power fin versus load sensor

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cehalstead

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Dec 31, 2010
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Charleston, WV
I know this is an old thread I am bringing back, but I need some opinions. I installed a PowerFin in my '97 Dependable Care. Love the turnover, love the action, but am concerned about the indexing and "clank" that I hear. From what I read earlier, there is some concern that this agitator may cause problems. I took the PF out and put back in the LS, but am already bored with it. MY QUESTION: did I jump the gun removing the PF? If anyone wants to directly contact me with advice, my e-mail address is [email protected].
 
The orbital tranny has more nylon/plastic gears than the old style, so i think the problem is the fast agitation of the orbital tranny with a wider base power-fin agitator puts too much torque on the gears. I don't think the indexing is a problem because they have used the same brake pkg for both machines, though they could have "cheapened" it as well, just like the stem & seal assy.
 
I've washed 100+ loads so far in my Power-Fin equipped '03 Dependable Care, and I haven't had any problems. It does index, but only a little bit (you can see it only if you watch closely). No strange clanking noises either.

Now it's back to the shed for some Roto-Swirl action...:)
 
Indexing

My Dependable Care indexs also at times but I wouldn't worry about it.. its the nature of the machine. Just don't overload it, and use the right water level for the load. I'd put the PF back in reguardless.
 
Oh and btw...like Rich said, DO NOT OVERLOAD. Any size comforter with cotton batting goes to the laundromat, and I wouldn't do more than 4-5 pairs of jeans or 2 sets of sheets in one load. With those exceptions, it washes and turns over perfectly.
 
I have replaced a lot of orbital transmissions. Despite the simplicity I don't find it to be the strongest transmission out there. So I wouldn't do anything that *could* stress it. I agree, the Load-Sensor is not a great agitator. I can remember back in '96 when it was introduced. One day the Maytag rep's bashed dual action agitators and suddenly they where the greatest thing ever. Same thing happened with plastic tubs and baskets. Maytag always sold a kit that included a new agitator when you replaced the transmission in an older machine with a new orbital. Was never sure if it was a performance or mechanical reason. I don't believe tub indexing is common with Maytag. I havn't spent much time watching the tubs but I have spent much time looking at the transmissions looking for stem seal leaks. If the transmission doesn't move then the tub isn't indexing. So one would have to think that for the tub to index that some force has to overpower the tub brake. In this case that would be the force of agitation. I wouln't do it to my machine. Ed
 
I took Ed's advice about not using the powerfin agitator in my maytag washer. I ordered a straight vaned agitator made for the orbital transmission from maytag.com. The item number I used was #207228 for the agitator w/lock screw and item #207426 for the deep lint filter. I didn't order the fabric softner cup because I still had the one from my old machine and it fit. This agitator isn't as cool as the powerfin, but it cleans a lot better than the load sensor. I washed a full load of towels and the tub did not index at all. Also, the lint filter was completely covered with lint & cat hair. Hope this helps. Doug
 
Maytag with straight-vaned agitator

Will you show us a video of the full load of towels and filter being packed with lint and cat hair? Will you also show the spin rinses and the rinse cycles? I'm dying to see the video of this machine.

Thanks,

Chris

camMURRAY22
 
Chris,

I shot some videos of a good-sized towel load, washing and rinsing, as well as low-water agitation, and Robert posted them to the server. Look for the thread "Orbital Maytag Videos" and download them from there. I'll try to shoot some spin footage (including the constant-rinse first spin on the PP cycle) in the future.

Enjoy!

--Austin
 

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