Time capsule speed queen laundromats

[adam-aussie-vac]

Hey guys, I ended up visiting a laundromat in a little country town in W.A., does anybody have any idea how old these machines are? As I’m thinking they’re probably 70s or 80s

And what speedqueen machine is this front loader? I’ve never seen one, and it has no detergent drawer, you just put everything in the top when the corresponding indicator light turns on

 

[mielerod69]

Out of order

They may as well shut up shop with all those out-of-order machines.

 

[launderess]

"Out of Order".....

Given age of those machines spares are likely difficult to come by or just non existent. Tearing everything out and going with newer machines likely would be best.

Top pour detergent dispensers on H-axis washers were common from start.

Bendix, Westinghouse, all of them both commercial and domestic from 1940's until well into or past 1970's had pour through top "dispensers" if you will. That or one just bunged detergent or soap into tub wash wash.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

So the reason why there’s out of order

On every machine is because when I visited, I didn’t realise until I chatted with the clerk at the attached petrol station that the laundromat is temporarily closed, waiting for Repairs, I only ended up going in and taking some photos because I didn’t even notice that there was a sign until after I had exited,, and considering that this is a laundromat in a small town, specifically, the only laundromat, otherwise people would have to drive an hour and 10 minutes to the nearest laundromat. From that town, I admit the age of the machines is actually the reason why I wanted to at least visit there before they rip them out with something much more newer, plus I at least wanted to see that very specific model of speed queen front loader in person, as it was either that one or one that’s in a very far out country town in the middle of New South Wales And the only thing that really made me realise that it actually was temporarily closed, was a small sign with a dog holding a spanner in its mouth in the laundromat

 

[tolivac]

How is this laundramat going to do business if this many machines are broke?

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

I’m not sure, I guess the owner of the laundromat has

Decided to do a refurbishment as almost all the machines are out of order

 

[supersurgilator]

To answer your question as to the age of the machines there are several little characteristics I've learned about Speed Queen Machines. The older harvest gold toploaders are from 1980 to 1986. Speed Queen started using the perforated tubs in 1980 and they used the silver back panel until 1986. The other 3 toploaders are between 1986 and 1990. Speed Queen started using the black panel in 1986 and stopped using the plunger type lid switch in the front right corner in 1990. The front loader would be from sometime from 1986 to early 90's. Same goes for the dryers mid 80's (silver panel) to early 90's.