Maytag helical or orbital transmission?

[stuftrock1]

Which of the two Maytag trannies do you guys think is better? Helical has a slow 180 degree stoke, while the orbital has a fast 90 degree stroke. Helical is a traditional tried and true design, while the orbital is extremely simple, only has two gears, and uses less oil.

Unless someone has done so already, I plan to test the effectiveness of these two transmissions on different load sizes using Maytag's four main agitator designs (Power Fin, Shark Fin, Shark Fin II, and Load Sensor) once I am able to expand my very limited collection, which honestly won't be anytime soon.

 

[DADoES]

 
To be accurate, both types are helical drive, which refers to the helix/spiral cut into the input/drive shaft which allows the pulley to move up/down on it.  What is commonly referred to as the helical transmission is better called the pitman transmission.

 

[stuftrock1]

I have also seen people call them Newtonian transmissions. I've never seen people call them pitman transmissions until just recently.

 

[rp2813]

Long stroke rules!

 

At least in my rule book it does.

 

[stuftrock1]

My Dependable Care with the orbital tranny and Shark Fin II agitator kinda struggles with large loads. Out of the three Maytag single piece agitator designs, I firmly believe that Shark Fin II was the best and I'm willing to bet the reason it struggles with large loads is the short stroke of the orbital. Has anyone ever tried this agitator with the long stroke pitman tranny?

 

[nmassman44]

Well that agitator is not called a Shark Fin 2...that is a PowerFin/Flex 12 I can't remember which Fin or Flex...my instincts say Flex...

 

[stuftrock1]

Not called Shark Fin II?

Are you sure? I've seen a few people call this thing a Shark Fin II, but I guess they could be wrong. Did Maytag actually make an agitator called Shark Fin II that I confused for this?

My guess would be Power Fin 12, but I'm just gonna call it a 12 vein from now on until a Maytag expert comes and gives a solid definite answer.

I can't find a picture of what I presume to be the Shark Fin I agitator to confirm if I got that right. From what I can remember, it is very similar to the blue Power Fin but is white and has four triangular fins on the shaft that get longer towards the bottom. I've only seen like two or three pictures of this agitator and it's been quite a while so forgive me if I'm just completely wrong.

 

[qsd-dan]

Power Flex 12

Pictures I downloaded years ago courtesy of gadgetgary. The next pic is the early version agitator which I prefer using in orbital machines. The Powerflex 12 makes a racket which is personally annoying and I find the wider fins impede rollover and are harsher on materials being washed. The early style agitator is quiet in operation, like its older granddaddy Powerfin.

 

[stuftrock1]

Oh ok, thanks for the cool info! That older agitator on the second picture is what I'm referring to when I say Shark Fin I.

I personally love the noise the Power Flex agitator makes, probably because that's the noise I grew up with. Have you tried it in a pitman tranny?

 

[qsd-dan]

Have you tried it in a pitman tranny?

Sure did. The clothes floated in place without moving and inch for 10 minutes, lol.

 

[stuftrock1]

Clothes didn't move for 10 minutes

Seriously?? That is not the result I was expecting at all. Are you sure you didn't overload it by chance?

 

[qsd-dan]

Are you sure you didn't overload it by chance?

Underloaded the heck out of it.

This was in my 806 with the water level at full capacity. I even drain some water out multiple times and it was still as intriguing as watching paint dry.

A Powerfin coupled to an orbital transmission is quite entertaining though.

 

[nmassman44]

I knew it was called PowerFlex 12 and the agitator before that was just called PowerFin. They never called their agitators "SharkFin". The agitator that was in the 6 gear Pitman transmission washer was called PowerFin as well. Now the agitator that came after the PowerFlex 12 was called LoadSensor and it was dual action. Now you want to talk about turnover of a load.

Now I agree a PowerFin agitator that was used on the 6 gear Pitman transmission when put into an Orbital transmission washer will turn a load over rather quickly because of the larger vanes at the base. I have tried using a PowerFlex 12 in my 613 when I had it and the results were interesting but not spectacular at all. Your milage may vary.

 

[stuftrock1]

Well I might be acquiring an 80's Fabric-Matic soon. No idea what year or what condition it's in atm. All I know is it's been sitting in the corner of the basement my friends are renting with a newer he machine hooked up to the only washing machine hookup there is and that it has the classic blue PowerFin. Hopefully it has the Pitman tranny so I could experiment.

As for that newer PowerFin with the four triangular veins on the shaft, thank you for correcting me. I know this isn't the correct name but I'll just call it PowerFin II for the sake of differentiating the two designs.

 

[qsd-dan]

Hopefully it has the Pitman tranny so I could experiment.

Orbitals made their debut in Aug of '89 so your chances are pretty good.

 

[stuftrock1]

Orbitals made their debut in Aug of '89

Oh ok. I'm not very familiar with the black control panel Maytag's, but it looks to be around early to mid 80's if I had to guess. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures to show you guys.

 

[tolivac]

I will go with the Pitman transmission-hate the fast short stroke versions-like trying to wash clothes in a blender.

 

[vacerator]

I had both and

didn't notice a lot of difference in stroke, but there was a two year lapse between
having them. They both washed well. 28 min. for normal cycle large loads.
Inrerim from early 1994 to late '95 I had a Whirlpool 24 inch 5 cycle world compact washer. My dad told me not to buy it, but the apartment I lived in always had a solvent smell in the coin op. washer. So I got that and the 120 volt dryer for my kitchen. I sold them for at least half retail, so not bad.

 

[combo52]

Oribtal Vs Pitman Maytag Transmission

There was a thread about this recently, One member had both types SXS in his home laundry and said the Orbital did a little better job turning over a load,

 

Clearly the winner for performance is a orbital with a load sensor agitator for best cleaning, least wear on clothing and largest capacity, If you want a better performing washer than that get a WP built BD or DD machine.

 

John L.