More twin tubs now in Oz.

[twinniefan]

I was browsing around a local Betta appliances store today, and noticed a few twin tubs now available, there was the Haier 6kg,(my one.). 2 Teco models 6kg and a big 8kg and an 8kg Palsonic,the Teco and Palsonic models looked very similar, wouldn't be surprised if they are made by the same company.

I am also aware of a Belair 6.5kg and I guess the 4kg NEC may still be around.

It makes me think there may be a bit of a resurgence in the twin tub, I hope so because at least it offers consumers a 3rd alternative to choose from.

Actually the 8kg Pal;sonic took my fancy a bit.

 

[arbilab]

There was a US company (Danby?) selling TTs made 'whereever' but they were rated very poorly for reliability. I think (hope) they gave up.

Almost a year ago I got a Panda (China), well-reviewed for satisfaction and critical as I am, overall I'm 85% satisfied. Sloppy Chinese manufacturing, the plumbing is slathered with glue and the wash pulley wobbles on its shaft. Needs a 2-speed agitate, high is too aggressive to set and forget while the timer runs so I start/stop/soak/repeat. Horizontal washplate knots sheets and towels but that's pretty much a given. Panasonic's offset washplate didn't but even they don't make them like that any more.

Pretty much 100% for usability, can wash/rinse/spin all at the same time but it's a good idea to give the shaded-pole pump motor some cooldown rest (soaks do that). Nothing has gone wrong with it and it spins like a dervish with low noise/vibration upon application of some tactile attention to loading.

But of course, flarking Americans want everything done for them irregardless (sic) of how halfass it gets done.

 

[twinniefan]

washplate action

Hi Arbilab,

Yes I neglected to point out that all the t.t.'s had pulsator wash actions, with the pulsator on the bottom of the washtub, unlike the old Hoovermatic's where it was on the wall.

I vaguely remember Sanyo making a 3-4 kg model some years ago which had an actual agitator in it but that was the only one.

Do you think a very large capacity t.t. would make it in the US market?, because as you correctly indicate you can wash, and spin at the same time, thus reducing actual wash times, although of course the operator needs to manually transfer the loads to and forth.

The other benefit is if one does not like computerised control panels, these are ideal just having a manual wash timer, wash action selector and spin timer.

 

 

[arbilab]

I don't mind standing there. (Was that the flipside of Beatles Wanna Hold Your Hand?) I WANT complete control. But I'm FAR from the mainstream US laundry customer. There just aren't enough of 'me' to make it worthwhile. TTs sell to niches like motorhomes, dorm rooms, apartments with grungy-- or no-- inhouse laundry (that's my niche).

There remains a US agitator twintub and from an esteemed supplier, Speed Queen. Not sure how it fits in the niches. Like how portable/compact it is. Ones I've seen in (so-called) real life have been in car washes and too big/heavy for yer average housewife or scrawny geezer to lift or shove it into a closet.

Last full-cap US TT was the Easy Spindrier, which sold for a VERY long time but finally gave up longabout the 70s (except for Mexico). Grandma had one around 1953.

Computer controls would be great if they were built to the standards the application demands. But like everything, they are built cutcorner, failure rate is way too high and so is replacement cost. I know what electronic modules cost to build and there's not more than $20 cost in a washer controller. And what do they sell for? Starting around 6 times that. Most buyers never consider that. I do, and I won't play that game as long as there is an alternative.

 

[mattywashboy]

I remember a National Twin Tub that had Electronic controls, i found a pic of it through the Searchalator.

Also Whirlpool twin tubs in India (i think) feature full size agitators which is pretty cool. I remember an old school Hitachi twinnie that sat in the corner of our scout hall broken for years had a full size agi too.

I dearly love my Hoovermatic but I like these asian plasticy ones as well, more flexibility and better capacity. I might invest in one soon just for fun.

 

[mattywashboy]

Heres a link to the Whirlpool India site with one of their range of twin tubs with full size agitators. Pretty neat looking and so many to choose from!

http://www.whirlpoolindia.com/washing-machine/semi-automatic/ace_8_2-royale-8_2kg

 

[twinniefan]

Whirlpool Ace

Thanks for the link Matty, that Whirlpool ace 8.2 looks awesome, I think I want one!, did you notice the scrubber brush near the lint bag, how cool.

 

[mattywashboy]

I would have one too if i could didn't notice the little scrubber brush before but its a neat little addition as long as its not too abrasive.

 

[gmmcnair]

Again...far from the mainstream...

...but I would buy a full size twinnie in a heartbeat, especially if it had spin rinsing. Like a wringer machine, I can get through a week's laundry in the time it takes a new HE machine to do a single load, and reuse the wash water to boot.

 

[mattywashboy]

Finally found an Ebay ad for that Hitachi twin tub with agitator we had for a few years in our scout hall. That agitator with three selectable wash actions would have been a great machine to have

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hitachi-...58?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item43d7a8cc72

 

[twinniefan]

Hitachi

Hi Matt,

That Hitachi looks like a beaut, I would love to have one like that too, especially with the 3 wash action selector, my Haier only has standard and strong wash action and I think from memory the other ones I mentioned earlier were the same with wash actions.

It's a pity really that Hitachi are pretty much gone from the average consumer market, I always had the view their products were pretty good quality wise.

 

[retro-man]

I was watching some u-tube videos yesterday and there was a woman not sure which country it was from and she demonstrated a Whirlpool twinnie with an agitator in it with a spin tub with a spin drain rinse. She set the timer for a 6 minute rinse. Never new this company made one, esp with a rinse set up like that. It reminded me of the one you had the picture of Matt, the Hitachi.

Jon

 

[mattywashboy]

I think I've seen that video Jon, I'll try find it again. I would love to try one if one of these hitachi with agitator twin tubs pop up in my local area I'll be grabbing it in a heartbeat