Rubber Tub Automatic Washer

[ronreeland]

Hi: Back in 1960 I worked at an appliance store assisting the appliance repairman.The store took in many washer trade-ins against new machine purchases. One very unusual top loader washer(I seem to recall the brand was Hamilton, but not sure) had a rubber tub with a conventional agitator. The washer did not have a spin cycle to remove water. The machine had a vacuum pump that collapsed the rubber tub in towards the center agitator, thus squeezing the water from the clothes. The washer lid was very sturdy with an elaborate rubber gasket to prevent leaks. I do note comprehend how the vacuum was pulled while allowing the water to exit. Seems it required extensive engineering to achieve that.

The selling point was that the squeezing feature was more gentle on clothing. The repairman said not many were sold and did a poor job at water removal. I recall that the washer was quite heavy due to its sturdiness and pump mechanism.

Has any Forum member ran across one of these? I would like to see a photo or old advertising about this washer or any info they can share.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[everythingold]

Hamilton only made dryers as far as I know, the matching washer would be a .....?

 

[maytagbear]

It is a

Bendix Economat.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[polkanut]

I think you're thinking of Bendix. They came out with a washer that had a rubber tub and squeezed rather than spun the water out.

 

[appliguy]

Starting in 1953 or 54 Hamilton DID offer matching washers t

I believe they were made by Norge becasue I have a Repair Master Manual that states it is for both Norge and Hamilton Washers.....PAT COFFEY

 

[appliguy]

Oh and also there was a Crosley version of the Econ-O-Mat

as well as one with the Thor name on it if I am not mistaken.......PAT COFFEY

 

[turquoisedude]

Sounds like a Blackstone

I have an old appliance service manual that showed an illustration of a flexible tub vacuum-drain automatic washer and the text at the bottom said 'Courtesy of the Blackstone corporation'.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Bendix made those machines under the Bendix and Crosley name. I have one in my collection although I use it maybe once every two years if that.

Here is an older post with some info at the bottom...

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2006/8634x6.htm

 

[ptcruiser51]

Crosley Rollamatic

My parents bought in 1953 and used it until around 1967. It did not remove a great amount of water and left the clothes mashed against the agitator=one holy mess of wrinkles! I'm sure it was mfd by Bendix, as replacement parts (the timer was forever crapping out) always came in a Bendix box. I have a video of "Your Hit Parade" episodes from the 50s, one of them features a Bendix commercial featuring this model.