Troubleshooting Your Prawnto
Many common Prawnto operating problems can be traced to lubrication, cleaning, alignment, or worn components. Recognizing the symptoms can help you determine what needs attention.
Important — Safety First: Always turn OFF and unplug your Prawnto before inspecting internal components, removing covers, or making adjustments. Never operate the machine without the Round Guard and Square Guard securely installed.
1. Common Problems & Possible Causes
- Problem 1 — Machine Stops Running When Hot. Your Prawnto motor includes a thermal limiter designed to shut the motor off if it overheats. What to do: Turn the power switch OFF, unplug the machine, and allow the motor to cool. The thermal limiter should reset automatically. If the problem repeats, contact Team Prawnto for assistance.
- Problem 2 — Squealing or Chattering Noise. These noises may indicate friction between the Feeder Discs #313 and Roller Disc Assembly #314. What to do: Stop and unplug the machine. Check the disc contact points and apply Prawnto Oil #100 as described in Section 3 — Oiling & Lubrication. If the noise continues, inspect for other mechanical issues or contact Team Prawnto.
- Problem 3 — Knocking Sound. A knocking sound may indicate bearing wear or loose shaft collars #426, allowing unwanted side-to-side shaft movement. What to do: Turn OFF and unplug the machine. Have trained personnel inspect the shaft collars, bearings, and shaft movement. Follow the Alignment & Maintenance instructions or contact Team Prawnto.
- Problem 4 — Shrimp Is Cut Off-Center. The cutting blade #310S may no longer be centered between the Feeder Discs #313. Incorrect disc spacing or unwanted shaft movement may also affect the cutting position. What to do: Check blade centering and Feeder Disc spacing for the shrimp being processed. Review Section 6 — Adjusting Your Prawnto.
- Problem 5 — Shrimp Is Not Cut Far Enough or the Shell Is Dented. A dull cutting blade #310S may dent the shell rather than cutting cleanly. An incorrect Roller Disc adjustment may also produce a shorter cut than desired. What to do: Inspect the blade for dullness and check the length-of-cut adjustment. Replace the cutting blade when necessary. Review Section 6 for adjustment instructions.
- Problem 6 — Shrimp Begins to Tear Instead of Cutting Cleanly. A dirty or dull blade, unwanted shaft movement, or shrimp that is too warm may affect cutting quality. What to do: Clean and inspect the cutting blade, check its alignment, and confirm that the shrimp is properly chilled. For best cutting results, shrimp temperature should be approximately 35–38°F.
2. Understanding Your Cutting Results
| What you notice | What to check |
|---|---|
| Vein remains in the shrimp | Blade depth, centering, and length of cut |
| Cut stops too early | Roller Disc spacing and blade sharpness |
| Cut is deeper than desired | Depth-of-cut setting |
| Cut varies from shrimp to shrimp | Shrimp grade, temperature, spacing, and alignment |
| Shrimp will not pass between the discs | Feeder Disc spacing — never force shrimp through |
Remember: Your Prawnto removes the vein only where the blade actually cuts. If the cut stops before the last joint, the vein in that joint will remain.
3. When To Contact Team Prawnto
If the problem continues after checking the recommended instructions, contact Team Prawnto for technical assistance. When contacting us, it is helpful to provide your Prawnto model, the shrimp grade being processed, a description of the problem, and any unusual sounds or changes in cutting results.
4. Additional Help & Resources
Watch: Alignment & Maintenance — Official Prawnto Training Video
Prawnto Owner's Manual — Troubleshooting
Section 6 — Adjusting Your Prawnto
Section 3 — Oiling & Lubrication
Section 7 — Preventive Maintenance
Section 9 — Parts, Tune-Up Kits & Supplies
Need Additional Assistance?
Our Team Prawnto staff is here to help. Please call or email us using the contact information at the bottom of this page.
