Hobart AM-14 Dishwasher Motor- alternatives to Hobart?

[tcape]

I have a customer that has an AM14 Dishwasher and some stuff I work on and other stuff I let Hobart do it. Their pump motor is in the process of dying and I told them to call Hobart, because They can get it repaired quicker than I could. They called Hobart and Hobart wants 1800 for the motor and 400 to install it....The guy who runs thew place called me to see if there was any alternatives since he thought that was quite expensive... I have to agree.

The only alternative I can think of is there is an electrical place in town that can rebuild motors and depending on the problem with this motor they may be able to fix it. The problem is it leaves the DW non functional for however long they'd have it and there is no guarantee they could fix it, depending how bad it is.


The motor is drawing too many amps, but still runs.... it starts to smoke when they delime it when the pump motor is running for 1/2 hour.

The only other alternative is a non Hobart replacement dishwasher.

Any suggestions?

[ECtofix]

...The only other alternative is a non Hobart replacement dishwasher. Any suggestions?

A new machine? Their best choice would be to go back with a Hobart. After my years working on dish machines, I’m convinced they are the best. I’ve worked on a few that were 40+ years old. I only have two complaints about them:

1. They’re pricey. So are their parts. And…they don’t sell other repair companies their parts at a reduced price. Typically a competing service company pays the same price that Joe Blow owner would pay to fix his own machine.

2. Their proprietary technical information for repairs is a PITA. No tech support from them, so any information needed beyond the schematic diagram leaves the technician on their own.

Regarding the latter – I can say that their newer machines have become ridiculously easy to troubleshoot and repair. Their controls have been FAR simplified by a mere control board and a relay board bossing the bigger components around. So long as you know when to expect what will happen, watching the LEDs on the boards while watching what’s going on will virtually tell you what part has failed.

In the realms of QUALITY, my other choice would be MEIKO. Their quality rivals Hobart. Unfortunately they’re a German company & therefore engineered by the same...so get out the metric tools. Also, of the few I’ve worked on, I questioned their design when attempting access to certain components while pursuing a repair. I never got into any control issues, so I don’t know what all is in that control box. I don’t know whether a generic Asco or Parker valve could get them going , nor whether their wash pump is so special that you must pay an arm & a leg and wait a month to get it. On the upside though, their tech support (located in Tennessee) is top-notch.

Other manufacturers of door-type dish machines out there? Ones I’ve seen in my market but of lower quality (IMHO) and probably cheaper initial cost are:

Jackson
Champion
Stero
American Dish Machine
CMA

[tcape]

I truly appreciate your input, thanks for taking the time to reply. This machine is approximately 10 years old. I agree Hobart stuff seems to be around forever, but it would be nice to have a reputable alternative. Thanks for the info.

[CFESAmasterEGSR]

Some of my oldest and highest volume machines are stero. Very simple units. And they don't change designs much. 30 years old, 5 years old, almost identicle. Hobart are solid too but the parts cost and zero tech info torques me off.

Oh ya, you need one of these special bolts? That's $10, but only sold in a pack of 10 so,$100!! For that one bolt you need. Ugh!

[harwar]

Try ICI custom parts. You may be able to replace the bearings and seal yourself. They are available from Hobart.

[weslud]

You could check www.publicsurplus.com. they sell used equipment from school districts, city govt., etc. buy a used machine for a few hundred and scavenge parts!

[jeichenauer]

Jackson
Champion
Stero
American Dish Machine
CMA
Douglas

I would stay away from Hobart. Your out of warranty cost are going to be a lot higher with Hobart machines then with any others. I would say Champion and Stero are the ones I have customers the happiest with. Jackson I would have on that list but Manitowoc just sold that line to Hoshizaki so I would wait and see how that turns out before I would buy one of their machines.

[andrewd33]

As an HVAC tech and a family that owns a restaurant, we have always had luck with Jackson machines. Our first restaurant that we no longer own still has their original Jackson faspray robot machine from 1970. Although motors have been replaced and electric heaters etc. We have another restaurant with a Jackson Conserver. Low temp machine for most applications much better IMO than high temp. Unless you are a steakhouse, then again we keep our water at 140-150 and have good luck .