New Speed Queen TL: More Indexing Than AWN542

[frigilux]

I know it's common for SQ top-loaders to index. My (2014, maybe) AWN542 indexed a couple of inches, mostly with large loads.

The new 9-series model indexes nearly a full quarter-turn with a large load of bath towels. It's really messing with the agitator's ability to roll the load over. This reminds me of the indexing on a '70s Westy or even the '86 Frigidiare.

Granted, the AWN542 wasn't a daily driver--that responsibility went to the 2010 Frigidaire front-loader--so maybe I am more aware of it now. But I am positive the increased arc of indexing is reducing rollover. I've grabbed the tub to prevent indexing and rollover improves immediately.

Does anyone who has had both the AWN line and the new series notice the same thing?

Will this indexing ever decrease, as it was reported to do with the AWN series? I'm switching to the Normal Eco cycle after a true warm/hot fill for most loads--generally five out of six loads each week--so those loads agitate less due to the spray rather than deep rinse.

Otherwise, I really like the new series machine. A longer final spin extracts more water; the angled fill flume provides a more effective spray rinse.

Thanks in advance for any information anyone can provide.

 

[helicaldrive]

IIRC

Mine took several weeks if not a month to stop indexing, but it did.

 

[helicaldrive]

Maybe I should add

I'm talking about an AWN9 like yours. Brand new, it indexed with every load, worst with heavy loads like towels and jeans -- yeah as much as a quarter turn per stroke. But it gradually stopped. Best top load washer I've ever had.

(Digressing off topic -- The very first load in the SQ, I knew I'd never use the 1970s Maytag again. But once I got the SQ FL I never used the SQ TL anymore. The FL seemed to get laundry as clean or cleaner with a fraction of the detergent and water, and so using the TL seemed wasteful. Yes it takes longer and at first it seemed like balancing a spin involved a lot of wasted time compared to a TL, but then again the TL takes a very long time to fill vs the FL. Whatever. I got used to the fact that the FL needs a full load. So the other day I finally let a friend have the TL and got it out of my way. The TL basket seam was not quite perfect. Not sure if it would have snagged panty hose, but you could feel a little roughness in a few spots. I covered the drain holes with tape and smoothed it with extra fine sandpaper, then vacuumed out the grit. Not a perfect machine but the best TL by far that I have ever used, If I wanted a top loader I'd buy another.)

 

[brucelucenta]

I find it kind of amazing that anyone would spend the money on a top load washer considering the wasteful way it uses water. Any good front loader will do a better, more lint free job with far less water and even detergent.

 

[frigilux]

Helicaldrive-- Thanks for the info. I'm hoping the indexing will decrease. Just washed a load of two queen-size sheets and seven pillowcases. The large load water level setting (as opposed to tub-filling extra large) provided plenty of water, but even with that comparatively lightweight load the tub indexed about a quarter of a turn. Grabbed the rim of the tub to prevent indexing and the load immediately began turning over more efficiently.

Bruce-- I am certainly a front-load proponent; they've served as my daily driver since the mid-1980s. Unfortunately, the washers on the upper floor of my apartment building are on a wooden floor and I was concerned a front-loader would have problems with vibration and noise on fast spins.

Six of the eight laundry pairs in the building are top-loaders. There's an older GE front-load pair on my floor (upper) and it always has to be set at the slowest spin speed due to vibration/noise issues. There's a Maytag Neptune pair downstairs, but that's a cement floor. As mentioned, I get great results filling the machine with a true warm or hot wash fill, then switching to the Normal Eco cycle, saving a lot of water.

Another issue in the upper floor laundry/pass-through hallway concerns the depth of many front-loaders. The Maytag was 34" deep and then required about another six inches clearance from the wall. That would make the pass-through by my machines even more narrow. The SQ top-loader is only 28" deep. [this post was last edited: 8/30/2017-21:02]

 

[launderess]

"I find it kind of amazing that anyone would spend the money on a top load washer considering the wasteful way it uses water. Any good front loader will do a better, more lint free job with far less water and even detergent. "

Speaking as one with two H-Axis washing machines, one twin-tub and a wringer washing machine feel am qualified to answer such a query. Quite simple really, each sort of machine has their ways and some times one trait is valued over another.

Neither my Miele nor OKO-Lavamat like small loads on "Cottons/Linens" aka "Normal". While the latter will do a better job than former, each take time to balance the load before spinning with varying results. Either way am looking at a minimum of a bit over an hour.

OTOH with a top loading washing machines offer speed and aren't that bothered by small loads.

There is also something to be said for laundering by immersing things *IN* water rather than dipping them in and out of a small pool of the stuff.

Yes, H-Axis washing machines do give good to excellent results, but have noticed when doing things in a tub of water (Maytag wringer, Hoover TT or by hand), things seem just a bit more brighter/whiter.

 

[helicaldrive]

You're welcome Frig...

I thought mine would never stop indexing but it did. It was two steps forward then one backward for awhile. But it'll stop.

Re the SQ FL I do not think you would have a vibration issue. It never vibrates at all once it finishes its balancing routine. Until I got the Speed Queen rubber feet with the adhesive backing (thanks to Malcolm!), mine would sometimes walk during its balancing routine with heavy loads such as towels or polo shirts, but those adhesive rubber feet solved the problem perfectly. Once in a while with a heavy load of towels, it will "take" a faulty balance job, go into spin, and the tub will hit the cabinet, so I pause it and let it try again. It would be nice if it had an off balance trip sensor.

Whirleykenmore seems to have his installed on a wooden floor. From the pictures he occasionally posts, it looks like he put a thin slab of some sort of hard material under it. You could ask his opinion/experience.

 

[mrsalvo]

My T/L Speed Queen also indexed when it was new, but it stopped. The turn over increased, and did a better job I thought. I lOVE my machine.

"Yes, H-Axis washing machines do give good to excellent results, but have noticed when doing things in a tub of water (Maytag wringer, Hoover TT or by hand), things seem just a bit more brighter/whiter." Thank-you Laundress, I couldn't agree more. Not to mention entertaining!!!!

 

[launderess]

Entertainment Is Where You Find It

*LOL*

After spending 45 minutes or so with the Hoover TT not sure if one is more entertained than shagged out. Not so much the effort involved, but the noise.

Now the Maytag wringer in comparison is a treat; silent as a church mouse.

 

[gusherb]

I'm happy using the extra water to know my clothes are coming out properly cleaned and rinsed. We have no water shortage here so I feel zero need to conserve other than the fact that the town charges a good bit for sewer use.

To answer the question about indexing, it took a few months for it to go away on mine. Heavier loads caused it to index more.

 

[maytag85]

I would try to load the washer below the top row holes, and I would not want to overload the washer, putting too much in the washer can put stress on the tub brake, and other mechanical parts.

 

[frigilux]

So...you're saying I should stop doing this?

 

[rapunzel]

Now you have done it Bruce!

"I find it kind of amazing that anyone would spend the money on a top load washer considering..."

In response to your above comment, Bruce, I will wash one handkerchief (all by itself) in my SQ top loader on full water level using hot water and warm for rinse. I will select the superwash option which means that this handkerchief will go through one full fill prewash, followed by a 15 minute main wash and two deep rinses with one spray rinse in-between. Then I will do another rinse just for good measure. All the while I will think of you, Bruce, and chant your name as I hear the water gurgle down the drain between each fill.

 

[pierreandreply4]

If i did not have the space i would go back to a top load when the duet set genaration 1 was purchuse in 2005 washer dryer are in a closet space i had to sacefice the closet door reason 1 the washer was to big for its space and 2 would of prevented the opening of the dispenser drawer for me any good old fashion direct drive washer or old fashion belt drive would do a great job like i said it all depends on where the washer dryer is install

 

[frigilux]

Well, gang, as long as there is an AW, the front-load vs. top-load debate will be with us. Everyone here knows my preference, but given the circumstances involved, I went with a top-loader this time.

Some of our members really like their HE top-loaders and it's becoming evident manufacturers have improved their performance the past few years; but if I'm going to have a top-loader, it's going to be a Speed Queen. As I've mentioned before, it provides all the fun of a spin-draining vintage washer, but with parts and service readily available.

 

[hilovane]

After having had my SQ TL AWN432 for almost a year and a half, the tub still indexes, depending on the size of the load.
However, it has no noticeable effect on the rollover action of the load.
On the other hand, the tub does have a tendency to tilt somewhat (to the right) during agitation; but earn the machine shuts off after the final spin, it appears to be virtually, if not totally upright.
Do I need to be concerned?

 

[frigilux]

No need for concern. The 'Leaning Tub of SQ' is a well-known trait. Now that you mention it, my new Series 9 leans a bit during agitation, but far less than the AWN542 did.  

 

It will be interesting to see if leaning increases if/when the tub indexing decreases on the Series 9.

 

[jerrod6]

Agree there will be debate here, but one thing I can't debate is my water bill.  I get very good results with my FL and my water bill agrees.  My water and sewage charge is combined on one bill. 

 

Per month I pay a fixed service charge of $28 dollars which includes storm water management, then I pay $9.38 cents for each 748 gallons used.

 

If you have a low water rate or someone else is directly paying for it that's different. Sticking with Fl for as long as I can.