Old type agitators?

[timborow]

I have a Kenmore 90 Series Washer. I have noticed the agitator does not swish back and forth as older washers did. It only moves in a clockwise fashion. Are there any new model washers that still have the old fashion back and forth action like the old Maytags and Kelvinators?

 

[DADoES]

Your base/lower fins of your agitator very likely does oscillate. It's just the upper spiral section that rotates in one direction. Try running a small water level with no clothes so you can see it better. Or reach down in there for a feel of it when you are running a load.

 

[andrewinorlando]

Frigidaire, GE and Whirlpool BOL washers and Speed Queen washers still use a traditional oscillating agitator. Also, Fisher and Paykel uses one, too. The Frigidaire and Speed Queen use the more traditional wider, slower stroke, while the Whirlpool and GE use a faster, short stroke.

 

[mark40511]

SO does anyone have any opinions on which agitator cleans clothes more thoroughly. It looks to me like the would be the up and down motion agitators.

 

[laundryboy]

Question ???

does anyone know if you can put a straight vane agitator into a kenmore 90 series??
Chris

 

[coldspot66]

Yes, as long as it's a direct drive style agitator. The turnover won't be as good as with a dual action, but it will fit.

 

[norgeman]

agitators

Me personaly I like the straight vanes better I think they slap the clothes harder which makes them clean better. I wish that the washer companies would go back to a solid straight vane agitator instead of the flexable vanes as these have a
tendency to shred towels faster. What do you say guys am I right or not.

http://[email protected]

 

[frigilux]

While I have no scientific proof (sorry, designgeek!), it seems logical that the up/down motion of a vintage Frigidaire would both clean very well and be more gentle on clothing than the yanking back/forth motion of an oscillating agitator.

The point is moot for me; I'm a die-hard FL guy. No shredding, tearing or lost shirt buttons.