Lint filter on recent SQ TL's

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jeffg

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Jan 19, 2007
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Is there an easy way to check the lint filter on recent model Speed Queen toploaders? Unless I'm missing something, it looks like the agitator has to be removed to access it?

Thanks for any help!
 
Not to my knowledge

I've pulled out the agitator to clean underneath and there is no lint filter. SQ toploaders are supposed to have a self-cleaning lint filtration system, where that is I don't actually know, but suspect that it probably runs around the outside rim of the washbowl. Perhaps someone else knows more about that. My old SQ had a visible plastic filtration ring that ran around the inside edge of the washbowl, but the new SQs don't. Perhaps one has to take the plastic ring, that sits on top of the bowl assembly, off to reveal the lint filter.

Lint hasn't been an issue so far. Hence, there must be some system in place that filters and flushes it out.

Olav
 
The filter in an SQ washer is under the washbasket. Much like what Whirlpool has but this is a disc not a ring. The holes on the washbasket under the agitator allow the water to be pulled thru the filter and back into the washbasket. The agitator as it moves back and forth the bottom vanes create a surging water action that cause a vacuum effect on the filter. During the start of the spin the filter is swirled clean and the lint goes down the drain.
 
Thanks guys. Mike and John, if we took out the agitator and wash basket, would we find a screen or filter, or not?

The reason we're asking is, we recently washed a new (and unfortunately very cheap) blanket, and it shed like crazy. I mean it almost disintegrated. The drain line looks clear and water is draining fine, does that mean there's probably no accumulation of lint under the basket?
 
If the water drains clear and well

there probably isn't much of an accumulation. It is very likely that most of the lint has already been rinsed out and, unless you've got the tools, time and aptitude, I wouldn't be removing the washbasket. That's just my opinion though.

Cheers

Olav
 
Mike...that agtator should "POP" right off, just grab firmly at the bottom of the vanes and a good pull, it should release....maybe you should apply some lubricant....I never had a problem getting these off...
 
Jeff,
just run an empty wash through the machine, after you clean out as much lint as possible from the tub. Don't take apart the machine, it has happened to me......and stop buying your blankets in ODD-LOT...just kidding, LOL
MIKE
 
There is no place to put the lube..its on a drive bell and the agitator clips onto the drive bell. When I had my Amana washer I got it off but in the process hit my chin with the top of the agitator...and that was painful. One thing I want to do is to get a solid curved vane agitator since I am not so thrilled with the flex vanes on this machine. It catches lint and pulls towels. But other than that its not too shabby.
 
Yeah, the agitator pulls right of!

I usually just grab it firmly around the center post and pull it straight up. It takes a little strength, but can be done without too much trouble.

Olav
 
The SQ does have a lint filter under the wash tub. I call it the hat filter. It fits over the hub and then the tub sits on that. It looks like a straw sun hat with the portion for your head cut off.

However I would not take anything apart to clean anything. As long as it's draining there is no problem.
 
Do you really think those types of filters are actually working or trapping lint and self-cleaning?....better yet, If you ever have the machine apart, take out his filter, think there will be any real difference?...I have taken out several self-clean types and connected the hoses together, no one even knew the difference....do you think this filter, or any for that matter, allow you to wash a white towel with dark permanent press, and keep the lint from attaching to the PP?

think these types would also work at trapping food particles from my dishwasher if I stack it with the plates?
 
do you think this filter, or any for that matter, allow you to wash a white towel with dark permanent press, and keep the lint from attaching to the PP?

No filter can fix the "lint producer (cotton and other natural fibers)/lint-attractor (polyester and other synthetics)" issue, so I'm not sure what your point is.

We don't have a problem with lint, when loads are properly sorted, but I know the older overflow/manual/etc filters caught a lot more lint than today's self-cleaning ones.
 
Jeff....my point is the average person may leave a washcloth by accident in the machine, and then complain that the lint attached to their clothing, and yet wonder why the filter didn't do it's job...

people like you and I know how to wash and sort properly to reduce if not eliminate lint problems...

Overflo rinses were probably the best, filter flo's eith with a pan or brush were also very effective, as well as TRUE magic clean filters with a reversing flush worked well at reducing the amount of lint...

I'm just not convinced of a contraption just sitting there, and water currents from the agitator and clothes is what makes it work and clean itself....

yet we could go on and on...but you have to wonder, and I know and have seen water currents pushed into the outter tub during agitation, I just find that many machines like GE filter flo, and Whirlpool/Kenmore non self clean are more effective by pulling water from the outter tub and returning it to the inner wash basket a true use and function of water being filtered....

TRUE self clean types pull water from the outter tub and return it to the outter tub, just not as effective

and what really gets me, and I know collecting lint from a filter is slimmy, gross, yucking, etc., people who complain about touching the lint....versus...clogs drains, septic, and traps, I think I would rather have to clean a small filter compared to tearing into the drain lines or paying a plummer to fix an issue like this....yet these same people clean the lint trap in the dryer, and how about hair in the bathroom sink, better yet the sludge/hairy/stringy gunk in the tub drain
 
Martin, I'm with you 100% on that last part. Between the dumbing down of washers over the years (which includes the elimination of manual lint filters and overflow rinses), and the ever-greener castration of laundry products, I think it's only a matter of time before we go back to vintage. Probably a Lady K set from 1965-1971, which are still my all-time favorites.

We'll certainly do that rather than switch to a FL, if SQ stops selling TL's. I refuse to walk around in half-washed, half-rinsed clothes, or deal with those horrible corkscrew agitators on WP and most other TL's.
 
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