There are no screws on the front cover of the washer (below the tub). My model appears to be different, as it's just a blank panel. I hesitate to take some heavy duty tool to it in order to prise it off. Suggestions?

Hi Lepuk and welcome, if you post the make and model of your washer I'm sure someone here can guide you.

You take a putty knife and put it at each side between top and front panel and push in to release the clips that hold down top. When you are on a clip you will feel a springiness and will know that you are pushing on spring-loaded clip. All appliances use these clips. When you get the top off you will see that the front is screwed to the side panels with screws that you can reach now. Here are some manuals: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/Whirlpool%20Washers.zip
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/Maytag%20Washers.zip
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/Whirlpool-Kenmore%20washers.zip
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/Understanding%20automatic%20washer.pdf