Question on Speed Queen top loader (last year's model)

[jeffg]

Anyone know if the agitator cap on Speed Queen's current top loaders (e.g. washer AWN542) will fit on last year's models (we have AWS76NW).

The washer itself works great, but the bottom edge of the agi cap is very sharp, even tho it's just plastic, and we've managed to gouge our hands/wrists pretty bad while taking clothes out of the tub. It looks like SQ redesigned this cap with a smoother bottom edge on their current models, so we're hoping we can just replace the old style for new.

If it is a direct replacement, we'd also appreciate knowing the part# to order.

If we can't replace it, we'll just smooth out this edge on the existing cap with a Dremel or file.

Thanks for any help.

 

[jeffg]

Never mind that request. After some searching I found a support line for Alliance -- (920)748-3121, they're mailing me the part directly.

It's been years since I've seen support like this...

"Alliance support, this is Phil."

"Hi Phil, I have a sharp edge on my AWS76 agitator cap."

"Wow, I'm sorry to hear that, sir. Let me compare the one you have with our current one."

<15 seconds later>

"Ok, it's the same part#, it looks like yours must have slipped though our deburring process. The caps are supposed to be double-checked. I'll personally box up another one right now and get it out to you today."

"Thanks a lot Phil. Here's my address. Take care."

The whole process took less than three minutes.

 

[yogitunes]

Should have asked for the softner dispenser to replace the cap, it's only a few dollars, and snaps right on....

 

[jeffg]

Martin, the washer already has it. The cap is just a plastic housing that surrounds the softener reservoir.

 

[jeffg]

Now that I found a pic of someone else's AWS76, this bottom edge looks as sharp as ours. Maybe it's just a design flaw, er, quirk. We'll find out when the replacement cap gets here.

 

[laundromat]

flexfins

Hey Jeff, are the fins at the bottom of your agitator flexible or are they just molded onto the base with no space underneath??This photo looks like they have some space to make the wash action a lot more turbulant which gives much better turn over and gets clothes much cleaner.

 

[jeffg]

Chuck, the fins are molded onto the base and are not flexible. We've had no problems with turnover, even on gentle cycle. If anything I wish there was a bit less turnover on that cycle.

 

[nmassman44]

Jeff look again...those vanes are flexible....reach down and flex it! Oh and on the cap...my Amana that i bought back in the late 90's had the sharp edge to the softener dispenser. With my washer it also came with the cap the opening to the top of the agitator when the dispenser is removed. I rarely used the dispenser since the edge was so sharp. Nothing like taking clothes out and getting the side of my hand nicked and bleed on clean clothes. So the sharp edge is nothing new and in fact when I bought the washer at Sears I went back and told the guy that sold me the washer and I called Amana on it.

 

[jeffg]

I just did, Maineman, and you're right, the vanes flex.

 

[andrewinorlando]

Jeff, is it gentle enough on clothes that you don't see pulls or premature wear?

 

[jeffg]

Yes, although we never overload the washer, and always use enough water so that clothes don't thrash too hard against each other. The washer cleans brilliantly.

 

[jeffg]

Maineman: we called Alliance back this morning, and I talked to Phil. He said he looked over an entire bin of caps, and "some are better than others". He took the smoothest one he could find, hand-filed the edges, and mailed it to us.

I asked him about replacing it with a flat cap (we never use the softener dispenser, either) and he's doing some research to see if one of their commercial model caps will work. All their residential models use the dispenser cap.

Again we're extremely impressed with Alliance's support.

 

[bobbyderegis]

Let's get the word out there that there is still an American company that builds a quality product and stands by it. The SQ employee should be commended and given a management position. Yay Speed Queen!!
Bobby in Boston

 

[yogitunes]

Give us the number....

we should all call and commend him....you don't see this everyday....Let's do it!

 

[jeffg]

NO. PLEASE.