My hitachi bread maker won't mix. The turning mechanism at the bottom is stuck. I can hardly turn it with my hands. I want to take it out to clean it, but I can't access the screws easily and the rubber gasket doesn't seem come out.

You may need to replace your belt. Sometimes belts will slip if they are older models. Newer bread machines have belts with tiny teeth or cogs in them that align with the cogs on the pulley wheels. They don't slip like the older serpentine belts. sometimes a new belt will help. There are several videos on you tube of how to replace and install bread machine belts.

It may be hard to turn by hand but does it turn when the machine is
turned on? If so it is OK even if you can't turn it by hand

If you are feeling handy unplug your machine, turn it on one side and remove the bottom panel with a phillips head screwdriver. You may find your drive belt has come off or broken. If that is the problem you may be able to find a replacement for it from Sunbeam, or I may have one that will fit it.

All breadmaker use a belt and pulley system. If your breadmaker powers-up but the mixer won't turn when it's supposed to, your belt is probably broken. You'll need to disassemble the breadmaker to visually confirm.

Tip: The belt and pulley assemblies are located at the bottom of your breadmaker.

Hope this helps!

Hi, The paddle should turn freely by hand with the bread pan out of the machine. Make sure the pan is inserted in the machine correctly. If the motor shaft turns but the paddle doesn't then the sealed bearing that the paddle rotates on has failed and is frozen so the paddle does not turn.. You may need a new bread pan. Hank

Hi,
Check the belt on the motor. It could be lose or has fallen off. Also check the motor to see that it turns in a kneading cycle and check to see if you can spin the paddle freely by hand. Hank

The problem isn't the seal, it is the bearing. You need to disassemble it, clean it, and lubricate it. Turn the pan upside down, and there's a C-ring that you need to pry off. Then you can tap the shaft through the bearing, and it will fall out. Clean the shaft and inside of the bearing, lubricate it, and reassemble.

I usually lubricate with vegetable oil, to avoid any chance of noxious contamination getting into the bread, but I've read a recommendation to use liquid graphite lock lubricant, available from NAPA Auto Parts, to prevent the bearing from sticking again as soon:
http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-lubricate-your-bread-machine-pan-shaft-bearing_W0QQugidZ10000000016577277

BTW, be careful of that rubber seal -- they are apparently irreplaceable! (I need one, if you find a source.)

-Dave
http://www.burtonsys.com/email/

I had that problem once, I made the mistake of putting in honey in the bottom of the pan BEFORE I put in the grain. It got into the paddle area and got hard and the paddle was stuck. I poured boiling water into that area several times, and it melted the honey and solved the problem. Not saying this is your problem, but it could be.

Soak in in hot, hot water. Grab blade and under part and wiggle in different directions. It shoyuld come loose.

I had the same problem after storing my machine for several years, BUT, I lucked out...I just added a little warm water to my pan and then turned the machine on and let the paddle turn a few rotations and walla!!....it freed itself and is now making great loaves once again!