badger 5 trouble

[tomwilliams]

Hi-

I tried to dispose the dissected (non-eaten) remnants of steamed artichoke in my Badger 5. All was going well, when all of a sudden I could hear the Bager laboring and the sink vibrated alot and event shook a bit. I tuned the Badger 5 off, and then tuned it back on.

IT would only hummmmm. I cleared the artichoke debris from the blades (unplugged, with a long fork) and then pressed the red buttun underneath the unit. Result: same humming.

Then I read the forum and found a 1/4 Allen wrench. I was only able to quarter turn it (in either diection). With a strong pull, I was able to make the wrench spin once (very labored) and it felt like I was about to snap something bad. I tried again and was only able to quarter turn again (BTW, I do posess alot of strenth, and I was really trying to turn that wrench). Result, sort of a burnt metal smell and the same humming.

Help?

Thanks,

Tom W

[LazyPup]

The recessed hex socket where you insert the Allen wrench is actually machined on the end of the motor shaft which has a bearing on each end of the shaft in the motor. The cutter wheel is attached directly on the end of the shaft and it normally has about 1/8" clearance therefore if the cutters are clear you should be able to turn the unit with the wrench very easily. If you are getting a resistance that is indicating something is still jammed in the cutters. If you can only get a 1/4 turn you might try turning it forward and backward in a quick rocking motion to see if the cutter wheel will free up.

If you still cannot clear the obstruction you might try removing the drain from the disposal body drain port. You will then be able to see directly into the edge of the cutter wheel, and you may be able to get the obstruction to turn around to the port where you can pull it out.