RAMSEY

SAMPLING SYSTEMS

OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

14” Sweep-Feeder
1.0 GENERAL

Sweep Feeders have been designed to accurately feed materials at a predetermined rate
or variable rate, through a sweep sampler which accurately sweeps samples off the
feeder belt.

The feeder is supplied with a variable speed electric chain drive. The sweep sampler is
operated by an electric brakemotor through a helical reducer.

Sample extraction rates are changed by changing the sample interval timer setting.

2.0 INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

All Sweep Feeders up to approximately forty feet long will be shipped completely
assembled, if possible. All feeders will have been tested with the belts trained at the
factory. The Gear Box has been filled with the proper lubricant and all bearings have been
greased.

2.1 If applicable, remove shipping skids and bolt feeder in place. Care should be taken
so that there is not any misalignment or twisting of feeder during placement. This
will cause the belt to wander when it is started. There should also be at least 1/32”
clearance between the rubber belt seal and the belt. If there is any vertical load
placed on the feeder from the feeder inlet chute, resulting in possible interference,
the clearance cannot be maintained. This could cause extra load on the belt or
even stop the feeder.

2.2 Check the clearance between belt and cutter by manually releasing the brake on
the electric motor. This brake release is shown in the brake information. The cutter
will fall backwards coming to rest over the belt.

If the clearance is less than 1/8” or greater than 3/8”, the cutter clearance should
be adjusted. To adjust the clearance, move cutter brush or UHMW wiper in its
mounting slot. Set at approximately 1/8”

2.3 Check the proximity switch trip plate so the plate activates the switch just as the
back of the cutter clears the conveyor belt.

2.4 Wire the machine according to the electrical drawings. To check out the sampler
for correct rotation and adjusting, do the following:

2.4.1 Depress “Stop” pushbutton, located on the remote station, and lock it out.

2.4.2 Turn “Jog-Run” selector switch, located on the remote station, to “JOG”.

2.4.3 Turn main breaker, located on the control panel, to “ON”.

SA007 Page 1 of 4
 2.4.4 Turn “Auto Off Hand” selector switch, located on the control panel, to
“HAND”.

2.4.5 Release the “Stop” lockout on the remote station.

2.4.6 Depress “Start” pushbutton located on the remote station. Sampler will
rotate when “Start” pushbutton is depressed and stop when “Start”
pushbutton is released, when “JOG” is selected.

CAUTION: When any adjustments are being made on the sampler, the main breaker
must be turned “OFF” and the “Stop” pushbutton locked out.

3.0 MANUAL OPERATION.

3.1 Repeat steps 2.4.1 through 2.4.6, placing the cutter at the bottom of the belt.

3.2 Measure the distance between the cutter and the belt. It should be 1/8”.

3.3 With the proximity switch adjusted, select the RUN position on the remote station
and depress the start button until the proximity switch trip plate has cleared the
proximity switch. The cutter will then make one complete revolution and stop at
home parked position.

3.4 If the proximity switch is adjusted as described, the back of the cutter should be
stopped at around the 9 to 10 o’clock position, the home parked position. The
brake torque should be increased (see brake section) if the stopping distance is
greater than this.

3.5 For start-up assistance with coal on the belt, consult Thermo Ramsey,
Minneapolis, Minnesota.

4.0 START-UP:

4.1 Repeat Steps 3.1 through 3.4, placing the cutter at the bottom of the belt.

4.2 With the proximity switch adjusted, select the “RUN” position on the remote station
and depress the “START” pushbutton. The arm will make one complete
revolution.

4.3 Adjust the brake for optimum stopping.

4.4 Run the sampler with coal on the belt but with the belt stopped. Adjust the
proximity switch trip so the cutter stops over the sampler chamber when the belt is
full of coal. Use a punch to dimple the shaft at the set screws for better holding.

4.5 Run the sampler with the conveyor running with coal.

5.0 OPERATION

5.1 All covers should be in place and all access openings closed before placing the
sampler into operation.

SA007 Page 2 of 4
 5.2 The sampler is controlled by a timer and a proximity switch. When the timer times
out, the cutter will swing around, sweeping material off the belt, and the proximity
switch will stop it. There is a back-up timer built into the circuit that will open a
contact to shut down the conveyor if the cutter does not reach the proximity switch
in a pre-set time.

5.3 Automatic Operation

5.3.1 Turn “JOG-RUN” selector switch, located on the remote station, to “RUN”.

5.3.2 Release the “STOP” lock out located on the remote station.

5.3.3 Adjust interval timer (ITDM) to the time period required to extract a sample.
When interval timer (ITDM) times out, the sampler motor starter will be
energized and take a sample. The interval timer will reset and start timing
when the sampler has stopped at the limit switch LS-1.

5.3.4 Adjust the alarm timer (ITDR) for the amount of time the sampler should be
sampling. This alarm timer (ITDR) monitors the amount of time that LS-1
is closed.

5.3.5 Main breaker is turned “ON”.

5.3.6 “Auto Off Hand” selector switch is turned to “AUTO”.

5.3.7 Customer feed conveyor is running and the auxiliary contact is closed.

Two output contacts are supplied.

Sample in Auto: A permissive that the sampling control is energized

in “AUTO” and the alarm is not present.

Sampling: A permissive that the sampler should be sampling

and LS-1 is closed.

6.0 MAINTENANCE

6.1 Before starting, the gearbox should be filled with oil up to the level plug. The first
oil change should be after 800 hours of operation and every 8000 hours thereafter.
Use EP gear oil, ISO VG 220, AGMA#5EP. (See gear reducer lubrication
instructions.)

6.2 The pillow block bearings should be greased at least once every 1000 hours of
operation with Lithium Base No. 2 grease.

6.3 Inspect the sampler daily, at first, paying particular attention to the stopping
distance. Also check all fasteners and set-screws for proper tightness.

After the initial break-in period, check the sampler operation weekly. Adjust the
sweep brush and wiper as they wear. The brake may also need adjustment (once
or twice a year would be normal).

6.4 Adjust the skirt-boards as required.

SA007 Page 3 of 4
7.0 SPARE PARTS

Please refer to the Spare Parts Section in this manual.

8.0 SERIAL NUMBER:

A Thermo Ramsey nameplate is attached to this sampling machine. It bears the serial
number of the unit, which must be used as identification in any correspondence with
Thermo Ramsey.

9.0 WARRANTY

See REC-G-107A.

SA007 Page 4 of 4