Pushbutton Lady Kenmore

[sudsmaster]

I am arranging to pick up a push-button Lady Kenmore. The model number is 110-7104903W, the stock # is 21900. Would anyone have an idea of year of this machine? It has a little lid you flip up (lighted console too) to access the push buttons.

No photo as yet...

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Model Year:

This Lady Kenmore Washer is a 1971 Year Model. The first 2-digits after the "110" are the Model Year, at least through the 1980's. I don't remember for sure in the 1990's how they determined the Year Model, other than if you happened to have bought them around that time period. This is also on the Dryers as well, of the same info.

Peace and Cheers, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[sudsmaster]

Thanks, Steve.

Are Lady Kenmores by definition the top of the Kenmore washer line?

Would this one have a waterfall filter?

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Model in Question:

This being a newer Model, probably doesn't have the Water Fall Filtering. It uses the Self-Cleaning Filtering System. If it has a Plastic Retangle Cover on the Top of the Cabinet, to the Right side of the Lid Opening, it has a Triple Dispenser, for Detergent Bleach and Fabric Softener. It uses the Pump to Recirculate the Water into the Dispensers, at the proper time of the Cycles for adding the products.

Peace and Cheers, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Extra Info:

Hi! Rich, this would be known as the "TOL" Model for Sears. They also used a special sticker on the front of the Cabinets that said Sears-Best on an Ovalish fancy insignia of these Washers and Dryers.

Peace and Cheers, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[appnut]

It's a keeper Ritch. I love those garage door console Kenmores (the flip up door) lol .

 

[danemodsandy]

YES! Lady Kenmores were not only Sears' TOL, they were the most full-featured washers anywhere. If you had a pair of LKs, you were doing better than all right. They were expensive at the time, but they were built well. I had a late-'60s LK washer for a time in the early '80s; wish I still had it.

And a matching dryer, too. I don't really need all those cycles, but there's something about keyboard LKs that is irresistible.

 

[sudsmaster]

No matching dryer for this LK, Dane. That would be nice, though.

Apparently one advantage of the flip up door to access the cycle buttons is that it helps to keep them clean and unaffected by ambient (visible and UV) light.

Speaking of light, apparently the console light is still working after all these years.

I think I'm looking forward to this addition to the growing collection.

I think I may have to get rid of a car or two

 

[danemodsandy]

I have to admit I'm partial to the keyboard LK's like the one I had, that didn't have the flip-up door. It was cool to see that huge, impressive array of cycle buttons out in the open like that. I also like the pot-metal dispenser cover on those models- if memory serves, Sears later went to plastic matching the washer colour. The pot-metal dispenser was a very expensive-looking brushed finish. Using a keyboard LK was something like driving a Lincoln Continental of the same period; everything felt solid and expensive, and the technology behind it was reliable and did its job without complaint. It was more than a washing machine- it was a statement that you cared enough to have the very best. The ONLY washer I ever saw that could compete with the keyboard LK on its own terms was the Maytag 906 like Greg has (post pics sometime, willya, Greg?). That was also a beautiful, sleek machine. Frigidaire made some extremely nice machines, but the LKs and the 906 were the nicest-looking on the market, for my taste.

 

[sudsmaster]

Well, I wonder if I could make a plexiglass door and replace the stock door with that, so the buttons would be viewable but protected at all times... lol...

I also would like to see a photo of Greg's 906. I didn't even know there was something above an 806...

From what I've seen so far, though, the build quality and materials on the 06 Maytags, even the lower models, is much nicer than that on the middling Whirlpools.

 

[danemodsandy]

Greg's Yahoo Album

I found that Greg has a Yahoo! album showing off his lovelies; the 906's are to be seen at:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/gansky1/album/576460762317157934

Now if I can only keep from drooling all over the keyboard...

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Rich

What color is it? The door on the rt side of the top of the cab will be for powder det. The blch and sftnr dispenser should be in the left front corner under the tb lid and it
most likely will have the adjustable agitator. I bet it wouldn't be that difficult to fashion a see through panel cover. It will be a great addition; time too have a washin,
buddy. I want to see your racoon shield too.

 

[danemodsandy]

Keyboard LK vs. Pushbutton Maytag

Just wanted to mention:

There was a real difference in philosophy between the keyboard LKs and the Maytag 906s. The Kenmore invited creativity- "What will I get if I combine THIS key with THAT dial setting?" You could potchke with the settings all day long.

The Maytag did it all for you at the push of one understated button; it was for people who wanted convenience, not emotional investment.

The only thing I didn't like about the 906s was that Maytag used the same el cheapo pull on the dryer door that all Maytags got. A dryer with a control panel that elegant should have gotten something more refined.

 

[sudsmaster]

Darrel,

The LK is white, which I quite like. Can you play tunes on the keyboard?

 

[appnut]

Yeah, it plays "You Get More With A Kenmore". When you raise the panel cover, the fluorescent light automatically comes on.

 

[mickeyd]

Danemodsandy: THIS key THAT key..you could potchke all day--

You can select all or none of the following: pre-wash, soak, cold rinse, extra rinse, spin only or cancel in addition to all the regular cycles

The cooldown is a double one with AGITATION and fill simultaneously

The soak is 30 min. with inter. agitatation, and leads automatically to wash

Watching the dispenser flush is a first-rate treat. esp watching it negotiate the soak and wash soaps

The variflex agi ,open to full flex, gives you the ride of your life; only the KA is more powerful

The push buttons are huge, like small Hershey bars and the "smart" cycle dial stops sharp and hard automatically depending on which buttons you have pressed.

I had one in a house I cared for, for 3 years, and I may someday get the machine

Of all the automatics I've been lucky enough to experience, it is hands down the coolest machine I know. It never stops pleasing or amazing. It is a very powerful, sturdy and beautiful piece of work--could convert a Maytag Man licketysplit or in a heartbeat! Thanks for the memory which I hope one day will become a reality.

 

[powerfin64]

72 Lady K owner here..

I have a 72 Lady K set in "Tawny Gold" and I love them! Classic style, quiet, but a real workhorse! Its the best machines I own and treasure them dearly. Everything Mickeyd said about them is true. They are a MUST OWN from that era if you like Kenmores.

Rich

 

[sudsmaster]

It does sound like a nice design.

 

[sudsmaster]

'71 Lady Kenmore and the truck she rode in on...