Maytag helical liner kit

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It's Servis not service - this matters because if you spell it wrong, you won't get a match when you search.

 

It's the 1980s Simpsons I was referring to - the large capacity models appear to based on a Maytag, though the transmission is Simpson's own design. The basket mount and agitator shaft look the same as the Maytag bits in your photos above. I have no proof but I believe that Simpson must have had a Maytag out the back when they designed the 144 series.

 

I'm not recommending these machines, in fact I don't really like them, but if that is what you like, you need to look patiently for a long time and they do turn up occasionally.

 

If you like the large simple American-style washing machines, the Australian-made Hoover 500, 600 or 700 series were great washing machines, in my opinion better than a Simpson, Maytag or Wilkins Servis. They were based on a US Blackstone washing machine, but became more unique to Australia with every model revision. They wash really well, are very durable and are out there still in SMALL numbers. The old belt-drive Whirlpools were made here too, are very long-lived and still show up on Gumtree from time to time. Collectible washing machines aren't on Gumtree every week, and when they do show up they may be frustratingly far away from you, but keep waiting and looking, they are still out there but you have to be patient and diligent.

 

here's a Whirlpool:


 

Here's a Hoover 720:


 

The Hoover 720 is in Suburban Melbourne, looks in good nick, possible rusty drum near agitator?(see photos) but if I were you I'd run and grab this washer. The rust looks only superficial and could be repaired with advice from others on this website. Run run run and get this washer....
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The Hoover 500 series and 600 series have enamelled steel outer tub.

The 700 and later have the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">improvement</span> of a plastic outer tub.

I just don't get this nostalgia for steel outer tubs. The enamel chips and they rust. The bolt holes can leak. The plastic outer tubs never ever fail. The Hoover plastic ones are strong and durable.

I have a vague recollection that they upgraded the top bearing when they changed to plastic tub, but I might be wrong about that, it is many years since I owned one.

The 500 series (blue trim) had a belt-driven pump, it would spin as it drains. The clutch allows some slipping so it only gets up to full speed when it has emptied most of the water, but they were a bit prone to getting out of balance on small loads. The pump is unique to 500 and 600 series, spare ones would be rare by now. (I think I have a used one spare...)

 

600 series was basically the same as 500 but changed to mustard colour trim and added a weird water level operated brake to hold the tub still while pumping out until the water level had dropped, then it would release and spin.

 

700 series looks very similar to 600 series but changed to a simple electric pump so that spin didn't start until pump had emptied the tub. 700 series introduced the plastic outer tub. The pump in the 700 series is a simple electric pump, easily replaced by a generic one, it doesn't have to be an exact replica of the original. The same pump was used in Hoover Zodiac and Electra front loaders, so they were very common and though obsolete now, were durable and are probably still easily found second hand. I would have one or two.

 

As far as I'm concerned, the 700 series is definitely the best of them, it fixed some issues with the earlier ones.

Later the 800 started the process of cheapening the machines. Lightweight plastic tops and lids prone to cracking, for example.

 

That Whirlpool would be all enamelled steel inner and outer. (but it's a long way from you.)
 
The suspension is not hung. (Bit of a personal question, isn't it?
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Mounted from underneath with three springs - like a Simpson, Maytag, I think Speed Queen too? They're very tolerant of out of balance, in fact most of them don't have an out of balance cut-out, they just spin a bit slower but still complete the wash. fuss free washers, they just get on with the job. I think the 800 series might have had an OOB cut out???

 

The 720 I listed is in better condition and is only asking $50, why would you spend $150 on a rough 620?
 
The 650 is closer to me, by a fair bit.

I will probably ask if I could get the 620 for a lower price.

I like having a machine that isn’t 100%, it just gives me something to do, also the reason on why I wanted to get the Maytag, but the Maytag was too far gone imo.
I’ve never had a Hoover top load before so there will be a lot of learning to do, but I’ll probably do a full budget restoration on it
 
Any transmission issues on Hoovers?

Are the transmissions known to die on these machines? In fact is there anything I need to worry about (apart from the metal outer tub), looks like a Maytag inside but looks like a blackstone money shot, so I’d assume the would be really reliable, one thing does stick out though and that is how the machine does a neutral drain and then kicks into spin that looks like the only thing to fail.
 
I think if the neutral drain device fails then you would just remove it and it would work the same as a 500 series - slow spinning as it drains, speeding up as the tub empties. Nothing to worry about.

The transmissions are pretty reliable, up to 700 series the top agitator shaft seal is above the usual water level which is good design. Later (800? 900?) ones had a shorter agitator shaft, like a Maytag, with the seal below water level so if the seal fails, the transmission fills with water. Silly.

 

These are old machines now, transmissions could be simply tired and worn out by now, but you have options - more machines will turn up in future, you get others for spare parts. Also John L (Combo52) above has kindly mentioned a big stash of Blackstone parts in the USA, so if needed, you could order from overseas. I may have a part or two - pumps, both belt drive and electric, almost for sure. Not much though, I only ever owned one. (a 720.) These big top loaders aren't really "My Thing" as I'm much more into oddball rare stuff and front loaders, but I was always impressed with the Hoover 720. I also had a friend who was a mum of 2, she had a 620, knew it was old but swore never to get rid of it, if it could be kept alive. She loved it.
 
I got the price down!

I got the price down, a lot, $40!

The control panel does have a chip which is annoying.

I’ll see if I have enough room to fit the 720.

There is a Hoover zodiac 12 490 (pretty good condition) for sale for $80 somewhere in Melbourne, I’ll give you their phone number via email of you want it.

I’ll keep my eyes out for oddball machines for you as I could probably drop them off sometime.
 
Thanks for the offer Smartdrive.

I'm not looking for extra machines at the moment, though I'd make room for something special - a Lightburn twin tub with the paddle action, or another Keymatic - I have one but it is missing the motor.

 

If you need help with the Hoover, let me know. I know of a couple of places that just might have parts.

Also you might like to get a copy of "Repairing Australian Washing Machines" by Lindsay Alford. He has a chapter on the Hoover 500-900 series washers. See link below. I have known of Lindsay for many years, I used to get second hand parts from him when he had a workshop in Geelong, he was always friendly and helpful and had a huge stash of salvaged parts. He is now retired or semi-retired, works from home in a suburb of Geelong, still (last time I saw him, a few years ago) had a stockpile of parts. I have a copy of the book, it is very informative. I see he now has updates available online, I think he might sell the book as a PDF too? The book isn't fancy, just printed on A4 paper to put in your own folder, but the information in it is good and he's a lovely bloke so it's good to support him.

 

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