Stepney 2,325 #1 Posted March 9, 2020 I love these sorts of deals .. so to cut a long story short, last friday I went on a trip to buy a 1966 Maytag J2 wringer washer.. because why not? Arriving at the house, I learn the story of the original owners, having moved in around 1965 and after acquiring everything they needed .. it was not replaced unless it seriously failed. IE.. the kitchen was still full of 1950's era appliances, including this 1966 washer. The husband was machinist, the wide .. not sure. But they kept everything up very nicely over the years. Spotting an old collapsing shed before I left, I had to ask about machines. I was told of an 'old riding mower' that was to be scrapped. Turned out to be this sad looking 1978 Sears GT14 Suburban. Which as I learnt today, had last been used in September of 1998. Fast forward to this morning, when I arrived to pick up the tractor, bringing all kinds of spare parts and tools hoping to drive it out of the swampy yard. It was to be scrapped if I couldn't get it out. Too muddy to move a truck out there. Found the tank dry and the oil clean.. added gas and a battery, blew in the tank to prime the carb .. and it fired up on the first turn of the key and ran pretty well. Drove it out and into the driveway, loaded it on the truck. To utter shock of the new owners. Upon getting it home, I gave it a quick wash. Both headlights worked until the instant I took the photo.. All gears are good and quiet, the variator drives seems to mostly work, just needing new belts. The deck runs almost silent. Does hunt at idle, and seems to run obscenely hot, more than I'd be comfortable with. Never had an OHV Teccy before though. Cant see anything in the fins but Ill pull the shroud and check to be sure. Included are some photos .. as I know you all love photos! 7 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennifer 1,877 #2 Posted March 9, 2020 My husbands mom still prefers to use the ringer washer each summer! Great score! What did the washer cost? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,325 #3 Posted March 9, 2020 Gave 175 for the old Maytag. A bit high, but it was the first one of this model I have seen for sale in over a year, and it was local too. This was the middle-line of the 3 they sold from the later 50's until the end of production in 1986. The upper model was aluminum with a polished top to the tub, the smaller model looked just like this with a steel tub, but they were rounded. The round and top end models are still pretty common, funny enough the highest end aluminum model can often be had for pennies and are everywhere .. But modern detergents wreak havoc on the aluminum and they start to corrode. These steel tubs with ceramic paint will pretty much last forever and dont care what you use. This middle trim model wasn't made for too long due to being a bit of a pointless design, compared to the vastly cheaper or more expensive versions. While the other 2 had about a 35 year run, the J was limited production for only around 5 years. Earlier ones having red trim, and later being blue like this. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 63,109 #4 Posted March 9, 2020 19 minutes ago, Jennifer said: My husbands mom still prefers to use the ringer washer each summer! Great score! What did the washer cost? At the Portage, WI show last year, one of the guys showing steam toys and whistles taught us the meaning of “getting your ..... caught in the ringer!” I thought it was just a saying.... 1 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #5 Posted March 9, 2020 Saw your post on the Sears Suburban FB page yesterday about it, and saw the mention of Wheel Horses - I wondered who it was! Now I know. Looks like a good tractor for free! Can't beat those kind of deals. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,988 #6 Posted March 9, 2020 3 minutes ago, pullstart said: At the Portage, WI show last year, one of the guys showing steam toys and whistles taught us the meaning of “getting your ..... caught in the ringer!” I thought it was just a saying.... Oh it ain’t just a saying... my grandma used to speak often and knowingly about such things...! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,325 #7 Posted March 9, 2020 5 minutes ago, pullstart said: At the Portage, WI show last year, one of the guys showing steam toys and whistles taught us the meaning of “getting your ..... caught in the ringer!” I thought it was just a saying.... Absolutely not just a phrase either. I have a 1926 Maytag that has a gas engine from factory. I show it at all the fairs and tractor shows. It's a hit.. And every elderly person who comes by has a story or three to tell about the rollers. Hands, toes, clothing, and .. erm, worse. 3 1 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,325 #8 Posted March 9, 2020 11 minutes ago, ZXT said: Saw your post on the Sears Suburban FB page yesterday about it, and saw the mention of Wheel Horses - I wondered who it was! Now I know. Looks like a good tractor for free! Can't beat those kind of deals. Yep, that was me! I'm not sure what the long run plan will be for it.. those SSI ignitions arent cheap when/if they fail. Have to make a post on the engine heat. Seems way too hot to me. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #9 Posted March 9, 2020 1 minute ago, Stepney said: Yep, that was me! I'm not sure what the long run plan will be for it.. those SSI ignitions arent cheap when/if they fail. Have to make a post on the engine heat. Seems way too hot to me. I believe there are a few setups out there now to replace the Tecky parts. Shouldn't be that big an issue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennifer 1,877 #10 Posted March 9, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, pullstart said: At the Portage, WI show last year, one of the guys showing steam toys and whistles taught us the meaning of “getting your ..... caught in the ringer!” I thought it was just a saying.... Ouch 😓... that couldn’t have been good.. 🤣. My husband has a Maytag engine for one! He doesn’t know if it works yet! Edited March 9, 2020 by Jennifer 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennifer 1,877 #11 Posted March 9, 2020 There great for the shop to keep the dirty shop rags and greasy clothes out of the good washer in the house! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,325 #12 Posted March 9, 2020 20 minutes ago, Jennifer said: Almost exactly like mine! A little newer. They are very nearly indestructible.. mine sat buried in a dirt barn floor for over 60 years. 2 1 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,484 #13 Posted March 9, 2020 20 minutes ago, Jennifer said: There great for the shop to keep the dirty shop rags and greasy clothes out of the good washer in the house! You'd be better off to put the wringer in the house and delegate the modern wonder to the shop. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennifer 1,877 #14 Posted March 9, 2020 When he gets to playing with it I know who to get tips and help from! Lol 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #15 Posted March 10, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, Jennifer said: Ouch 😓... that couldn’t have been good.. 🤣. My husband has a Maytag engine for one! He doesn’t know if it works yet! That looks good, Jennifer! They're almost always missing the air cleaner. We have one on a washer and probably 30 other Maytag engines. Mostly single cylinder but some twins. Keep in mind that when you try to get it running that they are two strokes! Edited March 10, 2020 by ZXT 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D_Mac 8,755 #16 Posted April 13, 2020 I dont have a washing machine but I have the stove and refrigerator ! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob R 966 #17 Posted April 13, 2020 Just a comment you said the Suburban ran hot ……. make sure you don't have a critter nest under the shroud or flywheel etc..... or you'll destroy a good machine.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,337 #18 Posted April 14, 2020 I grew up with a ringer washer just like that ! Thanx for sharing the pics. mom was always afraid of me getting my fingers in it. Never did! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
