Picked up a Maytag Dependable Care for FREE!

[aaronfitzy]

So, score one for me! Woman at work purchased a new set of front loaders and I happend to ask what she was going to do with her old set and what kind they were. She told me that they were Maytags about 10 or so years old, and that the dryer was already gone...and the washer was going to the landfill! I asked if anything was wrong with the washer and she said..."nope, not a thing." I grabbed it up today for free! After cleaning out the most digusting looking softner cap, I gave it a trial run, and it runs awesome! My wife seems to think its "old" and "small". I've already made a bet with her that it will outlast the 2 year old Front loader Duet we have. This Maytag was built in 1997, BOL. I've put it out in the garage....Here's some pics.

Aaron

 

[aaronfitzy]

another..

 

[aaronfitzy]

and another...

 

[aaronfitzy]

under the lid...

 

[aaronfitzy]

MONEY SHOT!

 

[autowasherfreak]

A free Maytag, can't beat that price, LOL.

 

[yogitunes]

Really nice machine.....

I would change the agitator to a Load-Sensor for great turnover.......

 

[aaronfitzy]

Thanks....

So I'm curious to any particular problems with the mid 90's Maytag's. These TRUE Maytag's seem to hold up pretty well, but I've heard of transmission problems?

Aaron

 

[aaronfitzy]

Some more info....

Seems I was wrong on its age. October of 1996 was when it was built.

Model: LAT5006AAE
Serial: 11025002QW

 

[redcarpetdrew]

A very nice little workhorse!

While that is a 'entry level' model, it is still just as solid as the rest. Standard capacity, single speed. Just about the same as a standard Maytag commercial washer. I don't believe that you will be able to make the load sensor agitator fit in this one as the load sensor is designed for the larger capacity models. Still, we sold the heck out of that model and they last!

RCD

 

[aaronfitzy]

It sure is.....

It is a great machine! I've ran a few loads through, and it does well! I wish the rinse time was longer, but oh well. Its basically going to be my machine for my work uniforms that get somewhat greasy and for dirty clothing from yard work. I really appreciate being able to get Hot water when I want HOT water. Not like the stupid ATC on our Duet. I look forward to keeping this machine for a long time....

Aaron

 

[aaronfitzy]

Video...

2 king size sheets and several pillow cases....guess it does well with turnover. I need to get some new detergent. Only had access to our normal HE stuff for the FL....I want SUDS! I will try to get a full vid of it cycling through soon.

Aaron

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations on your new arrival!

That was fun! It's always good to have a spare washer. Thanks for sharing the experience.

 

[rll70sman]

Nice!

Glad you were able to save this! I can't believe something so nice was just going to be sent to the dump....

Rob

 

[mrb627]

Video Observation

I noticed on the video that the agitator seems to draw clothing snug to the agitator shaft during washing. Given the load a nice wash board scrubbing. In watching a Whirlpool single piece agitator in action, the vanes on the shaft seems to push clothing away. Has anyone else noticed this action? Do you think it is caused by the Maytag's hollow shaft that creates a suction during agitation?

Does this agitator have an advantage over the Whirlpool?

Thoughts?

Malcolm

 

[aaronfitzy]

Some more pics....

Popped the front panel off today....looks very clean and no leaks! My question is this: does anyone know what that piece is laying right beside the motor? There was another piece towards the back of the cabinet also. It is felt.

 

[aaronfitzy]

.....

Pretty clean for almost 16 years old I must say.

 

[kenmore700bill]

Malcom,

I would guess because this adj. has the traditional Maytag lint filter in the middle of it is why the clothes get pushed towards the center of the adj. The Whirlpool as far as I know does not have filter in center of adj.

Bill

 

[appnut]

Bill, this doesn't have a filter in the middle of the agitator.  The machine has a "self cleaning filter" (what a joke).  It's hollow in the center of the agitator so it has water currents surging through it.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

The picture tells all...

Those are the damper pads or at least one of them. This is normally a very bad thing to see BUT since I don't see any black dust (otherwise known as ground aluminum damper), you might have gotten off lucky but this needs attention NOW before you use it any longer!!! Time to put on new pads before that damper starts rubbing on the zinc coat base frame and causing a very nasty problem. Look carefully for the dust. If it's there, this gets more fun although it's not terminal. I'm looking at the pics with an iPod touch and may be missing it...

RCD

 

[aaronfitzy]

Well....

there is some black dust towards the back of the cabinet where the other piece of felt lays. Where exactly did these come from? I don't know Maytag's all that well, more of a Whirlpool guy.

Aaron

 

[yogitunes]

You know what I find odd...is given the age of the machine....the drain hose goes out the bottom of the cabinet......I would have thought this would have had the anti-siphon valve in the upper rear of the cabinet.....interesting!

 

[goatfarmer]

I have one of those in storage, it leaks down the center. I think it needs a stem seal. Nice machines.

 

[beekeyknee]

Black Dust

I see black dust. You've got a problem. That machine needs to be disassembled and the damper pulled out. If the underneath side of that damper is scratched up it will need attention or replacement. The damper pads will need to be replaced with high temp. adhesive and lubed with poly-lube. This is a big chore. Hope you're mechanically inclined. Start doing your research. Good luck. It's not as free as you thought it was. Sorry.

 

[combo52]

LOOSE MT DAMPER PADS

You can keep using the washer but if you would want to repair it as Andrew said do it now. We have customers that use MTs for years with bad dampers and as these washers are a dime a dozen, or even free you may not want brother fixing it when it gets too bad to use. You still will have lots of good parts left for the next MT Helical drive dependable care washer you find.

 

Martin MT eliminated the siphon break in the drain hose and went back to just running the drain hose out the back of the washer for about the last ten years of the HDDC washers, probably a cost cut?.

 

[aaronfitzy]

Yes, I know....

The new dampers are on the way...along with the glue and lube. If need be, I will replace the damper. So far, I have about 20 bucks into the machine....and I would like to keep it running for a long time.

Aaron