Is anyone considering purchasing a residential version of the Speed Queen washers or dryers when they are released next month?
Launderess
Launderess
Speed Queen Residential Washers/Dryers
- Thread starter launderess
- Start date
Help Support :
Roolout of SQ appliances
I am anxious to see them.If I like what I see-maybe I will buy.I just hope they threw out the "Amanatag" designs that were so trouble plagued.also I hope they are carried by an indenpendent dealer-not a "big box " store.
I am anxious to see them.If I like what I see-maybe I will buy.I just hope they threw out the "Amanatag" designs that were so trouble plagued.also I hope they are carried by an indenpendent dealer-not a "big box " store.
Can do better than that, see link below.
Basically Alliance Laundry Systems, who bought the SQ commercial line from Raytheon had a contractual agreement with Maytag (who purchased the Amana/residential appliance line from Raytheon),not to enter the residental market for a period of years. That period expires in October, and Alliance Laundry Systems is free to market Speed Queen washers and dryers to home users.
Maytag took Alliance to court in an attempt to prevent the above, but lost. It should be pointed out Maytag plans to offer a new line of under counter washers and dryers sold under the Maytag and Amana line but built by Samsung later this fall. Considering the problems Maytag has been havign lately, they most certianly do not want another appliance maker stepping on their manor.
Basically Alliance Laundry Systems, who bought the SQ commercial line from Raytheon had a contractual agreement with Maytag (who purchased the Amana/residential appliance line from Raytheon),not to enter the residental market for a period of years. That period expires in October, and Alliance Laundry Systems is free to market Speed Queen washers and dryers to home users.
Maytag took Alliance to court in an attempt to prevent the above, but lost. It should be pointed out Maytag plans to offer a new line of under counter washers and dryers sold under the Maytag and Amana line but built by Samsung later this fall. Considering the problems Maytag has been havign lately, they most certianly do not want another appliance maker stepping on their manor.
angus
Well-known member
I would consider the Speed Queen. My concern is that there may still be a problem with main tub seals leaking after a while. I thought I read that was a problem on that particular design. It was the problem that did in my three year old
Amana in 2003. But that Amana was not a Raytheon built machine, although the design looked identical. In fact, when I went Amana shopping in 2000, it was just about the time of the switch from Raytheon to Goodman. There was a Raytheon built display set and I thought that was what I was getting. There was a lot I liked about that machine - particularly the normal back and forth agitation. It was much gentler than the ratcheting screw agitator on the Whirlpool that replaced it.
So if anyone can tell us about any of those issues, that information would be most helpful....
Amana in 2003. But that Amana was not a Raytheon built machine, although the design looked identical. In fact, when I went Amana shopping in 2000, it was just about the time of the switch from Raytheon to Goodman. There was a Raytheon built display set and I thought that was what I was getting. There was a lot I liked about that machine - particularly the normal back and forth agitation. It was much gentler than the ratcheting screw agitator on the Whirlpool that replaced it.
So if anyone can tell us about any of those issues, that information would be most helpful....
SQ F/L W&D
Maytag did not purchace amana from raytheon. Maytag got amana from goodman. However alliance was making the washers and dryers for goodman, this includes any of the models beginning with ALW, ALE, ALG etc. AL meaning alliance laundry. The SQ f/l is a design that actually started before raytheon sold off their appliances. It made it to the market and was yanked off almost immediatly. They were first introduced in 97' if memory serves me right. They were preaty closed mouth about why they yanked them. But rumors began to surface that they had problems with the tub seal and the suspention was not sufficiant for the design of the machine. It was said to beat it self to death. The original production was to have a 1200 rpm spin.
The tub seal was not the only problem that plagued these washers. They had belt and pump problems as well. Unfortunaty tub seal problems have only gotton worse since maytag "redesignd" the amana. The amana is now the same as an "SAV".
Maytag did not purchace amana from raytheon. Maytag got amana from goodman. However alliance was making the washers and dryers for goodman, this includes any of the models beginning with ALW, ALE, ALG etc. AL meaning alliance laundry. The SQ f/l is a design that actually started before raytheon sold off their appliances. It made it to the market and was yanked off almost immediatly. They were first introduced in 97' if memory serves me right. They were preaty closed mouth about why they yanked them. But rumors began to surface that they had problems with the tub seal and the suspention was not sufficiant for the design of the machine. It was said to beat it self to death. The original production was to have a 1200 rpm spin.
The tub seal was not the only problem that plagued these washers. They had belt and pump problems as well. Unfortunaty tub seal problems have only gotton worse since maytag "redesignd" the amana. The amana is now the same as an "SAV".
agiflow-action
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2004
- Messages
- 141
Lets hope speed queen has a winner with this new line of washers and dryers coming out.Can't wait.
Speed Queen Washers
The Amanatags now have a plastic outer tub with a "triple lip" seal, so I think the seal problem has been eliminated. The other problems with the previous Amana TL design is the belt. It is a clutch belt that is designed to wear. In order to change it, you have to remove the motor assy from the washer and then seperate the pump, as the belt rides in a pulley between the motor and pump. Not crazy about the design, but I think they did it to increase tub capacity. If the Speed Queens have an outer porcelain tub, I wonder if it's the same seal or if they addressed the issue.
John
The Amanatags now have a plastic outer tub with a "triple lip" seal, so I think the seal problem has been eliminated. The other problems with the previous Amana TL design is the belt. It is a clutch belt that is designed to wear. In order to change it, you have to remove the motor assy from the washer and then seperate the pump, as the belt rides in a pulley between the motor and pump. Not crazy about the design, but I think they did it to increase tub capacity. If the Speed Queens have an outer porcelain tub, I wonder if it's the same seal or if they addressed the issue.
John
SQ-amanatags
John
Acually the new triple lip seal is the worst one of all. The problems are becomeing less but when they first came out about 1-1/2 years ago, they were falling over like flies. Infact it is so bad maytag is now paying a higher labor rate for repairs that are done under warranty. We have even had a few of them that leaked and shorted out the motor. The belt they are useing is not suppose to "wear". Raytheon/alliance had some problems because of the materials the belts were being made of. After maytag got a hold of amana the belt problems went away. We in the industry figured the belt problem would go away since maytags belts dont breake unless something has broken to cause it to break.
You are right about that belt being a pain in the ass to change. It gets worse when the pump doesnt want to come off of the motor and then you end up having to replace the pump as well as the belt.
I better quit before i get on my soapbox..lol
John
Acually the new triple lip seal is the worst one of all. The problems are becomeing less but when they first came out about 1-1/2 years ago, they were falling over like flies. Infact it is so bad maytag is now paying a higher labor rate for repairs that are done under warranty. We have even had a few of them that leaked and shorted out the motor. The belt they are useing is not suppose to "wear". Raytheon/alliance had some problems because of the materials the belts were being made of. After maytag got a hold of amana the belt problems went away. We in the industry figured the belt problem would go away since maytags belts dont breake unless something has broken to cause it to break.
You are right about that belt being a pain in the ass to change. It gets worse when the pump doesnt want to come off of the motor and then you end up having to replace the pump as well as the belt.
I better quit before i get on my soapbox..lol
The Speed Queen washers and dryers that will be released this fall are the same models sold under Alliance Laundry/Speed Queen's "Commercial HomeStyle" line of appliances.
In essence SQ is not creating another appliance line, but expanding sales of an exisiting one.
What remains to be seen is how SQ intends to pull off selling the same product line to different markets. While the SQ washers and dryers may be built to last, the front loaders at least lack many features other washers in the same price range ($1,400 USD, last time I inquired). The FTS90/91 do not have on board heaters, pre-wash/soak cycles, but do have an extra rinse. Spin speed is set to the cycle and cannot be altered by user.
Compared to LG,Duet,Whirlpool, and other front loaders all sell at or maybe even below the above price and are more feature packed. On the brighter side the FTS90/91 will be the only 18lb capacity front loader sold for home use that has a true H-axis/non-titling tub.
For SQ the problem will be how to position these new washers at price points to draw the average consumer, while not ticking off the small on premise laundry customer (beauty salons,massage and tanning salons), by having them pay more than residential customers.
Launderess
In essence SQ is not creating another appliance line, but expanding sales of an exisiting one.
What remains to be seen is how SQ intends to pull off selling the same product line to different markets. While the SQ washers and dryers may be built to last, the front loaders at least lack many features other washers in the same price range ($1,400 USD, last time I inquired). The FTS90/91 do not have on board heaters, pre-wash/soak cycles, but do have an extra rinse. Spin speed is set to the cycle and cannot be altered by user.
Compared to LG,Duet,Whirlpool, and other front loaders all sell at or maybe even below the above price and are more feature packed. On the brighter side the FTS90/91 will be the only 18lb capacity front loader sold for home use that has a true H-axis/non-titling tub.
For SQ the problem will be how to position these new washers at price points to draw the average consumer, while not ticking off the small on premise laundry customer (beauty salons,massage and tanning salons), by having them pay more than residential customers.
Launderess
The original Amana FL washer, with all the features described above, was at the time what I considered to be the benchmark for the market (vs. Neptune and the Fridgemore). I do have a sales brochure on the Amana. I mourned it's "passing" until the Duets arrived.
Kleenmaid is Speedqueen
In Australia, we've had the speed queen based Kleenmaid machines for about 15 years. Before that, they were Whirlpool Belt Drives, but made in Brazil with shocking reliability.
Most of them still seem to be going after 10 years with no leaks or quibbles. We had one in the Home Ec dept at school, It literally would be stuffed with 4 kitchens worth of tea towels each day )IE 200, and it would just maul its way through the cycle delivering loads of clean towels each day.
They still have a metal outer tub, s/s Bowl, single reversing motor, and two belts, with a BD whirlpool surgilator style agitator.
I've got one in the garage that I recently collected from curbside crawling, I've yet to attach a new power cord to see whats wrong with it, but at this stage regardless of which way I turn the belt, the drum spins, so I'm assuming that there is a problem with the clutch/brake. This weekend I'll attach a cord and get into it.
www.kleenmaid.com.au
In Australia, we've had the speed queen based Kleenmaid machines for about 15 years. Before that, they were Whirlpool Belt Drives, but made in Brazil with shocking reliability.
Most of them still seem to be going after 10 years with no leaks or quibbles. We had one in the Home Ec dept at school, It literally would be stuffed with 4 kitchens worth of tea towels each day )IE 200, and it would just maul its way through the cycle delivering loads of clean towels each day.
They still have a metal outer tub, s/s Bowl, single reversing motor, and two belts, with a BD whirlpool surgilator style agitator.
I've got one in the garage that I recently collected from curbside crawling, I've yet to attach a new power cord to see whats wrong with it, but at this stage regardless of which way I turn the belt, the drum spins, so I'm assuming that there is a problem with the clutch/brake. This weekend I'll attach a cord and get into it.
Home - Kleenmaid Appliances - Simply the Best You Can Own
Kleenmaid produces high quality ovens, cooktops, rangehoods and other appliances. Available with repair services and spare parts.
www.kleenmaid.com.au
I was planning to purchase an Amana front-loader back in the late 90's. I even received a nifty full-color brochure from Amana. Suddenly, they announced they would not be putting them into production, after all. The Amana FL looked similar to the new SQ, and it also advertised a 1,000 rpm spin speed. I wonder if it's the same design and the company just sat on it for a few years?
It is a completely updated design based from those faulty first models. They broke it in by using them in commercial and coin-op applications. The suspension has been beefed up as well as the door and seal. The current model has been in production for several years now. They don't hold up too well in the coin-op world; they are better suited for OPL and route (apartment buildings) operators. They should be a very good home machine.
I had an Amana FL for about a day back when they first came out. I picked it up from the Sears Outlet nearby. The machine had a timer problem and was promptly returned.
I had an Amana FL for about a day back when they first came out. I picked it up from the Sears Outlet nearby. The machine had a timer problem and was promptly returned.
stricklybojack
Well-known member
.
And what trouble maker was the first to start up discussion (cough-heated debate) of the Speed Queen saga?...just sayin’, that name looks familiar!
And what trouble maker was the first to start up discussion (cough-heated debate) of the Speed Queen saga?...just sayin’, that name looks familiar!
Wow! Fifteen years have gone by quickly. And I have a Speed Queen washer and dryer, LOL!
eurekastar
Well-known member
I'm a little confused...According this thread, Speed Queen entered the consumer market in 2004 but I purchased my first Speed Queen washer around 1986. Were they absent from the market for a while?
Yep, there's a hiatus because of Maytag/Amana.
