Does anyone have pictures or sales literature of those push button Maytag washers from the 70s and 80s? I've never seen one in person. They were rapid advance and to my knowledge had no electronics.
Maytag Push Button Washers
- Thread starter Chetlaham
- Start date
phillymatt53
Well-known member
My Maytag has pushbuttons for water temp and fill level, and the mechanical timer.
Oh, and now a new pushbutton to force warm rinse.
There are many posts on AW regarding the rapid advance Maytags.
Originally debuted in 1960 as the model 160, it was switched over to the A900 model in late 1961, with the A902 replacing the 900 in '64. In 1966 the A906 replaced the previous versions, which included the change of button color from grey to white and featured the large capacity tub. The A906 had a few revisions to the timer in the late 60's and was fully discontinued by 1972.
Ben
Originally debuted in 1960 as the model 160, it was switched over to the A900 model in late 1961, with the A902 replacing the 900 in '64. In 1966 the A906 replaced the previous versions, which included the change of button color from grey to white and featured the large capacity tub. The A906 had a few revisions to the timer in the late 60's and was fully discontinued by 1972.
Ben
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Thank you! The A906 is exactly the set I had in mind. I remember seeing the adds but latter could not find it. The service manuals I have don't seem to cover it. I wish I could find one to play around with and use because I think they are just so cool. I kind of like the idea of just pushing a single button to start the cycle even though I typically prefer push and twist knobs.
Question- the cycle says 40 gallons while the rinse says 19 gallons. That means only 2 gallons of water are used for spray rinsing? Or does 19 gallons pertain to both the rinse and spray? How many gallons to fill the tub to full?
I can't thank you enough for the pictures.
Question- the cycle says 40 gallons while the rinse says 19 gallons. That means only 2 gallons of water are used for spray rinsing? Or does 19 gallons pertain to both the rinse and spray? How many gallons to fill the tub to full?
I can't thank you enough for the pictures.
19 gallons for a full tub of water on the '06 models, 16 gallons for the 160/900/902. I think spray rinsing is affected by water pressure so there's no defined specification. Also, cold vs warm spray rinsing affects total water usage. My gripe about the push button models are cold spray rinsing with warm water washes. Only a warm spray rinse is used when selecting a hot wash. I get around it by selecting a hot wash 1 minute after the timer motor has advanced (doing it sooner causes the timer to completely reset itself). They're an interesting design but too restrictive for me, personally.
My Maytag has pushbuttons for water temp and fill level, and the mechanical timer.
Oh, and now a new pushbutton to force warm rinse.
I'm still thinking about your washer, I haven't forgotten it LOL.
I've noticed that if you time the cold and warm fills to full, you can get a good guesstimate of how much water is used during spray rinsing.
I do agree with you that all rinses should be warm except Permanent press and bright colors.
I'm fine with a cold spray rinse on a cold water wash, but a warm spray rinse is better for warm and hot washes.
Maytag should have fitted these with more options. A separate infinite water level adjustment. Separate cold/warm spray and deep rinse switch (like the 142/700/702 models) and a prewash button. They could have removed the Permanent Press button and used it as a Prewash like the 806 models where it would fill, wash for 4 minutes, drain, fill, agitate for a minute, soak for a few minutes, and then go on with the normal wash cycle. It would require another dose of detergent after the first spin though.
The A9900/LAT9900/LAT9904 electronic units had pretty good flexibility except they all spray rinsed with cold water like all Maytag helical top loaders made from the 12 series in 1984 to the end of production in 2006.
Maytag should have fitted these with more options. A separate infinite water level adjustment. Separate cold/warm spray and deep rinse switch (like the 142/700/702 models) and a prewash button. They could have removed the Permanent Press button and used it as a Prewash like the 806 models where it would fill, wash for 4 minutes, drain, fill, agitate for a minute, soak for a few minutes, and then go on with the normal wash cycle. It would require another dose of detergent after the first spin though.
The A9900/LAT9900/LAT9904 electronic units had pretty good flexibility except they all spray rinsed with cold water like all Maytag helical top loaders made from the 12 series in 1984 to the end of production in 2006.
I'm with you, I prefer a warm spray rinse. More water and in theory it relaxes the fibers more taking more detergent with it. It would be interesting to do an experiment whether or not cold vs warm spray rinsing makes a huge difference as it does with a deep rinse.
A few years ago a member posted a video of the complete cycle of a 906 with shots of the actual machine operating and mechanically what was happening during each phase. Its called Maytag 906 Extravaganza on You Tube
phillymatt53
Well-known member
And that is why I modified my A482 with that extra button, indicator light, that forces a Warm Spray and Deep Rinse if set for hot or warm wash.
The cold wash is not affected, so it uses a cold rinse.
And if that extra button is not pushed, the machine acts as before the mod.
Relatively simple for me to design, and makes me happy.
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