A while back my mixer gearbox exploded and I went from looking for a replacement, to buying all new equipment. Prior I was using miss matched equipment that was kind of a hassle. The mixers from the box store just didn't fit the bill with what I had for usable equipment.
While searching around I ran across Hakka Brothers. A food equipment distributor. What sold me was that I could download PDF of the manual that included parts breakdown showing how things are made.
So I replaced both my mixers (2), grinder, and sausage stuffer with new.
I didn't go any larger on the grinder. I had a #12 and that was enough for me.
So the Hakka model TC-12 is what I bought. ($509)
Comes with two plates and one knife. Removable power cord, momentary reverse. The unit stands taller than my old one. Enough room for me to tip in a commercial 100# meat tote, or just slide a box store 50# meat tote. This is due to the motor being orientated vertically.
The motor started, due to proper sizing of the start and run capacitors, is very strong. No issues on re-starts under load. The plate are one sided which I like. The unit weighs in at 55# and has a sturdy handle for moving.
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The way the grinding attachment (as well as the mixer and other attachments) works is a taper with a dowel pin plus thumb screw lockdown. Very positive positioning. Here
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is what it looks like.
I bought a FME-20T mixer ($240). Electric or manual driver, tilting. They say 20L/40 lbs. That we will get at later. Unit weighs in at 28.7#. It tilts in only one direction. There is a gearbox mounted on the tub cradle input end. The Cradle is two end plates and two rods connecting them. The rest of the support is the paddle shaft, There is a slider latch on each end to lock the meat tub in place. That also limits the tub from moving beyond vertical. When tilted the connecting rod is the stop at 90*. Note black knobs for tilt lock.
The paddle shaft is connected to the stub shafts on both ends using wing type screws.
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To break down the unit remove the meat paddle. Loosened both tilt locks. Then remove the 2 phillips head screw from opposite the gearbox end connecting rods. I support the meat tub with a bunched up towel. If you look you can see how these tilt locks work and how the cradle, tub, goes together. On the tub gearbox end all that is left in it is a plastic seal. The opposite end has a stub shaft, seal, and bearing. You need a snap ring pliers to remove the bearing and seal.
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Using this mixer on 25# of cured venison hot dog mix I found the label of 40# capacity laughable. Alway go by volume, not weight. When the meat was turning over being mixed it would reach the SS lid and try to pop it off. Here is it a rest and you can see where the meat came up the sides. I use this one for mixing under 25#. The gear box end plate did have some movement under load mixing, but nothing I would be bothered by.
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The other mixer I purchased is a FME-30 ($311). 30L/60# capacity electric or manual. This unit weighs in at 33#. How it's designed is same as the tilt. Just how things come apart is going to be different. Here it is mated to the grinder.
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Now for why I chose these mixers. We already know that opposite the drive end there is a ball bearing and inner seal. Now let's look at the gearbox.
If you recall there are 4 screws on the gearbox cover. Remove those with a phillips screwdriver. How the gears come out with stub shafts you just don't know some stay in the mixer some might not. but look at what we have here. two gears, each with their own stub shafts. AND each gear have TWO ball bearings. One on each side.
While searching around I ran across Hakka Brothers. A food equipment distributor. What sold me was that I could download PDF of the manual that included parts breakdown showing how things are made.
So I replaced both my mixers (2), grinder, and sausage stuffer with new.
I didn't go any larger on the grinder. I had a #12 and that was enough for me.
So the Hakka model TC-12 is what I bought. ($509)
Comes with two plates and one knife. Removable power cord, momentary reverse. The unit stands taller than my old one. Enough room for me to tip in a commercial 100# meat tote, or just slide a box store 50# meat tote. This is due to the motor being orientated vertically.
The motor started, due to proper sizing of the start and run capacitors, is very strong. No issues on re-starts under load. The plate are one sided which I like. The unit weighs in at 55# and has a sturdy handle for moving.
The way the grinding attachment (as well as the mixer and other attachments) works is a taper with a dowel pin plus thumb screw lockdown. Very positive positioning. Here
I bought a FME-20T mixer ($240). Electric or manual driver, tilting. They say 20L/40 lbs. That we will get at later. Unit weighs in at 28.7#. It tilts in only one direction. There is a gearbox mounted on the tub cradle input end. The Cradle is two end plates and two rods connecting them. The rest of the support is the paddle shaft, There is a slider latch on each end to lock the meat tub in place. That also limits the tub from moving beyond vertical. When tilted the connecting rod is the stop at 90*. Note black knobs for tilt lock.
The paddle shaft is connected to the stub shafts on both ends using wing type screws.
To break down the unit remove the meat paddle. Loosened both tilt locks. Then remove the 2 phillips head screw from opposite the gearbox end connecting rods. I support the meat tub with a bunched up towel. If you look you can see how these tilt locks work and how the cradle, tub, goes together. On the tub gearbox end all that is left in it is a plastic seal. The opposite end has a stub shaft, seal, and bearing. You need a snap ring pliers to remove the bearing and seal.
Using this mixer on 25# of cured venison hot dog mix I found the label of 40# capacity laughable. Alway go by volume, not weight. When the meat was turning over being mixed it would reach the SS lid and try to pop it off. Here is it a rest and you can see where the meat came up the sides. I use this one for mixing under 25#. The gear box end plate did have some movement under load mixing, but nothing I would be bothered by.
The other mixer I purchased is a FME-30 ($311). 30L/60# capacity electric or manual. This unit weighs in at 33#. How it's designed is same as the tilt. Just how things come apart is going to be different. Here it is mated to the grinder.
Now for why I chose these mixers. We already know that opposite the drive end there is a ball bearing and inner seal. Now let's look at the gearbox.
If you recall there are 4 screws on the gearbox cover. Remove those with a phillips screwdriver. How the gears come out with stub shafts you just don't know some stay in the mixer some might not. but look at what we have here. two gears, each with their own stub shafts. AND each gear have TWO ball bearings. One on each side.
