Some questions about Speedqueen toploader

[snowberry]

Going to be buying a new washing machine and had a couple questions on Speedqueen.
I saw DanManTN's video and wondered about the basket moving. Did that ever stop...and does that action cause anything to get caught under the agitator?
Also on his video where the styrofoam piece was mounted on the side...is that going to stay on. Seems like it would wear off rather quickly?
I am looking for a washer more like the old fashioned ones and hopefully reliable and doesn't tear clothes like I've heard some machines do now. I had seen a Speedqueen AWN432 and seems to be what I need.
It is more expensive than the average but if durable and reliable that can make up for it.

 

[jeffg]

We've had ours about 2.5 years and nothing has ever caught under the agitator. The washtub rocks very slightly during agitation but there's no indexing.

 

[randomguy]

Ours is the same. They only index until the brake pads for the tub brake get broken in. We have never had anything get caught under the agitator. The slow, long stroke SQ design is one of the gentler TLs on the market today. I don't think you'll find a better-built machine on the market, either. Ours is very solid.

 

[danmantn]

Ditto on all accounts. No issues whatsoever. There is very little room for anything to get under the agitator...would get somewhere between 1/8 and 1/4 inch of space is there. The basket does 'tilt' forward on large/heavy loads--by design (you can see this in some of my videos). Only us washer freaks would ever notice. I do recommend that you get a model with the Hush-Pak as the commercial motor is loud without it (if noise is a concern). The top 2 or 3 models have this as well as the 2 speed motor. Also the TOL usually is only ~$50 more and you get the "fabric switch" which allows you to fully customize the was cycles--if that's important to you.

Best of luck in your purchase, I hope it brings many years of dependable service.

 

[nmassman44]

I have a SQ AWN311 and overall it is a great machine. We have had it for a year now and it is holding up well. The tub indexing in my machine stopped after the 1st month. One thing I had to do is increase the water level by turning the setscrew on the switch. If it was left to the factory level the water comes to the 3rd from the top hole row. Not enough for a full load.
The FlexVane agitator that came with the washer cleans well but the vane clearance kinda catches lint. I recently replaced the FexVane with a solid vane agitator that I do find cleans better and pumps much more water thru the load and wastes no time rolling the load over.
One thing I notice is that after the rinse that sometimes there is residue on the load and the washbasket. I double rinse so its not so much an issue and if you use a dryer again not an issue. But..if you line dry like I do in the summer it is an issue that drives me insane when I see dried soap residue it shows up more on dark colors than whites.

 

[snowberry]

If I settle on the Speedqueen whatever type agitator comes with it etc. will have to stay cause I'm not a 'handyman.'
I've also wondered about the water level being sufficent for large loads if you don't do the manual adjustments some mentioned.
How important is the fabric selection?

 

[danmantn]

Well, the fabric selector just give you ultimate control. For example, I have a Perm Press cycle of regular agitation, low speed spin if I choose that cycle (9 mins). Or, I can use the 'fabric selector' switch in combination with the Regular cycle and customize it to whatever I want...if I want low agitation and high speed spin and a longer wash cycle, I can choose Knits and set for 'Heavy' and get the longest wash time. Not that big of a deal for most people, but there if you need a lot of various settings, it comes in handy. I use the previous example for sweaters...use high speed spin to help get the water out. Attached is a cycle chart that helps explain the fabric switch that I made. There is a correction, both Delicate and Hand Wash are intermittent low speed agitation, but Delicate has an option for 2nd rince and Handwash does not.

Hope that helps.

View attachment danmantn++10-28-2010-22-36-1.jpg

 

[snowberry]

Thank you for the chart.
I really don't think I'm ready to switch to a HE TL but what are opinions on Maytag Bravos4.3 cu. ft. the 500x?

 

[snowberry]

Do you who have Speed Queen washers turn the water valves off after each wash day? Or is that just something all manufacturers put in their manuals as a precaution?
I don't do that with my old current washer.

 

[mtn1584]

HEY MALCOLM, MASSMAN, JEFF G., AND DANMAN...................

DON'T YOU THINK ALLIANCE SHOULD THROW US A FEW BUCKS FOR ALL THE FREE ADVERTISING WE GIVE THEM???? LOL
MIKE
P.S. By the way snowberry they are great products!

 

[nmassman44]

I dont turn my valves off but I should since I have very high water pressure here. My washer fills on the warm setting in less than 2.5 mins and thats on the Ex Large setting. When the water comes in its in a waterfall. The washer has a 60/40 valve meaning 60% cold and 40% hot. Sometimes I wish that the washer had a sensor to keep the water temp at a certain level. As winter approaches my cold water gets very cold here and the warm temp does drop some.