POD 9/17/2017

[brucelucenta]

This must have been right around the mid 60's when the jet cone agitator was introduced. I don't recognize this particular model as ever being produced. The new agitator did reduce tangling significantly, but it did not wash the same as the older Frigidaire washers. Instead of the agitation moving the water vigorously, the jet action agitator actually moved the clothes and pulled them down slowly. Personally, I think they did not wash nearly as well and promoted much more linting on clothing. However, it did pretty much eliminate the #1 complaint consumers had with Frigidaire washers. As far as servicing and repair on these machines, I found them to be very easy to work on and repair for the most part and many lasted a long time without needing repairs. They were very handsome looking machines that were quite stylish for the time, but what else would you expect from Frigidaire GM? So Frigidaire had finally overcome the tangling that was so irritating to many through the years, but alas too late and their demise was in a little over a decade later.

 

[simpsomatic]

Made in Australia

Note down the bottom of advertisement : Made by General Motors Holden, AKA GMH.
Yes, 60's top of the line rapid-dry made in Australia. Very popular machine. GMH produced automobiles and heavy industrial equipment and Frigidaire appliances as well. Most followed the the american specs but with a few "aussie: twists. I believe Leon (AW Brisbane) has one or two of these era machines including a semi-automatic. Fun to see on the daily double photo line-up

 

[hilovane]

This model was made in Australia; which is why you also never saw a semi-automatic version if this machine.

 

[brucelucenta]

This vintage of Frigidaire machines were both interesting and well built machines with a stylish flair that GM/Frigidaire always had. The Australian versions were just as stylish too. It is interesting the slight differences in USA and Australian versions. They were actually my favorite machines of the Frigidaire line of washers and dryers. I did prefer the agitator of the models made directly before the jet action agitator though. They did a better and more thorough job of washing. The jet action cone agitator sometimes had difficulty pulling clothing down and circulating as well as the previous models. [this post was last edited: 9/17/2017-12:43]

 

[tomturbomatic]

It seemed like Frigidaire changed the original design of the agitator. In the original drawings and diagrams for the new agitator, it showed lint being jetted across the water and out of the tub openings; there were even pictures or illustrations showing the water from the 4 openings forming jets across the top of the water, but that seemed to involve there being little projections above the 4 openings.  I don't know if they were a hazard or if they were too fragile in the brittle plastic, but their elimination caused the water to be shot up from the openings which caused bad rusting of the inner lid under the gasket, especially in the higher end models where the lid gasket extended to all three sides except for the hinge area, mainly to reduce noise. I used to keep an old Lint Chaser Ring on the agitator above the 4 openings and it jetted the water sideways beautifully in 4 directions while keeping the water out of  the vulnerable gasket channel.

 

[gyrafoam]

Some of those had square openings and others had rectangular openings. I thought the rectangular openings were better at "jetting" the water across to the drain slots.

The old three-ring design did move things around better. The worst problem with the Jet-Action agitator was laundering something like sheets made with a permanent press blend of fabrics. 100 percent Polyester was going to get puffed up with air and not roll over at all. Same thing with other bulky items such as a comforter.