Ours is a top loader. It's like beating clothes on a rock...the clothes are wet, but just tossed on the paddles. I washed a small baby quilt in it, and it couldn't handle even that much weight on the spin cycle. Had to take them down to my mother's and spin them out in her 35+ year old washer. My nephew bought a commercial Speed Queen for a duplex he rents out. They are still made in America. It's a top loader. Personally, I think all these "improvements"....aren't!!!