cycle on my 760 and the parents' 670 runs at all three motor speeds in the final spin .. 2 mins each of low, medium, and high speed. Normal cycle final spin starts at medium for 2 mins, then shifts to high for 4 mins. IIRC on my 760, the after-wash spin also starts at medium for 2 mins, then high for 2 mins. It's possible stepped-spin was incorporated at some point into the Kenmore and Whirlpool line, not sure about that.
