I need some help from the community. Please do not devolve this into any manufacturer bashing. I am a happy owner of many Jet / Powermatic products and I believe that they manufacture high quality products and consider this a one off manufacturing defect.

I request input on the proper procedure to remove and replace a 5 HP Single Phase Motor on a 4 Post 20” Planer (preferably Powermatic). Basically I welcome input from anyone who has done the repair or observed the repair being made on the 4 Post 20” Planer (different brands are similar). Also since the 15” 4 Post design is similar I’d welcome your input on that as well.

My questions are:

1. Can the Planer Motor be removed out the Back Base Panel? (Note: Powermatic does not have a Front Base Panel). According to my measurements there is only about 1/4” clearance between the motor diameter and back base panel opening but there is a bar in the center that is narrower than the motor diameter. 

2. Does the repair require lifting the Planer Cast Iron Top off of the Base to make the repair?

Background: I purchased a brand new Powermatic 20” Planer 209HH-1 from the local Woodcraft who setup and delivered it in early Nov. I had an electrician install a new 240V 40A circuit and plug last week ago today. Powered up the Powermatic Planer after first confirming the outlet and plug was wired correctly. The Planer immediately tripped. Repeat – immediate trip again.

Powermatic Service did their diagnostics over the phone and then sent a local tech out who did further isolation to confirm it was a Dead Short in the Motor. The local tech said once Powermatic sent out the new motor he would need to remove the In-feed Table and tip the Planer on its side to access the motor. I informed the tech that the Planer weighed over 800 pounds and the correct way to lift the Planer according to the Powermatic Manual was by the Lifting Bars. The tech said he was not aware that the Planer had Lifting Bars.

I called Powermatic the next business day and explained the encounter and I asked for written Field Service Repair Procedure for the 5 HP Motor of the Powermatic Planer or either a different technician to do the repair, one who was familiar with the Powermatic 20” Planer. Powermatic Technical Support including my escalation to the Powermatic Technical Support Supervisor stated that they do NOT have a written Field Repair Procedure for the Motor and were not able to answer these questions on how the technician would make the repair and said it was up to the Field Technician to determine the correct Motor remove and replacement procedure. They also said they would not send a different technician to do the repair.

So if anyone knows and can provide the correct 4 Post 20” Planer Motor Removal and Replacement Procedure even from a different manufacturer it would be greatly appreciated. I have searched the forums and internet and I could not find the answer. I want to have this knowledge prior to the technician coming on site to make the repair.

Thank you in advance for your assistance. I have also posted this request in other woodworking forum.

Gary Vaiskauckas

• Powermatic 20” Planer 209HH-1
• Powermatic 8” Parallelogram Jointer PJ882HH (recently purchased),
• Jet 17” Drill Press JDP-17
• Jet 2 HP Vortex Cone Dust Collector with 2-Micron Canister DC-1200VX-CK1
• Jet Air Filtration System AFS-100B
• Sawstop 3 HP PCS with 72” Incra TS-LS including router table and lift
• Porter Cable 3 1/4” HP Router Motor
• Laguna 14/12 Bandsaw
• Dewalt DW735X 13” Planer
• Dewalt DW718 SCMS
• Rigid EB4424 Oscillating Edge / Belt Sander
• Festool TS 75 EQ Track Saw
• Festool RO 90 DX Rotex Sander
• Festool ETS EC 150 EQ-Plus Sander
• Festool CT 26E Dust Extraction
• Bosch Router MRP23EVS
• Lie-Nielsen No. 62 Jack Plane
• Lie-Nielsen No. 60-1/2 Block Plane