Kitchenaid Superba Washer Set

[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?