If you accept the machine from the shipping
company, you are, in effect, saying that the
machine is in good condition, and you must
pay for the machine. Belshaw cannot pay for
shipping damage, because the freight company
has accepted the machine from Belshaw in good
condition, and is responsible for its safe delivery.
For your protection, inspect the machine to see
that no parts are bent, scratched, or otherwise
damaged. If any damage has occurred in
shipping, file a freight claim with the shipping
company immediately.
IMPORTANT
Keep this manual for reference purposes.
EQUIPMENT RECORD
Please provide the information below when you correspond with us about your machine.
Purchased by _____________________________________________________________________
Installed by ______________________________________________________________________
Date of Installation ________________________________________________________________
Model number ___________________________________________________________________
Serial number
The Donut Robot Mark V is designed to
automatically cut and fry cake donut products,
and to fry yeast-raised donut products. It is not
designed to cut or fry any other products. The
Mark V uses electrical elements to heat
shortening in its kettle.
The Mark V is designed to be used on a flat,
stationary table or countertop, with the operator
standing opposite the heater head of the machine.
The operator must work safely at all times and
read this manual and follow its instructions and
warnings.
Study the instructions and warnings in this
manual carefully. A thorough understanding of
how to install, maintain, and safely operate the
Donut Robot Mark V will prevent production
delays and injuries.
To use the Mark V safely, heed the following
warnings and all other warnings that appear in
this manual:
Make sure the machine is secured to the
work surface. Doing so will prevent the
machine from moving or falling, which
could cause serious injury.
Never let water and hot shortening come
in contact with each other. Moisture
causes hot shortening to spatter, which
may cause serious burns.
Do not overfill the kettle with
shortening. If shortening overflows the
kettle, it could cause serious burns or
could cause someone to slip on the floor
and be seriously injured.
Hot shortening can cause serious burns.
Make sure that the system and the
shortening are cool before attempting
any adjustment, repair, disassembly, or
cleaning.
To avoid electrocution or other injury,
unplug the machine before attempting
any adjustment, repair, disassembly, or
cleaning.
To avoid damaging the machine, never
use force to assemble, disassemble,
operate, clean, or maintain it.
Be careful never to get shortening,
water, or other materials on the floor. If
anything does get spilled on the floor,
mop it up immediately. Materials on the
floor can cause people to slip or fall,
resulting in serious injury or loss of life.
To prevent unintentional startup and
possible fire, unplug the machine if there
is a local power outage. When the
power is restored, it is safe to plug the
machine in again.
To avoid electrocution, make sure that
all electrical cords are not frayed or
cracked and that they do not pass
through any water or shortening.
For general information on donut production,
refer to Section 5, “Donut-Making Helps.”
WARNING
Read each step completely before doing what it
tells you to do.
Making Cake Donuts
1. If necessary, install the swing column,
connect the swing connecting rod, install the
cutter head, and install the hopper and the
plunger.
2. When the shortening reaches the correct
frying temperature, it should reach the
middle of the flight bars.
Shortening expands as it increases in
temperature. This means that unless the
shortening is at frying temperature when you
put it in the kettle, you should put it in
gradually. Let the shortening in the kettle
heat up before you add more.
Put shortening in the kettle using one of
these methods:
Pre-melt shortening in a pan on the stove
and carefully pour it into the kettle.
Use the optional EZ Melt to melt
shortening and transfer it to the kettle.
See your EZ Melt manual.
WARNING
Hot shortening causes severe burns.
Air spaces can cause the shortening to
overheat and catch on fire.
3. Turn the heating element to the desired
temperature. Two pilot lights will come on.
The one on top of the heater head indicates
that the heating element has been turned on
(that the thermostat is set above 200F/
93C). The one on the front of the heater
head indicates that the shortening has not yet
reached the desired temperature. This light
will go out if the high temperature limit
control breaks the circuit.
Note: If the high temperature limit control
does break the circuit, push the red reset
button on the back of the heater head.
4. Wait for the shortening to reach the desired
temperature. When it does, the pilot light on
the front of the heater head will go out. DO
NOT run the conveyor until all the
shortening has melted.
5. If you are using the optional Shortening
Reserve Tank, fill it with shortening. Then
position it on the conveyor side panels either
ahead of or behind the turner, but not above
it. The heat of the fryer will melt the
shortening in the tank.
6. Disengage the swing connecting rod from
the swing column throw arm and swing the
hopper away from over the fryer.
7. Adjust the size selector dial on the cutter
head’s crankshaft assembly. This dial
regulates the donut weight. The higher the
setting, the larger the donuts will be. Adjust
the dial setting as follows:
a. Unscrew the dial lock nut 1/2 turn.
b. Turn the dial to the desired position, as
indicated by the marks on the crank
plate.
c. Tighten the dial in place with the lock
nut. Tighten it using your fingers only.
8. Put dough into the hopper. Prime the hopper
to expel any air that may be trapped in the
bottom of it. To prime the hopper:
a. Hold a mixing bowl under the cutter.
b. Hold down the prime switch on the
cutter head and run the cutter until it has
dropped two or three donuts into the
bowl.
Note: Holding down the prime switch
causes the cutter to run continuously
without the normal delay between cuts.
c. Put the dough in the bowl back in the
hopper.
9. Return the hopper into position over the
fryer and reconnect the swing connecting
rod to the swing column throw arm.
10. Choose the appropriate fry time for your
product using the fry time control knob on
the heater head.
11. Using the switch on the heater head, select
the number of donutsone or twoyou want
to cut during each swing cycle of the hopper.
12. Turn on the cutter using the power switch on
the cutter head.
WARNING
If the conveyor becomes jammed: 1. Turn
off the conveyor drive and the heater. 2.
Allow the system to cool down. HOT
SHORTENING IS DANGEROUS.
3. Determine the cause of the jamming.
4. Clear it. 5. Restart the system.
14. Continue adding shortening to the kettle to
maintain the proper shortening level (see
step 2). There are three ways to do this:
Melt some shortening in a pan on the
stove and carefully pour it into the kettle.
If you are using the optional EZ Melt,
transfer more shortening from it. See
your EZ Melt manual.
If you are using the optional Shortening
Reserve Tank, push open the supply
valve.
15. Continue adding dough to the hopper as
needed. You can add dough to the hopper
without priming it again as long as it does
not become empty. If the hopper does
become empty, you must prime it again.
16. When you fill the hopper for the last time,
you will want to use all of the dough in the
hopper. To do so, push the dough to the
bottom of the hopper using a rubber scraper
or spatula. Be careful not to jam the scraper
in the donut cutter.
13. Turn on the conveyor drive using the power
switch on the heater head.
Note: If the conveyor becomes jammed, a
warning buzzer will sound about a minute
later and stop when the conveyor is turned
off. The conveyor drive is impedanceprotected so it will not burn out due to
jamming.
1. Remove the hopper and plunger, the cutter
head, and the swing column, if they are
installed.
WARNING
2. When the shortening reaches the correct
frying temperature, it should reach the
middle of the flight bars.
Shortening expands as it increases in
temperature. This means that unless the
shortening is at frying temperature when you
put it in the kettle, you should put it in
gradually. Let the shortening in the kettle
heat up before you add more.
Put shortening in the kettle using one of
these methods:
Pre-melt shortening in a pan on the stove
and carefully pour it into the kettle.
Use the optional EZ Melt to melt
shortening and transfer it to the kettle.
See your EZ Melt manual.
WARNING
Hot shortening causes severe burns.
Put solid shortening into the kettle,
packing it tightly around the elements
and bulbs.
WARNING
4. Wait for the shortening to reach the desired
temperature. When it does, the pilot light on
the front of the heater head will go out. DO
NOT run the conveyor until all the
shortening has melted.
5. If you are using the optional Shortening
Reserve Tank, fill it with shortening. Then
position it on the conveyor side panels either
ahead of or behind the turner, but not above
it. The heat of the fryer will melt the
shortening in the tank.
6. Install your Feed Table and load proof cloths
on it. Refer to Appendix A, “Related
Products,” for complete installation and
operation instructions for the Feed Table.
7. Choose the appropriate fry time for your
product using the fry time control knob on
the heater head.
8. Turn on the conveyor drive using the power
switch on the heater head.
Note: If the conveyor becomes jammed, a
warning buzzer will sound about a minute
later and stop when the conveyor is turned
off. The conveyor drive is impedanceprotected so it will not burn out due to
jamming.
Air spaces can cause the shortening to
overheat and catch on fire.
3. Turn the heating element to the desired
temperature. Two pilot lights will come on.
The one on top of the heater head indicates
that the heating element has been turned on
(that the thermostat is set above 200F/
93C). The one on the front of the heater
head indicates that the shortening has not yet
reached the desired temperature. This light
will go out if the high temperature limit
control breaks the circuit.
Note: If the high temperature limit control
does break the circuit, push the red reset
button on the back of the heater head.
You must clean the hopper and the plunger daily,
or after each use. Follow these general
guidelines:
Use household dishwashing detergent.
Do not use strong alkali cleaners such as
lye, soda ash, or trisodium phosphate, as
these discolor and corrode aluminum.
Wash, dry, and lubricate parts
thoroughly to prevent rusting.
When washing parts by hand, wash each
part separately; do not put any other
utensil or dish in the sink with the part
being washed.
To clean the hopper and the plunger:
1. Unplug the cutter head power cord.
2. Remove the plunger and the hopper. To do
so, reverse the procedures found in steps 2
and 3 of “Assembling the Cutter” in Section
1 of the Technical Supplement.
3. Pre-soak the parts, if necessary, to loosen
stubborn or dried-on deposits.
4. Wash the hopper and the plunger separately
in hot water and a detergent recommended
for aluminum. Use a non-scratching plastic
scouring cloth to remove soil and restore
luster.
5. Rinse the hopper and the plunger separately
in clear, hot water (170-190F/77-88C).
6. Dry each part completely.
7. Dip the plunger and the hopper cylinder in
mineral oil or liquid shortening to prevent
rust and sticking.
8. Wipe the cutter head assembly with a soft
cloth dampened with hot water and an
appropriate cleaner. Wipe it with another
damp cloth to remove the cleaner. Wipe it
dry.
There are four basic steps to cleaning the
conveyor and the fryer kettle: removing the
shortening, washing, rinsing, and drying. You
must perform all four steps and perform them in
the order listed.
Removing the Shortening
WARNING
Figure 2-1. Draining the Shortening off of
the Conveyor.
6. If you want to clean the turner assembly,
remove and clean it as follows:
To avoid being burned, electrocuted, or
otherwise injured, unplug the machine
before cleaning the fryer.
1. Disconnect the machine from the power
source.
2. Let the shortening cool to 100F/38C.
3. Unplug the cutter head power cord.
4. Lift the cutter head off the swing column.
5. Remove the conveyor assembly as follows:
a. Obtain two pieces of wood, at least 1” x
1” x 15” (2.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 38 cm).
b. Lift off the swing connecting rod.
c. Lift the conveyor assembly from the
conveyor locating pin and pull it away
from the heater head to disengage the
main drive shaft coupling from the
conveyor drive coupling.
a. Move the flight bars of the conveyor
until the turner is in the middle of a
flight pocket.
turner assembly using mild detergent and
warm water.
f. Rinse the turner cam assembly and
turner assembly in clear water.
g. Dry these parts thoroughly.
WARNING
All parts must be dried thoroughly.
Moisture causes hot shortening to spatter,
which may cause serious injury.
7. If you want to clean the drop plate, remove
it by lifting its forward end and sliding it
toward the rear of the conveyor. (See Figure
2-4.) Wipe the drop plate with a damp cloth.
Figure 2-4. Removing the Drop Plate.
8. After the shortening has drained off of the
conveyor assembly, set the conveyor
assembly aside.
9. Check again to see that the shortening in the
kettle has cooled to 100F/38C.
10. Remove the shortening from the kettle. You
may drain it out (if your kettle has the
optional drain), siphon it out, or pour it out.
You may transfer the shortening to a
Belshaw EZ Melt or to one or more large
metal buckets. If you use buckets, and you
want to re-use the shortening, either place a
filter over each bucket, or be careful not to
disturb the sediment that has accumulated on
the bottom of the kettle.
WARNING
Do not use plastic buckets. If the
shortening is not cool enough, the buckets
will melt; possibly causing you to be
burned, and causing shortening to get on
the floor.
WARNING
Do not allow the shortening to overflow the
buckets. Shortening will get on the floor,
and if the shortening is not cool enough,
you may be burned.
WARNING
Thoroughly clean and dry the floor if
shortening is spilled. Shortening on the
floor can cause serious injury or loss of life.
raising the heating element out of the
kettle. Use a small saucepan or a metal
to pitcher to scoop as much shortening as
you can into an EZ Melt or one or more
metal buckets. Then lift the kettle out of
the fryer case and carefully pour the
remaining shortening into an EZ Melt or
a large metal bucket.
11. Return the kettle to the fryer case, if you
have removed it, and tilt the heater head
assembly down.
12. Brush off any carbon that has accumulated
on the heating element. Accumulated
carbon can cause corrosion and ineffective
heating.
13. Tilt the heater head assembly back, raising
the heating element out of the kettle.
14. Dispose of the carbon and other sediment
using one of these methods:
If your kettle has the optional drain, put a
bucket under the drain, and scrape the
carbon and other sediment through the drain,
using a non-abrasive, non-metallic spatula.
If your kettle does not have the optional
drain, do the following:
Draining
Put an EZ Melt or a metal bucket under
the drain. Slowly open the drain valve.
If you are using a bucket and the bucket
becomes full, close the drain valve, put
another bucket under the drain, and
resume draining.
Siphoning
Put an EZ Melt or a metal bucket under a
Belshaw Filter Flo Siphon. (Refer to the
Filter Flo Siphon instructions in
Appendix A.) If you are using a bucket
and the bucket becomes full, stop the
siphon, put another bucket under the
siphon, and resume siphoning.
a. Lift the kettle out of the fryer case.
b. Use a non-abrasive, non-metallic spatula
to scrape the carbon and other sediment
out of the kettle.
c. Dry the outside of the kettle.
d. Put the kettle back in the fryer case.
15. Tilt the heater head assembly down.
16. Put the drop plate, turner cam assembly, and
turner assembly back on the conveyor
assembly.
17. Install the conveyor assembly.
18. If your kettle has the optional drain, close
the drain valve.
Washing
1. Pour hot water into the kettle, up to the
normal level of the shortening. Add about
2 oz/59 ml of trisodium phosphate or other
appropriate cleaner.
2. Connect the machine to the power source.
Heat the solution to 200F/93C. Turn on
the conveyor. Keep the solution at this
temperature for 15-20 minutes.
3. Turn off the conveyor and scrub the soiled
parts while the solution is under heat. Do
not use any abrasive cleaners or scrapers.
4. Turn off the heater and disconnect the
machine from the power source. Allow the
cleaning solution to cool to 100F/38C.
5. Remove the conveyor and tilt the heater
head back as you did before.
6. Remove the cleaning solution from the
kettle, transfering it to one or more large
metal buckets. You may drain it out (if your
kettle has the optional drain), siphon it out,
or pour it out.
WARNING
Do not use plastic buckets. If the cleaning
solution is not cool enough, the buckets will
melt; possibly causing you to be burned,
and causing cleaning solution to get on the
floor.
WARNING
Thoroughly clean and dry the floor if
cleaning solution is spilled. Liquid on the
floor can cause serious injury or loss of life.
Draining
Put a large metal bucket under the drain.
Slowly open the drain valve. If the
bucket becomes full, close the drain
valve, put another bucket under the
drain, and resume draining.
Siphoning
Put a large metal bucket under a
Belshaw Filter Flo Siphon. Remove the
filter from the siphon. (Refer to the
Filter Flo Siphon instructions in
Appendix A.) If the bucket becomes
full, stop the siphon, put another bucket
under the siphon, and resume siphoning.
Pouring
Tilt the heater head assembly back,
raising the heating element out of the
kettle. Use a small saucepan or a metal
to pitcher to scoop as much cleaning
solution as you can into one or more
metal buckets. Then lift the kettle out of
the fryer case and carefully pour the
remaining solution into a large metal
bucket.
7. Lift the kettle out of the fryer case, if you
have not done so already.
8. Rinse the kettle thoroughly and dry it on the
outside.
9. Install the kettle, tilt the heater head
assembly down, and install the conveyor
assembly as before.
10. If your kettle has the optional drain, close
the drain valve.
Rinsing
1. Pour clean water into the kettle, up to the
normal level of the shortening.
2. Connect the machine to the power source.
Heat the water to 200F/93C.
3. Run the conveyor for 5-10 minutes.
4. Turn off the heater and disconnect the
machine from the power source. Allow the
water to cool to 100F/38C.
5. Lift the conveyor assembly out of the fryer
case. Tilt the heater head assembly back.
6. Remove the water from the kettle,
transfering it to one or more large metal
buckets. You may drain it out (if your kettle
has the optional drain), siphon it out, or pour
it out.
WARNING
Slowly open the drain valve. If the
bucket becomes full, close the drain
valve, put another bucket under the
drain, and resume draining.
Siphoning
Put a large metal bucket under a
Belshaw Filter Flo Siphon. Remove the
filter from the siphon. (Refer to the
Filter Flo Siphon instructions in
Appendix A.) If the bucket becomes
full, stop the siphon, put another bucket
under the siphon, and resume siphoning.
Pouring
Tilt the heater head assembly back,
raising the heating element out of the
kettle. Use a small saucepan or a metal
to pitcher to scoop as much water as you
can into one or more metal buckets.
Then lift the kettle out of the fryer case
and carefully pour the remaining water
into a large metal bucket.
Do not use plastic buckets. If the water is
not cool enough, the buckets will melt;
possibly causing you to be burned, and
causing water to get on the floor.
WARNING
Do not allow the water to overflow the
buckets. Water will get on the floor, and if
the water is not cool enough, you may be
burned.
WARNING
Thoroughly clean and dry the floor if water
is spilled. Liquid on the floor can cause
serious injury or loss of life.
Carefully carry the buckets to the sink and
slowly pour the water into the sink.
Drying
1. Thoroughly dry all parts, including the
conveyor, the heating element(s), and the
inside of the kettle.
WARNING
All parts must be dried thoroughly.
Moisture causes hot shortening to spatter,
which may cause serious injury.
2. Assemble the Donut Robot as before.
3. If your kettle has the optional drain, close
the drain valve.
Before using the machine each day, apply ediblegrade mineral oil to the plunger connecting rod.
The oil should penetrate the ball lock and the
spring socket. See Figure 3-1.
Weekly
Apply a few drops of SAE 30 machine
oil to the swing column where it contacts
the swing column bracket.
Remove the heater head cover and
lightly coat the gear teeth with
multipurpose grease. Replace the cover.
See Figure 3-2.
Lubricate the conveyor drive motor as explained
below. To help you better understand where to
lubricate, refer to Figure D-3 in Appendix D,
“Parts Lists.”
1. Disconnect the machine from the power
source.
2. Remove the back cover of the heater head.
3. Unscrew the two bolts that connect the
conveyor drive assembly to the bottom of
the heater head.
CAUTION
Be gentle with all parts of the conveyor
drive assembly, especially when pulling the
assembly out of the heater head and
putting it back in the heater head..
Damaging the parts could stop production.
5. Apply 4 to 6 drops of SAE 30 machine oil
through the lubricating hole in the bearing
cap until the felt pad is saturated. See
Figure 3-4.
Figure 3-4. Lubricating the Conveyor Drive
Motor.
6. Carefully put the motor back in the heater
head, bolt the motor to the bottom of the
heater head, and replace the back cover of
the heater head.
4. Carefully pull the motor out of the heater
head. See Figure 3-3.
Figure 3-3. Removing the Conveyor Drive
Motor.
Taking Care of the Plunger,
Hopper, and Cylinder
The plunger, hopper, and cylinder of your Donut
Robot are precision instruments. If you take
good care of them, they will perform well for
years. Follow these guidelines:
Clean these parts only in the manner
explained in this manual.
Handle these parts with care. Avoid
dropping them on hard surfaces.
Do not force the machine if it becomes
jammed. To avoid damaging the
plunger, disassemble the machine and
remove any obstructions.