What Is Harvest Gold & Is 100lbs of Fun?

[launderess]

Why a Whirlpool compact dryer (model LE4900XX)!

Have been on the prowl for a good compact dryer mainly for fluffing woolens after laundering and other light drying duties, since most all my wash is line dried. Today's offerings by Whirlpool and it's rebadged cousin Kenmore seemed poorly built and worse heating power seems to have been dumbed down to 1200 watts. Ssssssssssoooooooooooooo!

Spotted this on local Craigslist Tuesday and contacted the seller to make arrangements to pick it up Wednesday. Rented a SUV and a few mintue drive over the Triboro bridge into Flushing and voila, arrived to pick up my prise.

Seller kept telling me to bring a man or two along as the unit could not be lifted by one man, and certianly not a woman. Well I may be small, but am quite wiry and can handle myself quite well thank you. However nothing prepared me for this "compact" dryer. Compared with today's versions it is a behemoth. Took both the seller and I to haul it out of the basement, down the drive and into the SUV. Got home and managed to slide and lift the unit onto an appliance dolly, then into the house.

Powered her up and so far the dryer works, will have to give it a good cleaning both inside and out, but it is in quite good condition. Seller stated unit was hardly used as they prefered to line dry their laundry as well. Should have asked if they meant it was bought second hand and hardly used by them, or bought new and hardly used.

This dryer is all metal outside, but much more substantial than units sold today. Tried searching Whirlpool's site for information/user's manual but guess Whirlpool does not have information on items this old on their site.

Now here is the pay off:

 

[exploder3211]

If i can ever get the crapola off the old laptop, i have the book..

 

[exploder3211]

Here's the closest thing on there site
Its from 1981/1982 ish... Should be similiar if not the same

http://www.whirlpool.com/assets/pdfs/literature/Use%20and%20Care%20Guide%20-%20690727.pdf

 

[launderess]

For Me Doc?

Oh you darlin! Big hugs!

Thank you! Will download and print for future reference.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Congratulations:

Launderess, I'm glad to see and hear that you've finally found a Compact Dryer. It seems like it has been quite a long time, that you've been searching for just the right Dryer to show up for you needs.

"BTW" I'm curious to know if that is your Miele "Hiding" under a Cover, next to your Whirlpool Compact Dryer? If I'm correct, I'm also curious to know if you made the Cover yourself? I made one for a 1990 Compact Kenmore Washer that I used to own, but fortunately the Cover just happens to be the correct size to cover my LG Compact Washer/Dryer Combo as well.

I do happen to have one of the 1990's Kenmore Compact Dryers and it seems to be a pretty good Dryer. As long as I Re-Spin my heavier Loads of Laundry, in my LG before putting them in my Kenmore Compact Dryer, the Load will Dry in the same time as the next Load is Washing. I do still also use my Combo, as a Washer and Dryer, but only for Laundry that I don't care about sitting for a little while, before being taken out of the Machine. Due also to it taking approx 7-1/2 hours for Wash, Dry and Cool-Down, that is why I don't use it for both Washing and Drying as much as using both Machines.

Enjoy your latest addition to your Laundry Family.

Peace, Kind Regards and Fun Laundry Drying Times, with Compact Dryers, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[launderess]

Thank you Steve.

Should have said, but that is the picture from the listing, as one does not have a digital camera it was the best one could do for the moment. Will take "snail snaps" soon and post.

This dryer is not exactly "compact",*LOL* In fact it really is quite large to my eye. Then again have it on a set of appliance rollers since seller didn't have the casters. Will have to call Whirlpool tomorrow and order a four. Have seen Whirlpool dishwasher casters on sale, but not sure if they work with portable dryers.

After cleaning down the drum, outside cabinet,vacuuming the lint filter (why don't people keep their appliances clean?, ran a test load of one sheet that was chucked in with a load of jeans. The sheet was used to wrap the dryer for it's trip home, and got pretty foul from being messed about. Set the dryer for 10m, and the sheet was totally dry. Mind you it tis polyester, so dries fast any way. Will dry some cotton sateen sheets over the weekend. This dryer has 1450 watts of heating power. While not exactly blazing hot, better than most of what is being offered today on compact dryers.

Oh and another thing, that (profanity deleted)end of cycle signal almost gave me a heart attack. Darn thing could wake the dead and there is no way to disable it

There is a bit of rust towards the bottom on on side with peeling paint. Probably from being in a damp basment. When one has some time will scrape off the loose bits, apply some Rustolem (sp?), then paint as close to Harvest Gold as one can find. More concerned with arresting further paint chipping/rust than cosmetics.

 

[panthera]

I am happy for you

I found one of these for my mom after the accident nearly two years ago. Hers is about this age, but 240V.
There are two pulleys which need regular lubrication in the beast and I carefully did the main bearing, too. She still has trouble with the knob, that 45° angle throws her for a loop.
I find it drys a full load out of the frigimore FL very fast, but she is not happy with it at all...mainly because she sets it for way too short a cycle and refuses to use the fast spin speed on the washer. Sigh. These little dryers can work well if clothes are spun at 1200 or faster.
The only thing I think would be a big improvement would be reverse rotation like the European dryers have... makes a big difference in tangling and, surprisingly, drying time.
Pretty much bullet proof, and if you ever figure out how to turn off that damn buzzer, please share. Gah! Could wake the *dead*.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: End of Cycle Signal and Casters/Rollers:

Hi! Launderess, why couldn't you just take the Wires off the End of Cycle Signal and direct wire them together, bipassing the Signal? I know what you mean, my newer Kenmore Compact Dryer has the same "Loud" Buzz and it makes me jump out of my Skin, if I'm in the Kitchen when it Buzzes.

As far as the Casters/Rollers are concerned, if Whirlpool can't help you with some, try locating on the Repair-Clinic. I've have had real good luck with most of my Parts needed, that I've not been able to locate on both Sears and Whirlpool's Parts. I actually did get a set of Casters/Rollers for my Compact Kenmore Dryer on Repair-Clinic, however I don't remember for sure how much they were, but I do know they weren't all that too expensive.

"BTW" I also know what you mean about the actual Capacity being really quite good on these Compact Dryers. For curiousity, I placed my Meat Thermometer at the Exhaust opening on my Dryer and it registered 145-Degrees/F of Exhausted Air, so that is not really too much cooler than most typical large Capacity Dryers of 165-Degrees/F Temperature. This Model that I've got now, I bought last year 2nd Hand for $100.00 at a 2nd Hand Appliance Shop and it is my 3rd or 4th Compact Dryer that I've owned and I've never had any Repairs needed on either of them, other than maybe replacing the Belt on one of them, but after several years of a lot of Laundry. Other than that, I've basically only taken them apart to clean any excess Lint out of the Cabinet area, the Motor and from the Lint Filter Housing and Heating Element Housing.

Good luck with locating the Casters/Rollers and with many years of great Drying. You might check an Appliance Painting Company for an exact matching Harvest Gold Paint and see if they might have a Spray Can available that you could purchase from them.

Peace and great Drying in your new 2nd Hand Whirlpool Dryer, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[panthera]

glide pads

I solved the non-existent caster problem with those heavy-duty glide pads they sell to go under really heavy cabinets, refrigerators, etc. Leveled the dryer first, the put them under...there is even a very heavy microwave on top of it and it can still be moved easily but stays put in use.
Steve is right about cleaning out the innards. I forgot to mention that...seems a lot of lint does build up over time. Couple of sharp edges in there, too...but really very well put together. Wonder how the newer models with their plastic this that and the other thing will hold up. Seems to me, be better to keep buying these "used" 20+ year old machines and invest the few dollars in repairing them. At least all the parts which can fail or wear out are either still current or industry standard.
Re the 145°. The problem is not so much the temperature, as that the lower wattage means the recovery time is so much higher. You just can't heat enough air to a high enough temperature on a standard 120V, 20A circuit to come close to the 240V, 30/30 A hookup.
Wonder what a clothes spinner would do...anybody know? It cuts my drying time in half over here in Europe and our 16Amp/230V circuits (single phase and, please folks from the UK, let's not go there again on the US 240V stuff, ok?) aren't all that much more powerful...my heater is rated at 2500 watts...

 

[launderess]

Both Hoover and Maytag had compact dryers that used 1450w of heating power, and they did a pretty decent job. Mind you those twin tubs had spinners which left laundry much drier than say your average top loader.

My Miele does a prett decent fast final spin, so am not too worried about long drying times. Again not trying to dry load after load of heavy items. Towels and such could in theory either line dry until damp, then popped into the dryer for a bit to "fluff", or the other way around.

Am also thinking that since older dryers had much more metal, they retained more heat, which would help if, no?

Only European dryer sold on this side of the pond that works on 120v and offers reverse tumbling is made by Malber. While Malber's older product line seemed decent enough, not sure about their new items. Someone is offering a Malber dryer on Craigslist for only $50, but the handle is broken. I'd rather stick with GE or Whirlpool/Sears for compact dryers. They have been around for ages, and parts are easily enough found.

Must say, this dryer is quite quiet, aside from the end of cycle signal. One only hears a hushed humming of the motor.

Steve,

Don't know how or if the end of cycle timer can be bypassed, and not too electrically inclined to mess about inside. Though will probably take the back off the unit and give it a good cleaning. Looks like the previous owner used one of those indoor vent kits, and not sure if the dryer liked it one bit. There was lots of lint behind the lint filter when I took it out for cleaning. That could just have been from not emptying the lint filter after each load.

Still am blown away in the difference in terms of quality between this vintage Whirlpool and it's modern cousins being sold today. Stopped in PC Richards to check out today's Whirlpool compact dryer, and it is really horrible. Very light weight, made in Mexico garbarge. Door barely aligned. lint filter felt cheap and flimsy, and plastic, plastic, plastic.

L.

 

[christfr]

how cute and how fun yeah.. years ago i had a litte green tag dryer but i sort of fried it one day oopps..

 

[retromom]

Darling Dryer!

Laundress:

Terrific little dryer! I think that these little Whirlpool portables are great! I'm always keeping my eyes opened for one, here in the land of rust. They are not only great for small spaces, but make a great second dryer (for small items) as well!

Congrats on your find! I hope there are more to come!!

 

[mayken4now]

Very cool, was considering one myself. For the exact reason(s) Venus states.

Steve

 

[gansky1]

How fun - and in a "conversation color" too! Are you venting this to the outside or enjoying some of the extra heat and humidity in the house for now?

 

[wiskybill]

L, Congrats. Excellent score!

That't what I was looking for when I found my Hoover. I think it's about 1/2 again as big as a Hoover/Maytag portable. Even if you have a full size dryer(well, only one) it is a good back-up. Enjoy!

Bill

 

[exploder3211]

Glad I could help ya! I like these things

 

[veg-o-matic]

I had the LK version of that dryer and in about 30 years of use, all it ever needed was a new belt.

The best thing about it was the Permanent Press cycle. Once the cycle was over the buzzer would go off, but the drum would continue turning (constantly, not intermittently) without heat until I went down and took the clothes out. The buzzer would go off about every 5 minutes or so as a reminder. I sure wish my current dryer would do that.

veg

 

[panthera]

big quality difference

I really noticed that while shopping for the little thing two years ago...the new ones at Sears were just POS. Like the 24" stoves and all the other "miniature" stuff in the US I have seen. Big pity. Small need not mean cheap, but this stuff is both extra expensive and extra badly made.
I don't know if all Mexican made products are this bad, but am reminded of the horrid blender lid which just softened so much a few weeks ago when I only had lukewarm sauce in it...the replacement cap I found for it had been in the hardware store for maybe 20 years. Solid, well made.
Actually, I think towels and other heavy stuff should be no problem in this dryer - my mom complains about it, but has done two loads a day for the last 22 months in it, bedsheets and heavy cottens and towels. No problems. Built to last and really quiet...except that damn buzzer. Next lube job comes up, I want to see what exactly causes all that screaming.

 

[launderess]

Thanks for the well wishes gang!

Gansky:

IMHO dryers should always be vented outside. Tested the unit last night with the hose out the window and it didn't seem to cause much "smoke", or anything else that would give the game away. Since the motor/fan is so quiet there isn't the loud roar one often hears when passing a dryer vent.

W'iskyBill,

Half as big as the Hoover dryer units? That would make those some pretty big compact dryers! *LOL* This unit has roughly at 3.2 cu/ft drum inside a pretty decent sized housing.

One thing noticed about all metal construction is it can lead to some sharp edges. Perhaps the reason for much plastic these days?

Contacted Whirlpool and new casters are $9/each. That is pretty pricey IMHO so will wait and see if some pop up on eBay or can be found elsewhere cheaper.

Does anyone know if Harvest Gold appliance paint is still around?

L.