Hoover Keymatic 3226 Washing Machine (1964)

Presenting the Hoover 3226, second generation of Hoover sloping front automatic washing machines, produced from 1964 - 1966, by the Hoover Washing Machine Company Ltd, at Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, UK.

The Hoover Keymatic takes an 8lb washload, is hot & cold fill and spins at 750rpm. It is very unique as it has a dual washing action, for delicate items it rotates the drum like todays machines but doesnt alternate drum direction, these programmes last for approx 8mins after heating to correct temperature.

For robust cotton fabrics its uses the drum and its unique Hoover "Boiling Pulsator Washing Action"...you will see the spinning Hoover pulsator in the back of the drum, similar to the wringer and twin tub washers. This produces a very rapid turnover of clothes with plenty of splashdrama as well.. The wash time for cottons was 4 minutes from correct temperature...very fast indeed by todays standards..

The second unique feature was the use of the "Hoover Keyplate" which was a bakelite / plastic card with grooves for the different programmes, this was inserted into the card reader or programmer and the washer times liked up the cogs and started your wash programme!!!

The third unique feature was how the drum operated, it was suspended on 4 large springs attached to a metal frame, it also had a suspension wire under the drum as well, this allowed the drum to "Tilt" when filling with water allowing the water to cover the pulsator and for the clothes to roll around the drum and pulsator...

its specifications are:
Model: Hoover Keymatic 3226 Automatic Washing Machine
Produced: Sepember 1964
Capacity: 8lb dry weight
Cycle Time -excluding heating: 30 mins
Heater: 2.75kW
Motor Rating: 1/3 hp High Torque
Motor Wattage: 520watts
Motor Speed: 1440rpm
Pulsator Speed: 750rpm
Tumble Speed: 47rpm
Spinning Speed: 750rpm
Pump Speed: 2700rpm
Pump Rate: 8gallons per minute
Braking Time: 10 seconds
Weight of Machine: 224lbs
Width 24.5 inches, Height 32.5 inches, Depth 26inches

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Hoover
• Keymatic
• Washing
• Machines
• 3226
• Machine
• Hoover Washing Machines
• The Automated hoover Keymatic
• Hoover Spin Dryer
• Automatic Washers
• Washday - Just Forget It
• Vintage Washing Machine
• Hoover Keymatic
• Merthyr Tidfyl
• Hoover Factory Merthyr Tidfyl
• ChesterMikeUK
• Vintage Washer Place

[38wd]

good old british engineering. Unlike todays todays machine (majority) aren't built to last. I like this machine very good indeed great wash action with pulsator

[chestermikeuk]

@38wd

Very glad you agree, for its time it was a revolution, with the facility of the Keyplate Udate facility.

The Best of British - Sadly no more!!!

[walriley48]

We had one when i was a kid. Vividly remember the cogs and wheels at the back as my dad tried to repair it (which was quite often, to be honest!)

Great piece of engineering, though.

[chestermikeuk]

@walriley48

Good memories, when back then people repaired stuff rather than throw it away!!, it was a very mechanical machine with lots of hoses and wires, quite a difference to todays machine.

[henene4]

its like a dyson contrarotator, this pulsator?

[chestermikeuk]

@henene4

The Hoover Keymatic with Boiling Pulsator Action was the first washing machine to use a Dual Washing Action, the Contra-Rotator followed..!!!

[pepazib]

i like this washing machine :)

[butterfly153239]

omg I have never seen a washer like this in my whole life! I am so jealous I wish I had one :(

[mielefanclub]

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[Merker33]

fantastic, wonderful :-)

[marcvie9]

why did you ensert a chip?

[CHRISTINKER86]

I'd love one of these old machines, at least you knew they def get a good wash in one of these! I remember my mums 1980s zanussi machine, she said she's never had a machine since that has done a better wash!

[HotpointForever]

Its the washing machine that means the end!

The end of washday! Washday? Just forget it!

[Nextra6]

i must say this machine is in pristine condition!

[76smolar]

ile ma lat?



[zanussi92]

This washer it's wonderful, what about the wash performance ? is it efficient with stains like modern washers ? how long does it take to wash on the boilwash without prewash ?