Yeah, It can. You can't expect it to move the laundry like the dual action agitator. However, for "straight vanes" they're absolutely capable of handling BoblLoads.
For the straight vane, I call the 2-piece agitator "SUPER" because of the longer "tapered" flex-vanes. Also, this agitator can out-perform the Heavy Duty SUPER Surgilator (5 vanes) agitator.
Once I washed a big load of sheets and pillow cases using the large water level. I switched agitators for the rinse cycle and the 'SUPER Surgilator' struggled rolling the load. I was amazed!!!