0% Financing on Manitowoc

Manitowoc has announced that they are offering buyers 0% financing on all Manitowoc brands.  This obviously includes their ice machines and even products like reach-in's and walk-in's from their other manufacturing lines.  The zero percent financing on ice machines is good for 24 months and can be applied for on any purchases from now through December 14th, 2012.

Manitowoc provides a complete online savings calculator, along with online loan application.

Calculator - http://manitowocice.com/minisite/zero-percent-2012/calculator
Application - http://manitowocice.com/minisite/zero-percent-2012/apply

The 0% is not quite as appealing as it was when interest rates where above 9%.  But even comparing them to 2-3% interest rates the savings can add up for large purchases.  Save your cash flow, replace that much needed ice machine with 0% financing.

Manitowoc Recommended Truck Stock

Routinely Manitowoc will release a list of parts that they recommend all ice machine service companies maintain on their service vehicles.  These are typically the most common ice maker parts to fail, so will assist with fixing the problem on the first trip, as opposed to ordering and having to charge the customer a return fee.  Unfortunately, the truck stock list has a number of Indigo related parts, that  I would not normally recommend to people for stocking purposes or due to costs of keeping inventory.  Below is my recommended stocking list.

Water Inlet Valves
I would strongly recommend keeping 2 different ice machine water inlet valves in inventory.  The 115v, part number 000007965 and 208-230v, part number 000007966.  Both of these Manitowoc part numbers include the valve body and coil for a complete water valve change out.

http://icemakerpartsshop.com/000007965-manitowoc-115v-water-inlet-valve/ - $53.94
http://icemakerpartsshop.com/000007966-208-230v-manitowoc-water-inlet-valve/ - $53.94

Dump Valves
The dump valve on a Manitowoc ice machine can be problematic, as they tend to corrode and leak over time.  Typically this will lead to blown fuses and shut down the ice machine production.  Again, there are only 2 valves that I would recommend stocking, the 115 version, part number 000001767 and the 208-230v, part number 00001768.

http://icemakerpartsshop.com/000001767-manitowoc-115v-dump-valve/ - $53.13
http://icemakerpartsshop.com/000001768-manitowoc-208-230v-dump-valve/ - $53.13

Ice Thickness Probes
More often than not an ice thickness probe doesn't technically go bad.  Unless an ear is broken or the metal snapped, it's probably still good, just needs a thorough cleaning.  However, it's faster and usually cheaper to simply replace the dirty probe.  I'd recommend stocking the last 2 model Manitowoc ice machine thickness controls.  An ice thickness control for the S Series and Q Series and older, bother are single wire.

Please note that the ice thickness controls are not interchangeable, the S Series will not work in place of a Q Series or older and vice versa.  Also, please note that the latest Indigo ice thickness probe operates completely differently, relying on acoustic signals to initiate harvest.  As of now I would not recommend stocking one of these unless you own an Indigo machine.

Q Series Ice Thickness Control - $45.89
S Series Ice Thickness Control - $39.45

Magnetic Bin Switches
Lastly, the magnetic bin switch is a must have part on any refrigeration service man's truck.  Again, I can only recommend stocking two different types of bin switches, one for the Q Series and older and one for the S Series ice machine.  Please note that the part number has recently changed for the S Series, but are the same part.  Initially the S Series bin switch was a 2006819, but is now known as a 000007888.

23-0148-3 Bin Switch - $41.06
20-0681-9 Bin Switch - $21.74 (Also known as a Manitowoc part number 000007888.)

View the entire Manitowoc Recommended Truck Stock List, thanks to IceMakerPartsShop.com!

Manitowoc Commercial Ice Maker NRA Booth

Below are a few pictures that I snapped at the 2012 National Restaurant Association show in Chicago.  Manitowoc had the largest commercial ice machine booth at the show, with Hoshizaki coming in second, then Scotsman, and finally Ice-O-Matic.  However, as far as straight ice machine lineups, Manitowoc had the largest by far, with Hoshizaki only showing off 2 of their makers.

Manitowoc Ice Maker Lineup At NRA

Manitowoc Booth @ 2012 NRA

Manitowoc Banner Lineup at 2012 NRA

Manitowoc At NRA Chicago

NRA 2012 starts tomorrow in Chicago, where all the big restaurant equipment manufacturers will be showing off their equipment.  Starting tomorrow May 5th and stretching into Tuesday May 8th, this show covers the latest in advancements in food service technology.  In attendance of course will be the big 3 in ice machine manufacturing, Manitowoc, Scottsman, and Hoshizaki.

Manitowoc usually has a great turn out, showcasing their latest tech and this year the focus will be on the Indigo Ice Machine.  This new model from Manitowoc features 24 hour monitoring, new efficiency improvements, LCD display, and some awesome accessories that will save the restaurant owner money.

Other announcements from Manitowoc at the 2012 NRA include:

• Undercounter machines now capable of producing regular sized ice cubes.
• New Kitchenconnect tech.
• New flaker and nugget ice machine sizes.
• Mention of R290 refrigerant for ice machines built for European markets.
• Duratech covering technology.
• New RNS prototype ice machine stand.
• Also, stop by their booth for samples of Manitowoc nugget ice.

Check back to this blog soon for pictures from NRA 2012.

Nugget Ice May Not Be For You

Nugget Ice

Nugget ice is marketed as a soft, chewable pellet.  It's appeal comes from those who primarily like to eat their ice, instead of have it just cool a drink.  Possibly one of the more popular places to enjoy nugget ice is at Sonic chain restaurants.  It's popularity is real, but nugget ice may not be the best option for your business.

Consider this, nugget ice is a very wet ice and is produced much differently than conventional cubed ice.  A wet ice is more difficult to produce and requires a special evaporator, to extrude the ice.  This special evaporator is shaped like a spiral, forcing the water up through the evaporator, chilling it as it goes, and extruding it out enough to cut.

The ability to spiral ice requires a very strong motor and gear box assembly.  The evaporator is often times under enormous strain, compounded by being dirty and lack of maintenance.  It becomes problematic when the evaporator can no longer turn, eventually breaking some component within the ice machine.  Often times the motor and gearbox will break down, leaking oils and grease into the ice.

Most nugget ice machines require complete break down and cleanings at least once a quarter.  The cleanings are much more involved, compared to how to clean other ice machines.  Most of the time a professional technician is required, which is costly.  Failure to clean regularly will result in breakdowns.  Compared to traditional cube ice machines, which would simply shut down until cleaned.

Replacement parts for nugget ice machines can cost twice as much as their cuber counter parts.  A motor and gear box can easily reach $800 or more.  Nugget machines also cost more up front, require higher maintenance costs, more expensive replacement parts, and actually come with shorter warranties.

• Higher up front cost.
• Higher maintenance costs.
• More expensive replacement parts.
• Shorter warranties.

Please keep this in mind when deciding to purchase a nugget ice machine.  Unless you are in an industry that requires nugget ice, like the medical field, or as a luxury item, nugget ice may not be for you.

Manitowoc Ice Machine Technician Factory Service School Info

Did you know that Manitowoc provides training at the factory, to properly diagnose and repair their ice machines?  These schools are for service technicians who are already trained in refrigeration and maintain an EPA card, amateurs need not apply.

The service school is a week long event, where technicians are provided with all the information necessary to improve the speed and completion of their ice machine maintenance.  Manitowoc provides literature, tools, and ice machines that they can simulate problems with.  This allows the technician to learn in a controlled environment, guided by Manitowoc factory service reps.

Tuition for attending the school is $795, which would include lodging.  Please see the registration form below for more information.

How To Look Up Manitowoc Parts Online

It's not always convenient to call the factory, be put on hold, or wait for a call back.  Thankfully, Manitowoc Ice has placed all of their parts breakdowns online in PDF format, so parts research can be done on your own.

All ice machines are listed directly on their website, no matter how old or what type.  This article will walk you through the steps of looking up your own ice maker parts, so that you can make an educated decision when ordering ice maker parts online.

1. First, point your browser to ManitowocIce.com

2. Next, scroll down to the bottom of the page.  Here you will see in the center, a Literature Tab, with a Downloads label.

3. Here you will use the first drop down menu to select 'Parts/Catalog List'.

4. After selection the second drop down menu will become active, allowing you to select the model of Manitowoc Ice maker you are looking to do parts research on.

5. Last, after choosing your model number, the 3rd drop down menu will become active, where you can select the exact model number of the machine you are looking parts up for.

6. Finally, a download button will become active.  Clicking this will take you to the PDF document with a complete parts break down for your Manitowoc ice maker.

I would recommend viewing Manitowoc parts breakdowns with either Adobe Reader software or Foxit.  If you have any questions, our good friends at Ice Maker Parts Shop are happy to help with parts research.