KM BD lo dollar model
- Thread starter goatfarmer
- Start date
That's an 18lb machine, has a Penta-Vane agitator (Penta-Swirl was for higher-end models such as the Lady).
cfz2882
Well-known member
probably from around 1976 ?
Funny how that lowest water level setting isn’t Small or Extra Small…
This machine may have been marketed to men, and no man wants to see small or Ex Small on anything.
Medium is probably half fill, Extra High is full fill. Just the typical marketing gimmicks.
I am willing to be that there is an extra gentle or quick cycle on the timer. Often times enabled with a single jumper found only on higher end models.
cdub490
Member
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- Sep 21, 2025
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My take, based only on the knobs with no metallic chrome look to them is that is possibly early 1980s? Or did everything BOL go direct drive after 1981?
--Chris
Reply 9- Hands down my favorite control panel look and design. I wish they still had something like this.
You could aquire this, maybe fix it, if something minor, switch agitators, and resell it.
Later 70s can more belt drive nail down model.
We had a customer had had this exact machine for many years, this was a model that Sears sold to use as an advertising come on to get you to come and look at a super capacity machine, and the sales people were instructed and trained not to sell it and to move you up into a fancier model.
It was a perfectly good machine if you only wanted to wash full loads or nearly full loads of laundry, no delicate cycle, etc.
This one’s in really good shape, considering it only had a painted top and lid obviously wasn’t used a lot, which is pretty much the case with any washer this old that’s still around, they either were not used a lot or they were repaired a lot and look like hell.
John L
We had a customer had had this exact machine for many years, this was a model that Sears sold to use as an advertising come on to get you to come and look at a super capacity machine, and the sales people were instructed and trained not to sell it and to move you up into a fancier model.
It was a perfectly good machine if you only wanted to wash full loads or nearly full loads of laundry, no delicate cycle, etc.
This one’s in really good shape, considering it only had a painted top and lid obviously wasn’t used a lot, which is pretty much the case with any washer this old that’s still around, they either were not used a lot or they were repaired a lot and look like hell.
John L
Although I thought Sears direct drive models were phased in the model line and by late 1986 were all direct drive. Could have been made in early 1986. Definitely all DD by 1987
Made in early June, 1986. I was surprised it was built that late, rare to see them. I worked at Sears in 86 when all the belt-drive washers and matching black panel dryers were moved to the center aisles and clearanced out while the new direct drive models were brought out and set up on display. That was in the late-summer early fall of 86. It didn't take too many days to sell all of the black-panel machines.
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Some research at an online catalog library finds ...
(photo 1) The model of the topic sale is in this version of the 1978 Fall-Winter catalog with the water levels stated as "Extra-high and medium."
(photo 2) 1979 Spring-Summer has it but the water levels stated as "High, med." Can't say if that's a catalog text thing or if it accurately reflects what's on the console.
(photo 3) 1979 Fall-Winter catalog with the water levels again stated as "Extra-high, medium."
(photo 4) Backtracking ... 1978 Spring-Summer has a model with a dark background behind the controls and the water level choices started as "Low and high." Also references temp choices as "hot wash/cold rinse" (Normal cycle) and "warm wash/cold rinse" (Perm Press).
1980 Spring-Summer has a model with the same console design but with only a full-fill level (no water level control).
(photo 1) The model of the topic sale is in this version of the 1978 Fall-Winter catalog with the water levels stated as "Extra-high and medium."
(photo 2) 1979 Spring-Summer has it but the water levels stated as "High, med." Can't say if that's a catalog text thing or if it accurately reflects what's on the console.
(photo 3) 1979 Fall-Winter catalog with the water levels again stated as "Extra-high, medium."
(photo 4) Backtracking ... 1978 Spring-Summer has a model with a dark background behind the controls and the water level choices started as "Low and high." Also references temp choices as "hot wash/cold rinse" (Normal cycle) and "warm wash/cold rinse" (Perm Press).
1980 Spring-Summer has a model with the same console design but with only a full-fill level (no water level control).
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With the possible exception of his prostate... but that's another forum!
