Taking Apart a Bendix Economat

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Unimatic1140

Unimatic1140

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So I have three rubber tub Bendix machines now.  The one against the wall was my original one that I've had for over 10 years, it was found at an estate sale.  The other two I found last year from a old appliance dealer/servicer in Fargo.  The one in the foreground is an early mode and the middle is a Crosley version of the Economat.

 

My original machine worked ok for many years, but now its leaking so it needs to be fixed.

 

unimatic1140++2-11-2011-23-45-37.jpg
 
The early model is in rough shape and will be used as a parts machine to restore the Crosley if its possible.  I have no idea what kind of mechanical shape the Crosley is in yet.

unimatic1140++2-13-2011-09-08-44.jpg
 
Here is the money shot.  The protrusion in the rubber tub is the sensor for the water level switch.  As the rubber bag fills with water it expands and depresses a lever on the other side of the tub when its full.

unimatic1140++2-13-2011-09-09-46.jpg
 
Interesting, it turns out the Dome is spring loaded on the lid, it pushes both in and out slightly, I've never noticed that it can move before.  Also there is a rubber valve of some sort in here, I have no idea what that is used for...

unimatic1140++2-13-2011-09-15-18.jpg
 
With the top removed you can see the clips that hold the top of the rubber tub down as well as the timer and 2nd rinse switch.

unimatic1140++2-13-2011-09-17-27.jpg
 
Here is the "Aspirator" assembly.  There are two components, the one at the top is the vacuum breaker for the fill flume and the other connects the fill flume to the tub.  They must be there to seal off the air flow during the suction part of the extract cycle.

unimatic1140++2-13-2011-09-18-57.jpg
 
The agitator just pulls right up and out and now its time to remove the bottom plate that holds the rubber tub down.  The early models have these odd style bolts (I'm not sure of their name) they have no slot on top for a screwdriver and standard wrenches wont work with them.  So my trusty Vice-Grip comes to the rescue.  The other two machines have standard bolts that you can use a socket wrench to remove them.

unimatic1140++2-13-2011-09-22-33.jpg
 
Once you remove those bolts the transmission is sort of just hanging there and ready for removal.   This is the early transmission, there were two designs.  The other two machines have the later transmission.

unimatic1140++2-13-2011-09-27-39.jpg
 
Now its time to remove the pump.  Again there was two pumps and this is the early version.  I was surprised to see that Bendix had outsourced this pump to another company.  Later on it appears they built their own.  The pump not only has to remove the water, but also remove the air from the tub to make it collapse and extract water from the clothes.  I can read part of the date stamp, but the year has worn off unfortunately.

unimatic1140++2-13-2011-09-32-7.jpg
 
Finally I remove the timer, you can see the suction release valve that is built right into the timer.  When extract is over the rubber seat is lifted and air is sent through this tube into the tub to release the pressure.

unimatic1140++2-13-2011-09-34-46.jpg
 
With the parts machine done I now filled the other Bendix with water (the one that I've had for 10 years) to see where it was leaking from.  Unforutnately it was from the rubber tub.  In pulling out the tub I discovered that under the metal plate it has all sorts of detergent residue on it as well as at the bottom of the tub.  I'm soaking them now in hot water and will scrub all of that off, hopefully that will make for a good seal again.

 

More to come when that task is completed.

unimatic1140++2-13-2011-09-37-36.jpg
 
Vacuum

The idea of a vacuum bladder washer is neat. Thanks for the detailed shots of a neat, rare machine. How durable are these rubber tubs with normal use? I know they would be susceptible to puncture, but the actual rubber on the one you removed seemed in good shape. Does your tub read "Goodyear" around the rim? Thanks -Tim
 
RUBBER TUB BENDIX

Neat to see you working on this washer, I was playing with ours last weekend, if you need any parts for these I have a box of used parts for these, sorry no good tubs. I had never seen the earlier water pump before I wonder what it looks like inside?. The later round pump was not a Bendix built pump either but rather a Gorman-Rupp pump almost the same one used in the 1956-1958 33" WP built KM & WP combos.
 
Robert:
Loved the photos and the step by step chronicle of the breakdown. Relatively simple machine. For now it's the closest I will get, the search continues. Thanks,
Kevin
 
Rubber Tub

Hi Robert, such a simple design, was fascinated seeing it in action (well listening to the sounds!!!) with you in 2001, always wondered how the insides would look, great show...

Just how thick is the rubber tub?? your first model seems to have a darker coloured tub and a more supple appearance, is this grey one thicker??

Happy fixing, Mike
 
Very cool tear down Robert. I've always thought that Bendix copied Maytag's Model E transmission for these. They look similar, have a similar splined agitator shaft, and internally are quite alike. They must have been different enough that the boys in Newton didn't cry fowl.

Hopefully the tub is good from the parts machine that it can be used in the later Bendix. The Crosley though, that's where the money is!

Those weird screws - they're Gulmite screws. Maytag used them for the same application, and I've also seen Bendix use them on the Duomatic door hinges.

Ben

BTW - thought you'd enjoy this sheet discussing the date stamp for the General rubber tubs.

swestoyz++2-13-2011-13-24-45.jpg
 
Theory on the Odd Rubber Valve

I believe the odd valve is for letting excess air out of the top. If the clothes are being squeezed out there might be some excess air that needs to come out. To prevent the round top from losing it's seal on the tub, the valve would let off the pressure. Like a safety valve.

 

Just a thought

 

Joe

jamman_98
 

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