Gearboxes definitely go bad. The first sign is usually noise, I would describe it as a rumbling. The best way to determine if it's the gear box is:
1. empty and disconnect machine from power.
2. remove the freezer door and beater assembly
2. remove the rear panel - 4 screws
3. Remove the belts on the noisy side
4. Spin the big pulley and listen for the noise, you may want to remove the belts on the quiet side to compare the two.
I have a video that was shot to help change the hex coupler, but you would follow all of the same steps to replace the gear box.
That's a low mix light. It tells you that you don't have very much ice cream mix left in the hopper. There is a sensor in there that when no mix is touching it, it turns that light on.
http://www.taylor-company.com/
go to this web site and just click on operators manuals. Then either enter your model number or you can use the drop down menu.
Call toll free number 1-800-665-1125 or www.dslinc.com and they will tell you who you can get in your area. The name of the company who services Taylor is DSL
Try slowing down the rate at which you are drawing the product from the machine,and giving it a minute or two between draws. If you take to much out to fast it starves the barrel and will cause it to freeze up,and that will make the belts squeal.
The probe is not used to determine viscosity. This model determines viscosity by reading the amp draw of the beater motor. The viscosity setting on the upper control board is for fine tuning. You need to check the lower board. There are jumpers on that board that determine the amp range of the upper board adjustment. Most machines running soft serve are on the five range. Your machine may be on a lower range setting. All you have to do is remove the jumper and place it on the desired setting. Of course, there could be other problems that cause this issue such as a bad beater motor etc. Hope this helps.
It sounds like you may have unwelded the suction line to the compressor and blew the compressor out. That is not good. How a Taylor works is this: Compressor comes on and produces a lot of heat. There are 3 ways to dissipate the heat. If there is a big radiator like set of copper and aluminum finned coils near the compressor it is air cooled. If there is a water line going in and a drain line coming out, it is water cooled, the water runs the whole time the compressors are running, the third way is to have an outside remote condenser coil. I believe you have a water cooled machine. On the back of the machine is a copper fitting to hook up the incoming water lline. There is also a drain line and water will flow constantly from it if everything is running alright. It is ok for the compressor to get hot when running, it is supposed to get hot. If you broke into the freon lines by mistake, the freon is gone and it won't show pressure anymore. I don't see any way that oil would have gotten into the water cooling line. To verify which is the cooling water, the copper lines will go into the back of the machine and will be wrapped around the outside of the compressor and then back to the drain at the back of the machine. If you blew the oil out of the compressor it will very soon lock up and be destroyed. Look at the line that you cut into.
if its a water cooled unit when the compressor is running water should be running thru the valve, if it isn't be sure you have the water correctly hooked up and its cold water, if it is and still no water you have a bad valve
You could have a few things going on, maybe a bad probe or board, sounds like you might have your temp too high it depends on the sound it is making, is it screaming or grinding. Easiest and cheapest first fix is too replace blades, they should be replaced every 3 months unless it is used alot like a yogurt shop then monthly
Most likely your alignment is off on the gear box that has the coupling attached to it, you can try to lift the box up alittle after loosening the bolts and just tighten one and recheck until it pulls out freely with no effort
First, be sure you have good scraper blades. All too often the importance of the scraper blades is overlooked. After you know these are good (you should put some new ones in just in case), be sure the refrigeration condensers are clean. Also, check the air discharge to verify it is not clogged. Hi pressure air or CO2 is best for cleaning condensers. They are located on the sides of the machine (if your machine is water cooled, be sure you have adequate water supply.). You will have to remove the sides of the machine to access the condensers appropriately. Clean the hopper condenser as well while you are inside the machine. It is the small condenser located in the middle of the machine toward the front. If all of the above are done and your problem continues, you will need to call for service as you likely have a low refrigerant level.
