Maytag El2

[nigelman]

I have just come into a wringer Maytag Washer. The Push Here Release bar is Light Blue and the agitator is black. It has an aluminum tub. On the back above the Maytag decal is stamped the following number 39119bb. Can anyone tell me when this machine was made. Also what is the purpose of the "T" handle on top of the wringer. I love this new find.

 

[bradross]

Maytag E2L rather than EL2...

Hello Fred and welcome to the forum!

Perhaps it was just a typo but I thought I would offer a correction on the model number. And just for some background on Maytag's system ...

E - unique style
2 - built after second world war
L - electric (or M - gasoline "Multi-motor")

P - equipped with discharge pump
S - equipped with wringer safety system

To answer your question - the bar on the top controls the pressure on the wringer rolls. I've attached 3 pages from a vintage instruction manual (you can still find these frequently on ebay). Of particular note is proper care of the rolls when not in use - they should be locked apart so as to avoid creating flat spots.

Hope this information will be of good use to you! Enjoy using your "new" Maytag - they're fantastic old machines! I've got 3 - two model 30s from 1935 and one model E2LP from 1977.

 

[stan]

Hi Fred

Someone here with a decoder may come by, and can identify the year and month of manufacture of your machine.
At a glance.. Il take a guess that it's a 1966. The black agitator may be a replacement from a older machine. If it is a 1966 model...it would have come with a aqua colored agitator (same color as your release bar)
The T bar on top of the wringer.. I think you referring to the tension bar. Maximum tension is used when fabric is being run through the wringer. When finished the release bar is used to release tension and to separate rollers so their not touching during times when the machine is not in use. This is done in order to avoid getting flat spots on the rollers.
I can't tell from the pic if your machine is a pump model or not.
Feel free to ask more questions. If you have never used a wringer, you'll need us! LOL
Hope this helps