New Washer Installed: Speed Queen AWN542

[frigilux]

John, having lived with the SQ for a couple of days, I can certainly see why you're selling so many of them. Customers desiring a "classic" top-loader need look no further. I'd bet if SQ expanded its base of dealerships they'd become as ubiquitous as Kenmores were back in the day. And frankly, I'd like to see them in "big box" stores. People are used to seeing washer prices ranging from $700-$1600, so the SQ's price shouldn't raise too many eyebrows.

Haven't noticed a clicking noise when the washer goes into spin. The machine runs like a top and purrs like a kitten. The cabinet exhibits no vibration during spin, even if the load is rather unbalanced. (Full disclosure: Had to create an imbalance manually, as the machine balances loads very nicely during agitation.)

Washed a load consisting of two queen-sized sheets and six pillowcases. Loaded them all in one lump just to see what would happen. Checked back a few minutes into agitation and everything had self-balanced and was rolling over very peacefully. Sheets washed in the 2006 Frigidaire top-loader, with its wildly indexing tub, tended to tangle, bunch-up, or even get wrapped around the agitator.

I'm enjoying the SQ's Surgilator-like curvy agitator blades. It's been a long time since I had a top-loader without a dual-action agitator (both the '89 KA and '06 Frigidaire had one). Nice to see blades going to the top of the agitator, rather than just having fins at the bottom.

 

[mrb627]

Speed Queen TL Machines

My local SQ dealer told me that 2 out of 3 SQ TL machines sold are replacing FL machines that didn't last very long.

Malcolm

 

[washman]

Frigilux I have to disagree

on one point.

I personally would NOT want to see SQ appearing in BIG BOX stores.

Here's why:

1. Sheeple (aka the typical American moron wanting the cheapest of the cheap) walks in.
2. Sees SQ priced 700-800
3. Likes it but says, "ya got anything cheaper"
4. Sales jockey not knowing his ass from his elbow directs sheeple to the budget junk.
5. SQ products languish on sales floor
6. Merchandising VIP at the BIG BOX headquarters takes note.
7. Calls SQ in a 14 person conference call asking for price reduction
8. SQ balks; BIG BOX threatens to reduce floor space
9. SQ, in the interest of keeping account, introduces a line of "value" machines
10. Sheeple snaps them up because in the grand scheme of things, cheaper is always better.

SQ quality deteriorates and they can no longer command a premium price.
SQ resorts to rebates and other gimmicks to move the product. Eventually, a grand old name sinks and SQ becomes yet another throwaway commidty product.

Proof of this thesis? Just look at Maytag.

I get where you are coming from. To that end, I think SQ should invest in a bid more advertising directing knowledgable customers to their local dealer (like Stihl).

 

[frigilux]

Ben-- I don't get to Lowe's/Home Depot/Best Buy-type places often, nor do I check out the appliances when I'm there, since I have no intention of buying one anywhere other than my little town's locally-owned dealerships. The nearest big box is 65 miles from me. They don't provide delivery/install this far away, and I'm not one to pick up, haul and install one myself. At any rate, I can't comment on the prices of the big box retailers. Are there many washers priced under $700 at those places?

I don't find SQ's prices out-of-line, and I would suspect that customers who don't want a front-loader or an HE top-loader would snap up a Speed Queen in a heartbeat. Maybe big box isn't the answer for SQ, but I'd sure like to see them have a much larger presence in the home laundry market. SQ actually seems to have more of a presence in little towns like mine than they do in larger urban areas. Maybe that's because small towns have no big boxes, only indie dealerships. Big boxes seem to have all but taken over urban areas.[this post was last edited: 10/11/2013-12:01]

 

[jeffg]

Ben, Alliance is very much focused on commercial products, their few residential models are almost an afterthought. That's not a criticism, just an explanation of why they don't have a larger presence in big box and other retailers. We often run into dealers who insist Speed Queen doesn't even sell products for residential use.

But their strategy, whatever it is, appears to be working. Their financials the last few years have looked great and they're selling as many washers as they can make. If I was in their shoes I wouldn't want to deal with the unwashed masses either if it could be avoided.

 

[washman]

From their earnings release 2nd quarter

ALLIANCE LAUNDRY HOLDINGS LLC REPORTS 2013 SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS
Record revenues and operational execution lead to increased earnings in the second quarter
Ripon, Wis. – August 5, 2013 — Alliance Laundry Holdings LLC announced today results for the three and
six months ended June 30, 2013.
Net revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 increased $13.5 million, or 10.4%, to $142.4 million from
$128.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2012. Our net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2013
increased $4.0 million to $10.0 million from $6.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2012. Adjusted
EBITDA (see “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below) for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 increased
$4.6 million to $29.0 million from $24.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.
The net revenues increase of $13.5 million was attributable to increases in United States & Canada revenues of
$11.2 million, Europe revenues of $1.5 million, Latin America revenues of $1.1 million and Middle East &
Africa revenues of $0.5 million. These increases were partially offset by lower Asia revenues of $0.8 million.
The net income increase of $4.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 was attributable to improved
gross profit of $6.9 million and lower loss from early extinguishment of debt of $6.2 million offset by higher
interest expense of $4.8 million, higher selling, general and administrative expenses of $2.5 million, higher
other costs of $0.3 million and a higher provision for income taxes of $1.6 million.
Net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013 increased $18.9 million, or 7.7%, to $265.0 million from
$246.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Our net income for the six months ended June 30,
2013 increased $3.2 million to $14.7 million from $11.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2013 increased $8.6 million to $51.4 million from $42.8
million for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
The net revenues increase of $18.9 million was attributable to increases in United States & Canada revenues of
$14.9 million, Europe revenues of $1.5 million, Latin America revenues of $1.0 million, Asia revenues of $0.9
million and Middle East & Africa revenues of $0.6 million.
In announcing the Company’s results, CEO Michael D. Schoeb said, “We are pleased to report record
revenues for the 2013 second quarter and significantly increased earnings versus the prior year. Strong demand
in the U.S. from new products, improved economic conditions and continuing momentum in international
markets contributed to higher sales. We were encouraged to see double digit growth in three of our five
geographic segments.”
Schoeb concluded, “While a level of caution remains around the broader economic environment, we continue
to be confident in the opportunities that lie ahead. Our continued investments in new products, value-added
services and international will enhance our market position across the globe.”

I agree. They must be doing something right.

 

[volsboy1]

When I was in lowes the other day buying my water heater there was this couple who was fixing to buy a new L.G. front loader.I was

looking at the other washers.I over heard  they have never had a front-loader and this one was 1300 bucks or so.I told them that they do not

use enough water and have exploded on spin cycles before.The salesman said that was not true till I pulled my phone out and

showed them pics after pics and you-tube videos.I told them to buy a Speedqueen and save themselves half the cash by the time 

they buy a stand and all.I really pissed off the salesman bad really bad but they kept asking ?? so I told them and they left after

asking me where they could find a Speedqueen they did not know they were made anymore but,  they liked the picture with the metal gears and the lack of electronic dials and the 

fact they have four boys but what really got them was the amount of water these front-loaders do not use and the price difference.

 

[frigilux]

 

Gotta say....liking the Speed Queen.  If it had a suds-saver and a 1000-rpm spin, I could maybe, possibly even consider it as a daily driver.  It uses so much hot water (and water in general), and I'm equally startled by both the brevity of the wash cycle (about 30 minutes) and the increased length of drying time; even longer than for clothes spun in the Frigidaire Immersion Care...which was, in turn, longer than loads spun at 1300 rpm in the Frigidaire front-loader.  And there's more lint in the dryer filter on loads washed in the SQ, so it is obviously not as gentle to fabrics as the front-loader.

 

But it is fun having a "vintage" spin-drain washer in the house. I believe the SQ will have a permanent place in the laundry room.

 

 

[yogitunes]

can't help you with the spin speed, although 700rpm is pretty good for a standard TLer......

but you can manually suds save if you have a wringer machine...and then pump the water back into the SQ as needed......

sometimes I save the suds from all the Neptunes to wash the dogs blankets and shop rags....I don't transfer back, I just use the wringer from there on...

but anything is possible...

I do this too with the filterflos lined up, pumping from one machine to the next...sometimes reusing the wash water 3 or 4 times......I learned this from JohnL...easy and brilliant...

 

[golittlesport]

Congrats

Glad you are enjoying your new machine. It looks great in your laundry room set up.

 

[yogitunes]

you can always stack the Flers and add another machine to the fleet.....

Eugene....one thing concerns me.....the "Y" adapters for the faucets.....please tell me they are brass and not plastic

I have had the cast metals ones corrode from the inside out and burst open on me while the machine was in use, especially the HOT side.....normally kept them shut off when not in use, but that still did not matter.....

since then I use all brass ones....

you don't need another flood!

 

[frigilux]

Martin-- When I lived in the warehouse-style apartment downtown, I found a 1959 Lady Kenmore--never used--and had it set up as my 2nd washer for about a year. It had a suds-saver, so I purchased a rectangular, heavy duty garbage can and used that as my suds tub. If I move my three machines a few inches to the right, there will be enough room next to the SQ for a similar garbage can. Is there a submersible pump of some kind that can handle hot water/detergent/bleach that I could use to pump water back into the SQ? I just wish SQ made a suds-saver model!

In the thread about the new Simpson-clone / agitator-based Frigidaire top-loader, there was a link to the Australian Simpson site. I found the manual for their top-loader, and it is available with a suds saver that lets you choose whether you want to save the wash or rinse water. How cool would that be?

As for the spin speed, 710 rpm is certainly much faster than the 525 speed of the 1960 Kenmore I grew up with, but once you're accustomed to clothes spun in a modern front-loader, the amount of water left behind by the SQ is very obvious. I suppose I could use the front-loader as an extractor for SQ-washed loads...but that seems like a lot of fuss when I could just wash them in the FL'er to begin with.

Y-Adaptors: They are plastic, Martin, which I thought was odd, too. Back in 2006, when the Frigidaire top-loader was installed, the dealer used metal Y-adaptors. In 2010, when I gave away that TL'er and brought in the new FL pair, no Y's were needed. In January, 2013, when the Immersion Care was installed, the dealer put in these plastic Y's. I always, always, always turn off the water faucets after my last load of the day. Do you think they should be replaced with brass Y's?

Rich-- Thanks! My poor water heater is working overtime, but it's been a fun machine to play with. As the novelty wears off, I'll return to the front-loader as my daily driver---just as a wayward husband returns home after an affair, LOL.

[this post was last edited: 10/12/2013-11:44]

 

[mickeyd]

It's too bad you don't have a sink there to experiment, but fall back on your garbage can method. I mention this because, if you had a sink, you could experiment right now:

1. Have the largest can/bucket available, full of water, leaving room for about another gallon of water.

2. Arrange the drain hose in the receptacle so that the hole in the hose is at the bottom of the bucket.

3. Fill about a gallon of water or less in the machine.

4. Start the spin drain, till the water starts to gush, then immediately stop the pump. Make sure you have not pumped all the water out.

5. See if you have created a siphon. Some machines will; others won't.

6. If so, you're good to go.

And you know the rest. Stand pipe in the drain if you get a sink to drain the rinse water, etc. A Little hose-switching work, but nothing you can't handle during your brief "affair" with a Speed Queen Top. ;-D

ALSO: PLEASE TELL ME how to find the "water re-use" literature for that new Frigidaire. I asked in the thread and worked the link, but could not find any info on this fascinating new feature that could solve all the federal water restriction problems, when and if other manufactures follow suit, and end this water nazi feces, pardon my French, lol.

 

[mayfan69]

Water re-use for Simpson

Hi Michael

Here's the page for the Simpson with the 'water reuse' feature.

Down the page, go to 'Support Centre' and download the 'User Manual', the instructions to re-use the water are on Page 15.

But, I remember my parents very old Hoover automatic which had 'manual' suds saving which meant saving water in the trough, then setting the machine to 'spin' for about 3 minutes and the water was manually siphoned back into the machine.

I'm actually thinking of trying that with one of my Maytags and see if it works.

Cheers
Leon

http://www.simpson.com.au/Product?model=SWT754&categoryGuid=B39084BD-E1B9-48D4-B783-C92C2F5B83B4

 

[yogitunes]

yes....thats a great idea to use a large trash can and a small sumbersible pump to fulfil your needs.......

your just going to keep in mind of a platform or a brick or two for the pump to set on, to keep it off of the bottom where all the heavy stuff will settle, you don't want to pump that part back into the machine for your next load.....you may want a lint trap either on the machines hose, or the return line to filter any lint as well

I know several members who use this method as a simple mock up of a laundry tub, that needs pumped to another location as a regular drain...

 

[yogitunes]

Suds saving made easy......now have to wonder where to find one of these in the states.....

pretty cool and self contained....

 

[yogitunes]

not that I would want this sitting on top of my machine.....a unique idea......maybe wall mounted?

no pump needed.....and no switching hoses around...a simple valve manually operated..

 

[combo52]

Wash Water Reuse

One thing I often do when I use my Calypso or SQ FL washer is to put the discharge from one of these washers into the 1-18 and save the wash and maybe one or two of the rinses. The 1-18 already has a dirty load of jeans waiting in it, that way they get a good presoak. Then I start the 1-18 allowing it to add some water if necessary. This is about the only way I ever use a regular TL washer any longer at my house.

 

To make up for the less than great water extraction of the 1-18 I take the jeans out to the screened porch where one of my three gas dryers are installed and let the jeans dry for at least half a day draped over the chair backs out there. Then I come back and put the jeans in the dryer when they are nearly dry for finishing and de-wrinkling.

 

[logixx]

Electrolux used to have a FL that would reuse the rinse water to wash. Fagor has a top loader with the same technology. Miele has suds-savers - but only for their Professional models.

http://www.mieleprofessional.co.uk/gb/professional/product/87_884.htm

 

[mickeyd]

Leon, thank you.

It works sort of like the vintage systems, although computer driven, except that you can save the rinse water. My land lady way back in the day, Gordon Gray, would be so happy. How she lamented pumping away the clean rinse water.

Odd thing in the text is that it can take 10 minutes to return the water which led me to wonder if it is a separate pump, that and the fact of water valving in to prime it.