1712E

Overview

The Hobart 1712E is a 12-inch automatic commercial deli meat slicer from Hobart Corporation, manufactured in Troy, Ohio. It is catalogued under MLS number ML-104547 (later ML-104030) in Hobart's replacement parts manual, Form 19463, which covers the 1612E, 1712E, and 1712RE slicers as a shared parts family. The model represents decades of proven performance in commercial food preparation, and used examples remain widely traded on the secondary equipment market today.

Key Features

• 12-inch automatic slicing — the 1712E features two-speed automatic slicing for hands-off deli production, distinguishing it from the semi-automatic Hobart 1712 and manual-feed 1612E sibling.
• 1/2 HP motor — a 115V electric motor drives the knife shaft through a worm gear drive (a 5-tooth worm and 24-tooth knife shaft worm gear on the 1712E, versus the 4-tooth worm and 25T gear used on the 1612E).
• Shared parts platform — the 1712E and 1712RE share a knife shaft guard ring and hub assembly (part 439697-4) with matched worm gearing, making parts sourcing straightforward across the family.

Specifications

• Model: Hobart 1712E
• MLS number: ML-104547 (superseding ML-104030)
• Type: 12" automatic commercial deli meat slicer
• Motor: 1/2 HP, 115V electric
• Electrical: 60 Hz, single phase
• Voltage variants: parts offered for under 150V and 200–250V configurations (relays, timer-relays, disc and lighted knob assemblies, and cord and plug assemblies are all split by voltage range)
• Knife shaft drive: 5T worm (part 437575) with 24T knife shaft worm gear (part 274908-2)
• Ball bearings: Fafnir #P201KDD and MRC 105KSZZ-01-ST-A-92-C on the knife shaft
• Motor start: electronic start switch (part 271612-2) with capacitor (part 70487-21, 50/60 Hz)
• Includes: cart and manual (as supplied on auction units)

Installation & Requirements

The 1712E operates on a 1/2 HP, 115V electric motor, with cord and plug assemblies available for under 150V and 200–250V supplies. The electrical assembly uses a strain relief, retaining ring, and washers on the cord set, and a sensor (home position, part 87711-243-1) in the automatic carriage circuit. An example unit at auction came supplied with its cart and operator's manual, serial 561-064-934.

Operation

The 1712E is an automatic slicer: the carriage moves under power via the automatic slicing mechanism, with a timer-relay and home-position sensor controlling the cycle. The lighted disc and knob assembly (part 438294-1 for under 150V, 438294-2 for 200–250V) provides the operator interface, and a switch and label assembly (part 120388) with a mylar switch handles the controls. Operators on Smoking Meat Forums have documented the automatic function in detail — one thread on fixing the automatic slicing function notes that pressing the locking clip should cause the actuating mechanism to drop significantly onto the auto slicing hub, a useful check when diagnosing the auto mode.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Hobart's parts documentation for the 1712E includes an oil conveyor (part 70239) in the knife shaft assembly, along with shock washers and a washer retainer. The sharpener assembly (00-274926) is a dedicated replacement part for keeping the knife edge maintained on this model. Replacement parts can be expensive, as forum users note, but the shared 1612E/1712E/1712RE parts breakdown means a single manual covers most wear components across all three models.

Troubleshooting

The most commonly discussed issue on this model is the automatic slicing function. On Smoking Meat Forums, owners troubleshooting a 1712E reference a video showing that, when functioning correctly, pressing the locking clip causes the actuating mechanism to drop onto the auto slicing hub — if it doesn't, the auto mechanism is the place to look. Because the 1712E uses relays (2-pole, part 87714-42-1 for under 150V or 87714-42-3 for 220–240V), a timer-relay (87714-39-3 or 87714-39-4), and a home-position sensor (87711-243-1), failures in automatic mode typically trace to these components. Electronic start switch and capacitor parts are also documented for the motor circuit.

Applications

The 1712E is used in delis, restaurants, and institutional kitchens — examples at auction have come from public school districts. It features two-speed automatic slicing and a 12-inch knife.