Can anyone tell me about gasoline wringer washers?

[outofmire]

Hi,

We used to wash our clothes by hand with one of those Lehman's plunger style washers and a wringer, but we lost those items in a fire. Now that we are finally able to replace them, I'm wondering if we should buy a gasoline washer wringer instead. I need more information before I can decide.

First of all, how much is 14 lbs of clothes? How many gallons is that? Is that comparable to a 15-18 gallon galvanized washtub? Is that half a standard load or what? We used to wash our clothes by hand in 15 gallon plastic containers and that was about half a standard load.

The next thing I need to know is how these washers work. I know they have an aggitator and a wringer, but do you crank the wringer or is it more or less automatic feeding? Then how do you rinse? Do you empty the dirty, soapy water and refill with clean water...or do you rinse in separate containers?

Last of all, how much gasoline do these things consume per load? We are thinking of buying a Speed Queen from Lehman's with a 14 lb. load capacity.

Thanks for the information!

we had one when I was a kid- it had a foot pedal to start it , sort of like a motorcycle.I had forgotten about it until I saw this posting

[fordy]

I guess i'm alittle confused by your question. Does the Gasoline power a small engine that runs the mechanicals of the washing machine??? I've seen the old style washing machines with the agitator and Rollers to squeeze the water outta Da clothes , but they were powered by electrical motors......fordy

[outofmire]

Originally Posted by fordy

I guess i'm alittle confused by your question. Does the Gasoline power a small engine that runs the mechanicals of the washing machine???

I believe Lehmans sells electric and gasoline run washers.

[big rockpile]

If you can find a Maytag Washer its not that hard to put a Gas Engine on them.The Wringer runs when you put it in gear.Rinse in two seperate Tubs.

big rockpile

[Farmall]

I have a 1937 maytag wringer washer. It is basically the same size as the 40s/50s ones, but green, and instead of having a red kknob push pull control of the agitator, it has a lever that turns left to right. The wringer is somwhat of the earlier pattern then the 40s models. BUT, it has cross bracing down low on the legs to support a gas/electric motor. It had an OLD electric motor that finally gave up and I repaced it with a new one. I bought the last wringer rolls for it (so the dealer said) outa St Louis. If you buy a washer without this bottom bracing, and you intend to run it with a gas engine, u might have your work cut out. Leamans probably sells theres with this in place considering their line of customers. In washing overhalls, hook them to the bibs and loop them over the dasher. Keeps the buckles on the straps from getting down under the dasher and scoring the tub

[j.r. guerra in s. tx.]

See my post at Freedom. (Not an order, just a suggestion)

[puffdog]

All the Amish in this area use them . Most are converted from the old wringer style washer . They buy everyone that comes up for sale at auctions around these parts . You can buy side by side tubs on a stand for the rinse . The motors have a kick starter and use very little gas. They are the same wringer type that our mothers used except powered by a gas motor so used on the back porch most times.

[fordy]

I visited lehman's website and they Don't show anything for a gas powered washing machine. Tried a google search and didn't come up with any sources either. That would be a mighty handy thing to have if you didn't have any poer line hookup.............fordy

[outofmire]

Fordy, you're right, Lehman's doesn't have a gas powered one. I just heard back from one of their customer reps. You have to use a gas powered generator.

[puffdog]

Next time i visit my Amish friend i will ask him where they get the motors give me a week .

[jessandcody]

Ive never seen one for sale but I remember seeing plans to make one it either Country Side or Back Woods Home mags. You might try to contact the editors through e-mail for help. I will look in my mag. stash but it might be awile before I find any thing. As I recall it didnt look hard to make even for a begining "do iot your selfer". Hope I helped
Cody

[outofmire]

Originally Posted by puffdog

Next time i visit my Amish friend i will ask him where they get the motors give me a week .

Great! Let us know

I live off-grid have wringer-washer converted to run off gas engine. also have staber that runs off inverter and another wringer that runs off inverter. staber will run off 8 75 watt solar panels. generator I use is car alt and 5 hp engine also run gen-set off nat gas ( have my own well) gen set will run 2 wringer washers if you don't keep 2 on all the time. use cheap china inverter 1000 watt 2000 surge. Son could send picture if want I don"t know how.

edI live off-grid have wringer-washer converted to run off gas engine. also have staber that runs off inverter and another wringer that runs off inverter. staber will run off 8 75 watt solar panels. generator I use is car alt and 5 hp engine also run gen-set off nat gas ( have my own well) gen set will run 2 wringer washers if you don't keep 2 on all the time. use cheap china inverter 1000 watt 2000 surge. Son could send picture if want I don"t know how.[/QUOTE]

[missyinohio]

I don't have access to my Countryside indexes, but they did run an article about how to add a gas engine to a wringer washer. It's done so that it rests on a platform that hinged on one side, and the weight of the engine keeps the pully taunt

Other Amish that we know power them with an air compressor. Add some kind of air motor to them. That is because many ladies have gotten gassed because the motor wasn't vented right.

The original Maytag gas washers had the pedal start engine. (Been to the Maytag museum in Newton Iowa :-) )

[uncle Will in In.]

In the 40s we had a square tub Maytag that was converted from gas to electric. Quite simple to do. Just take one motor off and bolt the other on. The old Maytag gas washers had a long flex hose to run the exhaust outdoors. The little kick start motor would run quiet for several revelotions them give a loud bang as the govenor oppened up on it. They weren't two cycle engines, but most of them smoked worse than a Harley Davidson. The wringer is powered by the motor and will run either direction. It will swing around away from the washer and wring clothes from one rinse tub into the second rinse tub, then swing farther and Wring the clothes from the second tub into the laundry basket so you can take them out to the line and freeze your wet fingers. You will need two wash tubs side by side on a stand next to the washer. Remember to smack the release handle on top of the wringer when it starts pulling your hand through it. Sounds funny but very common in the good old days. It really gets exiting after your elbo has gone through it.

Fordy, you just missed the blurb on Lehman's Hardware page on the Net, "Note: We sell reconditioned Maytag square tub wringer washers with gasoline or electric engines. We also carry a complete line of Maytag parts. Call for pricing. Ask for our Service Department."

outofmire, it is true that they don't sell new ones, only reconditioned ones. Otherwise I suspect your question was somehow misinterpreted by the customer rep.

The current Lehman's catalog also tells that used Maytag reconditioned gasoline engine driven or electric motor driven washers are for sale.

The engine or motor drives the agitator as well as the rollers of the wringer. Each has a lever to engage them.

Several batches of clothes are washed and wrung out and held baskets or whatever.

The wash water is drained and rinse water takes its place. The clothing in then rinsed and wrung out.

For more loads the rinse water is then used for washing until it needs changed out for rinsing.

Clothes have to be fed by hand into the wringer rollers. Once started in the rollers, then the clothes are pulled through as the rollers constrict them. Hands too if you are not careful.

Some machines have pumps to remove the water from the tub, thus allowing it to be pumped into a sink, etc. Others have drains that simply allow the water to gravity flow through a hose to a lower point.

Though rare, some machines were "Twin-tub Dexter" brand and had a tub for washing and a tub for rinsing. I could never understand why more manufacturers didn't make them, except that they required more storage space. Both agitators could operate at the same time.
------
Another idea for a washing machine would be to replace the metal mixing paddles in a cement mixer with wooden, and use one of them. Your choice, gasoline or electric, even tractor if you have a 3 point. No wringer, but a chamois wringer could be purchased for that.

[Helena]

Love !! having a wringer washer !! You can fill the tub of the washer and save that water to wash say sheets first...then wash a load of towels..second and then say even rugs in the same water last. ( how dirty are your sheets etc not to use the water for rugs ?) Then you can rinse in clean water every time in your tubs. It will save you soooo...much water useage. I know you won't be dissapointed with a washer of this type. Good Luck !1

Originally Posted by puffdog

All the Amish in this area use them . Most are converted from the old wringer style washer . They buy everyone that comes up for sale at auctions around these parts . You can buy side by side tubs on a stand for the rinse . The motors have a kick starter and use very little gas. They are the same wringer type that our mothers used except powered by a gas motor so used on the back porch most times.

Look under:LEHMAN'S at www.lehmans.com for new wringer washers.
They have the Speed Queen listed w/ electric and gas engines.
Hope this helps. I am looking at one, because my five year old washer/dryer combo (Neptune stackable) quit on me. It will cost a third of the original purchase price to repair ... its computer board failed.
Isn't progress wonderful!! Helen