Well folks, a new Lowe's opened nearby, so I went to check out the laundry offerings. Believe it or not, I fell in love with the GE top loader I believe WHRE524, 526 or something like that. One was 26 cycles the other 17. Both with stainless steel tubs although I see a seam like a steel can inside. I got suddenly interested in GE after seeing their repair rate improve in CR and the top rated albeit pushbutton $580 dryer in febs issue like the last time they werre reviewed. I don't know if the washer is quite as good as the dryer. Just wondered what you thought. Or know. Thanks
What think ye of GE?
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westytoploader
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That ugly seam was one of the first things I saw in the stainless-steel GE machine...YUK!
GE machines are crap...bottom line. You know why the current SS and plastic tubs are ribbed? So the "shaky" wash action caused by a weak spin brake can actually help scrub your clothes!
Stay away at all costs!
GE machines are crap...bottom line. You know why the current SS and plastic tubs are ribbed? So the "shaky" wash action caused by a weak spin brake can actually help scrub your clothes!
Stay away at all costs!
GE
Was surfing the web and found this on what looks like a GE?? being fed to the Komar "creature"with the big auger compactor in its "mouth"Can any sharp eyed Applianceville folks confirm this is a GE machine being "krushed"?-the masonite back made me think it was a GE-was being loaded into the Krusher by a forklift-funny-forklifts seem to be feeding"forks" for Krushers.
The video is under "white Goods" in the auger compactor list.They also show other things being processed by these powerful machines.
Was surfing the web and found this on what looks like a GE?? being fed to the Komar "creature"with the big auger compactor in its "mouth"Can any sharp eyed Applianceville folks confirm this is a GE machine being "krushed"?-the masonite back made me think it was a GE-was being loaded into the Krusher by a forklift-funny-forklifts seem to be feeding"forks" for Krushers.
The video is under "white Goods" in the auger compactor list.They also show other things being processed by these powerful machines.
andrewinorlando
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It sure is a GE....note that cinderblock underneath used to balance out the suspension. Actually, it looked more like a Hotpoint.
Was the machine a "plastic" GE?Couldn't see much plastic fragments as it went thru the krusher. Watched the film clip again and indeed saw the balance weight underneath.Was wondering what it was at first.also saw a glimpse of the motor. They also show other "white Goods" processed by their devices.Would like to see the transmission-hydro motor used to turn that screw.They don't show it in the Komar site.I suppose with the lower quality machines built today-that Krusher will not go hungry.I wonder if it likes newer Maytags?
GE Garbarge?
Well General Electric has dumped Electrolux,taking the "GE" out of "FriGeMore" and launching their own extra large front loader. Due out by this summer it will be interesting to see what they've come up with.
Funny thing though, although Electrolux made all three brands (General Electric, Kenmore and Frigidare)of front loaders, the recent 2005 CR repair ratings on front loaders had GE as requiring less than the other two. Go figure.
Launderess
Well General Electric has dumped Electrolux,taking the "GE" out of "FriGeMore" and launching their own extra large front loader. Due out by this summer it will be interesting to see what they've come up with.
Funny thing though, although Electrolux made all three brands (General Electric, Kenmore and Frigidare)of front loaders, the recent 2005 CR repair ratings on front loaders had GE as requiring less than the other two. Go figure.
Launderess
Designgeek
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Those auger-compactors are direct descendents of an original design from 1936. Patented by Norba, in Sweden, used in European refuse-collecting vehicles from that time through the mid 1980s.
The key operating principles are a) the screw is tapered, and the pitch of the blades becomes more acute toward the output end, thereby providing volume reduction in the hopper prior to compaction in the receiving container, and b) there is a welded rod in the hopper that follows a contrary spiral to that of the screw, thereby providing something for the material to "catch" on as the auger goes to work on it.
The original Norba was driven via a mechanical transmission; it became hydraulic in the early 1960s. Other manufacturers made the system under license in their own countries, or developed their own versions (GWL "Musketeer" in the UK). These became quite popular for a time since they were able to tear through paper and plastic sacks used for household refuse storage, thereby exposing the contents for subsequent decomposition in landfills. Norba is presently a subsidiary of the Heil company (USA), if I'm not mistaken. Heil goes back to the early 1900s and has been an industry leader in waste-handling equipment in the USA since at least the 1930s.
The key operating principles are a) the screw is tapered, and the pitch of the blades becomes more acute toward the output end, thereby providing volume reduction in the hopper prior to compaction in the receiving container, and b) there is a welded rod in the hopper that follows a contrary spiral to that of the screw, thereby providing something for the material to "catch" on as the auger goes to work on it.
The original Norba was driven via a mechanical transmission; it became hydraulic in the early 1960s. Other manufacturers made the system under license in their own countries, or developed their own versions (GWL "Musketeer" in the UK). These became quite popular for a time since they were able to tear through paper and plastic sacks used for household refuse storage, thereby exposing the contents for subsequent decomposition in landfills. Norba is presently a subsidiary of the Heil company (USA), if I'm not mistaken. Heil goes back to the early 1900s and has been an industry leader in waste-handling equipment in the USA since at least the 1930s.
Auger compactor-shredder
when I was in college in the early 70's I read a magazine called "American City" in their library.-It had many adds and articles on waste handling equipment.They had several adds on a product called the "Kuka Shark" trash truck-it had an auger compactor in it.The auger was turned by a PTO from the trucks transmission-much like regular trash trucks have.The drive was mechanical and not hydrualic.Haven't seen anything elese on that truck.Kuka claimed it could handle anything put in it.
Another company makes Screw compactors-Sanitech-they too have a website-think it was Sanitech.net.The Komar machines look like they have teeth of sorts on the edges of the auger flights to catch and tear anything that gets in it.Esp like the film clip of it crushing a 55Gal drum of concrete!I suppose thats their "destruct Test" like Vita-Mix did several years ago-putting 2X4 blocks in the Vita Mix container and grinding them up.also the Komar folks have a twin and triple screw compactor-shredders-Very impressive tro see the film clip of the twin screw model crushing and tearing up a large metal box.Something interesting about the twin screw model-its discharge is from the bottom and not the side-the operator can also vary the discharge opening controlling the size of the "grind"Some also call the auger compactors --"meat grinder" type machines since they sort of work on the same way as a auger type meat grinder.Just don't have a knife and size screen.The triple screw model has the two top counterrotating augers-then the ground material drops into another that extrudes it through a dishcharge chute.Sounds like the "rod" you describe is the "breaker Bar"that allows just that-something for the auger to help break up the items as it grabs it.Same device that is in ram type compactors that is just above the ram-oversize items are broken against it by the ram.
when I was in college in the early 70's I read a magazine called "American City" in their library.-It had many adds and articles on waste handling equipment.They had several adds on a product called the "Kuka Shark" trash truck-it had an auger compactor in it.The auger was turned by a PTO from the trucks transmission-much like regular trash trucks have.The drive was mechanical and not hydrualic.Haven't seen anything elese on that truck.Kuka claimed it could handle anything put in it.
Another company makes Screw compactors-Sanitech-they too have a website-think it was Sanitech.net.The Komar machines look like they have teeth of sorts on the edges of the auger flights to catch and tear anything that gets in it.Esp like the film clip of it crushing a 55Gal drum of concrete!I suppose thats their "destruct Test" like Vita-Mix did several years ago-putting 2X4 blocks in the Vita Mix container and grinding them up.also the Komar folks have a twin and triple screw compactor-shredders-Very impressive tro see the film clip of the twin screw model crushing and tearing up a large metal box.Something interesting about the twin screw model-its discharge is from the bottom and not the side-the operator can also vary the discharge opening controlling the size of the "grind"Some also call the auger compactors --"meat grinder" type machines since they sort of work on the same way as a auger type meat grinder.Just don't have a knife and size screen.The triple screw model has the two top counterrotating augers-then the ground material drops into another that extrudes it through a dishcharge chute.Sounds like the "rod" you describe is the "breaker Bar"that allows just that-something for the auger to help break up the items as it grabs it.Same device that is in ram type compactors that is just above the ram-oversize items are broken against it by the ram.
I've thought it over-not ready for GE yet.
Well, Westy I don't know at this point what I want. I don't like crap, but My next idea is an LG. They just appeal to me, but I am a little leary of FL due to the part of the house my laundry is located (next to the bedrooms). it is a convenient place, but I don't want the machine to run over and ruin my wood floor (reaal wood) and carpet. Well, maybe it wouldn't. Just want to get away from the reliable but boring KM WP line-up for a while. Does anyone know anything about their reliability? LG that is.
Well, Westy I don't know at this point what I want. I don't like crap, but My next idea is an LG. They just appeal to me, but I am a little leary of FL due to the part of the house my laundry is located (next to the bedrooms). it is a convenient place, but I don't want the machine to run over and ruin my wood floor (reaal wood) and carpet. Well, maybe it wouldn't. Just want to get away from the reliable but boring KM WP line-up for a while. Does anyone know anything about their reliability? LG that is.
laundromat
Well-known member
ge stainless
These new models are a step up but other than a 1010 rpm spin as well as very slow hand wash agitation,the only difference is a larger stainless steel 4.0 cu ft tub.We @ HD have sold quite a few and have yet to receive any back(can't say that about the new Neptune top loaders)and heard great reviews on their(GE's) Harmony sets.
These new models are a step up but other than a 1010 rpm spin as well as very slow hand wash agitation,the only difference is a larger stainless steel 4.0 cu ft tub.We @ HD have sold quite a few and have yet to receive any back(can't say that about the new Neptune top loaders)and heard great reviews on their(GE's) Harmony sets.
Cool video! If I'm seeing the same "white goods" clip as you guys, there are three dishwashers (all GE/Hotpoint) and some other sort of cabinet with a black swinging door. No washers...
LG's
Only complaint I've heard and our local appliance dealer has also, is LG's can take rather a long time to balance loads before spinning. This seems to happen before final spins and the units never reach full set final spin, leaving laundry wetter than desired. Most users simply reset the washer for another spin cycle.
We didn't get one because of LG's spotty repair service offerings in our area. Every seller of LG's gives you a long list of "certified" repair people in an area, but when you call them to verify it is one song and dance after another.
Only complaint I've heard and our local appliance dealer has also, is LG's can take rather a long time to balance loads before spinning. This seems to happen before final spins and the units never reach full set final spin, leaving laundry wetter than desired. Most users simply reset the washer for another spin cycle.
We didn't get one because of LG's spotty repair service offerings in our area. Every seller of LG's gives you a long list of "certified" repair people in an area, but when you call them to verify it is one song and dance after another.
GE Washer krusher video
Greg: Look under the list "auger Compactors" White goods clip-that one shows the Komar compactor "Krushing" the washer.Other good ones to see-Dual Auger shredder: Metal box,white goods(the one you must have seen)telephone poles.Single auger shredder:white goods,55gal drum full of concrete,and telephone poles.Quad shear shredder: both clips on 55 gal drums,metal and plastic drums being ground in it.Two shaft shear,both clips on 55 gal drums.and lastly-the single rotor shredder:waterbed-guess that what eventually happens to those leaky waterbed matteresses!Also look under Sanitech.net: they show video clips of their compactor shredders processing things-they run a dishwasher thru one of their machines.
Greg: Look under the list "auger Compactors" White goods clip-that one shows the Komar compactor "Krushing" the washer.Other good ones to see-Dual Auger shredder: Metal box,white goods(the one you must have seen)telephone poles.Single auger shredder:white goods,55gal drum full of concrete,and telephone poles.Quad shear shredder: both clips on 55 gal drums,metal and plastic drums being ground in it.Two shaft shear,both clips on 55 gal drums.and lastly-the single rotor shredder:waterbed-guess that what eventually happens to those leaky waterbed matteresses!Also look under Sanitech.net: they show video clips of their compactor shredders processing things-they run a dishwasher thru one of their machines.
Norba Compactor
Looked on the web under Norba equipment and they didn't show any rotary or screw compactors.The trash trucks they showed had the regular "packer panel" compactors. What model used the screw compactor? One of their vehicles was very interesting-was a hybrid vehicle-the trucks engine transported the vehicle and charged a 72V battery system that ran the load and compact mechanisms.The hydro system used water instead of hydraulic fluid.The idea they had was when the truck stopped to collect a load of trash-the engine would shut off and the electric mechanism that ran off the battery bank would work instead-they claimed was more quiet,and less air pollutiuon-no need to rev the trucks engine to run the compactor.Was very innovative.
Looked on the web under Norba equipment and they didn't show any rotary or screw compactors.The trash trucks they showed had the regular "packer panel" compactors. What model used the screw compactor? One of their vehicles was very interesting-was a hybrid vehicle-the trucks engine transported the vehicle and charged a 72V battery system that ran the load and compact mechanisms.The hydro system used water instead of hydraulic fluid.The idea they had was when the truck stopped to collect a load of trash-the engine would shut off and the electric mechanism that ran off the battery bank would work instead-they claimed was more quiet,and less air pollutiuon-no need to rev the trucks engine to run the compactor.Was very innovative.
For what it's worth, when i moved into my new condo about three months ago, it came with GE profile washer/dryer. So far i really like the pair. Dryer is great -- dries fast and is extremely quiet. Sensors work well. The washer handles large loads and I especially like the auto soak.
I have heard from a couple of coin laundry owners that the latest batch of GE toploaders are actually pretty good. GE has worked hard on making the machines more durable and dependable. I'm tempted to try them in my store, but my old GE's are going great still, regardless of the water consumption.
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
David:
Don't worry about the FLs leaking all over your floor. There's actually very little water in them when they run. I was a little disappointed about this, as I had visions of major swirling and splashing. Oh, well. All in the name of the environment, right?
I LOVE my Frigidaire FLs. The washer particularly would be good for next to a bedroom as it is nearly silent when it is running.
As for anything made by GE, blecch. I replaced the GE w/d, fridge and dw in my condo as I didn't like any of them. The dishwashers seem particularly sucky. Good air conditioners, though.
And if you have the chance, make sure you stack them. When a load is done, I just shovel it out of the washer into a basket then dump the whole thing in the dryer on top. Being able to take the dry clothes out at arm level is *extremely* handy, particularly when doing permanent press.
Don't worry about the FLs leaking all over your floor. There's actually very little water in them when they run. I was a little disappointed about this, as I had visions of major swirling and splashing. Oh, well. All in the name of the environment, right?
I LOVE my Frigidaire FLs. The washer particularly would be good for next to a bedroom as it is nearly silent when it is running.
As for anything made by GE, blecch. I replaced the GE w/d, fridge and dw in my condo as I didn't like any of them. The dishwashers seem particularly sucky. Good air conditioners, though.
And if you have the chance, make sure you stack them. When a load is done, I just shovel it out of the washer into a basket then dump the whole thing in the dryer on top. Being able to take the dry clothes out at arm level is *extremely* handy, particularly when doing permanent press.
Designgeek
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Tolivac, Norba haven't made the rotary-screw machine for a couple of decades; they've fallen in with the trend toward intermittent compaction via the slide/sweep panel system you saw on the site. However, hybrid powertrain is a nice idea, "who says it's only for cars?" Probably saves fuel also.
Kuka originated in the 30s in Germany, first as a rotating drum with deep spiral blades, similar to a horizontal concrete mixer but with a loading aperture in a tailgate, the whole body enclosed in sheet paneling for soundproofing. In the UK, Lewin made a similar machine with sufficient differences to overcome patent issues. The Kuka Shark design was early 1960s, with a very significant difference: attached to the tailgate was a cone-shaped fixture with a spiral guide-plate around its outer circumference, the cone projecting inward into the body, and having a cutout opening at its bottom via which material was loaded. The body didn't have deep spirals any more; but instead a set of ribs at the rear of the cylindrical drum to engage the material and lift it into the drum, and a shallow spiral whose primary purpose was to assist getting the last of the load out during the discharge cycle at the landfill or transfer station.
Yes, this could and did grind up white goods admirably, along with anything else one cared to put into it. The operating principle was that as the load built up in the drum, the stationary spiral guide plate acted in the same manner as a revolving screw (the drum revolved around the screw; neat, eh?) to achieve an extraordinary degree of compression.
Best of all this one is still made today: Kuka was absorbed into the Faun organization, and you can find it on their website as the Faun Rotopress. That's a total historical lineage of nearly 70 years on the rotating-drum compactor design, and 40 years on the "Shark" principle. Simplest compactor design on the market anywhere.
By the way, the reciprocating ram with fall-back shield was also 1930s, in this case France, invented by Fernand Rey. Still used in static compactors and in continuous side-loading vehicles such as LoDal in the USA, so it now has 70+ years of history as well. In the UK this design was adopted by Shelvoke & Drewry for their Pakamatic in the 1960s, but alas, S&D are no longer in existence (I think Semat, the descendant of the Rey organization, is still around). S&D was truly the Rolls Royce of municipal vehicles, with world-class engineering & craftsmanship second to none, every machine manufactured the old way, by hand, one at a time, built-to-order.
Kuka originated in the 30s in Germany, first as a rotating drum with deep spiral blades, similar to a horizontal concrete mixer but with a loading aperture in a tailgate, the whole body enclosed in sheet paneling for soundproofing. In the UK, Lewin made a similar machine with sufficient differences to overcome patent issues. The Kuka Shark design was early 1960s, with a very significant difference: attached to the tailgate was a cone-shaped fixture with a spiral guide-plate around its outer circumference, the cone projecting inward into the body, and having a cutout opening at its bottom via which material was loaded. The body didn't have deep spirals any more; but instead a set of ribs at the rear of the cylindrical drum to engage the material and lift it into the drum, and a shallow spiral whose primary purpose was to assist getting the last of the load out during the discharge cycle at the landfill or transfer station.
Yes, this could and did grind up white goods admirably, along with anything else one cared to put into it. The operating principle was that as the load built up in the drum, the stationary spiral guide plate acted in the same manner as a revolving screw (the drum revolved around the screw; neat, eh?) to achieve an extraordinary degree of compression.
Best of all this one is still made today: Kuka was absorbed into the Faun organization, and you can find it on their website as the Faun Rotopress. That's a total historical lineage of nearly 70 years on the rotating-drum compactor design, and 40 years on the "Shark" principle. Simplest compactor design on the market anywhere.
By the way, the reciprocating ram with fall-back shield was also 1930s, in this case France, invented by Fernand Rey. Still used in static compactors and in continuous side-loading vehicles such as LoDal in the USA, so it now has 70+ years of history as well. In the UK this design was adopted by Shelvoke & Drewry for their Pakamatic in the 1960s, but alas, S&D are no longer in existence (I think Semat, the descendant of the Rey organization, is still around). S&D was truly the Rolls Royce of municipal vehicles, with world-class engineering & craftsmanship second to none, every machine manufactured the old way, by hand, one at a time, built-to-order.
trash trucks
Designgeek:
Looked up FaunRotopress on the web-was interesting from what I could see-and it was the same one that I saw in that American City magazine.A good design like that is hard to put down!Do like that its simple and works.Surprized it isn't used here.Also saw the Shelvoke and Drewry vehicles under a website called "classic refuse trucks"They showed a S&D trash vehicle called a "Revopak" that used an elliptical rotating fork that worked with a stationary one in its tailgate to shred,compact trash put in it.That would be something like a SSI "Pri-Max" stationary-portable shredder that too uses almost forklike hammers that rotate slowly against a slotted grate to shred whatever is put in it.They have filmclips that demo it on a website called "ssiworld.com"They show the PriMax shredding C&D waste,tree stumps,and even RR ties.The SSI machine has either an electric powerpak,or a deisel one for portable use.A recycling company out my way has one-they used it in part of the Floyd cleanup.they are either single shaft models or a twin shaft version-the shredder shafts are turned by a hydraulic motor.Sometime I should see if the recycler out here will let me see their SSi machine.Our agency does business with them!
Designgeek:
Looked up FaunRotopress on the web-was interesting from what I could see-and it was the same one that I saw in that American City magazine.A good design like that is hard to put down!Do like that its simple and works.Surprized it isn't used here.Also saw the Shelvoke and Drewry vehicles under a website called "classic refuse trucks"They showed a S&D trash vehicle called a "Revopak" that used an elliptical rotating fork that worked with a stationary one in its tailgate to shred,compact trash put in it.That would be something like a SSI "Pri-Max" stationary-portable shredder that too uses almost forklike hammers that rotate slowly against a slotted grate to shred whatever is put in it.They have filmclips that demo it on a website called "ssiworld.com"They show the PriMax shredding C&D waste,tree stumps,and even RR ties.The SSI machine has either an electric powerpak,or a deisel one for portable use.A recycling company out my way has one-they used it in part of the Floyd cleanup.they are either single shaft models or a twin shaft version-the shredder shafts are turned by a hydraulic motor.Sometime I should see if the recycler out here will let me see their SSi machine.Our agency does business with them!
