Maytag Regular VS Extra Large Capacity

[pturo]

I happen to own both an A107 and an A408 and did some measurments: The A408 is exactly the same diameter and circumference tub as the 408, but the 408 tub is only two inches deeper but looks cavernously larger because it has a white tub and the agitator has an extra notch on it and the lint filter is exactly 2" taller. I wonder what the extra two inches gets in terms of load capacity. It is 2 deeper inches times a diameter of 22 inches of a circle. It is only 12.5% bigger. Maytag was really smart about not carrying redundant parts and simple design, I just wonder why they carried these two tubs and the chassis support and filter, agitator, as different parts for so long?

 

[pturo]

Correction to A107 vs A408

The A107 tub is the same size circumference and diameter as the A408,just 2 inches shorter. What does an extra 2 inches get you, in an A408 in the laundry world? I like my A107 better for cleaning because it does it better and more strongly for the same motor and pump of the larger capacity. I think the smaller tub washer cleans better and wrings the laundry better for the motor and pump size. I just wonder if when the machines upped the capacity of tub size,if the gave it a bigger motor and pump.

 

[mayken4now]

Hum, never thought about all that, but good point!

 

[gansky1]

Whirlpool, GE, etc. offered two sizes of washers (and dryers usually) for many years and WP & GE still do. Maytag introduced the larger capacity washers in 1966 with the Washpower Automatic series and also redesigned the cabinet, controls, etc. More importantly for the function of the machine was the Power-Fin agitator and raising the agitation strokes per minute from 54 to 63. As most of us have seen firsthand, there probably isn't a lot of difference in the performance, but those flexible fins did allow a larger load so, in theory at least, the deeper tub would hold more washing.

Here is a bit of Maytag propaganda from January, 1966.

 

[gansky1]

Maytag slams Kenmore to the mat! ;-)

 

[agiflow]

Too funny....now look where Maytag is at. WHO'S YOUR DADDY! ;-)

 

[brettsomers]

thanks for that interesting read, greg. i took your posting as an historitcal Maytag document, inside "propaganda", as clearly noted. not an invite to brand-warfare that some other posters have been quite sensitive about in the past.

 

[bajaespuma]

Pants on fire.

I remember going to Macy's in the late sixties and actually measuring the tubs on GE's to verify what pturo is saying. I realized that the tubs on GE's "HEAVY DUTY 18"'S were only half a hand's width taller than the tub on our GE V-12 workhorse. Then I realized, by going back in the literature and reading the fine print, that the GE V-12 had miraculously morphed into a GE V-14 for a year and then morphed into a 16 pounds "of mixed heavy fabrics" for all eternity. Simply by pulling the activator from our V-12 and fitting it into a newer GE "16" pound machine was I able to verify my sleuthing.

I also remember, however, at the time (1969-1970) that Whirlpool offered only 1 large capacity model and it wasn't even a TOL. It had a black SURGILATOR but it looked huge inside--significantly bigger than either the GE or the Maytag. I also agree with gansky: the smaller tubs had a better ratio of width to height for better rollover and washing efficacy. The big manufacturer's cheated for better sales. The beginning of the end.

 

[rickr]

I own a restored Maytag from 1958. It has a black Power-Fin in it now. The machine does a nice job, as long as is not overloaded. It is very easy to overload these machines, as they just do not hold much. Another thing that I notice about Maytags is that they seem go out of balance very easily with small loads. All the clothes shift to one side and seem to "snag" on the Power-Fin as the machine is spinning the water out, creating the out of balance condition. I think that is due to the fact that the tub is so narrow.There is just not much room from the "fin" to the side of the tub. Usually I can hear the tub tapping on the out of balance tab at slow speeds with a small load. Sometimes the tub taps hard enough to shut the machine down.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Maytag beefed up the springs that are supposed to hold the tub steady sometime in the early 60s, but yes, small loads in machines tht spin drain can often bunch up because the water starts swirling faster than the clothes in it.

 

[nasadowsk]

Did Maytag have sheets for GE, etc, or was Kenmore their favorite target with that sell sheet?

Speaking of which - this was a time when Sears only sold Kenmore, and Kenmore was only sold at Sears (remember that?). Did the other manufacturers have an agreement to not bash each other, but poor Kenmore was fair game?

Then again, the belt drive Kenmore / Whirlpool seemed to own Long Island, followed by GE - I saw tons of 'em tossed years ago, but few Maytags. Of course, the 'tags could still be agitating away in basements...

 

[rickr]

WP/KM has always been "king of the hill" And were (and still are) the target of the competitors.

 

[spinout]

Speed Queen tub size question...

Speed Queens from the solid tub era had at least 2 tub sizes I recall. Does anyone know what their rated capacities are--or should I say were? I think the FA machine had a fairly large tub, for a solid.

In general and from experience, I can tell you that a couple of inches of depth can make a substantial improvement in capacity of virtually any machine. Most people who have adjusted their pressure switches or add extra water can attest to this. Anyway, most deeper tubs do need an agitator that can turn that load (hence the augers on later machines).

 

[toggleswitch]

What does an extra 2 inches get you?

You are kidding me right?

--eyes roll--
laughing all the way

 

[rickr]

Oh, but what some will do for those extra inches....

 

[washertalk]

I don't know if I should feel totally inadequate here.
I have a kenmore but how do I know if my equipment is properly fitted.
It is like the old saying goes though, It isn't what you have it is how you use it. But then there are those who like it big. They even like the looks of it big. And having the extra inches, you know in case you have a big load, it helps speed delivery, of clean clothes.

 

[helicaldrive]

Girls!

GIRLS!!

We will have no more of this talk about size, and loads to deliver! It is most unbecoming of well-bred ladies.

Shame on you all!

 

[gansky1]

Today, a Solid Tub Smackdown!

If you play nicely and promise not to tussle over the hype & propaganda (think Rush Limbaugh here), I'll keep posting these. Maytag compared their machines to all the other major brands on the market at the time for washers, dryers and a little later, dishwashers. Maytag did this several times through their history - some with cool pictures too! Now everyone take their seats again and we'll continue with class ;-)

 

[rickr]

Shame on you all!

Well alright then....
*grin*