Maytag A511 Agitator Question

[rp2813]

This machine is listed on CL, but I see no reason to post it in SS since it's not exactly a desirable model.

 

What I find unusual about it is that the agitator has four filter slots, the selector buttons indicate an extra-large tub, yet the tub itself has the blue finish -- generally an indicator of standard capacity -- instead of white.  Why would Maytag have gone to the trouble of tooling up for two different finishes for their extra large tubs?  Did they feel the need to distinguish single-speed models from their two-speeds?

 

 

 

[washerlover]

Ralph, I believe you are correct in that the blue tub indicates standard and white indicates larger capacity. Perhaps the “ex large” setting was a marketing gimmick?

 

[wayupnorth]

I have had the same 511 bought new in 1984. It is an extra large capacity and does fill to the top. Higher end standard capacity models do have a white tub. I desired a no frills machine that just washed and did not care if it had 2 speeds and I also desired how dependable Maytags of that era were. 36 years later and one $28 part.

 

[rp2813]

Todd, wouldn't the 4-slot agitator be too tall for the lid to close?  I don't think they'd have gone to the trouble of adding an extra slot to a standard agitator.  The average buyer wouldn't even notice.  This is what puzzles me about the tub & agitator combo in the subject machine.

 

Tim, I'm not following you.  Don't all vintage Maytags -- regardless of tub capacity -- fill to the top when set to maximum water level?  Are you saying that there is such a thing as a white standard capacity tub?  Now I'm even more perplexed.

 

[wayupnorth]

Maytag had both a standard capacity (36 gallon) and ex. large (42 gallon) tubs. Higher end models had the white tub and lower end had the blue tub. 3 holes in the agitator was a standard and 4 was an ex. large tub regardless of the color of the tub. Yes either size fills to the top but the ex. large has a deeper tub.

 

[rp2813]

OK thanks, and yes, of course, extra-large tubs are deeper.  I own a Maytag A712 with such a tub -- a white tub. 

 

So how long did Maytag produce 42-gallon tubs that were blue, and why did they go to the extra trouble the first place?

 

[wayupnorth]

I believe when they switched to the Dependable Care models, all were white tubs then. I have no idea why they made 2 different tubs for standard and 2 for ex. large, does seem sort of redundant.

 

[Sudster]

May I ask why the tub color matters? I have an A310 that works fine for the last 20 or so years and it has a blue 36 gallon tub with a great finish. I have heard this white vs blue tub question several times before . No real answer though.

 

[super32]

IIRC

I think the blue/white tub started as a small/large capacity thing. If I am correct, the whole blue/white tub thing changed from capacity to speeds? Meaning 1sp was blue, and white was 2sp? As I recall, the blue tub disappeared in the late 80's or with the "1990 automatics".

 

[DADoES]

 
White porcelain is an additional coating/layer.  Blue doesn't have it.

Blue is on lower-end models.

IIRC, Kenmore had a few blue models, not sure about WP.  Spreckled was considered a step-up, white was top-of-line deluxe.

 

[Sudster]

Thanks,understood, Yet the outer tub usually rusts out and all of this luxury is thrown in the dump. Too bad they didn't porcelain both metal tubs.

 

[tomturbomatic]

What do you think the outer tub was finished in if not porcelain?

 

The commercial Maytag washers had a blue porcelain tub whether tall tub or short tub. It was more durable than the white porcelain overcoat.

 

[qsd-dan]

WOW

I believe this is the first time I've seen an ex large capacity dark blue tub. It was common to see these in the standard capacity machines through the early 90's but never the bigger cohort. What damn fine beauty it's! Great catch, Ralph!!

 

[rp2813]

Well Dan, if you want to buzz on up to Rocklin, you can snag this thing (see link). 

 

Thanks for chiming in here to provide a clear and concrete validation of my observation with your proven authority.   Some replies above made me feel as if people thought I was ignorant for even asking.

 

PS

Contrary to the ad copy, I disagree that this machine was the so-called "flagship" of the Maytag model line -- far from it -- but we all know that sellers of anything vintage are wont to take excess liberties with their descriptions.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/app/d/rocklin-washing-machine-maytag-performs/7259420065.html

 

[nmassman44]

The A510 washer that I had back in the 80's had the extra large wash basket and the blue tub as well. The porcelain was the same as if it were a white tub. Just a different color. I know that alot of Maytags with the standard capacity wash basket were blue. The only one that was the exception was in their S1000 stacked washer and dryer. That employed a white standard capacity wash basket. I just had to throw that little tidbit into the mix here...

 

[wayupnorth]

My 511 was basically the LAST of the real Maytags. Everything was the same build for years but the consoles did change. Higher end models had a white tub and lower was a dark blue like my 511. Worth every cent spent on my pair in 1984, best investment made.

 

[qsd-dan]

Hi Mike,

Did your 510 sport this dark blue color or the lighter blue tub? Light blue was the typical color Maytag used for non TOL large capacity machines.

 

[yogitunes]

Ralph, you last post couldn't be more on point....Dan knows what he is talking about..

as for Flagship, that term was always given to the TOL machines....this one here may venture along the entry level, Budget Friendly of ExLarge capacity....

plus the play on words.....on the control panel its marked as a Large capacity, yet the water level offers ExLarge option...

even GE fell in line during the early 80's....standard capacity became Large, and the Large capacity became ExLarge....