Maytag -- pitman transmission -- agitator shaft -- technical question

[hobbyapocalypse]

Well I decided to do a more thorough repair on my A806, so the transmission is out and I notice something strange. I wonder if anyone can explain.

I can turn the agitator shaft back and forth a little by hand. It turns with lots of drag, like turning a reduction gear in reverse. The input shaft does not turn, but I wouldn't expect it to.

The agitator worked fine before disassembly so I don't think anything is broken. It seems like the agitator shaft is designed as two pieces that can slip so that in case the agitator jams it doesn't immediately break something. Is this correct or could there be another explanation?

 

[combo52]

The agitator shaft is one piece, there was no design feature in case it gets jammed, but all parts of the gear case are strong enough that if it jams nothing will break with a little 1/3 HP motor driving it with a belt that can slip.

 

John L.