The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Is this noise normal for a Hobart KA K45SS?

shastaflour's picture
shastaflour

Is this noise normal for a Hobart KA K45SS?

I just bought one for a song intending to resell it, but sitting there on the counter it reminds me so much of my grandmother that I've hesitated on the reselling part. It works on all speeds, and easily handled oatmeal raisin cookie dough, but I've noticed a slight "tunk, tunk, tunk" noise at the lower speeds (1-4 or so). Is this normal, or could it have some sort of gear problem? I've played with the idea of opening it up to regrease it anyway. If so, should I be looking for something amiss? It makes the noise with or without a beater attached, and runs smoothly and quietly at the higher speeds.

Thanks so much for any insights you might have!

subfuscpersona's picture
subfuscpersona

a "tunk...tunk...tunk" sound is not normal at any speed.

shastaflour's picture
shastaflour

Thanks for the reply, subfuscpersona. I was kind of suspecting that. Sounds like it might be time to open it up and take a look. (I couldn't sell it with a problem, anyway.) Hopefully it isn't anything major. Does anyone have a clue as to what might be the issue (i.e. what to look for while it's all apart?)

shastaflour's picture
shastaflour

Since a few months have gone by since the original posting, I thought it would be wise to complete it with a follow-up in case anyone else has the same issue.

I ended up taking the little mixer into the authorized KA repair place in our area (only one in a three-state area!) and the tech there listened to it. "Sounds fine to me," he said. He explained that on the solid state models (mine's an '83), the irregular "tunk, tunk, tunk" noise is that of a governor momentarily shutting the motor on and off to facilitate the lower speeds. The reason that it doesn't happen at higher speeds is because the governor is not necessary.

Ahhh ... so that explains it. The mixer runs fine at any speed and kneaded a one-loaf recipe like a champ, so no worries.

Incidentally, I was planning to regrease the mixer, but the KA tech advised me not to, saying there are "three lifetimes of grease" packed into them at the factory. Since it had been used regularly until fairly recently and hadn't spent time in an outbuilding full of bees (as another thread elucidates), that sounded wise to me.

Many thanks to subfuscpersona for the links to KA manuals (sent by PM) and the encouragement!

:)