Moving a Bendix Duomatic

[turquoisedude]

I am thrilled to announce that I am finally going to pick up a Bendix Duomatic that was purchased over a year ago and that the seller has been ever so patiently holding on to for me pending arrangement of transport.  

 

I am planning on moving it upright, on a low trailer but I was wondering how much preparation the unit will need for transport.  I have the '58 Duomatic manual and there is mention of shipping brackets and braces (à la Westinghouse). The original brackets are long gone - what should I do to help secure the tub?  Would anyone know how much these beasties weigh?  I couldn't find that in the manual, alas.... 

 

The machine is near the NH/MA border, about 3 hours drive from Ogden and the plan is to get this on Thursday.  I managed to enlist the help of one of my neighbours in Ogden and I have a decent appliance dolly.  I don't think I'll be able to get the machine down to the laundry room this weekend though - I'll need some more manpower, I think! 

 

Wheee!  Despite the dirty looks I've been getting from Hubby, I'm all excited!!

 

[frigidaireguy]

Bendix Duomatic

Paul:

I moved a '58 duomatic several years ago. I moved it upright in a pickup truck and didn't use any shipping braces. Everything turned out ok. I think it should be ok if you are moving on a low trailer. You will probably need more than 2 people to load and unload it. I believe they weigh around 400 pounds.
Is it a gas or electric version?? Mine was the gas version and is now in the museum at Beltsville. Keep us posted on your progress.

Bob

 

[turquoisedude]

Thanks Bob!  I have 3 people ready to help with the loading; unloading may not happen until the weekend when I can get more help.  I am going possibly use Ben (swestoyz)'s idea of using a ramp and winch to bring the machine down to basement. 

 

It's the electric model - the type that has a blower as well as a water condensing system for the dry part of the cycle.  This will be fun, assuming I don't knock out the power grid when I first plug it in... LOL

 

[moparwash]

Get an Airsled...moves up to 650lbs...and the 300lb Laundromat!

 

[gansky1]

If you stop at a wal mart, etc. and pick up some of the foam pool noodles, pack them around the suspended assembly and cabinet to minimize the assembly from moving radically during transport. I might also remove the boot from the front panel and fold it back into the drum.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations on your latest arrival!

Or stuff rags on the sides and between the suspended mechanism and the cabinet in front if you can't find the noodles Greg talked about. That machine has a wicked cast iron counterweight across the front that you don't want banging into the cabinet when you go over bumps.

 

[wft2800]

People are way too precious over transporting front-loading washing-machines. My current Miele was transported on its back, and getting it from the car to the kitchen entailed it getting turned over arse-over-tip multiple times. At no point were transport bolts inserted. It suffered no damage whatsoever, and has been cheerfully washing away for the last seven months or so.

On a more positive note, congratulations on the new acquisition! Always loved the Duomatics - would love to see some video footage...

...and is it getting a respray in turquoise?!

 

[christfr]

ohh pool noodles what a great idea have to remember that for sure.. anyway I helped steve move one a long time ago omg talk about heavy.. please be careful

 

[gyrafoam]

Oh Lawdy, Chris and I had an interesting time moving a '58 years ago! Had to pay off a couple of guys working in a neighboring yard to get the thing up on my truck. Certainly didn't have to worry about it moving around on the drive.

 

[brisnat81]

Hi Paul,

I used this machine at Christmas and it definitely is a beauty. I'll have to make the drive up to Canada next time so I can see it again in the flesh

Cheers

Nathan

 

[mickeyd]

So you done got yerself a big bad Bertha. Good for you.........AND, you're slowly turning Chris, I see. Next thing you know, he'll be in the living room cruising old threads and he'll call out to you, "Honey, Why don't we get a Kelvinator; they look pretty exciting."

La la la la, la la LAH! Wonderful.

 

[turquoisedude]

It's home....

After a somewhat gruelling journey (issues with the trailer hitch and its wiring then a very unusual way of hauling it up our Alp-like driveway) the Philco-Bendix Duomatic combination washer-dryer is safe in Ogden.   For now... Hubby will be here in a few hours and hasn't seen it yet. 

It will still need to get down to the basement and hopefully I can find a creative solution to that dilemma. Or a truss...

I think 'Divine' will take the spot currently held by the Canadian Westy twins (where they go is another noodle-scratcher...) .  No plans to repaint it...for now...LOL 

 

[gyrafoam]

Oh yeah, a front-end loader, as you do. It's that or Erickson SkyCrane..

 

[bendixmark]

Bendix Combo

That is the Bendix I have.Looks like you have the gas one congratulations Paul.

 

[peteski50]

Bendix Combo!!

Paul this is awesome Best Of Luck!

 

[jetcone]

Now

thats they way to move a DUO - with a Kubota Duo-Mover !! Good on Phillipe! Looks like its well ensconced in its new home

 

[appnut]

Steve 1-18 picked up a gas version of this in 2006 when he brought me the Fridgemore.  Then we went to Glenn's for the wash-in.  He made a trip up to Kansas/Midwest, came back here, and then home to Georgia. 

 

[frigidaireguy]

Bob:

I ended up with that duomatic and then it is now at John's museum.

Bob