The Fargo '61 Kelvinator

[Unimatic1140]

So about three years I ago I stopped at Sheyenne Appliance on the very west end of Fargo, practically on the edge of the prairie. I asked the owner about old parts and machines. He said he had two Rubber Tub Bendix machines and a early 60s Kelvinator. He said the stuff was sort of buried in his warehouse and he would contact me when he can get to it. Well three years later he contacted me and told me they were available.

 

[Unimatic1140]

So he wanted me to pick them up early on Saturday, so I got up at 5 am and drove the 3.5 hours to Fargo. Loaded up the truck, stopped downtown for brunch and headed back home.

 

[Unimatic1140]

This machine is in amazing shape cosmetically, it is a 1961 lower end model. The black panel is hard to photograph, but it just shines.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Love the early 60's styling...

 

[Unimatic1140]

The boot had ripped in the machine, so I spent six hours today ripping the machine completely apart, sanding out any rust and re-greasing. The mechanism was pretty much seized up from the water that leaked down into it. The ABC/Kelvinator design is super simple to work on, I wish all vintage machines were this easy to work on.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Everything looks good, it now runs super silent and the rubber guard needs a good cleaning yet but its soft and supple.

 

[Unimatic1140]

This machine runs so much smoother than my '66 Kelvinator. I think this new one is going to go in its place.

 

[mayfan69]

Very nice Robert!

That's a pretty gorgeaus machine there Robert!

All good things to those who wait. It was great that he remembered you.

Cheers
Leon

 

[peteski50]

Kelvinator!

Robert,
Real nice Kelvinator I thought the early 60's models had the black adjator. Hopefully you can obtain a window lid.
Peter

 

[peterh770]

And the agitator is just mint! Congrats!

 

[revvinkevin]

WOW, Congrats Robert!

Congrats on your new acquisitions!! The Kelvy looks awesome and I look forward to hearing more about the rubber tub machines!

Kevin

 

[a440]

Fantastic Finds!
You are a Magnet!
Brent

 

[appnut]

Awesome and outstanding. Simple, but stylish. congrats!!

 

[goatfarmer]

Beautiful machine!

 

[tolivac]

Kelvinator Time Capsule-really NICE machine.

 

[gyrafoam]

Beautiful find!
I am curious as to what variations your '61 machine does for a "spray rinse" as opposed to the older machines. What does the '66 do?

Greg's goes into a hot spray rinse the moment the timer advances into the first spin. What a great spray rinse!

My 1960 does not do that. Instead it overfills on the initial rinse-fill until it overflows nearly a whole tub full of water!
it would make a lot more sense to me if it filled, agitated and then paused to do a long overflow. Oh well. Just curious as to the differences.

 

[tlee618]

Robert, that machine is just beautiful! It looks to be in amazing condition! And YAY it has the magic minute!!!

 

[dishwashercrazy]

Cool Kelvinator


It is wonderful to know that one more successor to the Peoria built ABC washer has been saved.

Mike

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Steve,

Its interesting you ask about the rinsing because I was surprised to see how different the cycle is than my '66.

Here is the sequence in the '61:

No spray rinse during the first spin,
Fills the tub just to nearly full (but not overflowing),
Agitates for 1 minute without any water flow,
Overflow rinses with agitation for 3 minutes,
Agitates for another minute without water flow,
Final Spin (no spray).

BUT if you select Warm/Cold Wash-Wear on the temp dial the machine will do an overflow wash with cold water for three minutes to cool the warm clothes down before the first spin. No water flow if a warm rinse is selected.

My '66 Kelvinator:

Spray rinse during the first spin increment (warm or cold),
Fills the tub halfway and starts to agitate continues filling and agitating for two minutes,
Non-agitated overflow three minutes,
Agitation without water flow for one minute.