Adventures in Philadelphia for a Hobart UM series

[bobbins]

Good grief…things we do for the love of appliances! Last Wednesday I flew over 3000 miles (one way) to look at a dishwasher in Medford NJ. Wow talk about determination! I could not resist it…she is a beauty! Just the way I remember when I was 5.

My new good friend Darren and his buddy Bill from Philadelphia met me at the airport and we drove to Medford. The dishwasher was located at the church and in excellent condition (50 year old machine!). That night we were up to 2:00 am dissembling the dishwasher to fit in several boxes for shipping internationally. I had to catch the flight back home the next morning…man I was tired.

Well – the challenge was not packaging the dishwasher was trying to explain to the Canadian custom officer in Toronto the reason why for my quick trip to Philly.....they thought I was absolutely crazy or had other intentions..She said “must be some special dishwasher”…I almost missed my flight back to the west coast.

I can’t wait to get it…hopefully the machine doesn’t get too badly damage in transit.
Bob

 

[bobbins]

another pix

 

[bobbins]

another pix of me working my butt off....

 

[gyrafoam]

That looks real nice! Is that one of the "short-cycle" KAids?

 

[toploader55]

Wow.

That's a beauty. That's a UM 4. Has The Cast Iron Spray arm (aka Big Blue) and a 3 1/2 minute cycle. Gravity Drain. I love the Old Hobart Logo on the Door.
Here on the Cape according to the Local Commercial Repair company I use for my equipment there are still about 3-4 of these still working here on the Cape.

 

[turquoisedude]

Definitely worth the trip!!

Wow Bob, I can appreciate what ordeals you have to go through to get stuff across the Canandian-US border... The crew down at the Stanstead/Newport border now roll their eyes and say 'Mon Dieu! What have you bought now?' when they see me pull up... LOL
Congratulations on saving a dream machine!!

 

[bobbins]

YES - she is a beauty! Next week Darren is planning to drop off the boxes to the Fed Ex (all pre-arrange for shippping). I can't wait to get it.....

Man...I am still recovering from the Canadian Customs ordeal...so degrading.....I guess they are doing their job...

Here are more pix!

 

[bobbins]

Another pix

 

[bobbins]

more pix

 

[soberleaf]

looks like a kd-12

with a stainless tub.

it's a commercial machine right? does it use the same motor and pump as the kd-12 would use? with that big blue spray arm i am assuming it does. since it is commercial is the motor the 1/4 hp. like the residential models or does it have a beefed up motor?

love those old hobarts, have 2 kd-12's myself. this one should go forever with that stainles tub. last time i checked a few pump seals were still out there at hobart parts, at least for the kd-12 series so if you need one (and it's the same pump) you should be in luck.

enjoy it, all the work to get it was half the fun!!!!!!!!!!

 

[toploader55]

Holy Crap

Is that machine Mint or what ? Absolutely Stunning.
Good Luck. That machine should outlive us all. Eddie

 

[duetboy]

She must have had...

an easy life! AWESOME!

duetboy
aka Jeff

 

[bobbins]

I really can't wait to get this dishwasher in my home....I debating whether I should convert this dishwasher to a KD-10 (I have couple KA at home as parts...) This macine would wash better with more rinses and longer washe time since I don't have a booster heater.

Bob

 

[bobbins]

This is my KD-12 machine at home...the tub enamel is worn and rusted under the door. The UM-4 will be workhorse!

Bob

 

[bobbins]

This is the inside shot...doesn't look that bad - but the there is significant amount of rust under the door...

 

[bobbins]

Another pix...

 

[bobbins]

Well...this is me at the age of 11...man that was 31 years ago!!! When my family visit my uncle on the West Coast, he would take the kick panel off for me and I would sit there and listen to the dishwasher work....man it just seems like yesterday....crazy eh!

Bob

 

[a440]

What an awesome find!

It looks to be in incredible shape! I like everyone else love the Hobart badge!

Bob the picture of you in front of your uncle's Kitchenaid is priceless. Do you know how long they used it and what happened to it?

Brent

 

[bobbins]

Brent,

My uncle had that dishwasher to about 1986/87. He sold it to someone. He gave me all his spare parts. To this day I wish I saved them. The tub in his dishwasher was worn and rusted - although he had it glazed couple of times. He ended buying a GE Hotpoint - downgrade in my opinion!

Funny, when I was 10 he also had a Ward's washer and dryer...wow...I would open the lid...bang (break would sound)...my mom would come running downstairs to tell me stop playing around with the washer..memories!

Bob