A patty-forming apparatus has a machine base that includes a cooling air system that closes up the base upon loss of power. The apparatus includes a food product hopper and conveyor that are hingedly retractable. The hopper includes a controllable level sensing mechanism arranged to be moved by food product level within the hopper. A hydraulic pump is positioned to be at least partially submerged in hydraulic fluid, to be pumped by the pump, within a reservoir. A mold cover lift system includes a secondary nut to limit the unexpected downward movement of the mold cover. A lubrication system includes lubrication for mold plate drive rods, knock out mechanism and knockout rods and a tube valve. A frame structure includes an angular strut configuration for resisting horizontal reciprocating forces caused by the reciprocating mold plate, and a tie rod arrangement for resisting reaction forces caused by food product compression in a food product plunger pump.
