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.

 

[joelippard]

Beautiful machine

Love that panel design! So unique. I'd love to see a Kelvy in person one day. I'm curious about the non-agitated overflow on the '66. I assume that means nothing is running to pump the water out that is overflowing -- obviously it's going into the outer tub. If that's the case it certainly must hold a lot of water.

 

[mickeyd]

Okay, but then what magic have you captured in the stunning

if it's not a spray rinse?

The ring of suds looks so nice above the swirling water.

When seeing the large Fargo sign, I thought, thank God it's a washer he brought home, and not a wood chipper Remember that scene in "Fargo" starring the fabulous pregnant Francis Mac Dormand, where they threw the guy into the chipper. Talk about a Shredmore~YIKES!

 

[Unimatic1140]

if it's not a spray rinse?

That's the start of the rinse fill Mike, with the tub coasting down to a stop. Even with water getting into the mechanism, the bearings restored to perfect shape.

 

[swestoyz]

Robert, very very nice! Cosmetically, it appears to be almost perfect. Love the control panel. You are right about these being very simple and easy to work on machines. I agree whole heartily!

The cycle differences are interesting too. My '59 matches your '66 almost perfectly. Strange they didn't have the '61 continue to fill during the initial rinse fill all the way through to the overflow pause. I wonder if lower end models differ vs. TOL? I've never used the Perm Press button but I do know that it will overflow with cold during the wash for the cool down.

Joe - the outer tubs on Kelvinators are HUGE. 3 minutes of overflow during the rinse with a pause is a drop in the bucket for these machines.

Ben

 

[jons1077]

Robert

Beautiful machine! Congrats!

Jon

 

[gyrafoam]

Isn't that interesting. It seems the engineering department couldn't make up their mind about how to rinse!

I like the immediate hot spray-rinse as soon as the first spin begins. Oh well, irregardless, the machines do give a GREAT rinse!

 

[dnastrau]

Nice Kelvinator Robert!

Glad to hear it is running well. I wonder how long it was out of service and why it wasn't repaired earlier?

I am also curious - did that dealer have the new boot that you needed or did you have one? That part must be pretty rare by now; maybe that is why the machine was shelved.

Andrew S.

 

[foraloysius]

Great looking Kelvinator Robert. I love the control panel. Very simple but stylish. Looking forward to a "splashing" video of it.

 

[gansky1]

That's just beautiful, that washer was either retired early in it's life or a well-worn wringer washer took most of the laundry. Incredible finds all!

 

[rp2813]

A very handsome and masculine machine. And it looks like it could work up a serious froth too!

Definitely worth the drive.

 

[srswirl]

Those Holes on the Kelvy Turquoise Agitator!

Robert:

I've always wondered about the purpose of the holes in the "steps" between the vanes and on the agitator column. Is there a lint/sand trapping and ejecting mechanism/filter under the agitator...or are they there to assist the agitator in creating stronger and more effective water currents?

Michael