SQ: old vs new

[firedome]

My recollection of CR tests from the 60s and 70s is that SQ top loaders were fairly low rated back then, both for reliability and washability, is my memory correct; was this indeed the case? Does SQ even still make a TLer model for home consumption and how does it rate?

 

[strongenough78]

I'm not sure about how they were rated back then. I've only used the coin-op versions of that era and I was never pleased with how they cleaned. They do still make home models and from the few people who have used them on here, they've all given Speed Queen very high praise for reliability and washing ability of the new machines. I also have used only coin op versions of the newer Speed Queens and was very happy with the washing ability, that was, until they modified them to use less water and completely skip the first spin.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Criticizing the Queen!

What I found CR critical of was SQ washers that they tested having a "timed fill", whereas just about every SQ that I have seen (and mostly on this board) has had a Water Level knob...

My HOW TO BUY MAJOR HOME APPLIANCES book probably criticized Speed Queen enough (citing "how a buyer wonders how he ended up w/ a Speed Queen instead of a Maytag washer he set out to buy") that he cites that "Only Hotpoint uses a timed fill", when discussing manual water level controls in the 'How to Buy a Washer Chapter' (unless either my book, or the appliances studied that likely to have been manufactured at that particular time, are just out of date)...

-- Dave

 

[cfz2882]

SQ reliability

i've never had an operating solid tub,but the 1980 and older SQs are basicly 1950s
washers with complex mechanism so i'd recon the later ones are more reliable-both
my '84 "marathons"have been reliable,but they are "rotation"machinesretty
light usage.

 

[lotsosudz]

The problem with the laundromat versions of the SQ's, were too short of a wash cycle, and with that tiny straight finned agitator, they had very pathetic turnover.
I lived in a apartment complex that had coin-op solid tub. they rinsed very well,however unless you loaded them very light, they struggled to turn over heavy fabrics, such as jeans and towels. Love the new ones however.
David

 

[ingliscanada]

I'm Surprised!

I always thought Speed Queen had a great reputation in their McGraw & Edison years. They seemed very popular with laundromats, as I seen more SQ washers than other coin-op brands. And I've seen just as many Huebsch dryers, also made by M & E at that time.

I know that there were a few redesigns throughout the years. The 50's SQs had a one-way tranny with cycles changed by the loud "clinking" solenoids. The motor ran constantly, from agitation directly into spin, and neutral mode during the fill and coast-to-stop at the end. The 60's models had a 2-way tranny, with a pause between the agitation and spin. A tub brake was added sometime in the 70's. When Raytheon took over, the washers were completely restyled and switched to perforated tubs. Now I understand the Alliance models are all new, and kind of a joke.

Huebsch dryers had the old "down flow" heat design until the 80's, when Raytheon took over and introduced the "axil air flow". The new Alliance models now have 2 motors; one driving the drum directly, and one driving the blower. They also now have reverse tumbling as an option.

Gary