Westinghouse Indexing Washtubs

[jons1077]

FYI...

I made a video tonight comparing the Westy and GE rampies. I think the results can be a bit surprising. As soon as Youtube is up and running I'll post it so everyone can watch...more to come!

Jon

 

[tuthill]

As soon as Youtube is up and running

Can't wait!

 

[scrubflex]

Decent turnover...

Todd, here are more photos of the Hoover washer I found. I also wondered if anyone knew anything about this washer. I notice that it's washtub is exactly the same as the Westinghouse but, BIGGER.

If I had a Westy restored, the Hoover tub would be perfect. Do you think it can placed in the Westinghouse washer?

Harry

http://control panel

 

[scrubflex]

washtub & agitator...

 

[scrubflex]

pump, transmission & motor

 

[scrubflex]

Westy vs GE Ramps

Jon,

I'm completely blown away by your video. I love it, it's AWESOME!!! I really had no idea how POWERFUL the deep ramp agitator is. Also, I have to admit, the indexing does increase the rollover turbulence.

If the regular, deep ramp is this effective with that Bobload, imaging how the 2-in-1, "SWIRL-Ramp" will do. It could probably wash 2 more towels and 4 wash cloths. Also, what size is your GE washtub, 2.3 (LARGE) or 2.7 (EXTRA LARGE) cu.ft? How about the Westy's cu.ft size?

What size bath towels do you use in your video? Have you ever tried Kenmore's method of determining how big the washers capacity is and how effective is the agitator? They use (25" x 50") and (24" x 48") bath towels in the test.

Thanks a million for the video. Can't wait to see more. BTW, can you make some with the lower water levels, (SMALL & TINY LOAD) to see the wash action of the Westy and GE?

 

[jons1077]

Ok here's the video finally...

Sorry it took so long. Youtube was down last night but finally have it posted as some of you have already seen.

A couple of notes:

- From what I could determine, the maximum indexing on the Westy was about 5-6 inches per stroke with about a 1-inch rebound. When it was empty it was about half that.

- The GE is the standard size tub so a bit smaller. If it's 2.5 cubic ft then the Westy must be around 2.7 or 2.8.

- The towels I used were actually pretty large. I'd say 24" X 60" or close to it. Not bath sheets but big, thick bath towels. (Very thick)

Glad you guys like the video and hope it helped answer some questions and relieve some curiosity!

Jon

 

[swestoyz]

Jon - loved the video! Made a very lasting impression that a Franklin transmission really does spin during agitation. Wow! Machine looks great, as well as your awesome GE! Of course I'm voting for the General.

Ben

 

[tcox6912]

Thanks

Harry, thanks for the pics of the Hoover. I had never seen any type of Hoover other than the twin tubs. It really does resemble the Westinghouse; perhaps it was some type of joint venture or re-badging. You are correct in saying that the tub in the Hoover is definitely larger. Thanks, also, for the videos on the GE vs Westinghouse competition. You have some really cool machines. Todd

 

[jons1077]

Ben,

you know I'm always voting GE too hehe. Especially after all the work you and I have done to it!

Todd,
So glad the video was enjoyable. I enjoy making them and making a good video log of any old machines I can get my hands on. Not long ago I wasn't able to have any kind of full-size vintage machine so videos got me through the long nights.

Jon

 

[scrubflex]

westy 1st love---GE love also...

Dont get me wrong guys, I love GE washers also. They're another favorite oldie of me. The High-Ramp, Activator's are great. But, the "Heavy Duty 18 (straight, 8-vane) Activator" agitator caught my I fisrt. Any photos?

Harry

 

[scrubflex]

...caught my eye first.

 

[swestoyz]

Harry,

Sure, check out thread 19782 titled "Cute 60's Filter-Flo GE!". I just posted photos of various activators in the thread.

Ben

 

[roto204]

Hoover

Believe it or not, the Hoover--despite its Westy-tastic similarities, was a Blackstone top-loader, rebadged.

 

[mayfan69]

Hoover

This is my Australian version of the Hoover. This design persisted in Australia until the 1980's. Hoover dominated the Australian Washing Machine market with this design for many years through the 1970's and 80's.

Leon

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/THREADS/VINTAGE/19700x16.htm

 

[scrubflex]

Activator's

Hey Ben,

Your pictures are cool and thanks. However, these Activator agiatator's are for the standard capacity washer. I was hoping for photos of the Heavy Duty 18's in the extra large washtubs.

Harry

 

[scrubflex]

Westy vs Ge washload competition video

Jon, I trying to really figure out just how much the Westinghouse washer can handle. You said your bath towels were about 24" x 60", very big and thick. Can they possibly be as thick as (two towels in one)? Do you know if the 1972 Westy washtub is much larger than the WCI Westinghouse tubs?

Harry

 

[bajaespuma]

My two cents.

From many hours of hypnotically watching the GE spiral ramp activator do its thing: The rollover power of this particular agitator comes from its backstroke: those massive spiral ramps in the middle of the agitator seem to "pull" all the water and clothing into the center of the tub, especially with a full load. On the forward stroke, the vanes at the bottom do some scrub and push work but most of the movement of the load, the drawing up over to the center and down, is always on the back stroke. Back in the day, GE engineers knew what they were doing. Now they just bring good things, like thermonuclear warheads, to life.

Harry, thanks for all the pictures. Could you post one of the Westy fabric softener dispenser? I always thought that thing was king of cool: reminded me of the Jupiter 2.