Speed Queen Experts Needed

[frigilux]

I'm moving to an apartment building in a couple of weeks (8-plex; four up/four down). Everyone's laundry equipment is in a central hallway that leads from the front to the back of the building. In other words, everyone walks through the laundry area every time they go to the back of the building to get to the garages.

ANYWAY... I'm probably going to get the TOL electronic Speed Queen top-loader. The pass-through walkway is fairly narrow, so depth of the machine is an important consideration. Briefly considered a SQ front-loader, but have seen too many videos of them shaking/vibrating on wooden floors. Plus, the tub really isn't much bigger than the TL, no internal heater, and the narrow walkway would preclude leaving the door open so it can dry out.

Question: Can I still use the clothespin trick to defeat the lid switch? If not, is there another trick that works?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help with information!

EDIT: By the way, the other three sets on the upper floor (where I'll be) aren't too exciting. A couple of cheap GE's (HE models) and what appeared to be a BOL Amana. Downstairs sets were a bit more exciting. There was an awesome late 80's KitchenAid set in beautiful shape. Will take photos when I move in and can afford to be more nosy. I was with the landlord yesterday and didn't want to let my freak flag fly, LOL.[this post was last edited: 7/7/2017-07:51]

 

[mrb627]

Are you saying...

That the laundry center is in a free range area where you have access to sets belonging to other units and they yours?

AFAIK, the clothespin enhancement still applies to current models.

Malcolm

 

[yogitunes]

well, according to this vid....yeah, it still functions for the electronic models as well......

 

[frigilux]

Malcolm: Yes, that is correct. The upstairs central hall running from the front to the back of the building has each apartment's furnace, water heater and laundry pair. Ditto the central hall downstairs. In fact, anyone can walk in off the street (neither front nor back entrances are locked), open the door to the central hallway and use your washer & dryer while you're away. It's a very, very small town, LOL.

By coincidence, a woman who used to live across the street from me (she sold her house about a year ago) is in the upstairs unit right across from the one I'm moving into. We're neighbors again. I asked her if anyone had walked in off the street and used someone's washer/dryer; she said no. But, yes; theoretically, someone could come in with an appliance dolly and leave with your washer & dryer.

Martin-- Thanks for posting the video! I'm debating whether to defeat the lid switch or not; there are a few kids in the building. But I really hate that the machine would stop every time I'd lift the lid to check for rollover, suds level, etc.

 

[combo52]

Hi Eugene, I would get the SQ FL washer, since the larger tub with balance ring was added we have had NO vibration complaints with these machines.

The capacity is almost twice as large on the FL washer compared to the TLer. When comparing capacity on FL vs TL machines the same cubic foot FL will hold almost twice as much laundry as a TL washer and actually wash turn it over and get it clean.

Leaving the door open is not really necessary if you use the washer properly to prevent mold etc.,[ and I know that you know how to do laundry ] Martin will tell you about his MT Neptune's that he leaves the door closed on with no problems.

If you do not want to spend the money on a new SQ FL washer I would get a used WP built DD set, the DD washers are just all around better performing washers than the SQ TL machines.

John L.

 

[frigilux]

What I'd like to do is take the Maytag 8100's with me, but they're 34" deep---and that doesn't even include room for hoses. I'm pretty sure the open doors would hit (or come very close to hitting) the machines on the other side of the narrow aisle. The washer sits right next to the water heater, so getting hot water into the front-loader wouldn't be a problem. Decisions, decisions. We all know I'm a front-load fan at heart.

Anyone out there with the new SQ front-loaders have problems with vibration on a wooden floor?

 

[lorainfurniture]

Sq front load

I've sold about a dozen of these machines, many to upstairs laundry rooms with wood floors. No vibration complaints. In fact, people mentioned to me how little they vibrate compared to their old units

 

[whirlykenmore78]

SQ vibrations on the wood floor

I have had the current SQ FL for over a year and it is upstairs in my townhome. Outside of a load that gets off balance there is no issue. I use the 1200 RPM spin on most all loads.
WK78

 

[yogitunes]

John is correct.....I don't leave my doors open, nor the dispensers.....never have, never will......

in fact, don't have to......any machine if properly used will never have an issue....

double that, any machine I got in that DID have a mold/mildew issue.....give it a few weeks with standard laundry practices, and it will all disappear....

'clean washer' cycles, and 'washing machine cleaners'.....pure nonsense and a waste of money......in fact, my machines don't even have a 'clean washer' cycle!...proof that it was never needed!....just a gimmick....

 

[frigilux]

Saw my dealer today. Has the TOL SQ top-loader and the front-load pair with controls on the front on the floor. TL pair = $1700; FL pair= $3000. Much as I loves me a front-loader, that's a significant chunk of change. I could furnish the entire apartment with the difference in those prices, LOL.

 

[combo52]

Hi Eugene, if you get the SQ FL washer with rear controls and the matching TOL dryer the pair is almost $500 less, and the rear controls are much classier looking, more reliable and easier to service.

 

John L.

 

PS you probably don't need more furniture anyway, LOL.

 

[mrsalvo]

Having grown up in a military family and moved all over the place, I know first and of storing one's washer / dryer in common areas. We had to do the same in a large duplex complex for a year. One's equipment can get damaged easily if your neighbors are moving theirs and kids running in and out. There is NO WAY I'd pay top dollar only to have it scratched or dented (or even used!). I've seen it happen.
Eugene, in my honest humble opinion, find a good used set if you can. John L.'s advice is sound, I'd try to find a good used Whirlpool DDs set if I could.
Then when you move out and get your own place, then spend the money!!!!!! Best of luck to you.

Barry

 

[earthling177]

Excuse me for asking a weird question here, but I don't want several years down the road Eugene blaming me for not asking it.

Is it possible, if you don't care too much about appearances, to just bring your Maytag set with you and stack them rotated? That is, the set is supposedly narrower (27 or 29 inches?) in width, and if you rotate it 90 degrees, the door of the machines will open in what used to be the place for the dryer, no? You might need to extend the dryer vent and maybe the drain and water hoses, I dunno.

Worth thinking about it?

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.

 

[frigilux]

OK, I've decided to go with the SQ top-loader pair for several reasons. It's probably crazy to spend even that much on a set that will be planted in a common area, but I was not impressed with the used machines either dealer in town had on offer. John, thank you, as always, for your insight and advice. However, in this case it makes sense for me to go with the TL pair.

The landlord (who I know casually) is recarpeting the whole place as well as giving it a complete re-paint and installing a particular American Standard toilet that I want.

There's an early '90s-looking Frigidaire electric smoothtop range that I'm replacing with a GE double oven range (model 860 in white to match the smallish year-old refrigerator already in place). Also need a new microwave, a small dining table, and a couple of other things---all to be purchased using the money I saved by not getting the front-load SQs. (For the curious: It will be noted in the lease that the range is mine and goes with me should I move.)

Paulo-- The machines cannot be stacked (cupboards above machines) nor can they be installed 'sideways' due to space being very tight. Good idea, though!

My life has changed so much over the past year or two. Dealing with change is not a strong suit for me, so it's been a bit of a wild ride, LOL.

I meet with the realtor later this morning. Three parties have made an offer on the house. Keep your fingers crossed for me, kids![this post was last edited: 7/8/2017-11:31]

 

[appnut]

No dishwasher!!!!??????  I couldn't survive!!!

 

[frigilux]

LOL, Bob!

I cook far less than I used to, so while there will undoubtedly be a period of adjustment, doing dishes by hand won't bother me. I will miss the 'cool appliance' aspect of having a dishwasher more than anything.

 

[helicaldrive]

Another option

If you get the SQ stack, then you could leave the washer door open and it would be out of the way in the spot where the dryer otherwise would be.

The lack of a heater or steam in the SQ FL really isn't an issue. If you want to make sure your warm or hot wash is indeed that, then just select a Pre-Wash. Ditto if you wish a warm rinse.

 

[helicaldrive]

Another option

If you get the SQ stack, then you could leave the washer door open and it would be out of the way in the spot where the dryer otherwise would be.

The lack of a heater or steam in the SQ FL really isn't an issue. If you want to make sure your warm or hot wash is indeed that, then just select a Pre-Wash. Ditto if you wish a warm rinse.

 

[helicaldrive]

Sorry I screwed up

And posted twice