FD4-50

Overview

The Hobart FD4-50 is a commercial food waste disposer in Hobart’s FD4 series. The listed basic unit has a 1/2 HP motor and all-aluminum housing. In operation, a rotating flywheel and hardened stainless steel cutter blocks work against a stationary shredder ring to grind food waste into small particles for discharge through the waste line. Flushing water assists the grinding action and carries ground waste into the drain.

The disposer is self-feeding, so operators do not need to force food waste into the grinding mechanism. The manual states that the unit may be filled with waste while idle and will start and operate at full load. The unit listing identifies it as a basic unit only; control groups and accessory groups are available to suit different installations and are not described as part of that basic-unit listing.

Key Features

• Grinding system: A stationary shredder ring has four machine-ground primary-action breaker bars and 42 secondary-action grinding teeth. The flywheel includes a centrally mounted breaker blade to help speed grinding and prevent objects from riding at the center.
• Replaceable cutting components: Two hardened stainless steel cutter blocks are fastened to the flywheel. The spec sheet describes them as replaceable and indexable to provide new cutting edges.
• Dual-direction grinding: The FD4 disposers can grind in either direction of flywheel rotation. The spec sheet says the operator can control rotation direction to help increase grinding-element life and efficiency and to back the flywheel free of a jam when the disposer is installed with Control Group 5 or 6.
• Motor protection: The motor has a manual-reset, inherent thermal overload protector. The spec sheet also identifies permanently lubricated ball bearings supporting the upper and lower shelves and a sealed upper bearing.
• Mounting and drainage: The standard mounting arrangement uses a cone with a 7-inch inside-diameter throat opening, and the unit has a chrome-plated brass drain connector for a 1-1/2-inch standard drain trap.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Hobart.
• Model: FD4-50 (also written FD4/50 in the supplied product and spec-sheet material).
• Equipment type: Food waste disposer; the retailer listing identifies the item as a basic unit only.
• Motor horsepower: 1/2 HP.
• Housing construction: Heavy aluminum grind and discharge housings; the product listing describes all-aluminum housing.
• Shipping weight: Approximately 60 lb; the spec sheet notes this does not include accessory groups or controls.
• 60 Hz electrical specifications: Single phase, 120/208-240 V, rated 4.6/2.3 A; three phase, 208-240/480 V, rated 2.5-2.4/1.2 A.
• 50 Hz electrical specifications: Single phase, 110-120/220-240 V, rated 6.8/3.4 A; three phase, 220-240/380-415 V, rated 2.6/1.3 A.
• Waste outlet: The installation manual identifies a 1-1/2-inch O.D. waste discharge spout suitable for connection to a standard trap. The spec sheet describes a chrome-plated brass tailpiece for a 1-1/2-inch standard drain trap.
• Water supply: Connect the disposer swirl to a 3/4-inch IPS cold-water supply. The manual specifies a 5-gallon-per-minute flow control.
• Water pressure: Minimum flow pressure is 16 psig; if supply pressure exceeds 60 psig, the manual calls for a pressure-reducing valve.
• Grinding components: Stationary shredder ring with a 1-3/4-inch height, four primary-action breaker bars and 42 secondary-action grinding teeth; 6-3/16-inch-diameter Ni-Resist flywheel with undercut slots beneath the shredder ring.
• Motor shaft seal: Cartridge-style mechanical face seal with a rotating mating ring and a wear-resistant seal surface.
• Standard mounting: Hobart disposers mount to a 7-inch I.D. cone throat, except when using accessory group E.
• Standard stated compliance: The supplied spec sheet states that the disposer complies with ASSE 1009.

Installation & Requirements

Before installation, check that the electrical service agrees with the disposer data plate. The manual requires electrical and grounding connections to comply with applicable electrical codes. The unit must connect to a dedicated motor control switch with a marked OFF position that disconnects all ungrounded supply conductors. The switch must be within sight of the disposer or sink opening. The motor junction box has knockouts for electrical connections, and the manual specifies flexible conduit to permit moving the unit for periodic servicing and maintenance. Follow the wiring diagram supplied with the machine for the disposer and electrical service.

For the standard mounting arrangement, the disposer fastens to a cone with a 7-inch inside-diameter throat. A vinyl isolating ring at the cone mounting reduces metal-to-metal contact, vibration and noise transmission. The spec sheet says a short upper housing is available for the FD4-50, FD4-75 and FD4-125; accessory group E is for the short upper housing and a sink opening from 3-1/2 to 4 inches. The product listing identifies the offered item as a basic unit only, so confirm the required housing, controls and accessories for the intended installation.

Connect the disposer swirl to a 3/4-inch IPS cold-water supply and install the supplied 5-gallon-per-minute flow control. The manual gives a minimum operating flow pressure of 16 psig and calls for a pressure-reducing valve if line pressure exceeds 60 psig. Install a shut-off valve for servicing and the control-group solenoid valve in the water supply line as shown in the manual. Install a vacuum breaker according to local plumbing codes; where local codes prohibit a vacuum breaker, the manual describes an air-gap water inlet as an alternative, subject to local requirements.

The waste discharge spout is 1-1/2 inches O.D. and connects to a standard trap. Keep the waste line run as short as possible and provide the best fall. The waste exit must not be higher than the center line of the disposer waste outlet. Thoroughly clean old waste lines, remove burrs from cut pipe ends and use fittings that permit unrestricted flow. The manual says not to use drum traps or grease traps.

Operation

Before starting the disposer, check that foreign objects such as metal or wire clippings, screws or nails have not fallen into it during installation, and check flywheel rotation. Do not use a hand to check rotation or remove foreign matter; the manual says to use a stick or similar object to turn the flywheel and tongs or pliers to remove foreign matter. Never reach inside the disposer while it is operating.

Start the disposer before feeding food waste and make sure water is flowing. With typical optional controls, starting and water flow occur simultaneously and automatically. Feed food waste into the disposer, which is self-feeding; do not force waste into the grinding mechanism. Allow the unit to run briefly after grinding is complete so water can flush the disposer and waste line. Some optional controls automatically manage this flushing period. The operation of the disposer and additional controls depends on the selected control devices.

Do not put drain cleaner, glass, china, plastic, large whole bones, metal items such as bottle caps, tin cans or aluminum foil, or whole cornhusks into the disposer. The manual also says not to feed china, metal, rags or clam shells, and not to put grease or oil into the unit because oil or grease can clog the drain. Keep the vinyl silver-trap scrapping ring or sink stopper in place, including when the disposer is not in use, to reduce the risk of objects falling into it.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Keep the disposer clean and sanitary. After disposing of food waste, let the unit run for a few minutes to flush its interior. Food waste left to accumulate because of incomplete cleanup can produce offensive odors. For this condition, the manual describes cleaning with a stiff brush and a strong soap-and-hot-water solution. For light cleaning, it describes grinding ice and a lemon through the disposer.

When cleaning the kitchen and disposer area, damp-wipe only the exterior of the disposer and controls. Do not hose down their exterior surfaces. Disconnect power and follow lockout/tagout procedures before electrical work or servicing, as directed by the manual.

Applications

The manual identifies the FD4 series as intended for commercial use only. The FD4-50 is suited to commercial foodservice cleanup points where food waste is collected at a disposer and flushed through a connected waste line. The spec sheet describes the FD4 series as suitable for small- to medium-sized cleanup systems and notes that available control and accessory groups can be selected to suit an installation.