PentaSwirls and fabric softener

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roto204

roto204

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(Cover your eyes, Roger...)

I was wondering--while digging through my mental Rolodex of Kenmore fabric-softener memories--was there an agitator-mounted fabric softener for the PentaSwirl? I remember the kind that friction-fit onto the Dual-Action agitator. Was there something similar for the PentaSwirl, or were you stuck using the Downy ball?

Thank you in advance to you Kenmore aficionados out there :-)
 
Thats a very good question.

Mom's  1974 Kenmore  had the Penta vane, the model with the fabric softner dispenser had an additonal piece of "post" that the dispenser sat on,  the cheaper model had the "flat cap" and no dispenser.  I think the "swirls"  early on were probably similar.  They also might of had a dispenser mounted like a bleach dispenser,  the "Pentaswirls" had the metallic looking pentaswirl emblem, they were the Cadillac until the Dual Action arrived.  alr
 
To my knowledge, there was never an agitator mounted FS dispenser for the Pentaswirl. As you mention, there was definitely one for the DA agitator and I am certain that I have seem picture of one for the Super Roto-Swirl somewhere along the line. I bet Gordon can comment dinfintively.
 
Could we then assume that on any machine outfitted with a PS that had no FS, KM always provided a dispenser for FS that was activated via AC or DC?

 

Such was the case on my mom's '74.
 
alr is right, I remember a Penta Swirl with an extension on top of the agitator that a FS dispenser could be pressed onto.  I'm sure Gordon or someone will have a picture.  There were several "cap" variations on the PS agitator, the clear plastic with gold background and black lettering, a molded lettering white cap and the extended top version with the dispenser. 
 
PS Fabric softner disp.

I've seen Penta Swirl WP/KM machines use the same FS Disp. as a Roto Swirl. The top of the agitator determines if it will fit. BTW direct drive WP/KM's with the straight vane agitator could use the same snap ring FS disp. as a DD Dual Action machine. The Wp and KA variants used a dispenser set in to the agitator crown. A dual Action WP or KA with an agitator cap could be retrofitted with a FS dispenser.
 
@ Mark:

Actually, there was an Agitator Mounted Fabric Softener Dispenser for the Penta-Swirl Agitator. It sat directly on top of the Agitator.

Our 1978 large Capacity Model 70 had a Penta-Swirl Agitator sitting inside of it, and it came equipped with the Fabric Softener Dispenser directly on top of it.

--Charles--
 
Penta-Swirls and Penta-Vanes with softener dispensers

Greg is correct.

The basic agitator in both versions has a blunt end on it which can be capped off with one of four flush fitting caps. Two were transparent and showed a gold and black display saying either "Lady Kenmore" or "Penta-Swirl". I think these would fit in a Vari-Flex too. The other two were solid white or gold saying the name of the agitator.

Both agitators were capable of accepting an extension, also in white or gold, which was about 3 to 4 inches tall and made the agitator look like a Roto-Swirl or Straight-Vane at the top end. This was so the existing Kenmore dispenser, which was used since the late 60s, could be press-fitted on.

These were used quite a bit, but many models didn't have them - for different reasons. The Penta-Vane, which was the entry agitator, didn't often have this extension because the models were not high enough in the line. The 1974 60 series (our second washer), the '75 500, a 1981 60, and the 1984 Toyota 70 series had them. Surely a few others did as well but that's all I can recall. For the 'Swirl, many of these models used the solenoid activated corner mounted electric dispenser (or the triple dispenser), and thus didn't need the agitator mounted version. It was however used on the 1976, '77, and '78 70 series machines, several late 1970s 80-series models, and a 1980 70 series.

The Penta-Swirl was last used in three 1980 models, one of which had the extension. None of the slightly reduced size 1981-up large capacity tubs got a factory Penta-Swirl.

Gordon
 
Oooh, I've never seen one that said Lady Kenmore.  1974-5 series Lady? 

 

While not nearly as effective as some of the other agitators, the PS was always one of my favorites.  There was a city park here that had a merry-go-round that was essentially a big dome and where the kids stood on the ride looked like the cut-outs on a PS agitator. We could see washers everywhere!
 
Nate,
Since when do we need fabric softener dispensers.......just take the cap off the bottle of softener and set the bottle on the machine(with lid open).....during the first spin it will dispense itself!
R
 
Greg -

Yep, sorta....

I have seen the 1974 and 1975 Lady with both caps. I believe however, and I should know this better, but the "Lady Kenmore" shiny cap was used on some '72 Ladies also. I have two - let me verify if mine are so equipped.

You are right too that there are better agitators out there vs. the 'Swirl, the one thing that I have come to respect about it is its gentleness. Clothes in a Penta-Vane machine, as unassuming as that agitator looks, can get a real lashing. The PS is so refined when going about it's business. Only the super full or over filled loads give it a big problem.

I did an unexpected test about two years ago with a NASTY dirty pair of white socks after I had push mowed my parent's yard and mine - four hours of walking. The sock, washed in Tide w/Bleach and a Penta-Swirl washer was stunning. Granted the washer was not overloaded. I even did a post about it on here. :-)

Gordon
 
LOL

Touche, Roger ;-)  I've never seen clothes slide up out of a washer tub before, but those sure did!  Oh, were they soft, though--and perfect for walks in the rain, so waterproof were they!  ;-D

 

Well, I guess you can all figure that this wasn't just a daydream stray-thought on a Monday, so I'll get pics of what wandered home the other night ASAP.  Right now, it's dark when I get home, so everything photographs badly, but hopefully by Saturday I'll have some radiant entries for the Super Searchalator.

 

Until then, thank you all for your amazing advice and information.  I had no idea there was an "extension" to make that happen!  This unit is an 80-series, fairly early (tan script lettering under the controls and before the boxy-font lettering was used on the cycle/temp/level notations), with no "Kenmore" badge on the woodgrain.  I'll get a model number when I'm back home.

 

The agi cap is white, plain, no "PentaSwirl" script--like the cap from a white SRS, but on the PS instead.  Funky.  Wonder if that was a transplant?
 

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