POD 4/20/2017

[brucelucenta]

So, by this time the standard capacity machine had climbed from a 9 pound load to a 14 pound one and interestingly enough, the dryer claims a 20 pound wet load. They were good machines though, but had started getting more pricey as time went on. Kenmore had already captured much of the US with their washers and dryers. That particular agitator was my least favorite. It had a tendency to loose the ability of staying at a setting and would slip back to the minimum extension of the fins.

 

[frigilux]

I thought Kenmore's adjustable agitator was very cool back in the day, but I can imagine the stress put on those fully extended little fins--especially with a full load of bath towels or jeans--was enormous.

 

[DADoES]

 

A family friend had a pushbutton Kenmore 900 (not an LK) with a Vari-Flex.  It really does provide a range of agitation actions, especially when coupled with a 3-speed motor.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Those sure are funny models. The more deluxe looking washer lacks some of the features of the less deluxe looking one like the optional second rinse. It looks like a parts room cleanout of features with the plug door on the more deluxe looking dryer. I think I remember seeing a dryer similar to that one with the full width door. Amazing that this far into the 60s, they still had UV bulbs. As dryer air flow increased, the UV bulbs became less effective or perceptible.

 

Even in the early 50s, some brands of dryers gave their capacity in pounds of wet weight. I think it is standard practice for commercial tumblers to be rated in pounds of wet weight.

 

[jamiel]

Think this was a Canadian advertisement.

 

[vacerator]

anyone know

the model years? The top ones look like my aunts new USA Kenmores from 1964.

 

[gansky1]

The Vari-Flex agitator I had was the later, white version that had higher fins going up the barrel. I thought it was a brutal agitator, even on the delicate setting. It dragged the clothes rather than churning them.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Greg, The ones I've seen over the years in John's appliance court looked like a lot of agitator in that tub because of the thick skirt/hub area of the agitator.