Speed Queen Washer Questions

[brianl]

I have found a Speed Queen Washer on my local Craigslist but having difficulty identifying it. I am trying to get some information from the seller, but it is at her father's house, so she is not near it today. I was wondering if anybody could get me a year, model, or even other pics. Any info regarding this machine would be great.

Pic 1:

 

[brianl]

Pic 2:

 

[brianl]

Pic 3:

 

[coldspot66]

Hi Brian,

Should be a stainless steel perforated tub with a belt driven pump. Well made machine, but hard to service. The tub seal does tend to leak eventually. Hope this helps. Straight vane agitator and compensating belt drive system. All Amana/Speed Queen perforated tub machines tend to eat belts sooner rather than later.

 

[brianl]

Thanks for that info John, the only thing the seller told me was they thought it was at least 15 years old and was not used in 9 years. Claims it worked when last used. (You know, the usual spiel.)

Never had a stainless steel tub machine before, so that will be pretty cool, and that SQ agitator I like so much.

I think the first thing will be to put very hot water in the tub for a little bit and hopefully the seal will not leak.

What do you mean by a compensating belt drive system? All that comes to mind is something similar to Maytag's that move the motor back and forth on a carriage.

No worries about servicing, that's what I have Yogitunes for lol (Ducks and runs!)

I heard about that belt eating habit, well we shall find out soon enough.

 

[mrb627]

Belt Eating

I think the belt eating is hit or miss. My Aunt has an Amana set that are close to 15 years old and still running on the original belt. Only repair has been a heating element in the dryer.

Malcolm

 

[coldspot66]

Hi Brian,

Yes it is similar to the Maytag but the motor does not slide. Instead it has a pulley that slips the belt during pumpout.
This model may not eat belts because the pump might be driven by it's own cogged belt. I would change both belts when you get it, just to be sure.

 

[brianl]

Alright, cool. I am getting the machine on Friday around 7pm. Got to bring it out of a basement. Lovely! lol.

Any literature or if anyone can venture a model number that I can look up a manual would be great. Want to get a head start with reading.

 

[dustin92]

We have a very similar machine (same control panel, knobs, etc, slightly different colors on the controls) from 1989, and as far as I know, it has never had a repair. It does need new belts though, and the timer knob is messed up but still functions. It washes great though. The model ie: AA5221WD. That should give you the info you need, because, like I said, it appears to have the same cycles and features.

 

[yogitunes]

Thats a decent washer.....I kinda favor matched sets myself whenever possible....the dryer ain't bad either....

my set talks to me....look how beautiful we are...a corner all to ourselves....don't you adore our color coordinated consoles...we're ready for our close-ups

 

[dustin92]

Control panel...

 

[dustin92]

Tub... it is not as huge as it looks, but a lot can be fit in a load.

 

[brianl]

Thank you everyone!

This is all very helpful info. I am excited for tomorrow evening now. Will take some pictures when I get it.

Anything I should look out for when I am moving it and what would be a good way to brace the tub? It should fit in my van standing, but just in case, I'd rather not have the tub banging into the outer tub.

 

[dustin92]

If it will fit in your vehicle standing up, I wouldnt worry about bracing the tub, ours has pretty firm suspension, and holds the tub pretty tight. Are you installing it on a concrete floor? Ours is on a concrete floor in the basement, and spins rock solid smooth, but our other Speed Queen (slightly newer model) was on a wood floor, and liked to dance.

 

[brianl]

Hey Dustin,

Yea I was figuring it would stand up, but wasn't 100% sure. This will be on a concrete floor in my basement. Good to know about the suspension.

 

[yogitunes]

Actually Brian...where the heck are you gonna fit another machine in your basement?

I told you before, think stackables!

 

[wiskybill]

of course it will fit...

just remember that the van is taller inside right behind the
front seats and that a dryer is easier to stand upright in the back

 

[combo52]

Non Solid Tub SQ Washers 1980 On Through Today

Are all potentially hard on the main drive belt, Like MT, 1970s Westinghouse washers and then all top loaders from WCI- Frigidaire. They were too cheap to use a clutch to take up the stress of tying to spin out a full tub of water and clothing while the pump expelled the water. The main drive belt lasted best on MT washers because it was longer and MT had the motor moving so no idler pulley was used that flexed the belt backwards, MT also used larger pulleys which again flexed the belt less and the larger pulleys kept the belt temperature down [ see I do say good things about MT helical drive washers, when warranted ].

 

Brain L the SQ in question was a decent washer, but it tended to be noisy and very boring, and if the main tub seal fails send it to the scrap pile. If you get it I would inspect the belts carefully and if they look good I would not waste your time and money replacing them, after all we are not talking about taking a long hi-speed car trip on 20 year old tires. New belts will not make most washers and dryers work a bit better if their is nothing wrong with the belts that are on the machine now.

 

[alr2903]

IIRC, this is the same Marathon washer, that was in the strange stack pair where the washer pulled out an angle under the dryer. I know for sure that this design or similar was around in 1984. The "Energy House" at the NOLA worlds fair had the stacked set on display. Pulling the washer out for loading was not a job for a weakling. Sears also sold the marathon machines when they became "Brand Central" alr