Nice TOL Maytag A712 Matching Set

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We're all entitled to our opinions, but --

I loved my little A206/DG806 pair.  The washer was far more capable (except with regard to capacity) than the Raytheon Amana that replaced it.  The electronic control dryer was the best, quickest, quietest and easiest to use that I've ever owned.

 

As I mentioned to RCD, if you don't want your clothes or your washer to last very long, get yourself a Norge.

 

Back in the days when Consumer Reports was still credible, they top-rated Maytag washers consistently for years.  They wouldn't have done that if Maytags didn't provide excellent cleaning results, which weighed heavily in the judging.
 
Now, thats a Maytag!

Well, I love the old Maytags. This unrestored set of 606's that I got from Kenny (goatfarmer) has been washing and drying in the rental house for a family of 4 for the last few years. The tenant has two children, and does laundry constantly, and she loves them! I did have to replace the dryer motor and and belt this past fall, but that has been the only repair to these.

rickr++3-14-2013-19-45-16.jpg
 
Oh, I forgot, I did replace the plastic blower fan while I replaced the dryer motor and belt.
 
Maytag Performace?

Hi Andy You are certainly not towing the MT line very well, when MT changed to the orbital Transmission they told us how much better it worked and they did the same with the newer 27" dryers with their somewhat better blower attachment [ MT never engineered or built a dryer with a blower wheel that was threaded onto the motor shaft ] The literature to back up both these points is all over the place.

 

Dan it is good to see you can still lose your cool when you can't think of anything constructive to say, which is a shame as you do contribute so much helpful information to this site, but you certainly can't be expected to know as much as people that have spent their working lifetime working appliances and no one is ever going to fault you for that.
 
I Gotta Jump In Here.....

And say that I'm 50/50 on Maytags.
All of you bring up very valid points, however...I personally have never been a fan of Maytag Washers. (My current A50's excepted, of course).
Very POOR rollover in the older, long stroke style machines-no matter how defensive or devoted you are to them that is a fact. And I should be able to get a good size load into a FULL SIZE automatic washer while expecting excellent rollover. Not possible in a Maytag when compared to Whirlpool/Kenmore, Speed Queen or GE. As combo said, I shouldn't have to "baby" the load-even if the machine IS built tough.
The other fact is, what is the point of a 58 second deep-rinse? Come on. That is really pathetic!!! I've seen clothes still stuck to the side of the tub from the first spin that NEVER got moved or rinsed at all.
This from Maytag's "advanced" engineers? I mean, what were they THINKING?
The 'newer' short stroke style has a much better rollover, but I think it's a little harder on clothes at times and still, that pathetic 58 second rinse.
I used to say, I'd rather have a washer last ten years that can wash AND rinse my clothes than one that will last 30 years while barely cleaning AND rinsing my clothes-it's just not worth it.
Give me BD Whirlpool, a McGraw-Edison made Speed Queen, or even a noisy, clunky GE Filter-Flo anyday. At least I will be assured of some PERFORMANCE!!!
 
Just because a company says something new is better than what it replaced means that its true. I mean, what do you expect them to say. I can remember being told about all the great improvements that where made to the Amana washer about a year after Maytag owned them. This new triple lip seal will solve the stem seal leak problem !
 
John, John, oh John...

Sorry, John, but i have to call the bullsh$t card here. Thank you Edward. I was just about to post the part number of the threaded blower and the motor that has the proper threaded shaft. Maybe you just don't work on enough Maytags, John, to have seen them. On the Neptune dryers, the threaded blower wheel started at series 55 on the MDE5500AYW's (the threaded motor is p/n 33002795). The inside hub of the blower wheel has a hex head on it to enable you to use a socket to grab onto it. It does last much longer as you'd expect but can be a real pia to remove as they can heat wield onto the motor shaft and not want to break loose.

By the way, when have you EVER seen me tow the company line? If Maytag makes a crappy product (and BOY have they!), iI'll be the first to call it crap. People say low flow/ low flush toilets were better working as well. Yyyeeaahh... The orbital was made out of lighter materials, with less parts and while it did work pretty good and really had a quicker stroke, it is a much more repair prone unit than the Pittman was.

The dryer is less easy to argue as it still was a SOH dryer but with a different blower. True the dryer moved air a bit farther but still, newer is not always better. They also went to a smaller idler pulley. Tell me John, am I the only one here in the business who replaces more of the newer smaller white idler pulleys than the bigger ones like on the above listed 712 dryer? They stopped using the spring washers on the support rollers, instead going to two fiber washers instead. That was supposed to be an improvement too. Now, the rollers can travel a little on the shaft and 'click'. If I can, I still use the old spring washers even though they want you to throw them away. It's quieter that way.

Just cause they tell you that a kick in the a$$ with a sharp shoe is newer and better for you doesn't mean it really is...

As far as not knowing 'as much as someone who's spent a lifetime working appliances' goes, lets keep it civil. While I don't agree with Dan's LAST part of his post (it was a bit sharp...), he knows about the threaded motor shaft and blower as I taught him about it...

This is a good discussion, everyone, and just goes to show that we are all passionate about what we love but let's keep it nice...

RCD
 
<a name="start_45460.665753">Yes this washer will wash clothing very well if you BABY IT</a>

 

Well, I sure as hell don't baby my Maytag washers or my Hobart Kitchenaid dishwashers. I don't go out of my way to overload or destroy them, but I'm consistently pushing them to their limits to make sure all is working as originally designed.

<a name="start_45460.665753">keep maximum loads of many types of clothing in the 5-6 pound range.</a>

 

You truly are showing pure ignorance with this statement.

 

<a name="start_45460.665753">but using over 40 gallons of water to wash just a set of king sized sheets</a>

 

That's funny. I have no problems washing 2 sets of queen sized sheets with enough space for a couple of pillow cases. Apparently, you still fail to properly load and use a Maytag after 40 years of using and repairing appliances.

<a name="start_45460.665753">The best performing of the traditional MT washers are the mid 90s and later Helical Drive washers with the load sensor agitator, this agitator solved the poor turnover and excessive clothing wear and occasional damage problems</a>

 

Load sensor agitators (for all makes and models of washing machines) were designed for ignorant fools who failed to read their owners manual and properly load a washer. Sure, they'll handle an "overloaded" situation better than the typical straight vane agitator, but they also take up much more real estate in the tub....which equates to less clothes being washed. Or, one could simply load the washer properly to begin with, with a standard agitator. BTW, according to Consumer Reports, Maytags ratings dropped considerably after the introduction of the orbital transmission. This includes machines with load sensor agitators. Your figures, once again, fail to comply with the majority.

<a name="start_45460.665753">The matching dryer is also just a fair performer.</a>

 

Well, what would that make my Kenmore dryer of the same vintage, then? Very poor performer? 'Cause my DE-808 (identical design) of nearly the same vintage drys circles around the '81 Kenmore. It's not only quicker at the drying process, it drys  MUCH more even.

<a name="start_45460.665753">blower wheels stripping loose on the motor shaft.</a>

 

Sheesh, what is it with your constant bitching and nit picking about these blower wheels? They give an average of 20-30 years....or more of service for the average family before the need of replacement. I have 2 neighbors who have SOH dryers that are pushing 30 and over 30 years old. Both still have their original blowers and one of them has NEVER had a single repair. You're acting as if these blowers require perpetual replacement, like the agitator dogs of a Whirlpool/Kenmore DD washer (every 7-10 years) or the belt of a Speed Queen washer (ever 4-5 years). One can buy a genuine Maytag blower on Ebay all day long for 4-5 dollars to boot.

<a name="start_45460.665913">Dan it is good to see you can still lose your cool when you can't think of anything constructive to say...</a>

 

LOL, you think that was losing my cool? <strong>It appears you miserably fail in the department of judging tone and character. It was nothing but a real and justified statement.  There was nothing more constructive to say in my post that I haven't persistantly stated in other posts, both present and past. Maytags weren't the "Horrible POS's" that you consistently criticize about. Consumer Reports constantly rated them in the top tier from the late 60's through the late 80's. The 712 model was rated #1 by Consumer Reports from 1985-1988 and beat out Whirlpool models in performance of washing, water extraction, sand disposal, noise, and frequency of repair. BD Whirpool/Kenmores, GE FF, and pitman Maytags washers were practically unchanged from the late 60's to the mid-late 80's, yet Maytag was rated #1 throughout the 80's. These consistent high ratings by Consumer Reports, not to mention others, speaks volumes to confirm that they were indeed great performing washers, especially in their hey-day.</strong>

 

There's certainly nothing wrong with being passionate about particular makes and models of washers/dryers/or any other appliance, for that matter. However, you persistantly become extremely rude, vulgar, condescending, and downright nasty to others when their opinions aren't in perfect alignment with yours. You also spread lies and make mountains out of molehills to justify and put your appliance make of choice on a pedestal. Both myself and many others here are not only sick and tired of the BS, we're are sick and tired of you making this forum feel profoundly unwelcoming and depressive! Last time I checked, we're still a (somewhat) free country and are entitled to freely voice our opinions without extreme retort, or any retort at all....PERIOD. How about toning down the BS and put more focus on helping others understand how their beloved appliance works and functions as well as GENTLY helping and encouraging them how to repair 'em.
 
Well....here's one of mine in action.....

Here's my LAT9800 with the long stroke transmission in it. It was remarked that i had 'possibly' overloaded this machine (which i reject mind you)

BUT...either way, it still has pretty good turnover in my humble opinion.

Leon
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Maytag Performace and Built Quality?

In my hast I certainly did forget about the later blower wheel attachment on the 27" MT designed and built dryers, and they were a great improvement which is probably why I forgot about them as I have never had to replace one, In any case Sorry to mislead anyone. I have long said it was a shame that the MT stock holders did not give MT another year or so to correct more of its many problems as they certainly were making some real progress the last few years of operation.

 

My original comments in this thread right on the money and overall rather positive. In my original comments I was talking about the poor ability of the original Power-Fin agitator to turn over large loads of LARGE items, like KING sized sheets and loads of blue jeans, I know that it can turn over loads of much smaller queen sized sheets and and lots of smaller items.

 

We get many new people visiting this site every week and I will always continue to share my knowledge and experiences with all who want to read them. I have gotten no negative feed back and as usual many E Mails and a few phone messages of support about my opinions. And I certainly don't blame others from not commenting in these threads when some folks start spewing personal attacks so it is easy to see why more people like Scott usually just stay on the sidelines.

 

          The truth is often one of the more difficult things in life to express, John.
 
Well...

I cannot and will not speak for others, John, but I really do try to not make it personal. I don't want anyone here to think that just because I disagree with you and these conversations can get just a tad >heated< that I dont respect you and your experience. We all have strengths and weaknesses in various areas. What may be a strength area of expertise for you and a weakness area for me trades off when it's the other way around. Then we can share info and advice and be stronger for it. That's how it's supposed to work here and in life and what makes it great here except for when things get 'passionate'...

I will agree with a few things you said above. Maytag was just finally getting some things together near the end but unfortunately were just a little too slow to pull the trigger. You snooze, you lose. The business world is just simply unforgiving that way. Kinda like business 'Darwinism'. Pity. I will say that the latest gen Newton Neptunes were just starting to pull out of the tailspin of trouble prone issues before they had to shove Samsungs up the Neptune branding's rear and finish it off...

Also, I know there are people who appriciate your help and advice. Lord knows, I do. I have no issue with people like Scott expressing their opinions. Again, that's part of a serious discussion and is always welcome! BUT, we all here are guilty at times of getting too busy, heated, full of ourselves, whatever when typing a reply and not stopping to reread it and objectivly think it over with the hands OFF the keyboard before hitting 'post'. I do it, others do it. YOU do it. WE ALL DO IT!

John, I love ya. Really. I do respect you for a lot of things and I am happy calling you friend. Conversations like this one sometimes make it hard to remember it (again, for all of us...)but I do remember it. THAT BEING SAID, there are times I could reach thru the screen and B Slap you with a old Maytag drive belt... LOL! Just remember to temper your large amount of experience with a little more diplomacy and patience when sharing it with us. I try to...

Drew[this post was last edited: 3/15/2013-14:45]
 
I'm really enjoying this post.

A lot like watching a tennis match, one player fires one over the net and the other smashes it right back at him and so forth.
 
SS Bowl

Hi Jon,
Yes, that Maytag has been retro fitted with a Wilkins Servis SS bowl.
Here's my original thread.
Cheers
Leon

 

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