If you've been shopping around for a used Taylor C717 machine you may notice there are an unusual amount of theseC717 machines in the pre-owned market. There is a reason for bloated inventory. A very large national chain purchased a considerable amount of these a few years ago brand new and decided to liquidate them and move to another model. The C717 machine has a much touted "heat treatment" feature that allows it to be cleaned less often than other machines. However, this comes at a cost that most business operators don't expect. Below are some reasons you  should really think twice about buying a C717 specifically. In our view, the Taylor C712 and C713 are excellent machines and a much better option at the end of the day.

The Taylor C717 soft-serve machine with heat treatment has received a lot of negative feedback an complaints from users. Here are some common issues and complaints associated with this model:

1. Heat Treatment Failures

• Issue: One of the key features of the Taylor C717 is its heat treatment cycle, which is designed to reduce the frequency of manual cleaning by heating the mix to a certain temperature to kill bacteria. However, some users have reported issues where the heat treatment cycle fails, leading to machine errors and requiring manual intervention.
• Complaint: When the heat treatment cycle fails, operators may need to do a full breakdown and cleaning of the machine, which is time-consuming and can disrupt business operations.

2. Complexity of Operation

• Issue: The machine has been criticized for being difficult to operate and maintain. The heat treatment process, while reducing cleaning frequency, is seen as complicated and prone to error if not properly managed.
• Complaint: Staff training can be a challenge due to the machine's complexity, which can lead to improper usage or settings errors.

3. Frequent Error Codes

• Issue: Users have reported that the C717 often displays error codes, sometimes related to mix temperature or heat treatment cycles. These errors can cause the machine to shut down or require a reset.
• Complaint: Repeated shutdowns due to error codes can affect product availability and require frequent attention from technicians, increasing downtime and maintenance costs.

4. Parts and Maintenance Costs

• Issue: The Taylor C717, like many commercial machines, requires regular maintenance. Some users have reported high costs for replacement parts and repairs, particularly for components related to the heat treatment system.
• Complaint: Parts and servicing costs can be higher than expected, especially if the machine is out of warranty or if frequent servicing is needed.

5. Inconsistent Heat Treatment Efficiency

• Issue: Some users have noted that the heat treatment cycle doesn’t always work consistently, meaning that even with the feature, manual cleaning is required more often than advertised.
• Complaint: This undermines the machine's selling point of reducing cleaning frequency, leading to dissatisfaction among operators expecting reduced manual intervention.

If you have more questions about this model and would like to call us and talk about them, feel free to  call us at 877-817-5716