Unusual Kenmore BD Pair
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I remember those. I had no fondness for them, but do remember them.
Early to Mid 70's machines
Fully featured and large capacity machines. Most likely a high end 80 series. Pre-cursor to the much nicer looking Black Panel machines which also added the Dual-Action agitator.
WK78
Fully featured and large capacity machines. Most likely a high end 80 series. Pre-cursor to the much nicer looking Black Panel machines which also added the Dual-Action agitator.
WK78
stricklybojack
Well-known member
.
Weird!
I am astounded at all the styles that USED to be offered.
Now 'pert near the same stuff for years on end..
Weird!
I am astounded at all the styles that USED to be offered.
Now 'pert near the same stuff for years on end..
70series
Well-known member
These are actually 70 series models from 1974, and my aunt had the dryer, which I loved. They have the pilot lights over the dials, and the washer has the Penta Swirl agitator. There was a video posted way back when on Youtube showing the washer in action.
A preview of things to come....
This model as James mentioned is a 1974 model. It was part of a trio of models that were introduced that year which finally added matching dryers to the large capacity washer platform which had been in limited production since 1967 or so. None of the previous washers were marketed with dryers, though one 1973 model did cosmetically match a 1972 standard capacity dryer.
The introduction of large capacity machines in 1974 seems to have changed the market overnight, as never again was the market emphasis at Sears on standard capacity models as it had been. Within two years when the black panel models were introduced, standard tub washers became almost unusual.
The washer for sale here is not one of Sears' more attractive machines. Sears must have been aware of this as the 1975 models had a carry-over version of this machine, but the "balcony" of supplemental switches on top of the console in the '74 was moved to more traditional front of the console for '75.
I believe Ralph is well acquainted with this machine, I wonder if we would like a pair?!?! I have this model in Tawny Gold.
Gordon
This model as James mentioned is a 1974 model. It was part of a trio of models that were introduced that year which finally added matching dryers to the large capacity washer platform which had been in limited production since 1967 or so. None of the previous washers were marketed with dryers, though one 1973 model did cosmetically match a 1972 standard capacity dryer.
The introduction of large capacity machines in 1974 seems to have changed the market overnight, as never again was the market emphasis at Sears on standard capacity models as it had been. Within two years when the black panel models were introduced, standard tub washers became almost unusual.
The washer for sale here is not one of Sears' more attractive machines. Sears must have been aware of this as the 1975 models had a carry-over version of this machine, but the "balcony" of supplemental switches on top of the console in the '74 was moved to more traditional front of the console for '75.
I believe Ralph is well acquainted with this machine, I wonder if we would like a pair?!?! I have this model in Tawny Gold.
Gordon
This washer was not Sears' more attractive...
Boy Gordon, that sure is putting it nicely, LOL.
Kevin
Boy Gordon, that sure is putting it nicely, LOL.
Kevin
william637
Well-known member
That is the second washer my family had when I was growing u
And since the first Kenmore was retired before I was 3 years old, this is the one that I remember the best. We kept it until about 1988 or 1990 when we got a Speed Queen.
I actually really liked the washer. I loved playing with the detergent dispenser as a kid. The detergent dispenser was triangular cup with a trap door bottom that you placed in the rear left corner of the lid opening. There was a solenoid that engaged as soon as the machine stopped filling for the main wash that would pop the trap door open.
The design was flawed...the detergent cup took up too much room when you were trying to load clothes evenly around the agitator, and you would knock it off of its holder when you removed clothes. My mom hated it. So, it sat in a drawer for must of my life. I would randomly just go by, pick it up, and keep playing with that spring loaded trap door. You know what they say about me...simple minds...simple pleasures...
And since the first Kenmore was retired before I was 3 years old, this is the one that I remember the best. We kept it until about 1988 or 1990 when we got a Speed Queen.
I actually really liked the washer. I loved playing with the detergent dispenser as a kid. The detergent dispenser was triangular cup with a trap door bottom that you placed in the rear left corner of the lid opening. There was a solenoid that engaged as soon as the machine stopped filling for the main wash that would pop the trap door open.
The design was flawed...the detergent cup took up too much room when you were trying to load clothes evenly around the agitator, and you would knock it off of its holder when you removed clothes. My mom hated it. So, it sat in a drawer for must of my life. I would randomly just go by, pick it up, and keep playing with that spring loaded trap door. You know what they say about me...simple minds...simple pleasures...
Spring loaded/trap door dispensers
These dispensers for powdered detergent that Mark mentioned above are quite hard to find today.
I have seen over the years many machines that were originally equipped with the dispenser, but rarely is the dispenser sent off with the machine when owners dispose of them, and the machine is left with the little mounting block and nothing else.
Speaking of dispensers making loading/unloading difficult, my mother felt the same way about the agitator mounted softener dispenser that came in our 1974 machine, which was the model directly below this one. Like Mark, I would often get the dispenser out of its hiding spot, but would forget to put it back and leave it on the agitator, which Mom would usually comment on, in a slightly annoyed but very unsurprised tone. She always said something about there not being enough room to work when the dispenser was installed.
I usually responded back that she should be glad that the machine wasn't a few years older in which the dispenser was permanent and acted as the agitator cap and could not be removed... I suspect that Sears had a lot of customer complaints about those, thus they came up with the removable version.
These dispensers for powdered detergent that Mark mentioned above are quite hard to find today.
I have seen over the years many machines that were originally equipped with the dispenser, but rarely is the dispenser sent off with the machine when owners dispose of them, and the machine is left with the little mounting block and nothing else.
Speaking of dispensers making loading/unloading difficult, my mother felt the same way about the agitator mounted softener dispenser that came in our 1974 machine, which was the model directly below this one. Like Mark, I would often get the dispenser out of its hiding spot, but would forget to put it back and leave it on the agitator, which Mom would usually comment on, in a slightly annoyed but very unsurprised tone. She always said something about there not being enough room to work when the dispenser was installed.
I usually responded back that she should be glad that the machine wasn't a few years older in which the dispenser was permanent and acted as the agitator cap and could not be removed... I suspect that Sears had a lot of customer complaints about those, thus they came up with the removable version.
Correct-a-Mundo Gordon!
That is the exact washer, complete with the "balcony" mounted controls. It was still going strong in 2000, but my mom didn't like the sewer smell that presented itself at the start of the tub fill, which was likely just a problem with a supply hose, and got rid of it.
These machines were built with the "Quiet Pak" system, and that's what sold us, since the laundry room was in an alcove off the den/TV room. I had to replace the filter once. It was the old cone shaped type, which was upgraded to the flat disc shaped design. I also had to replace the thin (green) belt once. That wasn't anywhere near as easy a job as it is on a Maytag from the same period.
What a fabulously civilized machine it was! Unlike the garbage ear-splitting '67 Snorge it replaced, it could be operating while the TV was on and there was no need to turn the volume up! And yeah Mark, the detergent dispenser sat in a drawer here too. It was part of the automatic advance system for the Soak & Wash option. Unless you set the main wash for the maximum time, the solenoid wouldn't trigger the dispenser flap, and it was just easier to dump the powder directly into the tub anyway.
Say what you will about its unusual looks -- it was the best washer ever to come through the household, and outlasted all three machines that proceeded it combined.
That pair in the ad is a total steal at $60.
That is the exact washer, complete with the "balcony" mounted controls. It was still going strong in 2000, but my mom didn't like the sewer smell that presented itself at the start of the tub fill, which was likely just a problem with a supply hose, and got rid of it.
These machines were built with the "Quiet Pak" system, and that's what sold us, since the laundry room was in an alcove off the den/TV room. I had to replace the filter once. It was the old cone shaped type, which was upgraded to the flat disc shaped design. I also had to replace the thin (green) belt once. That wasn't anywhere near as easy a job as it is on a Maytag from the same period.
What a fabulously civilized machine it was! Unlike the garbage ear-splitting '67 Snorge it replaced, it could be operating while the TV was on and there was no need to turn the volume up! And yeah Mark, the detergent dispenser sat in a drawer here too. It was part of the automatic advance system for the Soak & Wash option. Unless you set the main wash for the maximum time, the solenoid wouldn't trigger the dispenser flap, and it was just easier to dump the powder directly into the tub anyway.
Say what you will about its unusual looks -- it was the best washer ever to come through the household, and outlasted all three machines that proceeded it combined.
That pair in the ad is a total steal at $60.
I think it’s a beautiful looking machine. Recently acquired one myself for $50 in nearly brand new shape. Hardly used at all.
https://youtube.com/@patcola7335?si=HOQTRR4k_VhOu8_j
https://youtube.com/@patcola7335?si=HOQTRR4k_VhOu8_j
This was supposed to be in the imperial forum. Don’t know why it Showed up here
repairguy
Well-known member
I’d really like to have the matching set in shaded copper tone.
