Lady Kenmore Washing Machine of the 60-70ies

[washran]

Good day! I just seen the pic of the day of a Lady Kenmore with the "piano Key" Controls. My Aunt had one of these when I was growing up and she would let me help with the wash ( I would sit and listen to the cycle... LOVED the sound of the machine going into spin when the wig-wag would make its sound to put it into "gear" ANYWAY How did the control work? i remember pulling out the knob, turn till it stopped, then push in. Does anyone have the repair manual for this or pics? I LOVE THIS SITE! Thanks

 

[washran]

Lady Kenmore Washer

Does anyone have a push button Lady K that controlled the timer to stop at the right spot on the dial?

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Hi Randall, 

 

Sears had this feature on a number of their upper end models, both Lady K's, models just below the Lady from I believe 1963 thru 1974.   This includes and the washer/dryer combos too.

 

This timer interlock system is purely mechanical.  When you press one of the buttons, a rod connected to the timer assembly slides over towards it.   As you turn the timer, this spring loaded rod will fall into a corresponding groove within the timer mechanism, locking it in place.

 

I hope this helps.

Kevin

(this is a 1974 Lady Kenmore)

 

[lordkenmore]

I assume there also would have to be switches or something activated by the buttons to control water temperatures.

 

[turquoisedude]

Randall,   Here's my '65 Lady K where the push buttons will determine where the timer will 'stop' for the correct cycle:

 

 

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

John, I will have to open one up and sneak a peak to confirm, but there has got to be something either tied into the panel behind the "buttons" or in the timer.  I'm thinking it's part of the button panel.   As you know, these buttons also control water temp and agitation & spin speeds.

 

[delaneymeegan]

 

 

There is a lot of metal behind the buttons.  And the panel itself is a solid piece of cast metal. The back panel is painted metal. Plus there is a ballast for the fluorescent light.  If you remove the control panel from the washer, you'll find it is HEAVY.   

 

Yes, there are a number of small, replaceable, lever switches screwed to the back side of the panel to control various components.

 

[toploadloyalist]

"Delicate/Knitted Fabrics" and "Washable Woolens

For "piano keyboard" Kenmores with three speeds, the two above cycle buttons had slow agitation for the former (upper row) and extra slow agitation for the latter (lower row), both with alternating agitation and soaking. For those with only two speeds, how did those cycles differ, if at all? In 1971, the upper button was renamed "Knitted Fabrics", and was advertised as a whole new cycle. How was it different from the usual delicate cycle? I imagine the "Custom Care" button on "Washable Woolens" would seem redundant since that cycle already uses extra slow agitation.

 

[combo52]

Top of the line whirlpool and Kenmore pushbutton washers

These mechanical stop lock systems replaced the all electrically activated machines that lady Kenmore used for three years starting in 1959.

The lady Kenmore top load washers from 1963 through 1975 had three basic cycles built into the timer a normal a delicate and a wash and wear permanent press cycle.

The timer itself shows chose most of the speeds temperatures etc. the pushbutton mechanism chose the washing time and there were a few additional switches which sometimes modified temperature or speeds.

 

[jons1077]

Definitely fun machines to use!

 

[super32]

My Lady K

Rather than start a new thread i figure i could "high jack" this one since it was in reference to Lady Kenmores. This is a set i picked up last July from a post in the shoppers square forum. We trekked about 10hrs round trip from Blackstone MA to Syracuse NY to bring them home. Just thought i would share them here. Im still not sure how deep i want to go into them. They both run but not without some issues with both machines.

 

[mrb627]

Wow!

Pristine condition. I'm jealous!

Malcolm

 

[ken]

Does the dryer also have a console light?

 

[brucelucenta]

Of course!

 

[super32]

The dryer does have a console light. I am waiting for a new ballest to come in. Also need a bulb for the drum too.

 

[super32]

I feel so sexy....lol

They came back to life.........

 

[arris]

Nice !!!

Great Looking machines !!!! what year are they ??? I have the same set,same color, mine are from 73. The agitator on mine is missing the emblem in the center though.....

 

[super32]

These are from 72'