Hitachi Washing Machines Reviews
Why Buy Hitachi?
Hitachi washing machines have long had a reputation for being some of the best and most long lasting of electronic machines. Today, it is rare to find a machine that will last beyond five years, where as with an old Hitachi, you could get at least double that out of your machine. That was then though, Hitachi has steadily withdrawn from the washing machine market in recent years so you will struggle to find one to purchase. You may need even to import from China, Thailand or India if you are looking for a Hitachi Washer. That being said, amongst all the washing electronics, most Hitachi washing machines can be repaired fairly easily – as long as you can get the genuine parts.
Short History of Hitachi
Hitachi has come a long way from its origins a hundred years ago as an electrical repair shop. Today, the company is one of the world’s largest multinational corporations, with businesses ranging from IT, finance, power and electronics. Consumer products, like washing machines are only a small part of the business making up about 13% of the company in total. Hitachi has sought to focus on other areas of its business and has been pulling out of domestic consumer appliance markets in recent years.
Common Features
If you look around, even though Hitachi are still manufacturing washing machines as pat of their product ranges, you will find that they are all being made for the Asian market, rarely for the US or Europe market nowadays. Most of Hitachi new washing machines are all top loaders and come with large capacities, up to 16kg. The large capacity nature of the machines is the biggest selling point of Hitachi machines. Most of them also have a feature called a Beat Lifter. This is a feature within the machine that raises the clothes allowing them to be washed like they were being hand washed.
Performance/Ratings
Hitachi washing machines are not generally known for their efficiency ratings, and are often not quoted in the markets they are on sale in. The most reputable thing about Hitachi is again the fact that their machines though is that they have a large capacity. The larger the capacity, the more washing can be done in a single wash, cutting down on the use of electricity and water to a certain extent. For most homes though, there are definitely better options when it comes to efficient machines.
Popular Hitachi Models
Looking to the Asian markets, there are a dozen or so Hitachi washers and dryers on general sale. Major differences between the machines comes in their load capacity. One of the most popular of washing machines is the Hitachi SF-160 which has the largest capacity at 16kg, and can take up to 80 shirts in one wash. As a relative rarity for a top loader, the Hitachi SF-160 comes with a transparent lid, to watch the washing during the whole process. There is also a detergent maximizer built in which the company states can make clothes seem fresh long after they have been washed. Hitachi washing machines are good machines, just rare in most domestic markets.
Back from Hitachi Washing Machine to Washing Machine Reviews
Dear Sir,
My name is Owen Corbitt and I live in South Africa in Pietermaritzburg Kwa Zulu NATAL.IN 1968 I purchased an Hitachi PAF-1260PX Microprocessor washing machine.This machine has given me trouble free service since then.I have told all my friends about the wonderful service it has given my family and want you to know that your product is fantastic,I have never had it serviced but it still keeps going.Thank you for a marvelous product.
My next machine will be another HITACHI.
Yours faithfuly
Owen Corbitt.
Dear Sir,
I also live in South Africa (Fochville) and have had my Hitachi for about 30 years, I am not sure of the make, it could also be a Paf – 1260PX Microprocessor and I am sad to say the clutch has given in and as it is so old we could not find a replacement part and I have had to buy a new machine. I bought the 15kg LG and I hope that it will give me as many years as the Hitachi.
Charmaine Wright
I have a Hitachi washer spin dryer perhaps 20 years old. Recently the spin dryer stopped operation. All other operations of this model
PAS – 82P work fine. Do you have any idea where I might find parts for this spinner dryer. Your help would be very much appreciated, I use this washer on a weekly basis. Thank you, Jo
We bought an Hitachi PAF–1260PX Microprocessor in about 1987 and it gave excellent trouble free service until around 2007, at which time it began making lots of banging noises while spinning, and all attempts to balance the load to stop the banging were unsuccessful. We have since replaced the machine but have kept the Hitachi in the shed just in case we find out how to fix it. I took the top off the machine again today but can see nothing wrong. We really miss the flexibility of the old machine
My Hitachi PAF-1260PX has had hard use through most of its 19 year long life.
So far, a few superficial cracks have appeared on the lid.
The lid switch became inoperative when the actuating arm was jammed (by an object obstructing it) and broke. I have to fix this, but the washer operates just fine with the switch bypassed.
Otherwise – no malfunction to report! The motor, clutch, pump, electronic controller – all just keep going.
A truly excellent, solidly-engineered product. Thank you!
I recently took possession of a Hitachi top load washing machine. (PAF-1260-PX) It was given to me after my front load washer did a rear bearing and was deemed not worth fixing from a repair shop. The Hitachi is a beautiful machine. It is stopping between rinse and spin and I don’t know if I am doing something wrong thus the need for a manual. If anyone out there can help me I’d really appreciate some help.