INTERNATIONAL/USA
Maytag Commercial Laundry DuraCore drive system demonstrates its strength after seven machines complete 60,000 cycle lab test. Maytag machines are built to last., says the company, and its laundry engineers understand the importance of every test they perform, both inside and outside of the lab. That includes putting machines through a gauntlet of tests, trials and inspections in our test lab to make sure our machines can stand up to the wear and tear of commercial use.
Last month, our engineers ended a 7sevenyear lab test on the Ccmmercial laundry MHN33 front-load washers. The test of Maytag’s DuraCore drive system started in 2015 with 10 machines running daily, with proper use and care and adherence to the recommended maintenance schedule. Throughout the course of test, three of the 10 machines were removed from testing and used at tradeshows to demonstrate the results achieved while the remainder of the seven machines reached over 60,000 cycles* individually (individual washer dependability may vary in actual use). To put that in context, sid Maytag:
- In a multi-family property 1 washer/dryer pair can serve 8-12 families; if a family on average washes 5.2 loads of laundry per week then that washer would have to run continuously between 20 to 30 years until it would reach 60,000 cycles
- It is common for a commercial laundry machine in a laundromat or hotel to run at least five loads a day, 365 days per year; it would take more than 32 years for that machine to reach 60,000 cycles.
When this Maytag front-load washer was launched in 2015, robust advanced design delivered features including intelligent controls with M-Series technology, advanced spin technology, six-point suspension, and the DuraCore drive system.
Dan Roscoe, engineer lead, has been working for Maytag Commercial Laundry since 1989 and led the design concepts still seen in the machine. “We wanted to design solutions that translated to reliability at the core of the machine. We included a durable shaft sleeve that would eliminate shaft wear. We designed the DuraCore Drive System, which offers a watertight, flexible triple-lip seal with garter spring that keeps moisture away from the shaft, protecting the premium bearings,” said Roscoe.
In 2019, the Maytag decided to take one of the MHN33 test models from our lab offline after more than 25,000 cycles to bring it as a display at The Clean Show in New Orleans. A live feed video was also playing showing what was going on in the lab including the techs coming in and out and changing out loads. This year in Atlanta, as the machines reached over 60,000 cycles, another was on display along with internal components showing just how well the DuraCore has held up after all those cycles.
Engineers are satisfied with the results obtained for the past seven years and will shift efforts to start testing new machines launching to market soon. This milestone and ending of this lab test was celebrated by the entire Commercial Laundry organization with great food, fun games and gathering of current and retired engineer colleagues.
*Based on lab testing of the DuraCore Drive System up to 60,000 consecutive 34-minute timed cycles using an 11-lb laundry load on the “Heavy Load” setting. The DuraCore Drive System as tested included Hub, Drive Bearings, Bearing Spacer / Shaft Sleeve, triple-lip with garter spring Tub Seal, Cross Piece Assembly with Drum Shaft, and Drum. Individual washer dependability may vary in actual use. This testing is not meant to supersede the machine’s actual warranty. See maytagcommerciallaundry.com for specifics related to your machine.”
