Maytag Load Sensing Agitator

[eurekastar]

A while back, I installed a Load Sensing Agitator on my Maytag 606 when I swapped out the old Pittman style transmission for an Orbital transmission.  The agitator was used, but I wasn't happy with its performance.  I didn't feel like its turnover rate was any better than the "shark fin" agitators that were designed for the early Orbital transmission models.

 

Well, a few days ago, I came across a brand new Load Sensing Agitator that was being sold as used.  It was a HUGE bargain so I bought and installed it.  And what a difference.  With the old agitator there was a lot of play in the auger.  It seemed to work intermittently and would wobble as it turned the load over.  That wobble would sometimes cause the fabric softener to spill out.  With the new agitator, the auger is very taught with minimal movement up and down.  And man, does it move.  It is smooth and consistent while doing an outstanding job of turning the load over.  It is stable as it agitates and doesn't slosh out softener. 

 

So my question is this:  Is the first agitator just old and worn (and in need of repair or replacement) or did Maytag improve its design later in the production run?

 

[peterh770]

Removing the auger to clean

I just got a used LSA, and there is a HEAVY build up of softener/lint/hair gunk between the auger and the base of the agitator, down past the end of the funnel. How is the auger removed from the base? I've reviewed several online part diagrams, searched for videos and posts, but nothing comes up. It appears that a sharp pull up on the auger will disengage it, but don't want to ruin what appears to be MT's alternate to the WP dogs. I've used a heavy wire hook to snag a bunch of gunk out through the top of the funnel, and to push some down through the exit holes in the base, but there is still too much tangled in there. In the attached part diagram, it appears that the top of the funnel (on the left) has been glued or epoxied into the auger under the softener dispenser, and the gunk may be tangled up in the actual mechanism parts (on the right) between the funnel and auger. The gunk moves with the base, not with the auger. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

 

[neptunebob]

I don't know how to take it apart...

But I might try aiming a power washer in the funnel and see if that doesn't dislodge some of the crap.

 

[super32]

IIRC

Both the load sensor and later NON load sensor agitators were not meant to be taken apart. As peterh770 indicated above, the far left piece in his picture was glued/epoxied in place. I had one of the original "demo" LSA that separated on its own and would no longer work. The auger and base separated into 2 pieces. The only thing I dont see in peterh770's picture is the lid balls if this is the original LSA. The balls were part of the auguring mechanism. What I do NOT know is, what was the composition of the double action non load sensing agitator.