school17777 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I may have to replace my washer that works fine, but the bearings need replaced. If we do that ourselves, it will cost $200. We are trying to decide to go for it, or just buy a new machine. If we try it and it doesn't work, we are out $200 that could have gone towards a new machine. Hence the decision we need to make. Anyway, if we decide to go ahead and buy a new one, I want a Speed Queen because of you guys. I am trying to decide between a top loader and a front loader. The only reason for a front loader is because my back sometimes goes out and when it does, the only way I can do the laundry is to sit on a stool to move the clothes from the washer to the dryer. I haven't had a top loader in years, but I am guessing that it would be difficult for me to get the clothes out of a top loader when my back isn't working. Anybody with a back bad have a preference on which washer works for them? Top or front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I don't have a bad back. If I bought a front loader, no question it would be a Speed Queen. After all, they are developed for laundrymats and are real workhorses. But I don't want one because of the way the door seal seems to stink up on them for everyone that has one, and also, how do you get the water out without a flood if the machine malfunctions? Just not interested in risking that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I never had a Speed Queen - only heard about it here. I have a front loader and squatting down is okay for me. I do have a lower back issue. We live in a hot summer, mild winter area and I leave the washer door ajar so it airs out. I have never had the stinky seal conundrum. If I did I'd use vinegar on it. I think most of the front loaders are designed for the water to drain toward the back if something malfunctions and agitation stops. I can stop my front loader and add clothing without flooding my laundry room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 My SQ is a top loader. You do have to bend over to try to snag stray socks towards the back and bottom of the drum. I can't compare it to a SQ front loader though. All I know is that even after five years (about - I'm fuzzy on time), I still absolutely love my Speed Queen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I would get the top loader. They just seem to have fewer issues. I think some will depend how tall you are though. I am around 5'9 and actually think front loaders are far worse on my back, but I have arthritis in my knees so I can't squat either. It's a lot of bending over for me. If you do get a top loader, you could always get a rubber coated hook on a pole of some sort and just use it to pull the clothes out when your back gives. (We actually have one like that to catch chickens with! You could probably find one at a feed store.) But I just did a load of laundry in my SQ top loader after reading this thread and I paid attention to how much bending I was doing between machines. The front loading dryer by far seems to require more out of my back: movement wise, reaching in, etc. But I think it's going to be very height dependent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
school17777 Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 I would get the top loader. They just seem to have fewer issues. I think some will depend how tall you are though. I am around 5'9 and actually think front loaders are far worse on my back, but I have arthritis in my knees so I can't squat either. It's a lot of bending over for me. If you do get a top loader, you could always get a rubber coated hook on a pole of some sort and just use it to pull the clothes out when your back gives. (We actually have one like that to catch chickens with! You could probably find one at a feed store.) But I just did a load of laundry in my SQ top loader after reading this thread and I paid attention to how much bending I was doing between machines. The front loading dryer by far seems to require more out of my back: movement wise, reaching in, etc. But I think it's going to be very height dependent. My stool is about a foot high, so I sit on that to get my clothes from the washer to the dryer and then again from the dryer, so I am not bending or squatting with my current front loader and dryer because of the stool. I am just afraid with a top loader that I will not be able to do laundry myself when I have back problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Yell Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 I have a Speed Queen top loader. LOVE IT!!! How often does your back go out? Would your children be able to switch up the laundry when you're unable? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaplank Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 I always keep a grabber in the laundry room for when my back goes out. It's sturdy enough to lift the wet clothes and I just transfer them directly into the dryer. It's also long enough to reach into the dryer to pull out the clothes when dry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 You all amaze me. If laundry caused me as much trouble as it does so many (I had no use) I'd be inclined toward ... naturism. :::dh heads off to break washer:::: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
school17777 Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 I have a Speed Queen top loader. LOVE IT!!! How often does your back go out? Would your children be able to switch up the laundry when you're unable? My back has been good to go for a couple of years, but I had a couple of years where it wasn't good and there is no guarantee that it won't go out again. We soon will only have one kid around, and with busy schedules, laundry would be tough to get done if I had to rely on a kid (or dh) to help me move it from the washer to the dryer. I only do the youngest's laundry now, so the older kids (and only one home now) does her own. I have no never considered a grabber to help pull things out of the washer. That might be a solution! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 I can't offer advice on your specific question, but keep in mind that our SQ dealer mentioned that because of government regs, all non-commercial SQ had to have computerized water settings (temperature and levels) as of January 2016. So you might want to look into a commercial washer or a pre-2016 model instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 I agree with this; my front loading dryer requires more of my back than my top-loader washer. I would get the top loader. They just seem to have fewer issues. I think some will depend how tall you are though. I am around 5'9 and actually think front loaders are far worse on my back, but I have arthritis in my knees so I can't squat either. It's a lot of bending over for me. If you do get a top loader, you could always get a rubber coated hook on a pole of some sort and just use it to pull the clothes out when your back gives. (We actually have one like that to catch chickens with! You could probably find one at a feed store.)But I just did a load of laundry in my SQ top loader after reading this thread and I paid attention to how much bending I was doing between machines. The front loading dryer by far seems to require more out of my back: movement wise, reaching in, etc. But I think it's going to be very height dependent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 Do you have a pedestal under your front loader? That has made a world of difference for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
school17777 Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 Do you have a pedestal under your front loader? That has made a world of difference for me. No, but I have no problems with our current front loader because I use a stool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
school17777 Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 I can't offer advice on your specific question, but keep in mind that our SQ dealer mentioned that because of government regs, all non-commercial SQ had to have computerized water settings (temperature and levels) as of January 2016. So you might want to look into a commercial washer or a pre-2016 model instead. Phooey! If we end up having to replace our current washer, dh will want to get a new one, not a used one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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