at least once!
Vintage Maytag Washer-Dryer 340W
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John Lefever has my Maytag combo now. They are a very interesting machine to watch, the washing action is really effective with the large, perforated drum. Where most of these machines fell down in performance was the spinning. Since Bendix had all of the patents locked up for the springs and shock absorbers to allow a truly suspended assembly, every other maker had to re-invent the wheel to get their own combos on the market.
Maytag used a pivot point at the base of the machine to allow the drum assembly to rock side-to-side when attempting to balance for spin. They had an off-balance switch that would override the spin solenoid shifter, keeping the speed at tumble. This didn't prevent some violent and startling drama when it attempted to spin. Luckily, the door glass had an edge protruding beyond the boot and whether by design or accident, the moving tub would knock the edge and kick the door open, stopping the machine. Despite the warning of this possibility, spectators could be, and were, scared into a fight or flight reaction when the machine quite literally jumped in the air, banged the door open and finally went quiet.
The drying portion of the cycle was quite efficient (but for the lackadaisical spin) and used less water than other combos and water condenser dryers. The water was sprayed onto the spinning fan, aerating it into a fine mist that condensed the warm, moist air pulled circulated in a loop through the heater and drum. Like most combos, the Matag depended upon being used as a washer and dryer together which filling with water numerous times clearing the lint from the lower regions of the drum and air channels. The one I found had been used as a dryer only for a long time and had gobs of lint built up behind and around the inner drum.
All in all, it was a worthy effort that probably would have succeeded had they been able to get around the limitations and restrictions of Big Bendix at the time and build a machine with proper suspension and spinning function.
Maytag used a pivot point at the base of the machine to allow the drum assembly to rock side-to-side when attempting to balance for spin. They had an off-balance switch that would override the spin solenoid shifter, keeping the speed at tumble. This didn't prevent some violent and startling drama when it attempted to spin. Luckily, the door glass had an edge protruding beyond the boot and whether by design or accident, the moving tub would knock the edge and kick the door open, stopping the machine. Despite the warning of this possibility, spectators could be, and were, scared into a fight or flight reaction when the machine quite literally jumped in the air, banged the door open and finally went quiet.
The drying portion of the cycle was quite efficient (but for the lackadaisical spin) and used less water than other combos and water condenser dryers. The water was sprayed onto the spinning fan, aerating it into a fine mist that condensed the warm, moist air pulled circulated in a loop through the heater and drum. Like most combos, the Matag depended upon being used as a washer and dryer together which filling with water numerous times clearing the lint from the lower regions of the drum and air channels. The one I found had been used as a dryer only for a long time and had gobs of lint built up behind and around the inner drum.
All in all, it was a worthy effort that probably would have succeeded had they been able to get around the limitations and restrictions of Big Bendix at the time and build a machine with proper suspension and spinning function.
The Maytag Combo
I got a MTC in 1974 that a customer gave up on because of excessive service calls, it was replaced by a new GE combo that a large department store in the DC area still was being closed out, the GE was built in 1973.
The traded in MT was among the last produced by MT and was built in 1965. I repaired several items on the MT including rebuilding a noisey leaking transmission.
We used the MTC for about two years and overall performance was very good, it was certainly better than a regular small tub MT washer at cleaning, rinsing and lint and sand disposal, not as good at water extraction however. [ I never once had a problem with the machine jumping with an unbalanced load, the automatic re-balancing feature worked very well ]
The problem with combination W-D reliability stems from the fact that combos never sold as well as manufactures had hoped. When sales did not take off there was little money or incentive to improve the overall product.
This was partially bad for Maytag, Maytag never brought an appliance to market that didn't need a lot of redesign and reliability improvements and the MT combo was no exception.
Maytag continued the buy back program into the 70s, I was offered a pair of 806s in 1975 if I scraped the machine and turned in the serial# tag.
As far as we know there are only 10 or so MTCs left, I will be surprised if this sale goes over $500, which is far from the record Ebay sale of one around ten years ago that went for around $3,400.00
John L.
I got a MTC in 1974 that a customer gave up on because of excessive service calls, it was replaced by a new GE combo that a large department store in the DC area still was being closed out, the GE was built in 1973.
The traded in MT was among the last produced by MT and was built in 1965. I repaired several items on the MT including rebuilding a noisey leaking transmission.
We used the MTC for about two years and overall performance was very good, it was certainly better than a regular small tub MT washer at cleaning, rinsing and lint and sand disposal, not as good at water extraction however. [ I never once had a problem with the machine jumping with an unbalanced load, the automatic re-balancing feature worked very well ]
The problem with combination W-D reliability stems from the fact that combos never sold as well as manufactures had hoped. When sales did not take off there was little money or incentive to improve the overall product.
This was partially bad for Maytag, Maytag never brought an appliance to market that didn't need a lot of redesign and reliability improvements and the MT combo was no exception.
Maytag continued the buy back program into the 70s, I was offered a pair of 806s in 1975 if I scraped the machine and turned in the serial# tag.
As far as we know there are only 10 or so MTCs left, I will be surprised if this sale goes over $500, which is far from the record Ebay sale of one around ten years ago that went for around $3,400.00
John L.
Be surprised!
<blockquote>
As far as we know there are only 10 or so MTCs left, I will be surprised if this sale goes over $500, which is far from the record Ebay sale of one around ten years ago that went for around $3,400.00
John L.
</blockquote>
Up over a grand....
<blockquote>
As far as we know there are only 10 or so MTCs left, I will be surprised if this sale goes over $500, which is far from the record Ebay sale of one around ten years ago that went for around $3,400.00
John L.
</blockquote>
Up over a grand....
jasonlittle
Well-known member
It’s up to $1025 now !
One bidder went in yesterday and trumped previous highest bid; he in turn was trumped, and then came back and put in highest bid to date.
This is going to go for serious money, you mark my words.
Meanwhile the poor initial bidders either have given up, or are lying low keeping their powder dry.
This is going to go for serious money, you mark my words.
Meanwhile the poor initial bidders either have given up, or are lying low keeping their powder dry.
Wow, who knows where it might go, keep in mind folks there are other ones out there that can be had, I know of two people that have MT 340Ws that are willing to sell and I will have an extra one when I get done restoring Greg's yellow one.
Also keep in mind while this is a very interesting machine it will be very difficult to get working and keep working due to the lack of parts especially a door boot.
John L.
Also keep in mind while this is a very interesting machine it will be very difficult to get working and keep working due to the lack of parts especially a door boot.
John L.
I hope this does not mean that someone's planning to bring back the Green Acres hovel with the original appliances, maybe as a museum next to the Ark Museum or that Bible Museum in DC or in Branson.
"Why George, you would look at that, a Maytag Machine that washed and dried laundry. Whooda thought of having such a thing?"
[this post was last edited: 9/20/2018-13:43]
"Why George, you would look at that, a Maytag Machine that washed and dried laundry. Whooda thought of having such a thing?"
[this post was last edited: 9/20/2018-13:43]
$1025 Takes It!
Looks like someone knew when they were better off, and there wasn't any further bidding after the last high of $1,025.
Looks like someone knew when they were better off, and there wasn't any further bidding after the last high of $1,025.
