4356A

Overview

The Hobart 4356A is a commercial mixer-grinder for meat-processing work that combines mixing and grinding in one machine. The operating manual identifies fresh boneless meat, pre-ground meat, tempered flaked frozen meat, and combinations of these as the materials it is intended to process. This makes the 4356A relevant to operations that need to mix and grind meat as part of a single production workflow.

Published information describes a stainless steel construction and a hopper volume of 14 cubic feet, with capacity for up to 500 pounds of meat. The equipment listing identifies a 15 HP grind motor and a 5 HP mixing motor. The manual also gives separate speed ranges for the conveyor screw and mixing arms, reflecting the machine’s distinct conveying/grinding and mixing functions.

Key Features

• Mixing and grinding in one unit: The 4356A is specified for mixing and grinding meat in the same machine.
• Meat processing range: The manual names fresh boneless, pre-ground and tempered flaked frozen meat, including combinations of these.
• Large hopper: Published parts information describes a 14-cubic-foot hopper capable of holding up to 500 pounds of meat.
• Stainless steel construction: The parts listing describes the unit as constructed entirely from stainless steel.
• Separate motor functions: The listed configuration has a 15 HP grinder motor and a 5 HP mixing motor.
• Variable component speeds: The manual lists ranges for the conveyor screw and mixing arms.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Hobart.
• Model: 4356A.
• Equipment type: Mixer-grinder.
• Grinder motor: 15 HP.
• Mixing motor: 5 HP.
• Conveyor screw speed: 52 to 110 RPM, as stated in the manual.
• Mixing-arm speed: 14 to 45 RPM, as stated in the manual.
• Hopper volume: 14 cubic feet.
• Hopper capacity: Up to 500 pounds of meat.
• Construction: Stainless steel, described by the parts listing as the construction of the entire unit.
• Electrical information in an equipment listing: 220 V, three phase, 60 Hz.
• Electrical confirmation: The service manual instructs users to check the machine’s data plate against the available electrical service. Confirm the requirements for the specific unit before connecting it.
• Used-unit reference: One listing identifies a 4356A as a 1992 machine. That is the year for that listed unit, not a general production-year statement for every 4356A.

Installation & Requirements

The service manual instructs the installer to unpack the mixer-grinder, fit the floor-leveling feet and place the machine in its operating position. Adjust the leveling screws so the cylinder end is approximately 1/2 to 1 inch lower than the opposite end. The manual gives this slope so water can drain from the hopper and grinder cylinder during cleaning.

Electrical and grounding connections must comply with the applicable National Electrical Code provisions and/or other local electrical codes. The manual warns users to disconnect the electrical supply at the fused disconnect switch and place a tag indicating that the circuit is being worked on before electrical work. It also says the machine’s internal wiring is completed before shipment. Before making the supply connection, check the data plate to ensure the machine’s specifications agree with the electrical service, and refer to the wiring diagram inside the sprocket drive case when making connections. The manual’s instruction to verify the data plate is important because the electrical information reported for a listing should not be assumed to apply to every individual unit.

Operation

The manual identifies the 4356A as suitable for processing fresh boneless meat, pre-ground meat, tempered flaked frozen meat, or a combination of these. It describes the equipment as a mixer-grinder, and the other product information specifies that mixing and grinding take place in one unit. The listed hopper capacity is up to 500 pounds of meat; the sources do not provide a throughput rate.

The manual states a conveyor-screw speed range of 52 to 110 RPM and a mixing-arm speed range of 14 to 45 RPM. These are component speed ranges, not a stated production rate. The sources do not provide detailed operating controls or a step-by-step start-up procedure, so operators should refer to the service and parts manual supplied for the machine for procedures specific to their unit.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The installation instructions connect the slight downward slope toward the cylinder end with drainage during cleaning: set that end approximately 1/2 to 1 inch below the opposite end so water can drain from the hopper and grinder cylinder. The manual also describes removal of the mixing arms. Loosen the two thumb screws retaining a mixing-arm stub shaft. While supporting the front end of the mixing arm inside the hopper, rotate and remove the left-hand stub shaft, then remove the mixing arm. The manual says to remove the other mixing arm in the same manner.

The provided source excerpt does not specify cleaning chemicals, sanitation procedures, lubrication intervals or a scheduled maintenance interval. Do not treat the drainage and arm-removal instructions as a substitute for the complete model manual or the procedures required at your facility.

Applications

The 4356A is intended for commercial meat-processing work involving fresh boneless, pre-ground or tempered flaked frozen meat, either individually or in combinations. The listed large hopper and combined mixing-and-grinding function make it relevant to operations processing batches of these materials. The sources do not state a production capacity per hour or identify specific finished products, so actual suitability depends on the operation’s process and the condition of the individual machine.