Maytag Washer and Dryer model number differences?

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Phil:

My first Maytag washer was an LA206, a one-speed machine with Fabric-Matic. My current Maytag washer is an LA806, a two-speed machine. You're right that as you go up the model line, you get the two-speed feature.

I am very happy to have an LA806, trust me. But the LA206 could basically do everything the 806 can, with maybe just a tiny bit less flexibility. At the time I had the LA206 with Fabric-Matic, my late partner was ill with end-stage heart failure, and had to wear compression stockings. Compression stockings can easily be ruined by washing them harshly; the get full of runs and won't maintain compression any more. I never damaged a single compression stocking in the LA208. Not one. I used the Fabric-Matic Delicate cycle, and a lingerie bag, and never had a moment's problem.

The LA806 uses a low speed for the Delicate cycle, and has also never damaged anything. It also has a "Gentle Spin" option for the spin cycle if something's really delicate, which is something impossible to do with a one-speed machine, of course. The other differences in the 806 machine are: More water levels (4), more wash/rinse temperature combinations and cycle options for Soak and Pre-Wash.

Of the two machines, I consider the 806 to be a wonderful machine with the best of everything, of course. But the 206 was the more elegantly engineered of the two, giving nearly the same level of performance as the 806 with simpler mechanicals. The 206 was just one model off the bottom-of-the-line, yet you got that Delicate cycle, a bleach dispenser, a detergent dispenser and a softener dispenser. You didn't get that many features on some competing brands until you got at least halfway up the line, maybe higher. And competing brands often used more complex mechanicals that broke down more often, Kenmore's dispenser was a real problem in that regard.

Did I mention I kind of like Maytags? ;)
 
At the time I had the LA206 with Fabric-Matic

Are you sure it wasn't a 406?

206 is a 2 speeder.
 
To my knowledge there never was a LA206 manufactured. The A206 was made from 1966 to 1972 and was a two speed machine with a standard (16 gal.) sized tub. I don't think the A206 was not offered in decorator colors initially. It was replaced with the A207 in 1973 which was also a 2 speed, standard tub machine. Almond (the "L" prefix before the "A") was first offered around 1977.

In the center dial "wash-power automatic" line (1966-1980), the A106, A107 & A108 were one-speed standard capacity machines, the A206, A207 & A208 were 2-speed standard capacity, the A406, A407 & A408 were the large-tub (19 gal) single-speed and the A606, A608, A808 & A906 were the 2-speed large-tub machines. The color prefixes were as follows:
T = Turquoise (1966 & part of 1967)
Y = Castillian Yellow (1966 until about 1968)
C = Cordoba Copper (1966 until 1976)
V = Shaded Spanish Avacado (1967 until 1976, replaced turquoise)
H = Harvest Gold (1968 until 1976, replaced yellow)

In 1977 all appliances lost their shading and Almond ("L" prefix) was added
 
My first, Fabric-Matic machine was an LA108.

Ah, ok, that makes sense.

Saw-ee. My bad.

Bah, it happens to us all. I get turned around every once in a awhile, especially with models I haven't thought about in a long while.
 
Washer Hall Monitor

Love the info. I was getting lost from A206 into A208...mutations? whazzuh? Started talking to myself: " ... you guys ..talk among yourselves...". LOL!

18 days straight? You sound like my bro-in-law; they don't have enough workers and the guys keep quitting, so he is constantly training new hirees..works weeks w/o a day off.

Looking at your A108 and dryer(very NICE), reminded me of this from Craigslist today(link attached). Did it come in shell pink? (I think it would be a perfect color for that model. The Wash-Power Automatic line (thanks , Mark, was wondering if MT had a name for this successful line) had zen-like clean lines. It's all a matter of taste, of course, but simplicity speaks volumes, as Apple, Inc. has shown.

Yes, your A806 sounds like you could hold on to it for-everrrr. Now, what's an A906, that Dan has in his collection? I just need to get comfortable with operation my humble set. Thanks all.

 
Now, what's an A906, that Dan has in his collection?

Stole these from the archives. They look prettier than mine.

 

 

qsd-dan++9-21-2012-19-48-21.jpg
 
Please, Please, PLEASE!

Do NOT mention 906s! I dream about those babies! And they are so rare, I will most likely never even see a pair in the flesh, let alone possess a set! WAAAAAAAAAAAH!

In the absence of 906s, I hope my 806 pair lasts me forever. They are actually more versatile than 906s, which offered no cycle modifications, but are less space-age, push-button gorgeous. They're extremely capable machines.

I'm not kidding about 906s, though. I don't even think I should be looking at a pair if it wasn't for sale, because the visit would probably end with the local constabulary prying me off the pushbuttons! ;-)
 
I will most likely never even see a pair in the flesh

That's what I originally assumed too.

 

Lots of patients and persistence will eventually land you a set of your very own ;>)
 
Dan, does your A906 have the original or modified timer?

It has the newer design timer.

 

Noisy little bugger compared to my 160.

 

It's supposed to be a simpler and more reliable design.

 

I'll drink to that
 
Don't Be Too Sure!

"Lots of patients and persistence will eventually land you a set of your very own"

You don't understand. I live close to both Ben Swestka (swestoyz) and Cory Heisterkamp (cadman).

The mighty mojo of those two is too much to compete with, LOL! They both regularly find stuff I don't even dare dream about. ;-)
 
re: Maytag colors

came across this when it first "aired" and this set is why I remember the color pink being offered..

what do you think, nice?

Being from Michigan...gotta check out that Maytag Musem in Benton Harbor.

If the link doesn't work, here's another: http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=11355567

Someone in this group probably owns a set - could it be they got the winning bid that day:

http://frankiezwife.blogspot.com/2010/10/lusting-yearning-dreamingdarn-you-ebay.html


ovrphil++9-21-2012-20-55-58.jpg
 
Starter Set

Technopolis: ...great price and nice units - the squarer edges say newer models than that DE700 posted above these , right? I wish we could be adding another w/d,but we're in a "reboot" mode after giving up the house and moving to smaller quarters. Sure are a lot of these Maytags coming out.
 
You have to watch your back on this website

I nearly missed the best photos on this thread..and the table of Standard Line Maytags...

A906's - no wonder they are a source of envy and "wanton lust"- lol.

Kenmore71 - it's interesting, that Maytag produced that A806 for such a long time- 1966 to 1980,but stopped producing A906's in 1972. The A806's were probably more refined, with so many years running? y/n?

And in 1980, it's also interesting that part of the year, they ran the last of the existing products and changed over to the A*10 product line. Any known improvements? I remember looking for work in 1981 - really a bad economic slump..wonder if those machines were adjusted for the economy or anticipated better times? I mean, just wondering how they "sized up" in quality, features, etc. to the previous 14 yrs of products, generally speaking?

A906's. I had to ask. "Don't Look Ethel!...too late, he was incensed with A906's".
 
Mystery Dryer Part found while cleaning

My dryer works fine, but when I removed the front to clean lint, I saw a part laying in the right corner. I didn't hear anything drop, over the noise of swinging and dropping off the face, but this is first time I opened a dryer up.

It looks like a fastener. I did try and locate, using the Maytag provided Repair Part List - LA482.pdf, but my I couldn't see it. Also, I didn't see another one being used inside.

Anyone - have you seen this part in a Maytag dryer like or similar to the LA482? I figure it's just a loose part....

? ? ?

Thank you!

ovrphil++9-22-2012-11-39-39.jpg
 
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