Maytag hierarchy question

[delco1946]

So in reading posts, I’ve come to realize that there seems to be a complicated Maytag (washers and dryers both) hierarchy that I still do not fully understand. Has someone covered this in another thread or is there a resource available? How do y’all know that an if an A808 is better than an A806, versus an A608 etc…. ( I probably didn’t even get the model number is correct but you get my question!). What was TOL in the late 50s, early 60s, late 60s? When were key changes or improvements made? When were the HOH models from and what come before and after - what are pros / cons? Etc etc

 

[ryner1988]

I'm not expert on vintage Maytags but I believe the first number represents whether it's a bottom of the line (BOL), middle of the line (MOL), or top of the line )TOL" model in that particular series. For instance unless I am mistaken the 12 series of Maytags had seven itterations, so 112 to 712 and as you go up the ladder more features, higher capacity, etc are introduced. The same should hold true in the 6 series as well as any other, I think it's the first number that determines how far up the ladder the model is in terms of capacity/features. As for the letter at the beginning it would seem to me that A was used by itself unless it was a color other than white, then another letter would be added -- for example, an LA112 would be an almond machine. This was the case until the introduction of the LAT series of Maytags and I believe that's around the time they switched from the Pitman style transmission to the orbital style as well. As I said I am no expert but the Maytag gurus like qsd-dan and others should be along shortly to explain it better.

 

[delco1946]

That's helpful, thanks! So what makes a series? what are the "bookends"? EG sounds like AX08 to AX12 would be the high end models...? what are some rarer high end machines that you covet?

 

[woodjack99]

I wouldn't say the number/hierarchy system is that complicated once you get more familiar with it. As mentioned above, the first number is mostly what tells you where the machine falls on the line (bottom, middle, top) and the other two are the series of the machine. Starting with the late 50s/early 60s, the top of line model was the A900, then changed to the A902 (as according to the whole series). Then with the 06 series (first iteration of the "New Generation machines, from 1966-74), the 906 was the top. Then for the 07/08 series (the later iteration from 75-80), the 908 was top. The very top machines have entirely pushbutton controls rather than a dial. However, the most sought-after models are the 800 series, which are one step down from the top and still have the dial. My machines are an A107 (1975) and A506 (1985). The 107 is, as you may expect, a very basic single-speed, small tub machine. It's one model up from the bottom; the bottom was the 106, only difference is the 107 has the delicated cycle and the 106 does not. The 506, contrary to its name, was actually produced during the run of the 12-series (1984-90), and is pretty much exactly in the middle of the hierarchy. It is single-speed with delicate as well, but large tub. So yeah, that's how you can determine based on the model number where the machine falls on the line (and in most cases, what line it belongs to).

 

[circlew]

I know the 07 series was introduced earlier than 1975. My parents bought our A207 washer and DE 407 dryer in the Summer of 1973.

 

[rinso]

I owned an 806 set that lasted for 20 years, with only a couple of repairs. Sadly, the dryer capacity did no match what the washer could hold, but both machines performed well. The exception being that the washer could not easily rollover sheets or jeans, especially during the rinse cycle. I have to say that the drying performance of the HOH dryer was more accurate at sensing dryness than my current LG.

 

[woodjack99]

@circlew

You're correct actually! I meant to say the 06/07 series. I think the 07 was introduced around 71 or 72, when the knob changed from chrome to crystal. It started out as just 06 in 66, then 06/07, then 07/08. The one model that stayed 06 the whole run of the 66-80 generation was the BOL 106.

 

[maytag85]

Reply #3

I think the reason why the Maytag A806 is the most sought after is because it has all kinds of options that weren’t available on the lower models and certainly the 906 though the 906 was TOL. Nice thing about the A806 is you can select a gentle wash with fast spin which comes in handy if you are washing lightly soiled items and want to take same wear and tear off your clothes along with the machines itself or want to spin out as much water as possible from delicate items so they will dry faster. Even can do a pre wash and soak and it’ll go through, even a gentle wash with fast spin works on those as well. Can even select the temperatures you want which is nice as well.

 

[woodjack99]

I think it’s a.so worth noting that

For the washers, they seemed to prioritize tub size over speeds/other options when determining the model numbers. For instance, the 208 is a small tub, 2-speed machine; while the 308 is a big tub, 1-speed.