Speed Queen Top Loader, 2018 or 2017

[larryg]

Hi, New to this forum and appreciate any advice. My wife and I have given up and can no longer handle our 6-year old Maytag that seems to use a shot glass of water to clean our clothes. Surprisingly, the clothes do come out rather clean, yet the amount of lint left on black and dark clothes, especially fleece jackets and the like, have finally convinced us to move on to a new machine. We have heard great things about SQ. They mention that SQ used a full, or nearly full, tub of water to wash and rinse the clothes. Yet after reading some reviews, (most of which were 5 stars), people have mentioned that starting in 2018, SQ would restrict the water to the government’s newer regulations. When I called SQ and asked about this, I was told that those reviews were somewhat correct. They said that there is an Eco setting with less water, yet you could change to a regular setting that allows a full tub. He did say that the 2018 SQ washers were a newer design than the older models. When I asked the SQ tech, if it was your wife getting a new SQ, would you steer her to the 2017, if available, or go with the 2018 model. He was a bit vague.

So here's my question. I have found a place that still has the 2017s in stock. Does anyone on this forum know if I would be happier with a new 2017 or would you suggest the new 2018 model?

Thanks, LarryG

 

[mtn1584]

It is a matter of choice........

I own a nine year old SQ washer and a 2017 9 series Electronic SQ washer. I must say I absolutely love my 2017 washer. It is the best I have ever owned and fills completely to the top of the tub. It has a traditional transmission driven agitator and uses HOT water when selected and a 50/50 mix of warm when selected.

I have a friend who has the 2018 TR5 and loves it. It is built like a tank, has a 5 year warranty and uses HOT and 50/50 mix when selecting warm. It is quiet as a church mouse because there is no transmission instead a motor driven belt and pulley system turn the tub and agitator simultaneously to achieve wash action. The clothes are dragged back and forth in a gentle manner as opposed to being churned through the water. The 2018 models all have higher spin RPMS than the 2017 models as well.

Between the two I would say the 2018 models are gentler on clothes but they do wash differently and there are haters on this site who have made it their life's mission to bad mouth this machine at any opportunity. I would still rather buy a 2018 SQ TL than any other machine out there.
It is a matter of personal preference.

The TR7 has a multitude of cycles and special cycles to wash many different ways...I would look to KIRK's videos on youtube as his are the most professional opinions you'll find out there regarding washers. He runs an appliance store in Texas.

Either way I think you will be happy.

Mike

 

[rp2813]

The 2018 SQ machines have received reviews that could not be more polarized.  I think your decision needs to be based on whether you want a traditional, old school machine with long stroke agitation combined with a full tub of water, or are willing to be a guinea pig and go with an entirely new system that provides a relatively gentle swishing action.  If the linting issue is a key element in your decision, you might be better off with swishing instead of churning.

 

I'm not biased about either one, because I do not believe the SQ machines from 2017 and earlier are the holy grail of modern day washing machines, particularly when it comes to rinsing.  I had an Amana, which at the time was a SQ clone, and rinsing was token at best, and unacceptable IMO.  Spin speed was also on the slow side, but most top load machines can't compete with front loaders in that regard.

 

I'll never buy a top load machine again.  After having owned two front load machines, I speak from experience in saying that front loaders are far superior at cleaning than top loaders, and they spin at RPM almost twice as fast, which results in shorter drying time.

 

[john76]

I far prefer the look of the 2018 SQ and the fact that it is more gentle on clothes. It also has less parts so presumably less to go wrong with it. I will need something to fit into the spot of my 2003 Maytag when it gives up the ghost and the SQ is just about the same size. Who knows, maybe the Maytag will see me out and I’ll never have to replace it. ;-)

 

[DADoES]

 
Kirk's videos on YouTube refers to the channel named "Kirk Rivas" who operates an appliance business in Austin TX.  Another YouTube channel to review is that of "Lorain Furniture."

Kirk Rivas

Lorain Furniture

 

[combo52]

Which Speed Queen Top Load Washer, 2017 or 2018

We have purchased 6 of these new washers and I have been testing the TR7000 and the TR3000 model in our shop.

 

There are no surprises from what I have written already, and the 18 may be a good washer for some users, in fact better for some users than the 17 washers. The advantages of the 18 are quieter operation, better spin and balancing performance and much gentler on clothing and easier service and longer life, all pretty impressive.

 

BUT it will not wash nearly as large a load clean and it uses a lot more water trying to do so, it simply does not turn over and get really dirty items clean, the machine has to be under loaded to get any reasonable  dirt removable, we are talking 3 pairs of jeans in the 18 not getting as clean as 8 pairs in the 17. This is why  SQ will continue to build and sell the transmission machines for commercial use and for sales in several other countries.

 

I have sold two of the new machines already, one to a good customer that wore out two calypsos, she valued a very gentile washer that she could wash her good clothes in without damage. I sold her the first Calypso to replace a 1988 MT DC TL washer that she hated because it ruined her good clothes and she loved the calypso so much that we sold her a rebuilt one when the first one had serious problems after 9 years, I think she will really like the 18 SQ.

 

We will really hand pick the customers who we sell this new washer to, I dough that we will sell 1/2 the SQ top load machines we sold last year [ 89 ]

 

Which machine would have in my house ? [ and which machine do I have in my house ? ] Differently neither of these SQ TL washers, The 17 is too crude and the 18 is just not that effective at cleaning and uses far too much water for what it does.

 

If you want one of the best performing TL washers ever a good 1986-2005 KM, WP or KA DD washer is far better.

 

In my house we have a 2005 SQ FL washer, a 1999 WP DD resource saver, a 1971 Lady Kenmore, a 1973 FD 1-18 and a gas 1965 LK combo, more machines are planned after the laundry area gets remolded.

 

John L.

 

[Chetlaham]

To crude

I agree with everything you have to say (even gave you a check ), except that in my eyes a DD is just as crude. Personally the 17s aren't that much behind the DDs in many regards.

I have a 2013 model SQ and I absolutely love it in all regards. The only down side is less loading and slightly poorer rinsing than a DD but rest is equal or better. Longevity will probably be greater and balancing is far superior.

I have not tried a 2018 SQ, but from everything I am seeing I would avoid it unless the loads are predominately delicate.

 

[DADoES]

 
I'm curious ... what toploader per the various respondents' opinions isn't crude?

 

[yogitunes]

if its a Speed Queen you want.....search around, you can find some on CL here and there.....

this set, although not matching, is not a bad price at 150.00 for the set....

http://https//philadelphia.craigslist.org/app/d/washer-and-dryer-great-deal/6527020721.html

 

[yogitunes]

a matching dryer for 65.00.....you can't beat the prices....these aren't the first ones I found like this....

http://https//philadelphia.craigslist.org/app/d/speedqueen-electric-dryer/6493050317.html

 

[combo52]

The Reasons I Characterize The 2017 and Before SQ TL

Washers As Crude;

 

Lack of a two piece agitator

 

Lack of any automatic water temperature control

 

Lack of any type of sound control insulation

 

Lack of a spin clutch, instead all the clutching stress was born by the belt, Very likley to go out of balance with certain loads

 

Old fashioned construction, very hard to disassemble for repairs, steel outer tub subject to rust & leak problems

 

Yes DD washers have some crude elements and they got noisier and cheaper as time went on, that's why I suggested getting a nice model built before approximately 2005, but even MT DC, Norge, GE and FD TLers got nearly all these refinements that 2017 and before SQ TL washers missed out on.

 

John L.

 

 

 

[twintubdexter]

To Each His Own

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Frankly I respect all these different opinions, but I wouldn't have a back-breaking front-load washer even if it came with an electronic robot maid that did a whole lot more than the laundry. I do think those teeny tiny front loaders I seen in European kitchens and bathrooms are cute. I took care of a neighbor's pool as a kid and remember her all-Whirlpool pink kitchen with a built-in washer-dryer under the counter. It looked kind of small. I tried to imagine my mom using that thing. She had a huge laundry room and the piles of sorted clothes with 4 boys was 12 feet long. I guess we were dirty kids.</span>

 

[good-shepherd]

suggested getting nice model built before approximately 2005

How does one quickly identify pre-2005 Model DD washers??

 

[combo52]

Pre 2005 WP Built DD Washers

The serial # will tell you when it was built.