The Fargo '61 Kelvinator

[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

 

[srswirl]

Effectiveness of Concentric Agitation

Robert:

How would you compare the effectiveness of concentric agitation to Frigidaire's pulsation and most other's oscillation? From a wear standpoint, I would assume pulsation would be the most gentle on fabrics, with concentric action being next most gentle and oscillation being the roughest (just based on how they work). But what about washing effectiveness?

 

[jaxsunst]

That is identical to the one I had that I was storing in my parents barn and a tornado destroyed it. It had belonged to my Great Grandmother. It and my Mom's Kenmore started my love of washers.

 

[srswirl]

Kelvy Agitator Holes

OK...I used the Fabulous! Super Searchalator...and found that the holes create "water-jets" to help the wash action since the water is under the agitator and the concentric action would force the water through the holes as it moves around its axis. The clothes closest to the agitator would be getting scrubbed by the vanes and at the same time water would be forced by these "jets" through the fabric.

How cool! Does this really work? Can you feel the water jet out of these holes as the agitator moves?

 

[turquoisedude]

Congratulations!!

Wow - another cool find!! It looks awesome!! How long before you find the matching dryer??

 

[Unimatic1140]

did that dealer have the new boot that you needed or did you have one? Andrew I had an extra boot in my parts collection.

How cool! Does this really work? Can you feel the water jet out of these holes as the agitator moves?
Hi Michael, yes it does but its waaaaaayy to splashy to be able to feel the water jets. Its a very gentle machine on par with a three ring agitator Frigidaire. I would say their cleaning ability is about the same too.

 

[cfz2882]

wow,that thing is in great shape-a real"surviver"example
I have only seen one early kelvinator in person-or at least
i think it was a kelvinator;found at the dump in 1982,missing
the top,it had a large chrome agitator cap with a single
ridge across the top,and the pump was much like that of a
solid tub speed queen with a two blade rubber impeller but
had the intake opposite the shaft end.The pump was dated 1964.
does this sound like it was kelvinator,probably from 1964?

 

[rickr]

Great looking Kelvinator! Glad you finally got it and now have it up and running!

 

[rollermatic]

love that kelvinator!

what a unique looking agitator it has! and it's a solid tub ofcourse, i guess in 1961 almost all were.

last time in was in fargo was in 1980 in january! 90 below wind chill factor i remember! at least he didn't call you in that kind of weather!

beautiful, and i love that console with the little wiggle marks all across it!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Oohhh

Another great classic Robert, looks straight out of the showroom, controls look similar to the early Hotpoint classic machines here,

Just goes to show what is out there still...

Happy hunting, Mike