One of the most common breakdowns in washing machines is bearing wear. Many users prefer washing machines with a collapsible tank (RB) - they replace bearings easily, without requiring a lot of time and money. We find out which brands produce such devices.
Collapsible and non-collapsible
For experienced users and those who understand the design of washing machines, the design of the tank is one of the key criteria when choosing a washing machine (CMA). Any equipment has a limited resource, and washing machines are no exception. In some cases, repairs extend the life of the washers, in others it is easier to buy a new device. Let us first examine the essence of the matter.
Tank and drum - what's the difference?
The main thing is not to confuse the concept, otherwise you can buy not at all what you wanted. They often say “plastic drum”, and this is wrong, since the drum is always made of stainless steel. But the tanks can be made of stainless steel and plastic - this is the part of the machine that interests us now.
We distinguish between concepts. A tank is a metal or plastic container into which water is drawn. It is motionless, and inside it the moving part is a drum. Water enters the last through the smallest openings.
A fixed tank can be of two types:
- Non-separable (solid). With this design, repair as such by the manufacturer is not provided. But there are masters who undertake to change bearings by cutting the tank. Such repairs are laborious, take a lot of time and effort. It is easier to change the washer than to spend money on complex repairs, which does not guarantee successful work. Many manufacturers believe that a one-piece design is more reliable, and therefore preferable. If a breakdown occurs, then replace the entire assembly. It is not cheap, but guarantees normal operation. But unauthorized cuts can end in disrepair - it is very difficult to ensure the integrity of the structure.
- Collapsible. With this design, the problem is solved simply - the tank is easily disassembled, the bearings change, and the machine has been working safely for several more years. It consists of front and rear forecastles connected by bolts. The forecastles fit snugly to each other, ensuring a tight structure. To disassemble the element into two forecastles, just unscrew the bolts. After that, change the bearings.
Both options are maintainable, but in the second case, repairs are cheaper. If the design is not separable - you have to buy a new tank, and this is economically impractical.
List of CMA manufacturers with collapsible tank
Most models released 50–10 years ago had collapsible tanks. Today, preference is given to the non-separable option - almost all brands are gradually switching to solid cast structures. Finding SMA with collapsible tanks is becoming increasingly difficult.
Overview of brands producing CMA with RB:
- ATLANT ("Atlas"). The Belarusian trademark that produces narrow and full-size washers in the low price range - from 12,500 to 25,000 rubles. Their inexpensive, but high-quality models are designed for a simple consumer who is not used to scattering cars: if something breaks, you can fix it.
- LG. A well-known Korean brand that produces frontal washing machines in a wide price range - from 18,000 to 275,000 rubles. LG is one of the brands that presents the best SMA in the market, economical, functional, saturated with modern technologies. True, here with the replacement of bearings hitch. Although the tank is unscrewed into the forecastle tanks, it is not possible to change the bearings. To compensate for the disappointment, a cheap replacement of the rear forecastle helps - it is produced by certified centers.
- AEG. The German brand that produces CMA is not lower than the middle class. The price range is 32,000–100,000 rubles. The assortment includes vertical and frontal modifications, including built-in ones.
- Samsung The Korean manufacturer Samsung is famous for innovation. Many of its models are controlled from a smartphone. It represents models from 16,000 to 80,000 rubles on the Russian market.
- Electrolux This Swedish brand represents all types of devices - Electrolux has frontal and vertical, narrow and full-sized, built-in and free-standing SMA. The lower price threshold is 20,000 rubles, the upper one is 140,000 rubles.
- Gorenje. Slovenian company, which in addition to the usual vertical and frontal cars also has washers with an additional tank - they can work without being connected to the water supply. Cost - from 16,000 to 30,000 rubles.
- Siemens Among the products of this German brand there are frontal devices of 20,000 and 120,000 rubles. The range includes many modifications of narrow and full-size versions. There are also built-in models.
- Haier. A large Chinese manufacturer producing devices of all price segments - from 20,000 to 120,000. Haier offers CMA with side loading. Unusual modification - with two reels.
Which manufacturers do not understand the tank, list of brands:
- Indesit ("Indesit"). Italy.
- Ariston ("Ariston"). Italy.
- Beko ("Beko"). Turkey.
- Candy ("Kandy"). Italy.
- Zanussi ("Zanussi"). Italy.
- Whirlpool (Wirpool). USA.
- ARDO ("Ardo"). Italy.
In Bosch brand washers, there are both options. CMA WAA series have a non-separable version, WAE - collapsible. The Bosch WLG washing machine is represented by two types of models. When buying a Bosch, you should be especially careful if the issue of internal structure is important to the buyer.
How to find out - in which models can I change bearings?
Manufacturers do not advertise information about the design features of the washers. Yes, and most consumers are "in the subject" only after the appearance of the problem - when the bearings "fly".
After looking at the documentation and characteristics of the machine you like, you can easily find out what its load is, how many revolutions it gives out on the spin, what programs and modes it has. They will tell you clearly about its advantages and keep silent about the disadvantages. But neither the manufacturer nor the sellers like to talk about the "insides" of the AGR. The topic of “collapsible-non-collapsible” is directly related to the issue of repair, and why should a customer choosing an AGR think about breakdowns at the time of purchase?
You will have to look for the answer to this question yourself. Recommended Procedure:
- Ask the consultants. But this is not an ideal option. Firstly, managers of trade pavilions often do not know the constructive intricacies of household appliances themselves. Secondly, the seller may simply be mistaken, so you can not 100% trust the information received from him.
- To ask the masters repairing SMA of different brands - they are better than others familiar with the internal content. But here there may be a puncture - perhaps the master met with modifications of a certain brand and they had RB, and you come across another model - with a non-separable version.
- The best option is to verify the constructive solution in person by visual inspection. In a word, you need to look inside the device and look at the element you are interested in.
Conclusions
To summarize:
- The same brand can produce modifications with different tanks. Find out which option for a specific SMA, by any method available to you, is a question, consultation, examination, etc.
- In 2018, manufacturers preferred SMA with non-separable containers. This trend will also be observed in 2019 - the future for monolithic tanks made of high-strength polymers. Non-separable polymer construction - the most profitable option. They may be inferior in strength to stainless steel, but they are economical and, subject to operating rules, can last as long as metal counterparts.
- Despite the dominance of non-separable tanks and all their advantages - strength, durability, efficiency, collapsible versions continue to be successful. This will last as long as replacing the non-separable element will cost 50% or more of the cost of the washing machine.
If you expect to extend the life of your future washing machine by replacing bearings, look for a model with a tank that can be disassembled. Otherwise, the breakdown of the bearings will cost you half the cost of the machine or you will have to change it at all.