Sounds like they left the transport bolts in place. I bought a new front loader and when we tried it the first time it "walked" about three feet before it shut itself down (spin cycle) It made a hellish noise too! I was doubly scared because I thought that I'd bought a dud machine. I then read the manual and found the transport bolts that secure the drum mechanism while the machine is being shipped. Took them out and presto! One excellent machine.