Pics & my first Video of a 1968 Simpson Semi Automatic Fluid Drive Washer

[mayfan69]

Hi Guys

Here are some pics and a vid of a Semi Auto Simpson Fluid Drive that was bought at the same time as the Hoover 565.

It's very simplistic in its operation and in very good condition for its age.

Cheers
Leon

 

[mayfan69]

Pic 2

Closer pic of the control panel.

 

[mayfan69]

Pic 3

Long shot

 

[mayfan69]

Pic 4

Beauty shot...interior

 

[mayfan69]

Video of the Simpson

Here's the video

This is my first attempt at a full length video. I hope the editing is ok: please forgive the slight darkness: the machine is stored underneath a covered awning and there was only natural light.

You'll also hear me chat to my dad in the background...in case any of you are wondering.

Hope you enjoy
Leon

 

[westyslantfront]

Hi Leon. Great video. I enjoyed it very much. The nice thing about semi automatic is that you can control length of wash, rinse, and spin.

Ross

 

[peterh770]

Oh! Wow! I thought with that agitator that it was a Franklin machine with indexing tub! But I guess it is more like a SQ under the hood? How cool! Great machine!

 

[rpm]

I love the garden hose spray rinse

I have never seen a semi automatic washer before.
After the washer fills, will it start to wash or do you have to set the timer after?
Once the time is up for the spin dry will it shut off or just keep spinning?
Finally, is a wringer washer considered a semi automatic?

 

[simpsomatic]

Simpsomatic

Leon,

Unbeleivable what is still out there in Aussie land. Great find. My experience with the simpsomatic was the model with the butterfly knobs. My brother in law's parents still own it and use it in their holiday house at Rosebud in Vistoria. Hard to explain the semi-automatic concept to an American. Another great semi-automatic was the Malleys Whirlpool, it was not a solid bowl so you had to select drain before the spin. Keep up the good work, I would really like you to find a "Healing Thor, Trimatic".

 

[gyrafoam]

Oh yeah! That is great! That certainly must be an effective spray-rinse!

 

[mihi]

I really enjoyed this video. I haven't ever seen a semi-automatic either before! Thanks for showing this.

 

[tuthill]

A wringer washer is not semi automatic because the user has to actually move the clothes with their hands (oh the humanity!)

 

[ronhic]

Many thanks....

I have just watched your video and it brought back lots of childhood memories of my mothers fluid drive automatic....it is an unmistakeable sound that they make....

 

[cleanteamofny]

Just loved the vid man, semi auto is awesome, more control over wash and spin time than the traditional timers of today!

 

[autowasherfreak]

Very interesting, I really enjoyed the video. I have never seen a machine like this before.

James

 

[arrrooohhh]

Wow! A video. Thanks for that Leon it really made my Monday morning

 

[revvinkevin]

How old is it???

Leon, you mentioned it's in great shape "for it's age..." but how old is it? When were these built?

Thanks!

 

[revvinkevin]

Nevermind!

I posted that last message BEFORE watching the video... OOPS! Hehehe

 

[jetcone]

Nice Vid Leon

Boy that machine is quiet!!
does it have the same fluid clutch as a speed queen??

 

[mayfan69]

Fluid Drive clutch

Hey Jon,

Yep....it has the same set up as a Speed Queen.

Cheers
Leon

 

[toggleswitch2]

Funny ,"semi-sutomatic" in the 1960's in this country meant one had conencted an automatic washer [in an apartment, say] to the faucet with a "Y" hose and a coupler and were obligated to change the rinse water temperature manually.

WHAT A FUN MACHINE. Thanks for posting it.

 

[gansky1]

That is a fun machine - love the spray rinse control!

 

[twinniefan]

just like mother's

Well done Leon,
Your machine is just like my late mother's and she absolutely loved it, funny thing I do remember Mum telling one of her friends (who owned a Hoovermatic T.T.),that her Simpson semi=-automatic was just like her T.T. with the only difference being Mum did not have to transfer the washed laundry into a seperate spinner i.e. I guess Mum meant how both ladies had to eventually go back to their machines to finish a load off.
I hope you get many years of fun with this machine and I feel you are collecting Mum's old appliances which makes me very happy indeed.
P.S.
I f you ever collect an Astor single door dome type fridge, a Whirlpool flash defrost single door fridge,a Philips max-e 480 litre frost free 2 door fridge freezer,you will actually have all of our old appliances.
Cheers Leon.
Steve.

 

[mickeyd]

WOW!

Your spray rinse was just hilarious.

I always wondered what the agitation was like in those machines, and now i know thanks to you, Leon! Yeah ;'D

Did I hear static draining (sorry, I've forgotten the correct term), with the motor running before you hit the spin switch, or no?

In other words, can you drain the machine before spinning?

NEUTRAL DRAIN --YAY for passing the brain fart!

 

[mayfan69]

Neutral Drain?

Hey Mickey,

When you turn the timer on it starts the motor and the pump is going all the time....a trait shared with all Simpson Fluid Drives.

But, there is no neutral drain as the inner tub is solid. The only time any water will be pumped out before wash or spin is selected is if there was any water in the outer tub....eg: if you have overfilled uisng the garden hose!!! Lol

Cheers
Leon

 

[arrrooohhh]

Obviously the Semi Auto machine has no lint filtering. Does this one have the holes at the half way point in the tub?

Makes me want to get my Fluid Drive out and get it cranking but I cant fit it down to my laundry so it has to stay in the garage - another reason I cant bid on the A38 that is on Ebay at the moment even though I really want to.

 

[arrrooohhh]

I noticed on your Profile where you have listed your amazing collection that you have a 1970 Simpson “Celestial” 4 Speed Automatic. I thought that I had kept track of all your machines to date (Big job LOL) I do not think that I have seen pictures of that one.

Is it like mine?

 

[mayfan69]

Lint Filtering and Simpson

Hey Ash,

No,the semi auto has no lint filtering nor any holes half way up the tub.

And yes, the "Celestial" is similar, but has a two tone blue control panel...i will add a couple of pics tonight.

Also, i sent you an email about a story about the Hoover 585 and also if you still want a motor and agitator for your Simpson.

It is a pity you have no one that can store the A38 for you...it is a classic machine and my guess is that no one will probably bid on it.

Cheers
Leon

 

[arrrooohhh]

I will check my mail soon.

Look forward to the pictures. If I remember correctly an A38 was on Ebay in Melbourne a while ago and someone bought it. It wasn't someone in the club so I have no idea if it was a collector or if someone is using it as a daily driver.

If one was to use a Fluid Drive as a daily driver are there any problems that would be encountered?

 

[mayfan69]

Pics as requested Ash

Hey Ash,

Here are some pics as requested. These pics were taken when i went and inspected the machine prior to purchase. Apart from some cosmetic blemishes, the machine is in perfect working order.

This model would have been built for Waltons.

Fluid Drives are very robust...the main things to be aware of would be if all the rubber hoses are still in good condition. Sometimes, the solenoids may need replacing and if it starts to spin slowly or not at all...then the cork clutch lining will need replacing and that's not that hard...i fixed a Fluid Drive i have with some cork sheeting and liquid nails and it's spinning like new!

Cheers
Leon