Maytag Helical and Obrital Washers
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The physical shape and internal gearing of the transmission is different, which relates to agitation. The agitation stroke is shorter and faster, comparable to the difference between a Whirlpool vintage belt-drive vs. a direct-drive.
Both the pitman and orbital transmissions use the helical design, which dates back to 1956....a 50 year run.
The pitman transmissions have a 180 degree arc agitation. First versions were 54 oscillations per minute (dates back to the AMP models) which was increased in 1966 to 63 oscillation per minutes with 42 OPM for gentle (minus the 106 and 206 which got 63 OPM gearing in Nov, 1967).
The orbital transmission debuted in July/August of 1989 and had a faster agitation at 150 OPM's normal, 100 OPM's gentle with a 90 degree agitation arc.
The entire running gear below and above are identical in both transmissions, making them swappable between the 1966-2006 timeframe.
Advance to 4:43 to see the orbital transmission gears in operation.
Pitman transmission in operation, link below.
The pitman transmissions have a 180 degree arc agitation. First versions were 54 oscillations per minute (dates back to the AMP models) which was increased in 1966 to 63 oscillation per minutes with 42 OPM for gentle (minus the 106 and 206 which got 63 OPM gearing in Nov, 1967).
The orbital transmission debuted in July/August of 1989 and had a faster agitation at 150 OPM's normal, 100 OPM's gentle with a 90 degree agitation arc.
The entire running gear below and above are identical in both transmissions, making them swappable between the 1966-2006 timeframe.
Advance to 4:43 to see the orbital transmission gears in operation.
Pitman transmission in operation, link below.
Great videos Dan.
Is the second one yours? I love how the segments of video were timed to fit the music. Fantastic!
Is the second one yours? I love how the segments of video were timed to fit the music. Fantastic!
Is the second one yours?
Yes, that's my video. Looking back now, it was so sloppily executed that I cringe viewing it (it was my first) but there's still some nice shots in it though. I was being poisoned by mold for several years at that point from a hidden leak behind my armoire in my bedroom that I was completely unaware of. So I guess that's a decent excuse. Between that and a couple of other things that blindsided be at the same time....a couple of them that's stranger than fiction...., I was almost united with Jessie White and Gordon Jump.
I've got a wringer washer version coming up in the near future that has been in the works far too long.
Yes, that's my video. Looking back now, it was so sloppily executed that I cringe viewing it (it was my first) but there's still some nice shots in it though. I was being poisoned by mold for several years at that point from a hidden leak behind my armoire in my bedroom that I was completely unaware of. So I guess that's a decent excuse. Between that and a couple of other things that blindsided be at the same time....a couple of them that's stranger than fiction...., I was almost united with Jessie White and Gordon Jump.
I've got a wringer washer version coming up in the near future that has been in the works far too long.
Dan, do you plan on making other videos of your machines or not in the future? Would be interesting to see what’s in your fleet and see a few cycle videos but edited down. I already recorded over a dozen full cycle videos of my Maytag A806 (I think you are subscribed to my channel if I am not mistaken), need to make some more and even make some of the Maytag A606 but won’t be released until either October of 2024 or January/February of 2025.
Yeah, I guess I'll throw a few more videos up in the future. It's just Maytag stuff though, nothing too out of the ordinary except for maybe the 902/750 and 906 sets.
I have all of my machines (besides the daily drivers) stored in a climate controlled detached garage. The water softener for the house is located there, so I can tap into it plus I recently installed a few 240 outlets. Next on the list is installing a sewage line to the well, which is literally right behind the garage. This way I don't have to play musical appliances inside the house anymore, which is getting old. I recently had a 40/60 shop built so my time has been consumed with getting that in order, wired up, car lift installed, figuring out what tools I need between the attached garage, detached garage/loft, shop, building shelves, building benches, installing pegboard, and trying to properly organize it all. Very time consuming and a bit overwhelming.
I have all of my machines (besides the daily drivers) stored in a climate controlled detached garage. The water softener for the house is located there, so I can tap into it plus I recently installed a few 240 outlets. Next on the list is installing a sewage line to the well, which is literally right behind the garage. This way I don't have to play musical appliances inside the house anymore, which is getting old. I recently had a 40/60 shop built so my time has been consumed with getting that in order, wired up, car lift installed, figuring out what tools I need between the attached garage, detached garage/loft, shop, building shelves, building benches, installing pegboard, and trying to properly organize it all. Very time consuming and a bit overwhelming.
Reply #6
I usually use different machines from time to time to spread the mileage and reduce wear and tear but can only use the Maytag A806 set since that’s the only fully functional set I have at the moment since I need to replace the inlet valve and figure out why the DG407 doesn’t do anything when plugged in (pretty sure it’s a error in how I have it wired up) and for sure can’t use my Whirlpool since I need to figure out how and wear to have the timer cam assembly scanned and 3D printed. Also can’t use my Kenmore portable washer since I had to make a small repair to the timer (would only turn by the dial face and not the knob itself) and ended up taking the whole thing apart since I was trying to figure out why it wasn’t advancing, silly me took the escapement apart to see how it works and now have to figure out if it even works (haven’t been able to do much since it’s been hot outside and usually like to work on the machines in either the garage or driveway).
I usually use different machines from time to time to spread the mileage and reduce wear and tear but can only use the Maytag A806 set since that’s the only fully functional set I have at the moment since I need to replace the inlet valve and figure out why the DG407 doesn’t do anything when plugged in (pretty sure it’s a error in how I have it wired up) and for sure can’t use my Whirlpool since I need to figure out how and wear to have the timer cam assembly scanned and 3D printed. Also can’t use my Kenmore portable washer since I had to make a small repair to the timer (would only turn by the dial face and not the knob itself) and ended up taking the whole thing apart since I was trying to figure out why it wasn’t advancing, silly me took the escapement apart to see how it works and now have to figure out if it even works (haven’t been able to do much since it’s been hot outside and usually like to work on the machines in either the garage or driveway).
Pitman and orbital refer to the internal gearing design of the transmissions. Both are helical drive, which refers to the spiral (helical) groove cut into the input shaft which allows the drive pulley to move up/down the shaft per whether it turns clockwise or counterclockwise for spin or agitate.
Pitman transmissions are often referenced as helical which infers that oribitals are not helical ... but they are, Blanche, they are! Proper technical differentiation is referring to them as pitman and orbital, not helical and orbital.
But of course, do as you will ...
