Maytag LAT 8714

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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Not sure there is a measurable difference. However, the older Helical drive makes for some AWESOME washing action with its long slow arc.
 
The Helical was more mechanically complex but the Orbital was made out of plastic. The Helical strained more when overloaded and the Orbital dealt better when overloaded. It's pretty much a tie IMHO, the best is putting a Powerfin agitator in a Orbital machine though, shortens the life of the transmission, but MAN does it move some clothes! It's like a KitchenAid agitator but on HIGH speed!!!
 
They are both Helical...

Helical is the drive mechanism at the bottom of the machine with the pulley. The Helical drive holds the tub in place during agitation, and releases the tub and the transmission to spin as one unit during drain and extract.

The Orbital is the transmission. Prior to this was the Pitman Gear transmission.

Pitman is much more reliable and give a much better wash.
 

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