Maytag A490

[sst78]

Hello, I recently acquired a Maytag A490. I love it! It works very well. Reading through the archives here it sounds like it was sold by Montgomery Ward and goes with the DG712? Anyone know the year and anything else about this machine? I'm so glad I found this forum - great info and enthusiasm.

 

[qsd-dan]

The A490 is the Montgomery Wards version of an A412. Large capacity tub, one speed motor, 4 water level buttons, with cold/warm/hot temperatures and a deep/spray rinse in cold water. You can upgrade this to A TOL A712 model by obtaining an A712 console with the wiring still intact and swapping the one speed motor for a 2 speed. It's easy and straightforward.

 

[sst78]

upgrade to A712

If this one is working, what are the reasons to upgrade to 2-speed? I have read the old catalogues describing A712 vs A412.

 

[combo52]

Upgrading a one speed, Maytag washer

For about 90% of consumers there’s no reason to upgrade the machine to a two speed model unless you wash a lot of delicates, plus unless you’re really into washing machines it’s really not worth all the work and bother on such an old machine.

John.

 

[sst78]

good to know John, thanks

thank you! yes reading the old catalogue I think I am probably an entry-level buyer no matter the era I am up for simple repairs but happy as is. i'm loving all the info here though!

 

[good-shepherd]

it was sold by Montgomery Ward

I wonder how it ended up here?

Never heard of a Montgomery Ward store in N. J.

 

[qsd-dan]

If this one is working, what are the reasons to upgrade to 2

It comes in handy washing shower curtains, window curtains, throw rugs, and many other small or delicate items. The TOL models provide 4 different wash and spin combos allowing for a slow agitation and a fast spin, which I use very often. If you're happy with a one speed machine with a cold only deep rinse cycle, you have a winner.

 

[maytag85]

The nice thing about the Maytag A806 I picked up earlier this summer is it has separate wash and spin speed options. Can do a delicate wash with regular spin or a regular wash with slow spin or a regular wash with regular spin. When I get my Maytag A806 into service sometime next year, I definitely will use the gentle wash with regular spin for rugs or use it for lightly soiled laundry.

 

[lowefficiency]

>> no reason to upgrade the machine to a two speed model unless you wash a lot of delicates

Thankfully fiberglass curtains aren't a thing anymore.

 

[woodjack99]

Great washer indeed! Very similar to my A506 (single-speed, large capacity, Fabric-Matic), except the 506 has a slider load size switch. Agree with the other replies: no reason to upgrade to 2-speed. Single speed works just fine for me, and as long as you don't wash too many delicates or anything...

 

[woodjack99]

About the year...

I can't tell if it says LARGE CAPACITY or EXTRA CAPACITY. If it's the former, it's probably from 1986-88. My A506 is an 85, so it only says FABRIC-MATIC LARGE CAPACITY. The HEAVY DUTY above that was added in 86. Then in 89, "large capacity" was changed to "extra," and regular capacity to "large."