Maytag A510 replacement agitator

[ripmyclothescle]

Hi y'all. My first post. Just getting into the vintage washing machines realizing new ones don't clean very well.

I just picked up a Maytag A510 with the turquoise agitator and it appears to be the type without a bolt holding it on. It only has paddles at the bottom like a rocket, but not the spiral shaft to push the clothes down. Is there a retro fit agitator like the one in my second picture that will work on it?

Also, does anyone have a preference where to get replacement belts?

 

[lowefficiency]

Welcome to the forum, Mike.

It needs some cleaning of course, but before swapping parts, have you tried your current machine as-is?

The PowerFin agitator combined with the long-stroke transmission is an effective design that doesn't need a spiral core to push things down - it uses water circulation to do that instead.

 

[stuftrock1]

Welcome to the forum!

Just like what the above poster said, that blue PowerFin agitator that you have in there is a very good agitator that also has a very effective lint filter. Unless your agitator is actually broken, I highly recommend you don't replace it. If you do not overload it, your clothes will get plenty of rollover.

However, if you absolutely must get a new agitator, you are in luck. Maytag's Load Sensor agitator will fit in your A510, although those agitators are really only effective with the orbital transmission, which the A510 does not have.

 

[yogitunes]

Welcome to your club.....

you can swap out for a Load Sensor agitator that will fit your machine.....

this vid by our own Ben will give you some insight.....you dont have to switch to the 50hz pulley, but just to give you an idea of the LS in action....

although that pulley is kick ass....

FF>>>>4:34 to see it....



belts can usually be found on ebay, both originals and generics....

 

[yogitunes]

this is a Load Sensor that will fit....pricing can vary, so you may want to shop around....

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[wayupnorth]

I have a 511 with the same agitator. You can just pull it straight up and clean everything. The 510 does not have a bleach dispenser, my 511 does.

 

[yogitunes]

one like this will fit also, these smaller base units are usually incorporated to the Orbital transmission(short stroke).....yours has a Pitman Drive trans(long stroke)....but will still function adequately...

 

[yogitunes]

belt part numbers.....

drive belt....2-11125

pump belt.....2-11124

originals are by Maytag.....may be difficult to find

there are generics, and also Whirlpool now owns Maytag and produces parts for them....

some swear by using original parts, some good reviews, some not......I have used both, never had a problem....your choice....

 

[good-shepherd]

but will still function adequately...

Load-Sense and orbital trans agitators work okay with long stroke transmissions??

 

[ripmyclothescle]

Thank you all!

Thank you all very much!

I haven't used it yet. I have a Kenmore 110.92284800 (1993?) that's working well at the moment. The belts on the Maytag are rough so I'll replace them give it a whirl. I assumed the bottom-fins only agitator wouldn't turnover the clothes; I almost bought a new Speed Queen with the old style transmission, but noticed it had fins only. A video showed no clothing turnover. So glad I didn't shell out 1200+! Hunting these cool machines is fun and meeting cool people is great!

 

[stuftrock1]

bottom-fins only agitator wouldn't turnover the clothes

This is actually incorrect. The Maytag PowerFin agitator (the blue bottom-fins only agitator you currently have) is actually really good at turning the clothes over, as long as you select the correct water level and don't overload it. Same with that Speed Queen you mentioned.

In my humble opinion, and I know most people would probably disagree with me on this, but I think dual action agitators (the ones with a spiral that physically push the clothes down) are just a gimmick for people who love to overload their washers. Although I will admit, they do handle bulky items like comforters better.

I'll attach a video of an A806 so you can see how good the rollover is. The A806 also has the exact same agitator and transmission as your A510, so the wash action will be exactly the same.

 

[qsd-dan]

"I think dual action agitators are just a gimmick for people who love to overload their washers."

Agreed

 

[coldspot66]

Just goes to show you that dual action agitators are NOT a gimmick, and they do work as intended.

 

[rp2813]

Actually, they're triple action.  They can keep the beat to a lot of '60s jet setter music too, but probably better with a 60hz pulley.

 

[good-shepherd]

video of an A806 so you can see how good

He's got four blue jeans in there and pair of underwear.

Of course rollover is going to look great.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Those appear to be Dickies work pants.  I know for a fact that my Maytag long-stroke A606 will wash 7 of them without breaking a sweat.

 

That agitator was designed the that machine.  You will not improve the machine's all-around performance by replacing it with anything else.

 

I'm very happy with the performance of that agitator in the 1972 Maytag A606 that's been my daily driver for 15 years now.  It will wash the hell out of 6 pair of Wrangler jeans, 24 pocket T-shirts, or 3 weeks worth of underwear.  It washes well, it rinses well, it extracts well, and very rarely requires any service.  I dread the day when my 49 year old washer may finally wear out, because I don't want anything else.

 

I grew up with GE Filter Flo washers, I've had a Frigidaire 1-18, along with Whirlpool belt-drive and direct drive washers,  but I wouldn't trade my Maytag for any of them.  I think it's the cat's pajamas.