Found a Kitchenaid KDS-18 Superba Questions

[volsboy1]

In the last two months my Heat pump went ,Washer and dishwasher is fried.
I found this Kitchenaid Kds-18 Superba about a hour from me.
They are asking 150 bucks for it. I have never had a KDS-18 model ,
I did find a KDS-19 that was brand new but I sold it here cause I had a Kds-21 then.
It died and I have been using a Smeg dishwasher which is Ok but is having problems.
I am going to look at it Sat afternoon is there anything I need to look for that is
a warning to walk away.
Here are some pics of it . Is it worth 150 bucks?
Is that rust on the bottom or something else?

 

[stevet]

Hey Wes...

The seller is asking way too much for the machine. I would not pay more than 50 bucks for it and even then you have to remember that there are almost no parts around for it anymore except from members of this forum. While most consider this machine the best that was ever produced by Hobart, the 21 22 and 23 all washed much better. The best thing about the 18 was that it was the last of the 180 degree final rinse machines and had the upper constant rinse assembly up top to help with keeping the cups and glasses a little cleaner and would wash away the "yibbles." There is a good chance that the constant rinse is broken as well, but there are a few on ebay and of an improved design as well.

This machine does not have the vari-front panel kit so you would either need that or another wrap around panel like the one on it now which is obviously rusty. I would venture to guess that there is more rust behind that panel. The upper rack is the original design with the smaller diameter wash arm which did not do a good job of reaching into the corners of the rack. The 19 had the extended arm and if you ever had to buy a new rack for the 18, it would have been replaced by the newer style wash arm and would have had a new water delivery manifold to accommodate the newer wash arm.
Just remember too, that this machine was from the late 70's and now 50 years later, it may have had its swan song a while ago. I would say this... if the inner door is in good condition and you still have the 21 carcass, if that tank is in good shape, then I would swap out all the parts from the 18 into the 21 tank and go from there. You need the 18 door because the rinse aid dispenser uses a solenoid and not a bimetal strip like the 21. So you need to reuse the 18 dispenser and need a door with 2 holes in it. All the other components will fit right in.
Why did the 21 die anyway?
Keep us posted and good luck.
PS, what kind of inventory do you have on the disposer front?