Kitchenaid Superba Washer Set

[naturallynick]

Thanks so much Dadoes!!!!!

I can only hope they would do steppes spin I can’t imagine why not? Different trans but they could keep the same control board or circuit board for mass production and not utilize all the options on the circuit board?

I have a estate by whirlpool 2002 DD that is a two speed but doesn’t change from the high speed ever even for “delicate”. I just want to know if this KA will have a more gentle agitation but I would love to know if someone knows if it would have stepped agitation.

If you had the chance at one in good shape owned by an old couple would you get it? Before I drive an hour there I’m trying to get a feel for it.

Also is the almond color ugly? I can’t find any almond pics

 

[DADoES]

 
The transmission has no effect on agitation or spin speeds.  Speeds are in the motor RPM, not in the mechanicals of the transmission.

There are no electronics or circuit boards involved.  The timer is mechanical.

Your Estate probably has a 1-speed motor and simulates gentler agitation by running the motor intermittently on the Gentle or Delicate cycle.

I can't find a tech sheet for the KA 560 but I did find a user guide.  It doesn't state any agitation or spin speeds for the three cycles.  The illustration of the timer doesn't show any wash times, just soil level references.  There are wash time references in the written cycle descriptions.

Regular/Heavy
  Normal (or Heavy) = 10 mins
  Light (or Normal) = 6 mins

Permanent Press
  Normal = 7 mins
  Light = 4 mins

Knits/Delicate
  Normal = 1 min agitation, 2 mins soak, 1 min agitation

The descriptions lead me to conjecture that, regards to having the larger agitator and a 2-speed motor, it runs the motor at low speed for all agitation.  Possibly at high for spin on Regular/Heavy and at low for spin on Perm Press and Knits/Delicate ... or possibly stepped on Perm Press .... or maybe at high for all spins.

Whirlpool Digital Library

Select Documents.
KAWE560WAL3 for Exact Model Number
Press Enter, or click the magnifying glass icon to search.

 

[repairguy]

I’d go for it especially if an elderly couple owned it.

 

[naturallynick]

Okay not sure if that is a bummer to hear or not. I’m thinking it would still be better then the estate in some way? Or maybe I should keep it and continue my KA hunt

 

[naturallynick]

My estate machine says 2 speed but I think they just use the second speed for spinning and will do a low spin on delicate.

Do you think this KA would be at least better then that? It will have the larger agitator at least.

Thanks for all your input I really appreciate it!!

 

[DADoES]

 
Regards to the Estate, parts diagrams would need to be checked or the tech sheet located to determine if it has a 2-speed or 1-speed motor.  "2 Speed Combinations" or some such reference printed on the panel may be marketing-speak for intermittent agitation on the Delicate or Gentle cycle.  You should be able to hear the difference in the motor sound for drain vs. spin if it's using low speed for spin.  Neutral drain is always at high speed.

The KA does have a 2-speed motor if the parts info I'm finding is correct.  I can't say how the machine utilizes the two speeds without detailed cycle diagrams or direct operational observation.  Or, someone who has the exact model could provide the details.

 

[naturallynick]

Yeah I think the estate is just marketing it that way. It does that stupid intermittent delicate cycle.

I think that I want the KA cause it would have better sound deadening features? And that gold wire plated motor or whatever? It’s gotta have some better features then the cheap estate.

Here’s a photo of the estate, thanks again for your help and being so awesome at it!!

 

[appnut]

My partner has the exact same machines as your Estate, just branded as Admiral. Intermitint agitation and there's no slow spin speed.

 

[DADoES]

 
Found a tech sheet for the Estate, which also covers other models.  Says all agitation and spin is at high speed.  Gentle cycle agitation is 20 secs on/off, although that may vary per timer programming among the various models.

TAWX700JQ1 = 2000 model year
CM1981061 = 19th week (May 6-10) of 2002 manufacture date

 

[naturallynick]

Tha k you so much! Sounds like I would be better off with the KA since it offers lighter agitation for fabric care. Do you know if my estate has the same agitator as the KA? They just look so similar with the dual action.

Also doesn’t the KA offer quieter cycles and some fancier internals then a whirlpool?

 

[DADoES]

 
KA 560 has three adhesive mastic panels affixed to the inside of the cabinet to dampen vibrations, which your Estate lacks.  The drive mechanicals are the same, other than 2-speed vs. 1-speed motor, different agitator, and the KA having slightly larger capacity.

My 760 adds a sound absorbing pad under the base, 560 doesn't.

Pics I found of a 560, and a better shot of the agitator it should have.

 

[naturallynick]

Dadoes you are the man!! I am a little disappointed in the lack of cycles and no warm warm but love having a real two speed that is quieter and lower agitation for fabrics.

Personal question is would you buy something like this to replace your estate that is 10 years newer? My estate was also owned by an old couple in Greta shape but I don’t think I need higher agitation my wife and I are teachers and are clothes are not that dirty.

The larger KA agitator should do a good job I would imagine. Just open to suggestions. The KA sounds super legit this old man said it is so clean and in such good shape he is 75 for goodness sake and probably barely used it.

 

[combo52]

Better Top Load Washer

Hi Nick the KA is a better washer, but as you mentioned it is 10 years older and several parts like the timer and motor are harder to find if needed.

 

If it were me I would either keep what you have or if there is room have both hooked up and ready to use.

 

The only way I will use a TL washer any longer is if I can save and reuse the wash water usually by draining the water into a 2nd machine. To get decent cleaning out of a full fill TL machine you need around 20 gallons of hot water and a lot of detergent, it is simply too costly to dump all that down the drain after washing a few bath towels, sheets etc when you can use the slightly cooled water to wash wash your jeans etc.

 

The entire concept of TL washers was based on Wringer Washers where you filled up the machine with good hot water and got a good soap or detergent solution going and you set out to do at least several loads of laundry, the idea of dumping this water after a few lightly soiled things were washed would have been crazy to generations before us.

 

We have rebuild & resold a lot of these basic WP built TL DD washers, they are noisy and cheap sounding, sometimes I take the time to add sound deadening material to the inside of the cabinet and it makes an amazing difference.

 

John L.

 

[naturallynick]

Thanks John! I feel like I can’t help myself and this KA DD obsession so I’m gonna buy it but I am curious if you know where I would be able to find another timer to have on hand. The motor on these were the same used in WP right? Except they have gold plated contacts

 

[whirlykenmore78]

KA DD Motor:

Not entirely the same. Your machine requires a 3 speed motor to work as designed. Most DD machines used a 2 speed motor. The reason for this is that "high" agitation on this machine is the same as low on a WP or KM DD. This is due to the larger agitator base.
WK78

 

[combo52]

KA Washer Parts

Hi Nick, If you get it look up the timer Pt# and shop around Ebay etc, Yes it is a good part to have if you really like the machine after a while.

 

The motor is interchangeable with WPs 3 speed motor, the only difference with the KA motor was they had copper start windings with the rest of the windings being aluminum where as the WP motors were all aluminum.

 

I don't know how long KA motors were any different, I know they also went back to all aluminum windings at some point, it really din't make any difference.

 

John L.

 

[DADoES]

 
The KA 560 he's considering has a 2-speed motor per parts diagrams, not 3-speed.  But it still may be a heavier-duty design than standard WP 2-speed.

 

[kendog2]

Top Load or Front Load? Which model is best?

John, I'm reading your comments on this old thread and am curious about what type of washer you recommend. It doesn't sound like you're a fan of the DD top load machines unless you can drain the water into a second machine. Do you like front loaders better? Which brand and model do you like?