Speed Queen

[toploader55]

I don't think I've ever heard except the vintage Speed Queens discussed anywhere in a while. Are they still making good machines ? Or are they "farmed out,stick on my label Mabel"machines ? Even Consumer Reports never seems to mention them. Does anyone here own one and just curious on it's performance ?

 

[peterh770]

SQ is produced by Alliance Laundry Systems. It is the same machine used in coin laundries with a domestic console on it. It is the last of the true toploaders produced in the USA.

 

[jimmyb]

I have a Speed Queen Set

Eddie:

I own the ATS90 front load washer and the AES68 dryer. I have had them since March 2004 (I believe SQ came back into the residential market in late 2002 or 2003) and they are built like tanks.

I have had only a few issues with the washer the first is that every so often it seemed to like to walk during the spin cycles it seemed as though somehow one of its feet was not locked in position very well. The other thing is that a small rust spot started to appear under the detergent drawer (the machine was out of its three year warranty but the cabinet has a five year so SQ sent me a whole new front panel). Consumer reports did not like the short wash time on my model when they were first rated (my clothes always come out clean) and I believe SQ has now adjusted and made the wash portion of the cycle longer.

The dryer runs very well but I do not like the way my t-shirts come out as they seem to become one large clump by the end of the drying cycle. It could be the design of the fins or I could be over drying them. To resolve that problem I wash and dry them in my Kitchen Aid set or Maytag set (depending on what is connected) in my second laundry area.

Overall I could not be happier with the machines, they are a very simple, a classic design and built to last.

 

[tuthill]

dorms

there are speed queen front loading washers in my dorms here at college and i noticed too the cycle time seems awfully shot (only 30 min or less) but the clothes are always clean

 

[rapunzel]

Speed Queen are very big players in the commercial and coin operated market. Their domestic washers have been available outisde the US for many years. Apparently, for legal reasons, they were unable to sell domestic machines in America until a couple of years ago.

I wash with a SQ top loader - have been for more than 20 years. I bought my current SQ in April last year and, yes, they are still a traditional top loader, built to last and perform. Until my last SQ died I never had any issues with it and the new one works like a charm too. They wash and rinse exceptionally well, are as gentle on clothes as any front loader, because of their wide arc stroke and agitator design, and environmentally a very sound investment due to their durability/quality. Once installed, mine never moved even a fraction of an inch. They rarely unbalance and water extraction is surprisingly good at 700 rpm.

Here in Australia they are a little more expensive and aimed at the upper end of the domestic laundry market. Then again, I don't mind paying a fair price for good quality. They get my thumbs up without hesitation.

 

[brant_ix]

Not Entirely True...

I remember when I was a kid, and on the Price is Right, they would be giving away Home Consumer Speed Queen Washer/Dryer Sets. My history with the change is mfr is dated so this may be before Speed Queen was bought/sold (if at all).

 

[rapunzel]

You are right Brant. I didn't express myself correctly and meant to say that in the US, Speed Queen went into a sales hiatus in the 1990's (I think), until recently and for legal reasons. Speed Queen has been around since the early 20th century and was a staple in many American homes for many decades.

 

[mayfan69]

Speed Queen also badged "Kleenmaid" here in Oz

For sometime here in Australia, Speed Queen domestic machines have been badged under the "Kleenmaid" name and the company has had a monopoly on being able to charge (in my opinion) over the top prices for these machines, mainly due to the fact that you can only buy these machines through "Kleenmaid" retail stores.

However, i have discovered that if you have a business on the side or a company, you can buy the 2 speed "Speed Queen" badged domestic washer for much less than the basic single speed "Kleenmaid" For example: the single speed "Kleenmaid" is AU$2400.00 (US$2200.00) and the 2 speed "Speed Queen" bought through the commercial distributers is AU$1600.00 (US$1469.00). So, quite a bit of a saving!!

As Rapunzel has stated, these are probably the last of the real quality top loaders available here in Oz considering Maytag has all but disappeared here. If i wasn't too concerned about out water situation here in QLD, i would certainly consider one of these Speed Queens.

Below is a link to the one of the commercial distributers websites showing the Speed Queen machine.

Regards
Leon

http://cla.com.au/commercial-home-laundry.html

 

[launderess]

When Raytheon (sp?), sold off it's laundry and other divisons, Alliance Laundry Systems got the commercial stuff (Speed Queen, etc) and Maytag residential (Amana, etc). At the time of the sell-off, an agreement was made that Alliance Laundry Systems would not market the SQ brand for residental customers until after a certain period of years, that period expired a few years ago hence Alliance's launch of the SQ line back into the domestic laundry market. IIRC Maytag did make some noises about legal action at the time, since based on their dates Alliance was not supposed to re-enter the market, but nothing came of it in the end.

One thing keeping Speed Queen down, IMHO, is the lack of a strong domestic appliance distribution system. Maytag, Whirlpool and the others have had ages to build channels, relationships, and more important brand awareness with consumers. SQ laundry appliances are very hard to find in many areas (still), and not very well known.

 

[laundromat]

Speed Queen was a Raytheon division untill Goodman went and bought Amana,Caloric,and left Speed Queen and Modern Maid "on the table".Goodman was only interested in the commercial refrigeration(Aheating and cooloing)division of Amana but at that time due to SQ ans Amana being owned originaly by Raytheon,the Amana division had already decided to have themselves enter into laundry products which were made in Racene,Wisconsin at the Speed Queen laundry factories.When Maytag bought Amana leaving Speed Queen behind,Alliance decided to purchase them.This caused a bit of a stir between companies because Speed Queen owned the factories where they made the Amanas too.Soooooooooooo,Maytag had to sign an agreement with Alliance to make their Amana washers and dryers and kept Speed Queen domestic machines completely dormant.They made thousands of machines under SQ for comercial use but none untill recently for the home.I like their top loaders and commercial front loaders

 

[launderess]

Thank You

For the correction and filling in the blanks.

Have wee drinky on me!

L>

 

[rapunzel]

Hi Mayfan,

Mine is the Kleenmaid two speed and I got it for $1300 from the service tech that came to issue the death certificate on my old SQ. It was quite interesting actually. Early last year my old SQ washer began leaking water intermittently. The service tech came around one day to have a look see and he pointed out the possible causes and how much a repair job would be. I didn't decide on the spot and told him I'd be in touch in a week or so. Anyways, after that visit my machine stopped leaking. I kept using it, no problems, though I knew I was on borrowed time. A few weeks later I called in the tech with my decision to go ahead with the repair. The day he arrived he took the front panel off the machine, filled it with water, let it run, no leak. He puts the panel back on whilst we had another chat about the pros and cons of repair vs replacement. I kind of wanted an excuse to upgrade and said that I'd probably want a new machine. Anyway, right after I said that my old washer dropped its guts. All the water suddenly came gushing out the bottom, as if I had rammed a knife right into its little mechanical heart. I felt like such an insensitive swine o(.

Ooh, and another thing I really like about my new SQ washer, it agitates with the lid open. You don't have to defeat any switches or fiddle around to see it in action. It is a traditional top loader through and through with all the bells, whistles and wonderful features that make them such a joy to use.

BTW, aren't they solving the water crisis up there now? I thought some major project was in the pipelines so SE Queensland will never be caught out by drought again? We have a property on the Gold Coast and I am getting a little tired of all these stupid brochures and intrusive policies that they are hoisting on rate payers.

Over the last couple of years domestic users have reduced their per capita water consumption by a whopping 70%. Strangely enough, our water bills up there don't reflect these savings. I think it is time that the Queensland water authority begins to accept responsibility for its primary purpose - supplying water to the public without treating us like their personal cash cows. With all that water that is flowing around in Queensland right now I wonder what proactive steps are being taken to harvest it. I bet right now they are issuing another colorful brochure and tv ad telling everyone to be waterwise.

 

[mayfan69]

Good Saving Rapunzel!

Hey Rapunzel,

Wow: you made a great saving there on that machine thats for sure! A much better price than what they are charging in the retail outlets.

As for the water crisis: the pipeline won't be finished for a little while yet and we are still on Level 6 restrictions which targets 140 litres a day. Once the damns reach 40% (they are currently at 37.9%)then restrictions will be eased to 170 litres a day. Hopefully, the rain will continue and we can reach 50% capacity.

Leon

 

[laundromat]

laundress,we must have been writing at the same time!That is way too much into the "Twighlight Zone" for me!

 

[frigilux]

I don't understand why Speed Queen isn't available at more local retailers. The local Maytag/Frigidaire dealer had SQ until they stopped domestic production in the '90s.

You'd think there would be enough name recognition that SQ could easily make inroads again. Not being a fan of fast, short-stroke agitation, SQ is one of the few top-loaders I'd consider buying.

I've come to love my TL Frigidaire, except for the ridiculously low maximum water level, which severely limits load sizes---unless you tamper with the fill switch, as I do.

Having said that, rollover is best with a medium-sized (about 8-10 lbs.) load, so maybe they should just reduce the tub size back to a typical 1960's Franklin machine and let the tub fill to the top.

The main problem with rollover in my washer is the agitator. It doesn't stir things up enough to handle the very large load its tub can hold. The dual-action spiral really does nothing in my machine, and the four tiny, flexible vanes at the bottom of the agitator just can't handle the job. It needs a good, old-fashioned Westinghouse ramped agitator.

My tiny town even has LG appliances and electronics, now! The local Whirlpool/KA dealer carries LG appliances and the local GE dealer carries LG televisions. And the appliance dealer assures me they do their own servicing, which seems to be the chief complaint of those who own LG machines.

 

[laundromat]

The average consumer I ask always says their washer is a Kenmore but when I actualy get to see them,they are usualy 65% of the time wrong and astonished at their own ignorance(not saying they're stupid,just not at all interested in brand names of their washing machines.)of not being aware of the products they use everyday.I remember when I worked at Montgomery Ward,a customer was looking at washers and when I asked her what she was replacing,she said"G & E" I said "Do you mean General Electric?" She said "No, I said G & E. You know, Gas and Electric.That's where we bought it."After she said that and I got over the shock,I asked her to discribe the lid.She said it opend to the left and locked during spin.That told me and I explained to her that it was a White Westinghouse.Then she said"Oh yea,it says that on the controls."What can I say? This was normal!Another experience was a woman who asked me for an RCA Whirlpool washer As she was asking about it,she goes and says "You know,the one that goes up and down." I said to her"Lady,if your RCA Whirlpool washer is going up and down,you realy need to replace it!!!" She asked "What do you mean?" I said "Mam,the only washer I know of that goes up and down is the Frigidaire Jet Action 1-18."She said" Oh yea that's it! I wonder why I said it was an RCA Whirlpool?" Da!That is probably why the Speed Queen name hasn't realy ben popular recently.Another reason is that there aren't that many appliance dealers who carry them.

 

[mulls]

Big box retailers

The brands that dominate will be the ones sold by the big box retailers.The Whirlpool brands so dominate the top loader business that there is not really a need for another offering.This segment is on the endangered species list anyway.The SQ top loader is the best available,but I can tell you that their FL leaves a lot to be desired for home use.A report here said it was ranked 18th out of 20 in a recent test article.Their dryers are great.

 

[goatfarmer]

Years ago, the instructor at a Frigidaire school told us a story about the little old lady who came into the store he worked at, and wanted a new Frigidaire. Her old one wasn't keeping things cold any more. She didn't want a Whirlpool Frigidaire, or a General Electric Frigidaire, she wanted a Frigidaire Frigidaire!

 

[toploader55]

I just left...

The Speed Queen Website. They're offering 3 years Parts and Labor,5 years on the motor and 10 (Yes that's TEN) years on the transmission. Sounds like the old KitchenAid warrenty. IT'S UNHEARD OF THESE DAYS. I just started to have trouble with the daily driver. A few whiring noises. I'm going to check them out next Tuesday. I'll be looking at a top loader as my interests in Front Loaders has almost totally diminished.
Sounds like they're committed to Quality and have Confidence in what they are building and selling. It's about time.