My very first Topllader!

[kic]

Doing my usual "spot check's" on Gumtree and saw her advertised as "in need of attention" R500. The couple who sold her to me were kind enough to deliver her to my door step. I was amazed to find all she needed was a new pump.... an independent electric pump!?! never would have believed a heavy duty Speed Queen with a electric pump. I fitted a universal pump and she going like a bowing!
any more info regarding Speed Queen's similar to mine would be greatly appreciated as always. perhaps you could point me in the right direction as to where such info is available.

Bye,
Louis, KIC

 

[kic]

speed queen

1st load (towels, hot wash)

 

[kic]

Oops! I did it again...whats new pussycat?

 

[kic]

oh well...

Suppose I should consider this another tainted thread.

 

[tristarcxl]

I'm surprised nobody's replied to this thread! Speed Queens usually attract a lot of attention....especially when they're in a foreign country!

I know absolutely nothing about Speed Queens except that I really hated the 80's models we had in the laundromat in my college dorm. They were horribly maintained and did an awful job! Some were so worn out they didn't spin!

I've yet to use one that's working properly since they're not all that common around here. Someday I'll get my chance.......someday!

 

[dj-gabriele]

In my life I've seen "live" only 2 top loaders:
A pre-Whirlpool Maytag in a laundromat, but it was broken and a Daewoo oxigen wash machine, with cold fill only and without a heater. I can't say I was impressed with neither of them.
I tought that in South Africa water was a precious good (but honestly I know litte of your country), so a top loading machine there seems quite strange!

 

[kic]

There's Life!

We are have always had speed queen and whirlpool top loader's.Twin tubs were the most popular in S.A. now all you see here are Samsung L.G top loaders! the only people buying front loader are those who only have under counter plumbing.

tristarcxl, Ive also used the 80's S.Q and by then she roared. if you washed a large load the agitator would stay dead still, but it would still roar and sound as though she was washing.

thanks guys!

Louis, kic

 

[laundromat]

SPEED QUEEN

As far as top loading washers of the current market are coancerned(I truly prefer front loading washers)Speed Queen makes the best in my opinion.I had a Maytag badged Whirlpool washer from Sears for a week or two and returned it for numerous resons.The agitation speed on the W/pool is way too vigorous for my wash and they have designed the water coming in too add cold water to the hot water setting!!Hello!I as a consumer should have 100% of a choice of the water temperature I am using to wash my clothes,not the manufacturer.The SQs agitate further,spin faster and rinse better than all other top loaders of today.

 

[frigilux]

Congratulations on acquiring a Speed Queen washer! There aren't many SQ dealers here, so we don't see many of them.

I know very little about South Africa. Are the "American" brands (Whirlpool, Speed Queen) made in the US and imported to South Africa? Do you have other brands familiar to us like G.E. and Maytag? Do the Kenmore or Frigidaire brands exist there?

 

[norfolksouthern]

I'm a little late to respond to this thread, but I must add that I am happy to see an American made product in a foreign country, for once. It's usually the other way around for us. Kic: On behalf of the folks who work in our manufacturing industries, I thank you for your support. And I hope you get many years out of your Speed Queen!

NorfolkSouthern

 

[kic]

SQ

a friend of mine has exactly the same complaints laundromat, her whirlpool 'hot' setting is not even close to hand hot. her hot water is scalding from the tap, but the machine takes more cold than hot. I was completely put off from top loaders after all the drama she had to go through with hers. She will be green with envy when she sees my S.Q standing tall and proud next to my Bosch f/loader!!

Frigilux- We have had all sorts of top loaders on the S.A market for as long as I can remember. some were "real top loaders" such as S.Q and whirlpool while others looked big and strong, but were not what I consider a real no frills top loader. I remember Admiral, Hoover, Maytag, S.Q, Whirlpool, G.E, top loaders on the SA market at some stage or other and they were no different to the conventional American top loader.

 

[laundromat]

I emailed W/pool about my friend's issues regarding the cold water coming on during the hot eash.They clamed that the energy use has to be a certain amount.If it goes over that,it is beyond the allowed level which would make the units not comply to the current US standards on energy use for top loading/agitator washers.My next question to that was "WHY THEN DO YOU PUT A BOOSTER IN YOUR FRONT LOADERS TO MAINTAIN THE HOT 160F WASH TEMPERATURE???? I see a double standard here." Their respnse was that they try to have a constant eye and ear on the consumer's needs and likes and dislikes and they'd file my complaint and get back with me.THEN THEY THANKED ME FOR CHOOSING WHIRLPOOL AND HUNG UP!!!!!Why don't they just give up the ghost on their agitating top loading "crewelaction"agitator washers and get over it?Instead of making customers angry and confused??I truly believe they(Whirlpool) don't really like the front loaders but know that it's inevitable that they are now the most desired type of washing machines in the world.Theirs are the Bauchnect.a company owned originaly by Phillips whom W/pool pchsed quite a few years ago.

 

[norfolksouthern]

It's unfortunate that Whirlpool has to revert to this energy compliance. That's the government, not them. As for the front loaders, Whirlpool has plenty on their site. More than enough to satisfy the needs of every tree hugger, in fact. What's more? They even went as far as to create the Cabrio, to satisfy even more of the eco-happy population. What more can anybody ask of them?

Whirlpool has done more to help the poor and less fortunate, in my opinion, than any other large manufacturer. Sure, not everybody likes a "shredmore" but I tell you what: They are the easiest to fix and cheapest to maintain. Whirlpool doesn't expect everybody to go out and plunk $900.00 down on a brand new Duet and scrap their top loader, because a lot of people don't have that kind of money. So they continue to offer something more affordable to those who need something new, yet aren't quite rich enough to buy an $1,800.00 E-Lux Wave Touch. It's just economics, and that company's benevolence towards those who have less disposable income.

And I'll go farther: There are numerous Kenmore and Whirlpool direct drive top loaders still in operation. Their elegant simplicity allows for easy repair and parts interchangeability. They continue to operate over many decades, giving people the ability to care for themselves who would otherwise not. I'm sorry. I support Whirlpool, and their efforts to help as many people with their daily needs as possible, while still making a great effort to preserve as many American jobs as possible.

NorfolkSouthern

 

[douglasdc6]

If I were going to buy a new pair of machines now days I would go with speed queen - Thanks to the comments on this website.

From whate I`ve learned is if you want to know who makes the best washers then go to a washateria & notice what machines they are using - All I see around here is speed queen - There`s a reason for this.

Also thinking about getting a pressure washer & generator soon so Wanted to see who made the best small engines - Checked out the places that rent equipment - What do I see - Honda all the way.

 

[norfolksouthern]

Something more to nibble on:

I see plenty of ads on Craigslist, where people beg for appliances in WORKING condition. For some, it's a futile effort. And nobody who searches that site is willing to pay more than $75.00 for a washer or dryer, even it's like new. Stopping by Lowes and getting a an Affina is strictly a luxury for the rich. The rest of us end up at the Salvation Army or the Reuse Center to pick up what's there, when they have it, IF we have the cash on hand. First come, first serve. Otherwise, you get it off the curb or from a scrapper and fix it because the landlord has to be paid first and then you gotta buy food.

NorfolkSouthern

 

[kic]

Guilt

with a 5 k.g front loader and my 4.5 k.g Aeg Lavamat 240 toghthger as daily runners I manage to process laundry for a houshold of 9 incl. myself- monotonous, unrewarding and usually by the last load it starts all over again, but Ive been doing it since I can remember its second nature to me.
Both machines running = 10k.g water has never bothered me untill now!
Now I am using the S.Q to process the same amount of laundry and seeing all that water go down the drain makes me feel terribly and guilty ungrateful.
Could i divert it to the garden instead? would it be harmful to the grass? Is using hot water from our Geyser to fill the S.Q not using more energy than the small amount of water my regular machines heat?

 

[jeffg]

> That's the government, not them. <

At least for now, these energy standards are voluntary. E.g. none of Speed Queen's current top loader models are Energy Star compliant, or have "automatic temperature control".

 

[norfolksouthern]

JeffG:

If the mandates are voluntary, and Speed Queen chooses to opt out of them, then I'm behind that company 100%. I did look at a couple Speed Queen toploaders, and they appear to be very nice. I told one dealer that I will very likely do a purchase if the funds become available, since they helped me restore my self-cleaning coil range to almost pristine condition. Alliance most definitely has a way of choosing their dealers wisely!

NorfolkSouthern

 

[ronhic]

Kic

I am gathering that the Bosch is newer and the AEG older?

If that is the case, they probably use about 2/3 to 1/2 the water to do the same quantity of washing....

Just out of interest. How much do you load in the 'queen' compared to say the Bosch if washing a full load?