Neutral drain X Spinning drain

[washer-br]

Hi everybody, I'm very happy to join this group and I'm sure you all have a lot of experience to share.
For me, one of the coolest steps of a washing cycle in a top loader is the spinning drain.
Another day I was wondering if the fact of spinning during draining was just a heritage of the non-perforated tub washers. Is that right? Does anyone know when the perforated tub was introduced?
Thanks
Guto

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Guto, welcome to the club, it's nice to see some more Brazilian members!

Solid tub washers as well as perforated tub top loading washer were introduced around the same time. Quite a few brands of solid tub washers were introduced in 1947 and in 1948 Whirlpool introduced their neutral draining perforated tub design.

The Blackstone automatic washer, initially introduced in 1941, was a solid tub machine, but at the same time had a neutral drain system. There was a big hole in the center of the stainless steel wash tub under the agitator. The tub sat on a rubber disk to seal the wash tub, when drain was called for by the timer the wash tub was lifted off of the rubber seal and the water would drain through the holes in the agitator down the center and out into the outer tub.

In 1956 Maytag introduced their new perforated tub with a "spin-drain", the first perforated tub washer that drained and spun at the same time.

 

[washer-br]

Thanks, By the way, I have the impression that the spin drain helps in keeping the load balanced at the beggining of spin (low speeds) even if one´s load is composed of only one heavy item. Is that true ? Was this a reason for manufactures choose this sistem?

 

[gyrafoam]

Question for Unimatic 1140

Were the very first Frigidaire "Unimatics" perforated tub? I seem to remember something from way back then about that. I assume they would have a spin and drain, but I can't recall actually watching one. I do remember by the late '40s the solid-tub and I remember watching them. -Steve

 

[westytoploader]

Spin-draining machines are the best. My 2003 Maytag Dependable Care (the last of the home machines that carry that particular design) starts up spinning right after wash and rinse--no neutral drain unlike the Hitachi/GE Portable and DD Kenmore which I also use. On a small load, it's fun seeing the suds go over the tub ring (of course they don't "fly" out like on a solid-tub). Water drains pretty fast too.

Robert, doesn't your '47 Unimatic have two spin tubs; an outer spin tub (with the harmonizer) and the inner perforated basket? If it does, this must mean the cabinet acts as the outer tub like on the ABC or Hotpoint. Interesting...

--Austin

 

[Unimatic1140]

1947 Frigidaire

Yes the 1947 and 1948 Frigidaire Unimatics had a double spin tub, the inner liner was perforated and the outer shell was solid. This still operates like solid tub washer, even though it looks perforated. The washer spins both tubs to throw the water out into the cabinet. You can see the double tubs and the water filling between the two in this picture...

 

[Unimatic1140]

In this picture you can see the '47 Frigidaire washing and some of the water is falling out of the side of the solid tub, into the cabinet and down the drain.

 

[Unimatic1140]

and finally the water being spun out over the top of the tub, the entire tub is empty in about 15 seconds...

 

[maytagbear]

Beauty!

Thanks, Robert, for those interesting and informative snapshots.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[gyrafoam]

Thanks Robert!

That is like what I remember although I don't remember the tub being white in color. I wonder why Frigidaire did not stay with white tubs through all their production---must have been cost---GM. I always liked the white tubs because I could easily see everything in there! Thanks for the pictures! That metal cap on the pulsator really brings back a few memories as most people that I remember with that vintage machine rarely kept them in place---very splashy! -Steve

 

[agiflow-action]

The water currents in this particular Frigidaire look very powerful.That must be some splash fest.

 

[partscounterman]

Pardon my ignorance

but what is a harmonizer?