Looking for high capacity Maytag or equivalent...

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ps91rick

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Hi all.. So I’ve got my daily-driver washer — a 1976 harvest gold standard capacity Maytag I got for nothing and put about $40 into it.. It works perfectly but I’d really like a machine with a larger capacity and want to stick with a top loader — and one that works equally or better than the one I have now. I don’t have a clue what the capacity is on my current machine but its not huge.

I had an ‘87 Maytag that was a large/extra large capacity machine but the transmission was shot and it went to Maytag heaven.

If I want to be on the hunt for an extra-large capacity machine that’s a top-loader (it doesn’t have to be Maytag) that works great and can do full hot water (not tempered preferably like some new models do) can you clue me in please?

Thanks!
 
Largst Capacity Traditional TL Washers

A WP built DD washer with a Dual Action Agitator would be your best bet.

 

Your current MT is a 16 gallon tub, the larger Mts are 19 gallons, the best you can do with a real MT is the larger tub with Mts DAA, [ load sensor ] but the WP built DDs are still 3-4 gallons larger than the largest MTs.

 

John L.
 
Thanks John.. I don’t suppose you have a model number of a whirlpool machine that is in the right general area feature wise? I know zero about WP’s... otherwise I’ll poke around til I find something. Thx for the heads up!
 
Rick, best suggestion is for you to look through your facebook market and other online sources for used washers and post link here and have us look at them we'll tell you if it's what you're looking for. Whirlpool & Kenmore brands are the most prominent.
 
The standard capacity Maytag washers definitely wash and rinse better compared to the large capacity Maytag washers and the first ever washer I ever had was a early 80’s Maytag A209 short run washer and that definitely did a good job at washing and rinsing and sadly the motor died on it and in exchange I ended up with the A810 set.
 
Ok.. I found someone selling an LA510 (serial #433105ET)... it looks to be early to mid 80’s wild guess.. I don’t know the capacity though — any ideas on whether this machine is standard capacity or ?? And whether it’s worth looking at? Thx! I’m not sure what the price is yet but probably between $100 and $150..
 
For the 712 2.96 cu. ft washtub...I measured my tub, gallon by gallon...

(At the bottom of the top filter hole) fills to 20 GALLONS...

(top row of tubs holes) is 21 GALLONS...

(1/4" above the top filter hole) measured 22 GALLONS...

And, (the bottom of the tub rim) fills up to 23 GAALONS of water.

Literature says 19 gallon tub but, it holds more than I imagined...I mean for the Maytag
 
The LA510 is the large capacity, so it's slightly larger than the one you have. Thus it's the same capacity as the 1987 one you used to have.
 
I’ll assume that slightly larger probably means it’s not worth it as a step up from my existing machine. Is there a model of the same era with extra large capacity or is this size (LA512) as big as they get for that time period? Just curious.. thx!!!
 
How to differentiate between standard & extra large capacity

Look at the agitator and could how many holes go up the side. If there are 3 holes, then it's a standard capacity. If there are 4 holes, then it's an extra large capacity. Maytag only made 2 sizes for their machines during that time, and that's how you tell them apart.

You can also tell be looking at the model number. If the first number after the A is a 1, 2, or 3, then it's a standard capacity. If it's a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, then it's an extra large capacity.

Hope this helps!
 
Awesome! Thanks all! I don’t know for now.. I’ll keep looking.. if the LA512 isn’t much bigger then it’s probably not worth the $150 he’s asking or swapping machines. I’m assuming a newer SQ wouldn’t be a massive change either..? I’ve never owned one but heard generally good things about them
 
I would say that Whirlpool is a little bigger, but also a lot louder than a Maytag, if that matters to you.

 

I think of all machines you've mentioned, the Speed Queen has the largest tub.
 
The speed queens are higher capacity than the Maytag or whirlpools?

Hmm.. any particular model or era machines I should keep my eyes peeled for? There aren’t tons of SQ’s available here that didn’t live a former life in a laundromat..

I don’t know if those machines might be something to stay away from vs a home use SQ..? But what do I know..
 
That LA512 is definitely worth $150. I'm actually gonna be buying the white version of that washer as soon as all the ice and snow can bugger off.

Both the Speed Queen and extra large capacity Maytags are 3.2 cubic feet. The Whirlpool Cabrio has by far the largest capacity, but it is a steaming pile of garbage and not worth the plastic it's made of. The Whirlpool and KitchenAid direct drives are a larger capacity than the extra large capacity Maytags for sure, so if you need a large capacity, then that's what you should go with.

The Whirlpool has a very fast and aggressive agitation, but the base of the agitator is smaller than the KitchenAid. It is also quite loud. The KitchenAid has a slower and gentler agitation, but the base of it's agitator is larger. It is also much quieter than the Whirlpool.

These are all fantastic machines, except of course the worthless Cabrio. The Maytags are definitely the most reliable and dependable out of all of them. The Whirlpool would be the better direct drive choice if your clothes get heavily soiled. The KitchenAid would be better if you want a gentler wash and your clothes don't get very dirty. As for whether or not you should choose them over the Maytags? I couldn't tell you. The Maytags have the most gentle wash action while also being extremely effective at cleaning even the dirtiest of clothes. They also have a lint filter inside the agitator which is nice.

I am biased here because I love those old Pitman Maytags. My dream machine is actually a harvest gold center dial 806. Because of my bias, I'm not sure I can give you an objective recommendation. I have an extra large capacity Maytag from 1994, and that thing can easily handle my queen size quilt, but not a very thick twin size comforter mostly because the one I have get's full of air bubbles.

If I were you, I would keep what you have. If you need the larger capacity, then get the LA512. However, as I said before, that may just be my bias talking.
 
I'm pretty sure that Kenmore is the type that as earned the nickname "Shredmore." 

 

The lighting isn't the greatest, but that Whirlpool tub doesn't appear to be a lot larger than the LA512's is. 

 

I was surprised to read the claim that a modern Speed Queen tub is the same size as an LA512.  We switched to an Amana (SQ clone back then) from a mid '70s standard size Maytag, and the Amana's tub seemed downright cavernous in comparison. 
 
The Whirlpool and Kenmore are older and specific parts for those are getting tricky, like timers. In my opinion, they're too low end to bother with. Find something closer to TOL.

The belt drive Whirlpool is too old for a daily driver. This design ended 35 years ago and you'll pretty much be on your own when it comes to repairs. Most parts are NLA so Ebay would be your main supplier. Replacing the belt is a huge undertaking on these machines and somebody who isn't familiar with that repair is almost guaranteed to screw it up. I can't even find one single Youtube clip on replacing the belt in these machines.
 
Good to know...

I heard a dissertation from a local parts place today when looking for a dryer part mentioned in another thread I’ve got.. specifically that Whirlpool hasn’t made any parts since last March when Covid started .. they’re to the point where they’re taking Chinese knockoffs and slapping whirlpool markings on them — in some cases the parts don’t even look the same.. so this supplier is having toe ferret these issues out.. and there’s a thought that they may not start making parts again for machines older than 10 years (if I recall)... uggg...
 

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