FT1000

Overview

The Hobart FT1000 is a flight-type commercial dishwasher for operations that process a steady volume of dishes and cookware. Hobart developed the machine with input from end users in settings such as healthcare, higher education, lodging and corrections. The FT1000-series manuals cover several related configurations, including FT1000, FT1000-ER, FT1000-ER-BD and FT1000S models; features and requirements can vary by configuration and options.

The FT1000 combines multiple wash and rinse sections with a conveyor that moves ware through the machine. Its controls display operating messages and machine diagnostics, while door and drain interlocks help prevent operation when required doors or drains are open. The operator manual also describes procedures for filling, operating, cleaning and troubleshooting the machine.

Key Features

• Flight-type conveyor: A variable-speed conveyor carries ware through the machine. The operating manual describes low, medium and high speed settings, with adjustable settings shown in the manual’s parameter menu.
• Wash and rinse arrangement: The FT1000e base-electric specification lists prewash, power wash, dual rinse, final rinse and power-rinse sections, with a pumped rinse system.
• Digital controls: The specification lists digital controls with machine diagnostics, a low-temperature alert, start and stop switches at both ends, and indicators for open doors and drains.
• Wash-arm access: The specification lists capless wash arms. The operating manual describes removable wash arms and sliders that can be opened to flush soil from inside the arms.
• Soil handling and cleaning features: Depending on configuration, the FT1000 series includes automatic soil removal, Auto Clean and Auto Delime features. These features are not listed as standard on every model.
• Cabinet and access: The FT1000e base-electric specification lists hinged, insulated cabinet-style doors and stainless-steel scrap pans and baskets that can be removed for cleaning.

Specifications

• Machine type: Flight-type commercial dishwasher.
• Conveyor: 30-inch-wide conveyor belt on the FT1000e base-electric specification; variable speed.
• Rinse system: Dual rinse and pumped rinse system.
• Final-rinse water use: 58 gallons per hour, as stated in the FT1000e base-electric specification.
• Pump motors: The FT1000e base-electric specification lists 3½ HP prewash, power-wash and power-rinse pump motors; all are TEFC.
• Controls: Digital controls with machine diagnostics, low-temperature alert, door and drain indicators, and door interlocks.
• Access openings: The FT1000e base-electric specification lists 31-inch access on the prewash, power-wash and power-rinse chambers, and 20-inch access on the dual-rinse and ASR chambers.
• Bun-pan opening: The specification states that a 22-inch-high by 29-13/16-inch-wide opening will handle 18-by-26-inch bun pans.
• Water quality: Hobart calls for total water hardness below 3 grains per gallon and total suspended solids below 10 microns in the FT1000e base-electric specification. The operation manual also advises water hardness of 3 grains per gallon or less.
• Building water pressure: Recommended flowing hot-water pressure is 30–35 PSI in the specification notes.
• Dishroom temperature: Hobart recommends maintaining at least 65°F (18°C); the specification notes that lower ambient temperatures may reduce performance.
• Final-rinse temperature: The operation manual identifies 180°F (82°C) as the NSF-required minimum referenced by its low-temperature alert.
• Drain connection: The installation text identifies a 2-inch NPT threaded drain fitting for applicable configurations. Where a grease trap is required by code, the manual specifies a drain flow rate of 38 gallons per minute.
• Standards stated in the specification: The FT1000e base-electric sheet says the machine complies with the EPA Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act 2014 and meets ASSE Standard No. 1004 requirements.
• Configuration note: The 58-gallon-per-hour rinse figure, motor ratings, conveyor width and chamber access measurements above come from the FT1000e base-electric specification. Check the machine data plate and the documentation for the specific configuration when confirming requirements.

Installation & Requirements

Confirm that the electrical service matches the machine data plate on the control box before installation. The installation manual says electrical and grounding connections must follow applicable National Electrical Code and local electrical-code requirements. Some machines may require more than one electrical supply connection. An optional electric booster heater always requires a separate electrical connection at the booster; separate connections may also be required for optional electric tank heaters or a blower-dryer heater.

Disconnect and lock out all electrical supplies before servicing; the manuals warn that multiple circuits may be present. The machine is not supplied with internal GFCI protection, according to the FT1000e base-electric specification. The same specification says service-wire insulation must have a minimum temperature rating of 90°C. A qualified Hobart-trained service technician must perform the specified voltage adjustment on applicable steam-heated machines.

Provide the required water and drain connections for the installed configuration. The specification recommends 30–35 PSI flowing hot-water pressure and calls for water hardness below 3 grains per gallon and suspended solids below 10 microns. The installation manual notes that a water hammer arrestor meeting ASSE-1010 or equivalent is to be supplied by others in the hot-water supply line. Drain fittings and master-drain arrangements depend on the machine’s Auto Clean or Auto Delime equipment and layout.

Room ventilation is required to handle the machine’s latent and sensible heat. The FT1000e base-electric specification lists a vent-fan control as standard and recommends a back-draft preventer at the roof penetration, supplied and installed by others. The installation manual also says not to step on chamber covers when installing a vent and describes a vent hood supplied by others. Consult the manual and site plans for the applicable arrangement.

During installation, the manual cautions against using a forklift directly on the machine frame or tank. It instructs installers to check shipping condition, electrical, plumbing and exhaust accommodations, and to verify that the conveyor is aligned after it has run. Hobart also directs installers to check water and steam unions for tightness and ensure drain piping has no leaks.

Operation

Before starting, confirm that the wash arms, strainers, soil-collector parts where equipped, and curtains are installed correctly. Close the tank drains and doors. Open the water and, if fitted, steam supply valves, then turn on electrical power and press the Power key. If a door is open, the display reports “Door(s) Open”; if a drain is open, it reports “Drain(s) Open.” When the doors and drains are correctly positioned, the display reports that the tanks are filling. Opening a door during filling stops the fill valves until the door is closed.

Once the machine is ready, use the keypad controls to start and stop operation and select conveyor speed. The manual’s parameter menu lists low, medium and high conveyor-speed settings and an adjustable idle timeout. It also documents a low-final-rinse-temperature alert that notifies the operator when rinse temperature is below the manual’s stated 180°F (82°C) NSF minimum; the alert itself does not stop ware from passing through.

Use detergent through an automatic detergent feeder. The installation documentation says the machine must operate with an automatic detergent feeder that has a visual means of confirming detergent delivery or a visual or audible alarm for detergent unavailability. The operating manual advises using detergents recommended by a chemical professional and not using detergent formulated for residential dishwashers.

Cleaning & Maintenance

At the end of each meal period, run the Auto Clean cycle when the machine is equipped with that feature, following the display prompts. The manual describes a cycle that drains the tanks, prompts the operator to clean and replace strainers, and then runs automatically; it says the cycle takes approximately 30 minutes. Auto Delime is also configuration-dependent. Follow the displayed prompts and the manual’s procedure, and do not interrupt a delime cycle without following the prompts shown for the machine’s current stage.

For manual cleaning, stop the machine, open the front access doors and drain the tanks using the drain handles. Remove and clean the curtains. Before removing the strainer baskets and pans, hose down the interior and tank shelves to move debris toward the strainers. Remove the wash arms by lifting them clear of their supports; open the wash-arm sliders and flush out food soil. Empty and scrub the strainer baskets and pans in a sink. Remove the dual-rinse strainer and clean debris from the dual-rinse and final-rinse arms and nozzles. Flush the tanks with a hose, then reinstall arms in their proper locations and orientations.

The manual says not to strike strainer pans or baskets against a solid object to dislodge debris, not to use steel wool on warewasher surfaces, and to use only products formulated for stainless steel. Do not allow food soil to accumulate on tank bottoms or foreign objects—especially metallic contaminants—to enter the machine. At the end of the day, complete a manual cleaning cycle as needed, rinse and dry the machine, and leave the doors open. The manual warns that failure to follow its use, care and maintenance instructions may void the Hobart dishwasher warranty.

For maintenance, disconnect electrical power and follow lockout/tagout procedures; there may be multiple circuits. The manual calls for regular inspection of the conveyor drive chain and lubrication as required with the supplied SFGO Ultra 32. It also specifies lubricating the two conveyor take-up adjusting screws at least twice a year using the provided Chevron FM Grease. For machines with a gear case, the manual specifies Shell Omala S2 G220 when replenishing or replacing the oil.

Troubleshooting

Machine does not operate after Start is pressed

• Check that inspection doors are closed. The display shows “Door(s) Open” if a door is open.
• Check whether the conveyor is jammed.
• Confirm that drains are closed and tanks are full.
• Check for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker at the power supply.

Ware is not clean

• Check whether dishes were insufficiently pre-scraped or tank water needs changing.
• Check that wash-arm sliders are not left open.
• Check for blocked wash-arm nozzles.
• Restricted pump flow can result from obstructions in a pump. Disconnect power and follow lockout/tagout procedures before inspection.
• Check for incorrect water temperature and, where applicable, the electric-heater circuit breaker or that the main steam valve is fully open.
• Check detergent dosing with the chemical representative.
• Confirm wash arms are installed correctly and ware is loaded correctly.
• On machines equipped with automatic soil removal, check that the filter and soil-collection standpipe are not obstructed.

If a symptom persists after the manual’s listed causes have been checked, the operating manual directs the user to contact Hobart Service.

Applications

The FT1000 is suited to high-volume dishrooms where a conveyor flight-type machine can keep ware moving through washing and rinsing. Hobart’s product-development account identifies healthcare, higher education, lodging and corrections as settings where flight-type machines are used. The manual’s bun-pan opening specification also indicates that the listed FT1000e base-electric configuration can accommodate 18-by-26-inch bun pans.