The Whirlpool machines I am familiar with (really about 10 brand names, 100 models/same basic machine) use a garden variety induction motor with a direct drive coupler under the transmission. They are actually pretty simple and all the fancy stuff in the different models boils down to different timers and a couple add on gadgets.
Since the same basic motor is so ubiquitous in US washers and they show up at the curb a lot, there are web sites telling you how to wire these for other uses.
