Maytag Agitator Variations

[waterwitch]

How many different agitator variations were there for Maytag Automatics? This is not in reference to the difference between the "Standard" and "Extra Large Capacity". So far I am only aware of the Turquoise "Powerfin" and one black "Bakelite" version. The Bakelite version that I have seen had a type of plate at the very bottom, and created the suction for the filter through a slit that was on the lower circumference achieved by the bottom plate and the bottom of the agitator coming together. But were there any other methods in achieving the flow of water needed for the filter?

 

[MaytagA710]

You pretty much answered your own question lol! There are two size (standard and large capacity) varieties in each model of Powerfin and Bakelite versions. Each one featured different model changes over the years too.

Bakelite agis had a stainless steel filter with a rubber seal on the bottom of them. The Powerfin machines had plastic filters, and in the early machines the filter surface area was the entire filter cylinder. This changed with in a few years to a filter that had "filter columns" on the filter cylinder. 806 machines had stainless steel rings on the top of the filter for a short while.

Early '06 machines had four full fins and four ribs on the agitator, to make an "eight fin" agi. This changed to the regular four finned version that we all see.

Hmm... Other than that, I cant really think of any variations. Hopefully someone can correct/add to it.

I do know later '12 models has the orbital transmission, and they featured a new, turquoise agitator that we would all see in white in the 9000 and LAT machines.

 

[strongenough78]

And on the coin op models, the powerfin was in black plastic.

 

[roto204]

Agis

IIRC, the Bakelite ones had a separate pump section on the bottom of the agitator for pulling water down through the column and filtering it.  Early polypropylene PowerFins did too, but later ones revised the design to allow the column to just exhaust on the outside down near the fins--no true pumping involved.

 

[nmassman44]

Well um wait a second there...granted they did away with that disc under the agitator and the " true pump" but the PowerFin that they used still pulled water thru the filter. The vanes and where the outlet was at the bottom of the lint filter barrel would create a suction to pull the water into the slots and thru the filter and down and out. I think that is very effective. I know in my A613 it does quite well filtering and when I put the PowerFin into my Dependable Care Maytag it's amazing how much lint gets caught on that filter. And yes I know one is not supposed to use a PowerFin in an Orbital drive washer...but it's fun! Most of the time I use the LoadSensor or PowerFlex 12....

 

[yogitunes]

another misfortune of doing away with the original disc under the agitator is this undertoe from this forced water which aided rollover....not to mention the solid vanes did not give way, and forced more currents for cleaning action...

 

[roto204]

Pumping

No disparaging intended there, Mike.  The mechanism still works, but my intent was underscoring that the process for directing the water down the column is different between the two.

 

Assuredly, it still works, as is attested to by countless Maytags we find with packed-solid lint filters, if the operator didn't realize it was there. 

 

[mixguy]

Agitator of the AMP Automatic

Was there no column in the early AMP Maytag automatics? Looking like the agitator of wringer washers but with no column above the fins. The models having a timed fill not the ones using float that tripped the fill switch

 

[combo52]

Early Lint Filter MT Washer Agitators

One of the best things about the earlier agitators with the pumping disk below the skirt was that it made an excellent dry detergent dispenser and for the few customers that actually used it that way the detergent kept you from ever getting the agitator clogged with minerals, lint etc as the detergents water softening proprieties were applied directly inside the agitator.

 

[d-jones]

Black Powerfin?

My Maytag A700 has a turquoise Powerfin agitator in it that's missing the lint filter. Rather than spend money on turquoise replacement parts, is a black Powerfin available? It wouldn't be the original Bakelite, but at least it would be the right color.

 

[cehalstead]

I'm not trying to go off topic, but I have a turquoise power fin agitator for the large capacity machine that I will give to a good home (i no longer have a Maytag, and have no need for it). Private message me on the site, and we can work out shipping....first come, first serve........

 

[mixfinder]

Me Too

I also have a large capacity, turquoise power fin agitator with filter assembly if anyone wants it.  I'd love to find a chrome lint filter for my 806.

 

[cehalstead]

correction...

I need to make a correction. My PowerFin agitator is for the extra large machine, not the large machine.....sorry for any confusion...