New Washing Machine - SpeedQueen

Submitted by nerdyharrybartending t3_yv1i7l in BuyItForLife

Seems like a top load Speed Queen is everyone's favorite here, and I prefer to buy American so that works for me. My question is which model? My understanding is the less circuitry the better, so TR7 is out. That leaves TC5 TR5 and TR3. I think the main difference is the TR don't have an agitator while the TC is the classic version and does. I hear agitators wash well but wear out clothes, and I'm not too concerned with getting it "perfectly clean" so maybe I'll go for TR, but would love to hear what y'all think.

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trackofalljades t1_iwc3hdd wrote

I prefer agitators, personally, and I very very strongly prefer a couple mechanical dials and switches to anything with a computerized display or touch panel.

I am also a big fan of gas dryers, but these days if you have a solar array on your roof obviously it makes sense to go as electric as possible with all things.

I had a pair of speed queens in a previous house and I still miss them every time I do laundry.

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SweetAlyssumm t1_iwcaflb wrote

My Speed Queen has an agitator, works very well. It's about 5 years old. It has no software so it should last a long time.

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Muncie4 t1_iwcb8da wrote

Your understanding of circuitry is wrong. You are listening to people with no experience and a fundamental misunderstanding of how things work. Its a knob and its simple, so it MUST be better than some electronic buttons!!!! Sure Aunt Sal....

Your purchase metrics for SQs are:

  1. Do you want a model with more or less warranty? TR3/lowest TR7/highest
  2. Do you want the model with the most cleaning power? TC5
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StrangeConversations t1_iwd13te wrote

Aunt Sal here. Yes, knobs are better than this fancy electronic crap that breaks. Bless you.

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Muncie4 t1_iwd6hk0 wrote

Then why are 5th generation fighters equipped with MFDs vice knobs Aunt Sal?

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StrangeConversations t1_iwdt1d0 wrote

Isn't it just a basic principle of engineering that complexity and durability are inversely related? More stuff means more stuff that can break.

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Muncie4 t1_iweizt4 wrote

To the non-Engineering mind, yes. But there's a whole lot more to it than that. The space program is more complicated than a washing machine knob and the mean time between failure rate is orders of magnitude lower on space craft than washing machine knobs. But that would crush the dreams of millions of internet smug people who think lessAr is bettAr, so let's not go there. :)

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StrangeConversations t1_iwelqg5 wrote

Your analogies are again inapt. There may be minimal complexity needed to achieve a function. And the quality of any given part may be very high. But if machine 1 can accomplish a task with 40 parts, and machine 2 can accomplish the same task with 250 parts, then machine 2 will fail more often, ceteris paribus.

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Muncie4 t1_iwer892 wrote

I'd love to see your statistical analysis on MTBFR between space craft and simple machines to prove your point though. Leave it alone.

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StrangeConversations t1_iwersud wrote

That's not the comparison. It's not washing machines versus space craft. It's washing machine knobs versus washing machine mobos.

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Muncie4 t1_iwetd36 wrote

Pedantic are we? Can't wait to see your SPC charts showing data for knobs vs control boards.

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StrangeConversations t1_iweu32c wrote

I have none. Do you? I'm working off first principles, which you agreed to. You're the one asserting mobos are better. Maybe they are. What proof do you have?

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Muncie4 t1_iwezmhj wrote

Kudos for logic! Really. Too few have it here. But sadly, I never said mobos are better. I just said people who allege knobs are better do so sans evidence.

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nerdyharrybartending OP t1_iwdcak1 wrote

because they are constantly serviced by top professionals? F35 has something like 8 hours of mechanic work for every 1 hour of flight time. I don't disagree with you but bad example to bring up

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nerdyharrybartending OP t1_iwdc5ue wrote

Thanks! My experience is generally warranties are more trouble than they're worth, so sounds like TR3 is my best bet

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miningmonster t1_iwizsvr wrote

Mechanical knobs are less fragile than electronic push pads. LEDs will wear out before a mechanical knob.

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Muncie4 t1_iwjo9oh wrote

That is your opinion. Would love evidence to back it up, but there is none.

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bdubelyew t1_iwcg5g0 wrote

All of the top load Speed Queens have an agitator. The TC uses the old 210 degree style wash action, where the TR models use a 360 degree agitation that is supposed to be gentler on clothes. A lot of people prefer the TC model. The TR7 has the longest warranty, nothing to be afraid of with their controls. Even dials are electronic nowadays so that part is all the same.

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5spd4wd t1_iwcm6ck wrote

I'd take a 360 agitation model because of sheets, towels, wash cloths, cleaning rags, throw rugs, gardening cothes, babies & pets' expelled body products, etc. There are "gentle wash" settings on nearly all, for being easy on clothes.

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bdubelyew t1_iwdgo4e wrote

Yep. The TC models actually exist because in 2018 the government changed regulations for washing machines and the machines they made their reputation on was no longer compliant. So the TR series was born. There was initially immense pushback on the TR series and tons of people calling asking for “pre-2018” models. The TC (C stands for Classic) is the modern version of those pre 2018 models that were so popular. They’ve updated the TR, and it’s honestly an impressive platform how they’ve designed it so either is a good option boiling down to “stronger cleaning = TC while gentler cleaning = TR”.

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5spd4wd t1_iwdindh wrote

And...

What is the difference between the TC and TR Speed Queen washers?

The TC5 has a two-speed ½ hp motor, whereas the TR5 has a variable speed, 1 hp motor with a maximum spin speed of 820 RPM. This could come in handy if you're frequently doing large loads of heavily soiled items. The TC5 has two different load size selections, whereas the TR5 has three. Jun 10, 2021

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nerdyharrybartending OP t1_iwe2h8s wrote

Thanks that's really helpful for perspective. I'm still torn though because while my instincts say go for the classic, I really don't need a "stronger cleaning"

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celticdove t1_iwf8om1 wrote

I bought the TC a few years ago when so many were complaining about the TR. I had your same quandary and decided I didn't want to be disappointed for the next 20-25 years while enjoying the longevity for which SQ is known. Read the reviews for yourself, and pay attention to the dates if there was a redesign recently. Newer reviews may favor one over the other.

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PetroleumVNasby t1_iwcjpii wrote

I bought a TR7 a couple of years ago. It’s been flawless.

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Tilework94 t1_iwck9tm wrote

Had both and currently have the tr7. I like it much better than the tc5. Tc5 was rougher on clothes and moved a lot more than tr7 when loaded.

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5spd4wd t1_iwclkmo wrote

TC5, TR5 (5 year warranties)

TR3 (3 year warrantly)

Pay attention to the load capacities of each

Comparison price shop for one of those models

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CopyrightKarma t1_iwcrsll wrote

I was deciding between the same models a couple of years ago and ended up going with the TC5 and DC5. Maybe a bit of a silly reason, but it was the "no lid lock" feature that decided for us. It'd really not be a big deal if we went with a model without that, but I do add an item, shortly after starting a load, maybe once or twice a month. My spouse probably does it about as often. I've been very happy with the TC5.

I've been mostly happy with the DC5, but the DC5's timer dial actually kind of sucks. I've read that you should never spin it backwards and it's kind of hard to hit the "max dry" setting. In hindsight, I'd probably go with the 7s, even though I also prefer the physical dials. So, if you're going for the dryer too and want them to match, I'd consider the TR7.

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TechnicianShot5993 t1_iwcuu51 wrote

I've had a TR3 since the first year they came out (when everyone went nuts bashing them) and have been very happy with the machine. It's gentle on the clothes, easy to operate, exceptionally quiet, just a nice no frills washing machine.

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nerdyharrybartending OP t1_iwdch19 wrote

What were they bashing them for?

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TechnicianShot5993 t1_iwdicdt wrote

If you google TR3 Speed Queens and read articles in about 2018/2019 timeframe, people weren't too happy from the move away from a classic agitator. There are some YouTube videos out there as well.

Speed Queen fundamentally changed the way that it washed clothes and it wasn't the same as before. People are often opposed to change and I feel that's a lot of what the articles were about.

My wife and I both work office jobs but we do have a 2 year old and we have been very happy with the cleaning abilities of our TR3.

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nerdyharrybartending OP t1_iwe2off wrote

Thanks that's super helpful. I feel like people who prefer the classic have a point, but I'm much more concerned with durability and ease of use than I am with actual cleaning power.

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NWO_Eliminator t1_iwd003w wrote

TC5 is the design that has been around for decades and is about the only model that still uses a physical transmission, with metal gears to boot. It's for heavily soiled laundry. The TR series is fairly new and used for office dust and minor soiled laundry.

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nerdyharrybartending OP t1_iwdcl15 wrote

By heavily soiled do you mean like sports wear? Or like I'm out hunting for a week and my bones taste like dirt soiled

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NWO_Eliminator t1_iwe5a1m wrote

I wouldn't consider sports wear heavily soiled but the TC5 would probably do a better job making them smell fresher. Hunting for two or more days would require the TC5. As I mentioned above, the TC5 is the tried and true design.

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Shadow9x99 t1_iwdpu3z wrote

Just gonna throw this out there: quite a few people here are also fans of the Maytag 575, which in some areas is more available. Similar to SpeedQueen's quality whilst cleaning better.

The TC5 is the BIFL SpeedQueen and is more simple and durable than the TR series.

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nerdyharrybartending OP t1_iwe2u1r wrote

What I don't get is why would the classic model with the agitator, and therefore a rougher machine with more parts, would be more durable than the TR series which is without the agitator and therefore gentler?

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