Amana washer

[justjunque]

Hi folks,

I know that some members here also belong to the automatic washer site, so I thought I'd throw this out there.

We have an Amana washer that came with the house when we bought it.
I don't know how old it is, but it has been great.

On a service call, probably a couple/few years ago, the tech told us that there was a slight noise he was detecting when the machine is running.
He said this washer's motor assembly is a design they refer to as a milking stool, and that that's where the sound was coming from.
He said we could still get years of use out of the washer, but basically, when the "milking stool" goes, the machine is done.
We're very careful not to overload it, as we don't want to do anything to hasten its demise.

I just wondered if anyone can comment further on whether or not that is truly a lethal condition.
Also, if you can just tell me anything about this machine.
We're VERY happy with it, and really don't look forward to the time when we're forced to replace it.
We had said right along that the only washer we would consider buying next would be a Speed Queen.
Actually, the Speed Queen that was current at the time of this technician's warning, was very similar to this Amana.
I've seen and read things about the newest Speed Queens though that have given me second thoughts about that.

Some details on our Amana:

Super Capacity Plus
3.3 cubic foot capacity

Commercial Quality
2 speed motor
9 cycles
Stainless Steel Tub

Thanks for looking!
Barry

 

[gottahaveahoove]

looks great!

you sure take care of your "stuff".

 

[justjunque]

Thanks John

I don't know anything about the technical stuff, but I try to keep things clean and shiny!

Barry

 

[madman]

idk anything about it, but you know it's pretty easy to type the model number into searspartsdirect.com and look at the diagrams. I like how the motor support is actually listed as 'MILKSTO' so I guess literally everyone calls it a milk stool, and I can see why. And it's not actually a motor support, it's more like a... hmm... bearing support, yeah. It's just a chunk of metal with a standard-looking ball bearing in it, and the whole shebang is still available. Perhaps dude was talking about the actual transmission assembly, which isn't available.

If you really like the washer, maybe consider removing the transmission, and doing whatever to make sure it's properly lubricated and all its bearings, and associated ones, are ok, rather than wait for a catastrophic failure (which, honestly, may not happen for a long time).

 

[luxflairguy]

You have an Amana washer made when Raytheon owned both Amana and Speed Queen and essentially the machine IS a SQ! perferrated (SP) tub and agitator are the give away's. If you want more, join AW and ask! I wish I could tell you when this was made, but not a SQ person. SQ have a diiferent sound I feel. So join and you'll get lots of answers!
I've been a member of VL since before it became VL and a member of AW for over 10 years!

Greg

 

[justjunque]

MadMan:
I appreciate the advice. But, I'm not mechanically inclined.
If I were to take it apart, THAT would be the catastrophic failure!

Greg:
Thanks for the info.
I know it looked a lot like the Speed Queen from a few years ago.
I think we've made up our minds that, should a major issue develop, we'll just spend the money to fix it, as opposed to looking for a new machine that we like equally.
I have a feeling we wouldn't find one.
Just with the things that the government has required on all new washers, I'm really not even interested.
I probably will join AW.
I'm mainly into vacuums, but I have an appreciation for all vintage appliances.

Barry

 

[tolivac]

On the "automaticwasher or" site they say when SQ was owned by Amana the SQ designed was changed by them.-and that meant more failures of the Amana basaed SQ washers.Now that Amana no longer owns SQ-its under Alliance-a company that makes commercial laundry equipment-the design of the SQ TL machines was changed back to the orig SQ design-now in 2018 we have a NEW SQ TL design that uses an "agitub" format where the agitator is fixed to the floor of the tub and the WHOLE tub and agitator move together.Go to the AW site and you can see videos of this new SQ design in use.The videos reveal it is not as effective as the older SQ desing 0f 2017 and before-where the agitator moves in the stationary tub.This has made quite a thing about the new design vs old.It has even caused SQ to drop many of their dealers that point out the problems with the new TL design.Now for old school TL washers a commercial Maytag design is now what is favored.This one works likes the TL washers of old.The new EPA DOE requirement forced SQ to their new design-frankly the gov't should GET OUT of the laundry room and let customers and appliance makers build machines that customers really want and not being dictated by the gov't regs.Those should be SCRAPPED and let the market and customers decide.

 

[justjunque]

Hi Rex

I've actually seen a video of the latest Speed Queen design in action.
As well as read some very negative reviews of it.
I was so disappointed!
And I couldn't agree more regarding the government meddling.
In fact, I don't see where people sitting in D.C., in their little bubble that doesn't even resemble the real world, ever really improve anything once they start dictating how it should be built, priced, done, etc.
Like you said; stay out of it and leave it to the consumers and the manufacturers.
*Steps down from soap box*

Barry

 

[mikanic]

I love the old machines, you know.

This washer of yours is really fancy. If people are saying it's noisy, that'll probably mean the motor has brushes. It might mean something else though.

I would never look forward to having to say goodbye to a machine I liked, in fact, no one would!

Keep it running, keep it yours, keep it safe

 

[justjunque]

Thanks Eric

We've been very happy with this washer.
It really doesn't have any bells and whistles.
It just does what it's supposed to do, and does it well. It's been very dependable.

I don't work on appliances myself, but we're going to do whatever we can to keep it going as long as possible!

Barry

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Great looking old washer! Looks to be from the mid 90s or so, the last of the good ones that washed with water!
I would suggest you get on the AW site and perhaps you can meet other washer enthusiasts in your area. Then if you have trouble with yours, offer to pay a knowledgeable collector to fix it for you. Most repairmen will not want to work on an old machine. I have seen this countless times, from TVs to cars to appliances - 'buy a new one' they say...

I have a 1995 Kenmore laundry pair that have been in use since then with 0 repairs to both. We love them and I am determined to fix them no matter what breaks on them. My ladyfriend collects delicate vintage clothes and one of those newer scrub-board top-loaders would ruin anything she puts in it.

 

[justjunque]

Rob

I feel the same way.
I'd much rather keep an older machine going than buy a new one.
If, for whatever reason, I absolutely HAD to replace this washer, I'd rather find an even older one that someone has gone through.
Maybe a nice older Whirlpool like Mom had when I was a little guy.
I used to love watching it wash.
Of course, that was back when it would do everything but spin with the lid open.

Barry

 

[man114]

It’s from the late 1990s. My parents have the digital control version from when circuit city stopped carrying appliances.

Slight noise might be the belt/belt tensioner. My dad had to replace the belt on theirs a few years ago.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Barry, the first thing I did when this washer was delivered was defeated that stupid lid lock. Just 1-2 mature adults here, no one has had the desire to dive in when spinning. These new POS's seem to add on an extra 5 minutes to the wash cycle if you put in a forgotten sock.
And as goofy as it sounds, I still like watching it spin at high speed! Washer drama I suppose.....