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SERVICE BULLETIN

Bulletin: SVB-112

Date Issued: April 20, 2005

Category: Procedural

Subject: Machine adjustments to restore factory settings

Machine Models: FEEDMASTER¨ Block Push Bottom Feeder, Top Feeder, Jumbo Bottom Feeder and Jumbo Top Feeder

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Problem Recommended Action

Symptoms of Incorrect Belt and Pusher Speed Settings

 Procedures for Returning Belt and Pusher Speed Settings to Factory-Set Settings

Problem:

Correct machine operation depends on maintaining the proper speed for the extendo belts, the inverter belts (for top feeders), the block pusher, the lift assembly belt, and the stack separation belt. These speeds are adjusted during prefeeder assembly and should normally not require adjustment in regular service. However, we are aware that operators may attempt to perform speed adjustments in the field in an effort to speed up the machine. Such adjustments usually cause unexpected secondary problems to develop that operators may not realize or know how to correct. Additionally, operators may not know what the original factory speed setting may be.

Adjustment to check and restore factory speed settings can keep the machine operating properly and reduce operator intervention with the machine.

Symptoms of Incorrect Belt and Pusher Speed Settings

Procedures for Returning Belt and Pusher Speed Settings to Factory-Set Settings

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Recommended action:

Alliance Machine Systems International, LLC recommends checking the following items and making any necessary adjustments as part of your preventative maintenance program. These items can be performed on an as-needed basis if the symptoms become evident.

  1. Check that the speed of the extendo belts, inverter belts (for top feeders) and the block pusher speed all are set at 120 ft/min.
  2. Check that the speed of the stack separation conveyor and the lift assembly belt are both set at 60 ft/min.

This service bulletin contains procedures for checking and adjusting the machine components listed above. These procedures will be included in the FEEDMASTER¨ maintenance manuals for new machines.

Always follow proper safety procedures when working on a machine.  If you are unsure about anything in the procedures, contact your supervisor or Alliance Customer Service at 888-768-2200, option 2 for assistance.

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Symptoms of Incorrect Belt and Pusher Speed Settings

  1. The block pusher and the extendo belts (and inverter belts for top feeders) should operate at the same speed. If these speeds are not equally matched problems will be noted -

  • If the extendo or inverter belts are going faster than the block pusher, bundles may skew, depending on warp, going into the inverter or onto the extendo.

  • If the extendo or inverter belts are going slower than the block pusher it typically causes the bottom sheet to trail behind the bundle. This in turn can cause a problem with the stack lifting for the next block push, with sheets getting wedged under the shingle gate, or increased scrapped sheets.

  1. The separation conveyor and the lift conveyor should operate at the same speed.  If these speeds are not equally matched it can cause the incoming stacks to become unstable and fall over.

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Procedures:
 

Adjusting Extendo Conveyor Belt Speed Adjusting Block Inverter Conveyor Belt Speed
Adjusting Block Pusher Speed Adjusting Lift Conveyor Belt Speed
Adjusting Separation Conveyor Belt Speed  

Adjusting Extendo Conveyor Belt Speed

  1. Run the extendo belts forward.

  2. Using a tachometer measure the belt speed in feet per minute. Normal belt speed is 120 ft/min. If you measure a different speed, adjust the belt speed as shown below.

  3. Find the flow control that is located under the extendo belt hydraulic valve on the hydraulic manifold.  On some of the older machines the flow control is an inline type next to the extendo drive motor.

  4. There are adjustments on both sides of the flow control.  One side is for forward and the other side is for reverse. Loosen the setscrews on the flow control that keep the adjuster knobs from moving.

  5. Adjust the flow control until you get the proper speed on the tachometer.  It is easier if you have a helper during this step so you don’t have to move back and forth.  Turning the flow control clockwise decreases the speed and counterclockwise increases the speed. 

  6. When you get the proper speed, change the direction of the belts and adjust the other side of the flow control until you get the proper speed.

  7. Tighten up the setscrews on both adjuster knobs on the flow control to keep them from moving.

  8. The extendo belt speeds are now properly set.

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Adjusting Block Inverter Conveyor Belt Speed (Top Feeders only)

  1. Run the inverter belts forward.

  2. Using a tachometer measure the belt speed in feet per minute. Normal belt speed is 120 ft / min. If you measure a different speed, adjust the belt speed as shown below.

  3. Find the flow control that is located under the inverter belt hydraulic valve on the hydraulic manifold.

  4. Loosen the setscrews on the flow control that are keeping the adjuster knobs from moving.

  5. Adjust the flow control until you get the proper speed on the tachometer.  It is easier if you have a helper during this step so you don’t have to move back and forth.  Turning the flow control clockwise decreases the speed and counterclockwise increases the speed.  There are adjustments on both sides of the flow control.  One side is for forward and the other side is for reverse.

  6. Tighten up the setscrews on both adjuster knobs on the flow control to keep them from moving.

  7. The inverter belt speeds are now properly set.

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Adjusting Block Pusher Speed

  1. Run the block pusher all the way to the reverse limit.

  2. Measure and place a mark with tape on the block pusher frame where you can see it from the operator station. The mark should be 4 feet from the block pusher.

  3. Using a stopwatch time the block pusher movement from the reverse limit to the tape mark. Normal block pusher speed is 2 ft/sec (or 120 ft/min), so you should measure 2 seconds. If you measure a different time, adjust the block pusher speed as shown below.

  4. Find the flow control that is located under the block pusher fwd/rev hydraulic valve on the hydraulic manifold.

  5. Loosen the setscrews on the flow control that are keeping the adjuster knobs from moving.

  6. Adjust the flow control until you get the time to 2 seconds.  It is easier if you have a helper during this step so you don’t have to move back and forth.  Turning the flow control clockwise decreases the speed and counterclockwise increases the speed.  There are adjustments on both sides of the flow control.  One side is for forward and the other side is for reverse.

  7. When you get the proper speed run the block pusher to the tape mark and check the speed in the reverse direction to the reverse limit.  Adjust the other side of the flow control until you get the proper speed.

  8. Tighten up the setscrews on both adjuster knobs on the flow control to keep them from moving.

  9. The block pusher speed is now properly set.

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Adjusting Lift Conveyor Belt Speed

  1. Run the lift conveyor belt forward.

  2. Using a tachometer measure the belt speed in feet per minute. Normal belt speed is 60 ft / min. If you measure a different speed, adjust the belt speed as shown below.

  3. Find the flow control that is located under the lift conveyor belt hydraulic valve on the hydraulic manifold.

  4. Loosen the setscrews that are keeping the adjuster knobs from moving.

  5. Adjust the flow control until you get the proper speed on the tachometer.  It is easier if you have a helper during this step so you don’t have to move back and forth.  Turning the flow control clockwise decreases the speed and counterclockwise increases the speed.  There are adjustments on both sides of the flow control.  One side is for forward and the other side is for reverse.

  6. When you get the proper speed change the direction of the belts and adjust the other side of the flow control until you get the proper speed.

  7. Tighten up the setscrews on both adjuster knobs on the flow control to keep them from moving.

  8. The lift conveyor belt speed is now properly set.

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Adjusting Separation Conveyor Belt Speed

  1. Run the separation conveyor belt forward.

  2. Using a tachometer measure the belt speed in feet per minute. Normal belt speed is 60 ft / min. If you measure a different speed, adjust the belt speed as shown below.

  3. Find the flow control that is located under the separation conveyor belt hydraulic valve on the hydraulic manifold.

  4. Loosen the setscrews on the flow control that are keeping the adjuster knobs from moving.

  5. Adjust the flow control until you get the proper speed on the tachometer.  It is easier if you have a helper during this step so you don’t have to move back and forth.  Turning the flow control clockwise decreases the speed and counterclockwise increases the speed.  There are adjustments on both sides of the flow control.  One side is for forward and the other side is for reverse.

  6. When you get the proper speed change the direction of the belts and adjust the other side of the flow control until you get the proper speed.

  7. Tighten up the setscrews on both adjuster knobs on the flow control to keep them from moving.

  8. The separation conveyor belt speed is now properly set.

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