Great thread, Patrick! I'll have to check out that KA blog when I have some more time. I know the Hobart mixers go way back!
Thanks for that advice, Louis... Our KA that's only about 4 years old has seeped oil from behind the band, and I've wondered why. I've taken it apart once to get rid of the excess oil, and noticed a few weeks ago that it's doing it again. It's good to know about running it periodically to keep that from happening. Having so many mixers, it's hard to give them all the love they need! I did use the KA this past Saturday to make cookies, but didn't take a picture, I'll have to do that this weekend. We have a shredder attachment, and it all goes in the DW when I'm done using it; we haven't had a problem with it so far. I mostly use that to shred cheese when I make home made Maccaroni & Cheese. We also have one of the bowl-wiping spatula beaters; Terry gave it to us shortly after we got the mixer. I absolutely love it. I hardly ever have to stop the mixer to scrape the sides of the bowl -- I recommend them if you don't have one!