Service of older Fruit Testers
Ballauf Devices can service all model 10A, 30A, 30B, and 13B Fruit Ripeness Testers regardless of the manufacturing date. Testers made by the D. Ballauf Manufacturing company between 1952 and the early 1990's as well as Testers made by Mr. John F. Cook Jr. from the early 1990's through to 2013 can normally be repaired.
It should be noted that older Testers made of nickel plated brass can be serviced, but the cost of replating worn parts is now higher than the cost of replacing them with new stainless steel parts. Testers with showing brass will corrode and should be serviced or replaced.
Cleaning internal contamination
The model 10A, 30A, & 13B testers are sold with directions for disassembly in the event of excessive contamination of the device by dirt or produce juices. All parts may be cleaned as described in the cleaning section below.
NOTE: the main spring must not be removed from its spring ends as this will compromise the calibration of the device.
Replacement Parts
Replacement tip sets and Peeler Attachments are available as standard accessoried.
All of the other components of our testers are available as service replacements with the exception of the outer body. Part replacement can be performed by the average mechanic.
Factory Service
All service needs for our testers can be performed at the factory if preferred. The durability of our testers make repair unusual, but occasionally we get back a unit that someone backed a pickup over.
Contact us by phone at 240-855-2695 to arrange for service.
Customer Performed Service
The Ballauf fruit ripeness testers are rugged mechanical devices which can often be serviced in the field by a competent mechanical technician. Complete instructions for disassembly and reassembly can be found on our self servicing page along with a few important cautions. Part numbers for all replacable parts are also identified on the disassembly page.
General Cleaning
The surfaces of the Model 10A, 30A, 30B, & 13B are durable nickel plated brass and stainless steel. All surfaces can be cleaned with laboratory detergents and mild solvents like isopropyl alcohol or methanol. Sugars and other organic deposits can be softened by soaking the parts in hot soapy water.
Do Use:- Soap or detergents
- Hot tap water
- Alcohol
- Turpentine (for really stubborn dirt)
- Boiling Water
- Bleach
- Abrasives
- Keytones