maytag wringer washer questions.....

[hippiedoll]

hi all!!

ok here is the story....

so, i've got a chance to buy a maytag wringer washer, in working order (according to the owner/seller).

it is the round shaped maytag wringer washer, with a black skinny agitator.

what i want to know is;
1. what model is this maytag wringer washer?
(i would like to read up about this kind or wringer and find out more information about it.)

2. i've read about "gravity" draining and "electric pump" draining. which kind of draining would this wringer washer have?

3. being that this is a wringer washer, would the washtub be a "standard" capacity? or did wringer washers come in larger capacity sizes??

thank you so much for taking the time to read this thread and i look forward to hearing from any & everybody that could tell me about this kind of wringer washer.

here is a picture that the seller/owner sent me.

any & all information would be greatly appreciated. i've always been curious & wondered about wringer washers and if this is worth getting, i would like to buy it.

 

[packardmanken]

Wringer question

Hippiedol! Another wringer convert? I have noticed, and this is just an observation, that the machines with the "hook" on the end of the drain hose USUALLY indicates a pump is installed. The hook, like on my Kenmore, has to hook over the sink to direct the surge of draining washwater down into the tub or drain. The ones with out the hook seem to just lay on the floor. But you can see the pump installed under the skirt if you look. Also isn't there a "P" in the model number somewhere? I know the pros will chime in and set me straight if I am not correct. They did come in bigger styles (the square I think?) I seem to remember when I was researching them before my purchase. I am jealous of the "Gyrofoam" agitator though. Nothing moves clothes like that thing does!

Cant wait to see what the others say. I want to know what kind of detergent you end up choosing also, there are a lot of schools of thought out there for a wringer. I use the "Foca" as it really suds up. (looks nice when washing)  Cant wait to see the pictures.

 

[hippiedoll]

packardmanken.....

thank you for your reply.

i haven't boughten/gotten this maytag wringer washer YET. it is in the workings, and i've arranged with the seller, to go pick it up this coming tuesday.

what i am wanting, is to find out some information about this maytag wringer washer, before i go and get it. i am curious to actually wash with one and to try my hand at working the clothes into the wringer. but since i've never ever even seen a wringer washer in person, i don't know ANYTHING about them!?
how to turn them on? does the wringer turn on separately? or does the wringer start running when the washer is turned on? i am assuming that these wringer washers are single speed washers? or is there like a "dial" to speed up/slow down the agitator action??

this may sound kinda silly but, i'm kinda excited & nervous to get this washer. the owner/seller said that it is working. so, i'm not expecting to have any problems with this washer. the owner/seller is an 80 year old lady (who actually looks about 20 years younger) that no longer can use this wringer washer. and wants to sell it to clear space in the garage.

so, i don't know what is "under the skirt" (in regards to the pump) cuz i don't have it here in person. and so i don't know if there is a "P" somewhere in the model number???

that is why i can't wait to hear from the maytag wringer washer experts on here. to see what they can tell me about this washer.

thank you so much for your reply packardmanken. i can't wait to see what others have to say either!!!

;o)

 

[kenmore71]

That is a pre-1966 model N2LP.

 

Maytag made wringers in 2 sizes.  The models E & J held 18 gallons of water. Models N & NX held 15 gallons.

 

This machine has a pump on it to drain the water out.

 

All Maytags were single speed machines.  Some other wringers manufacturers offered 2-speed machines.

 

The wringer is controlled by lever at the top of the column that holds the wringer.  That lever served 2 functions: 1. It activated the wringer in either direction, 2. It released the lock on the wringer column so you could swing the wringer itself into the positions wanted (I think there are 16 possible positions….)

 

Here's a really good primer on Youtube:

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4n4EVupxxQ

 

[wayupnorth]

The one in the picture and video look exactly the same as mine, that was originally my grandmothers. I cant wait to set up a laundry room in my shed this summer and use it instead of hiding it in a corner of the basement.

 

[hippiedoll]

hi kenmore71!!

thank you for your reply and for letting me know the model number, how many gallons (15) this model of wringer washer holds, that it does have a drain pump, that all maytag wringers were single speed washers, how that lever works & controls the wringer, and for attaching that video to show this model of maytag wringer washer in action.

that was very interesting, informative, and entertaining.

i do have another question though....

in other videos of maytag wringer washers, when something thick was going through the wringer, it seemed to separate the 2 parts of the wringer "frame"?? is that normal?? is it supposed to separate like that? or are the 2 halves supposed to stay together??

thank you again mark/kenmore71

)

 

[wayupnorth]

Yes, it will look like the wringer itself is coming apart when squeezing out thicker things but goes right back into place when it goes thru or releases itself. Except when something decides it wants to wrap itself around the wringers. The pump control is a slide lever on the same side as the drain hose.

 

[stan]

Hi

Hippiedoll
It's perfectly normal for the two to separate. There are two heavy springs holding them together, and when something thick goes through there is some give. As soon as it's through it closes tight again.
I've had something too thick go through, and there is a horrible pop sound that it makes, and the sound will convince you that something has broken! But it hasn't! Just means that you need to get whatever it was out. Reset the wringer (top lever) and try again by folding what ever it was, or it didn't like a different way so it will go through.

I have a model E2LP (1954) square aluminum tub, and would rather have a N model (like the one your looking at) because your going to be able to use LCB in yours, if I do in mine it tarnishes the tub!
My recommendation would be before buying... If your able to plug the machine in, and check to make sure machine agitates, and that the wringer operates in both directions, locks and unlocks in different positions. If your able to go further... Fill the tub with water, to make sure it holds water! Then move the pump lever to "ON" to see if the pump works! If it doesn't just lower the hose and gravity drain it, then make your decision.

Then the transportation!
It your able, try to transport it up right! If that's not possible, then lay the machine on its front (where the Maytag logo is) this is to prevent oil from leaking out of the power unit (transmission)

Hope this helps! Let us know how you make out.

 

[hippiedoll]

wayupnorth.....

wayupnorth:

thanks for getting back to me & letting me know that the wringer will look like it's coming apart, when it is wringing out thicker things, but goes right back into place when the item goes through. and also for letting me know the pump control is a slide lever on the same side as the drain hose.

thanks again "wayupnorth", your reply is greatly appreciate.

)

 

[hippiedoll]

hi stan!!!

thank you for your reply & for letting me know that it is perfectly normal for both halves of the wringer frame to separate, if something too thick is going through the wringer. and also, for letting me know that if something is way to thick, the wringer will make a horrible "pop" but that nothing is broken. and that the wringer just needs to be reset & the item needs to be folded differently before being put through the wringer again.

and THANK YOU so much for your recommendation tips of what to look for & do before i decide to buy the wringer washer:
1. plug the washer in to make sure the washer agitates.
2. the wringer rollers operate in both diretions, forward & backward. and locks & unlocks in different positions.
3. and if i'm able to, fill the tub with water to make sure there are no leaks & to make sure that the drain pump works to drain the washer.
4. and most importantly, if everything checks out & i decide to buy this wringer washer, to try to transport it back home, in the upright position, standing up. and if that's not possible, to lay it "face-down" (maytag logo side down) to prevent oil leakage from the transmission.

these are some great tips that i wouldn't have known to do, had you not told me what to check for!!!

so, THANK YOU so much stan!! i greatly appreciate your reply to this thread.

i do have one more question....
are these wringer washers very heavy??? would it be easy to put into the bed of a full-size truck??? are they as heavy as a vintage maytag center dial washer??

i am planning on taking a thick blanket, to try to pull the washer up into the bed of the truck but i am wondering if i'll have trouble getting it into the truck bed?? i'll have to call the lady & see if she has a grandson or nephew there that can help me load it into my truck.

i'll be waiting to hear back from you or anybody else that can answer that question for me & let me know if these wringer washers are very heavy or as heavy as an automatic???

thank you again stan.

)

 

[washdaddy]

Christina,
I think that once you see the wringer in person and see how it operates you will be a lot more comfortable with it. The machines are easier to operate then what they appear and can be a lot of fun to use.
A friend's mother had one in my younger years and she could do a weeks worth of laundry within about an hour for a family of four. She just had to come back to cycle the clothes out of the dryer for however many "loads" she had washed. She swore by that machine and said that she would never have an automatic. She had the square model.
If you decide to go ahead and get it you'll have a good ole time with your new toy.
Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

Rick

 

[stan]

Hi again

Remember that there is no on off switch. When it plugged in, the motor starts running, you'll pull that red nob in front to activate the movement of the agitator, push back in to stop agitator. While it still plugged in you can check the operation of the wringer ect.
It might not be as heavy as a automatic, but close. It's a two person job to lift it. I would suggest a couple of hand towels to use.
Lift the machine by its skirt (two people) use the hand towel to protect your hand. Make sure that you lock the wringer in position so it doesn't swing around while moving it. If not locked, it can swing around and hit you!
You can take the wringer off to lighten the load, but there's a little trick to get it back on, and for it to drop into position. The wringer weighs 30 lbs I believe!
I'm afraid to tell you to do this because until your more familiar with it. Don't want to add any frustration to you about setting it back on, so if you can lift the machine without taking it off...
If you do get it, it will have to come off to be lubed at some point, but better once your at home with a manual.
If all parts of the machine are in working order, except say the wringer dose not lock into position
(in that case you may have to take that off for transport) it really not a deal breaker, as that is a easy fix, and that part is still available
(its called a "index slide")
Oh and I almost forgot! Make sure that the agitator pulls off its post! It necessary for it to do so! Under the agitator there should be a metal lint screen. These were placed on the pump models to prevent something (coin or something) from being lodged into the pump during the draining. For a non pump model it's not that important.
Now just because the agitator dose not pull off easy, doesn't mean it won't, after a hot water soak. That's another part that needs to be lubed in order for you to remove the agitator after each use.
So if you find the agitator laying loose in the tub, don't freak, it's supposed to be. Just slide it back onto the post. There are splines inside the agitator that correspond to the splines on the post.

The wringer rollers are supposed to be set where the rollers are separated when not in use, to kept them from forming flat spots, but we'l show you more about that with pics if you get that far.

They really are wonderful machines. There is a sort of slow but effective agitation (gyrofoam) with a wringer washer, you have the advantage of choosing wash, and rinse temps, length of time ect. If you see something that hasn't come clean, you know it before it gets rinsed, so you can treat, and run a little longer. The tub can be sanitized after each use if needed, and of course there is never a off balance situation LOL

You might want to see if all four wheels on the legs are all there, are rolling.

Keep us up to date, and feel free to ask questions. The wringer guys are full of info.

Hope this helps, and that it's not too much info LOL

 

[mickeyd]

The really old Rug & Rag Eating Norge

 

[mickeyd]

See the gap as the hidden springs stretch

on the far right edge of the rollers. I agree with the gentlemen. They're surprisingly easy to operate, and loads of fun. And the wringers somehow " know " how to eat anything. I't's especially fun to watch them gobble a blanket. You have to see it to believe it. Go get it, Girl, Hippiedoll, Christina.

 

[hippiedoll]

washdaddy/rick.....

thank you so much for the words of encouragement. and you are right, wringer washers are definitely intimidating to look at, especially when you are not familiar with how work!!!

your words are appreciated!!

;o)

 

[yogitunes]

I forget which wringer roller is which, but one is hard, and one is soft, for the simple fact of running buttons and snaps thru, you want them against the softer roller as not to bend or break them, I believe the softer one is on top...in this case, all buttons facing upwards as you run them thru...

some people used to have a stick to help pull clothes out of the hot water and feed them into the wringer, as also not to pinch your fingers.....a long wooden spoon or metal tongs work too...

if you want to have some fun and fireworks, run bubble wrap thru your wringer!

good luck and let us know how you make out!

 

[wayupnorth]

Bubble wrap

Yes, I have done that Yogi and it a riot. Gram also had a stick to pull the clothes out of the hot water. Its right in the tub along with the fill hose to the faucet. I also have a bacon spatter screen that I feed about an inch into the wringer so when I am washing, I position a small piece of garden hose to the drain hose, turn the pump on and have a modified lint filter that surprisingly is quite effective and a neat waterfall back into the tub.

 

[hippiedoll]

stan...

thank you so much for the great advice!!! and for letting me know what things to check for. much appreciated.

a 2-person job, huh??? i will message the seller to see that there is someone there that can help me load it onto the truck.

thank you again for ALL the great tips stan!!!

i just texted the seller/owner and i haven't heard back from them. i called the lady too and she didn't answer. so i left her a message with my phone number. and we'll see what happens???

and if it doesn't happen, it's ok too. getting this wringer was going to be "for fun" to have & use whenever. and if it doesn't happen, i can just look at my A208 and smile that i have my center-dial maytag!!!

;o)

thank you again for all the great advice stan!!

)

 

[hippiedoll]

mickeyd...

ha ha....

thanks for sharing them pictures of your norge doing it's thing & wringing out that rug!!! it sure is squeezing out a lot of water!!!

)