Any hints on setting up a washing machine?

[Bogie]

I've got water spigots, right over a hole in the floor which I assume will provide sufficient drainage... My house had a pipe in the wall that I just stuck the outflow into. Do I need to put a vertical pipe into that drain hole?

[dogmush]

Yes, I think you do.

As I recall the drain hose from a top load washer needs to come up higher then the water level in the machine when full.  Every one I've ever installed  had a u bend to facilitate keeping it the required height.

I think it has to do with draining and preventing siphoning, but I'm not 100% on that.

[Jim147]

dogmush is correct. The drain hose need to be above water level and not shoved in so deep the trap creates a siphon.