NEW SQ AND WASCO FRONTS

[LEEHUSTON]

ANYBODY HAVE COMMENTS ON THE NEW SQ OR WASCO SOFT MOUNT FRONTS?

[Larry]

Just read your message although it's months after the fact. I bought 6 SQ Horizons and wasted my money. They're made with a lot of plastic and plastic breaks! Doors, soap trays, front panels, electrical parts, etc., ALL PLASTIC AND ALL BREAK!!! Parts are not readily available-at least from my "distributor"-and often have to be back ordered. People like them but they're simply not up to the work a busy laundry has to offer. I sure wish I would have bought something else. "Could've, would've, should've!!!"

[LEEHUSTON]

LARRY,

THANKS FOR THE INFO. i HAVE NOT BEEN HUGELY IMPRESSED WITH SPEED QUEEN PERIOD. I THOUGHT THOSE MACHINES SEEMED KIND OF JUNKY, BUT MY DISTRIBUTOR SAYS THAT IS NOT SO. I THINK I WILL TAKE ACTUALL EXPERIENCE OVER WHAT A SALESMAN THINKS THEY WILL DELIVER.

[petefritz]

I researched all the small front loads to replace my tops with. I found most to be tinny, homestyle and not very secure for an unattended laudry. I bought IPSO hf-55 12# softmount fronts. These are real washers, in everyway as tough as a hard mount, only a smaller basket. They are a bit of a pain to install, you have to plum direct to the sewer line like a hard mount, and if you only have the room of a top load for space in the rear the install is a bit trying. But I did 11 machines in two stores, so don;t let it stop you. The only thing you will need is for the sewer line to be at the level or lower of your base you put them on. I installed on 9" so a cart can be put under the door. The downside is the ipso does not have any decals on how to use it, ie; how to open and close the door (press the red button) were the soap , bleach or softner goes ( bin B or bin C on top) how to set for cold, warm hot, etc (use program button to cycle the number, you must know the number for hot, etc) Good signage and some customer PR work will make these washers the most used in my l'mats I am sure. I was able to price them like a top load, and becuase water use is less than 1/2 of a top, I will make about 10 to 18 cents a load extra now. The washers were more expensive than the SQ or Wasco 16, but not that much more.
If you get a chance take a look at the ipso.

[Marianne]

Years ago I installed a couple of used Miele front loads that had been fitted with coin-op mechanisms. They are so tiny they look like they should be washing doll clothes. They are terrific washers! My drop off staff use them and customers love them for their small loads.

[petefritz]

Just thought I would post follow up. Be careful of replacing all your toploaders. I has replaced about 1/2 of the tops with front ipsos H-55 12#. I have found there are quite a few people who simply will not use a front load period. Even when I explain the virtues of better wash, more rinse cycles, faster dry, etc, they simply say "no I don't want to experiment".
I have to be careful not to "push" the front loader to hard for fear of alienating my customers who don'tike them. I belive I will always have top loaders in my stores to service those people who are comfortable using them. Right off the start, in my unattended stores, it seems about 1 out of 3 will use the ipso over the top. If I am there I offer to show how to use the front and explain the advantage. About 1/2 of those people will try it. I hope to get to a ratio of about 3 to 1, front use over tops. I have slightly more tops than ipso fronts in two stores right now. I thought I would post this message so anyone thinking of replacing ALL tops might have some knowledge before making that decison.

[Gary_Crosby]

I only installed F/L washers in my place and only had one person questioned it. It has been almost two years now and I don't think any of my customers would go back to a top loader. If they have no choice they will give it a try.

Gary

[TKLaundry]

Has anyone installed the front washing top loading machine? I think it is made by Staber or Stabler or something like that. Is it reliable, how easy is it to use and service? If it is reliable it might address the issue of people who insist on using top loading machines while giving the store owner the energy advantages of a front loader.

Dave

[Howard_T]

There is another new top loader that is supposed to be more energy efficient, although it doesn't wash like a front loader. It's a Fisher&Paykel. I heard of some that were installed in Rhode Island. The distributor up there is Daniel's Equipment(800-258-3570). The Fisher&Paykel number is 888-936-7872. They are new to coin laundries. It may be a good compromise.

[ndennis]

Fisher & Paykel have been around in New Zealand and Australia for many years. I have been in the industry for 19 years. Over that period of time I have had to listen to people with complaints about washing machines. In Australia it used to be Hoover, for the last 3-4 years it has been F & P. Complaints run from, machines failing almost from new, lack of warranty service, the computer chip failing and with driers they just do not last.

There have also been people who have been very happy with F & P

That is my 2 cents worth

[ewr1]

What about the Wascomat WE16? Anyone have experience with that?