Basically there are two main types of washing machines; the top-loading and the front loading washing machines. Now an agitator in a washing machine is generally found in top-loading type machines and is said to take care of the laundry that is put into it for cleaning. This particular part is found jutting out from the lower part of the wash basket. It is said to help the washing activity move circularly moving from the back to the front and front to back in most of the appliances. This part is also believed to make the garments loaded for washing roll from the upper part of the wash tub to the lower part and back again. In the newer machines, this agitator is fitted with double-action thereby giving the machine a three-time rollover action.
This extra feature offers a particular circular movement to the machine. This agitator feature in the top-loading models is safeguarded against damage when being transported. The agitator is linked to the tub and the snubber that can be seen on the underside of the machine. It is this part that causes the vibration in the machine and if it has not been correctly installed it could probably prevent the machine from working or become slow. In such cases, the agitator may have to be replaced.
There are many types of agitators that you can avail of today. You can select one depending on the model that you plan to fix it to. The two main types of agitators that are popular today are the dual-action agitator and the straight-vane agitator and practically all brands manufacture them.
In the case of the straight-vane agitator, one part is attached to the lower part of the appliance and it is the fins on the side that assist the agitator in moving forward and backward. The dual-action agitators as the name suggests has two components and are fitted just below the fins and are responsible for making the agitator move backward and forward in a circular motion along a certain track. In addition, this extra feature is also responsible for rotating the spiral top in a clockwise direction thereby helping to safeguard fabrics from the lower part of the fins.
Issues that could be Encountered when using Agitators
It is the agitator that is responsible for creating the mechanism to vibrate, revolve, and gives it the necessary movement. At times, it faces problems that may cause erratic movements in the appliance. When this happens, the power of the oscillation of the agitator lessens, and finally, the agitator will stop functioning. These agitators are also the cause for electrical circuit breaks that can prevent the agitators from working. Even an overload of clothes in the appliance can make the agitators to drone and vibrate as a result of which the clothes do not get cleaned.
There are times when the agitator in the gadget makes a lot of noise, the shaking becomes erratic and the machine consequently stops working. Since the component is usually fitted to the tinnier area of the shaft of the tub a couple of the issues that are related to the agitator can be eliminated by setting the agitator right and in some cases, they may even have to be replaced.
Remember that the agitator should be fixed into the machine by experienced hands as they need to be connected to electrical connections. If the circuit breaks get an electrician to fix it for you.
Usually, the tub and the wash baskets in the apparatus do not give any trouble as the agitator is fitted on the inside of the washtub, but if the agitator does not work properly the clothes may be spoiled and this could make more noise inside and it will eventually stop working.
These are some of the signs that tell you that the agitator needs to be replaced. While removing and replacing agitators ensure that the appliance is disconnected from the source of power so as to avoid any accidents. The agitator could also vibrate more noisily if the snubber is worn out. This implies that it is the snubbed that has to be replaced. Always enlist the help and advice of an electrician as it is imperative that any home appliance should be correctly installed and checked before you start using them.