Maytag 107 and 309

[retromaytag]

Hi fellows, neat site you have going on here. I feel as if I have found a whole new world, who knew there were others out there that had the same idea as me? O:

So anyhow, my 4-5 year old washer has had issues it's entire short life. A thread on another forum caused me to look on Craigslist for old Maytags, so I was browsing through ads of older Maytags when I saw this set that for all the world looked just like the ones my parents had when I was a child. I grew up with them, learned how to wash on them, and they lasted forever too....

I don't know exactly what model I grew up with, but the washer I just bought is LA107A and the dryer LDE309. Can anyone tell me anything about them?

It's night here, and it was dusk when I picked them up, so I haven't seen them in the light of day, but from what I can tell from flashlight they are in pretty good shape. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow. They belonged to an older fellow who had recently passed. I bought them from the person who bought the house. At $80 for the pair I don't think I could have gone wrong. I didn't see them run but the guy said they had used them before they installed theirs and they ran great. Who knows though. (;

Stay tuned for more!



Cheers!
Matthew

 

[qsd-dan]

Sounds like they're from the mid 70's. I believe this washer has the shorter tub, and the dryer is strictly timed dry. True workhorses, indeed!!

 

[volvoguy87]

Ok...

Welcome to the wonderful world of AW.org! We all hope you enjoy it here.

Maytag made washers and dryers with the control timer dial in the center of the control panel from about 1958-1980. They redesigned the console in 1966, and that basic style carried through to 1980. Your washer is one model up from the bottom of the line. It is a 1-speed, regular capacity machine. The only differences between yours and the ones in laundromats is theat yours has an agitator with a lint filter in the middle and the top is different, the guts are the same.

Model number identification:
LA107A = L is for almond color, A is for Automatic Washer, 1 is the 100 series, and 07 = the version of the 100 series (there was a 106, 107, and 108, although the 107 was replaced by the 108).

LDE309 = L is for Almond color, D is for Dryer, E is for electric (gas is G), 3 is the 300 series, 09 is the 09 version.
Your dryer is an uncommon model. The 300 series big load dryers have a lint filter in the front and are strictly timed drying. The 300 series is the bottom of the line in dryers. The 09 version, however, adds a few things not commonly found on the 300 series dryers, like an interior light. There are a few other differences, but I don't recall them right now. Someone can post a scan of a brochure that would have that information.

It is important that you clean the washer's lint filter. Many people don't even know it's there, but it does make a noticeable difference in the cleanliness of your wash. To access the washer's lint filter, just grab the top of the agitator and it should pull straight up. The fabric softener dispenser cup sits in the top of the lint filter. Once removed, it may need a soak in hot water and a vigorous scrubbing with a toothbrush.

Your washer has the long-slow stroke transmission which is more gentile on clothes than the short-fast stroke transmission introduced in the mid 1980s. Remove the front of the washer and look for a ring of oil slung from the transmission. If there is no evidence of oil, good. Look at the bottom, if the big pulley in the middle (transmission pulley) is covered in oil, you will eventually need to replace the O-ring at the bottom of the transmission. You ought to replace the belts. Just tilt the washer back, the motor will slide back, and replace the belts. Use ONLY GENUINE MAYTAG BELTS!!!!!!! The belt is designed to slip like a clutch. IF you get a belt that is the same size but not designed to slip, the washer won't function properly.

Good luck with your new set, they should give many many years of top-notch performance.
Dave

 

[appliguy]

Dave

The faster stroke Orbital transmission was not introduced until the early 1990's...PAT COFFEY

 

[mrcleanjeans]

July 1986 introduced the orbital transmission.

 

[retromaytag]

Well, in the daylight then don't look quite as nice. The washer is a bit rough, it has some white streaks from what I suppose was bleach spills? The front service panel on the washer is a bit chipped, it looks like perhaps someone took it off and laid it on a concrete floor or such and bits of sand or something marred it. Body on both of them are straight though, no dents or anything. I may attempt painting the front panel on the washer before I install. And the trim/grill on the washer needs some cleaning, and it has a small crack under the timer. But it's in OK shape considering it's age I suppose.

The dryer though is in really nice condition however. I'm pleased with it.

I think I have the appliance bug now though. These may get replaced somewhere on down the line by something better... Or maybe not, they do remind me of childhood washings. They do look like great workhorses.

Now, pictures!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u274/JamesBondsAAB/012-10.jpg

 

[retromaytag]

Well photobucket doesn't work very well now does it?

 

[retromaytag]

Inside

 

[retromaytag]

And lastly the washer, it's a bit rough.

 

[goatfarmer]

They look like decent machines.

 

[autowasherfreak]

They look very nice. The dryer drum doesn't show much use. I'm sure you will love them.

 

[lebron]

Great looking macines! last forever

 

[bobbyderegis]

Matthew:
Nice Dryer! I have the gas 409, which has automatic control. Yours is the timed dry model with the tub light. It is a fine dryer. That series is the best Maytag ever made, in my opinion. Having one is such great shape is even better. The washer is the economy model with the small tub and one speed. It's a little workhorse as well, but for regular use you may want to keep your eyes open for a nice matching almond A408 or 608 washer. You would love the large tub and the flexibilty for washing all kinds of fabrics.
Bobby in Boston

 

[washmeup]

Beautiful

You got to love Maytag!

 

[qsd-dan]

I have a 206 console which is a 2 speed version of what you currently have. You can have for free. I may be able get a 2 speed motor for it this coming weekend.

 

[appnut]

Bobby, this dryer does have auto dry control regular and perm press fabric cycles as well as timed dry and timed air fluff. I wonder if all dryer temps are "low" or if auto dry regular is high heat and perm press auto dry is low heat. And this is a dial-controlled fabric-matic machine--perm press, regualr, and delicate cycles--just not controlled by buttons like on the 408 and 409.

 

[bobbyderegis]

Oops!
Sorry about misinformation on the dryer. It's the same as the D409 without the temp selector. A fine dryer still!
Bobby in Boston