Crawler-Mounted Feeder Breakers Support

Crawler-Mounted Feeder-Breaker Maintenance

How are the breaker roll picks replaced?

The roll picks will need to be replaced as they become worn. These picks are held in place with snap-rings and can be easily replaced by removing the snap ring and removing the worn pick. A new pick can then be inserted and the snap ring replaced.

How do you check chain tensioning/adjust?

On a McLanahan Crawler Mounted Feeder-Breaker, the conveyor chain will operate most efficiently with a slight amount of slack present on the return side. One location where the tension can be checked is at the discharge end of the machine, where the chain returns off of the head shaft. The returning chain should not be pulled tight or hanging loose. Rather, it should be slightly slack with constant tension.

The tensioning of the chain is accomplished by pumping grease into a take-up cylinder at the feed end tail shaft of the machine. Once the grease has been injected into the cylinder, the chain is held in place by means of steel shims.

How is the crawler chain tension adjusted?

To tighten the crawler chain:

  1. Turn the circuit breaker handle on the front of the starter panel to the off position, and lock out all electrical controls to the machine.
  2. Lift the machine until the crawlers are several inches above the ground, and block the machine up in this position.
  3. Close the valve on the grease cylinder to atmosphere, and pump grease into the take-up cylinder until the chain is at the desired tension.
  4. Insert the required shims to lock the cylinder in place.
  5. Open the vent to atmosphere to relieve the pressure from the grease take-up cylinder.
  6. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 for the crawler on the opposite side of the machine.

To loosen the crawler chain:

  1. Switch off the power to the machine, and lock the switch in the off position. 
  2. Lift the machine until the crawlers are several inches above the ground, and block the machine up in this position.
  3. Close the valve on the grease cylinder to atmosphere, and pump a small amount of grease into the take-up cylinder to relieve the pressure from the steel shims.
  4. Remove the required shims until the chain is at the desired tension.
  5. Open the vent to atmosphere to relieve the pressure from the grease take-up cylinder.
  6. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 for the crawler on the opposite side of the machine.

Note: Over tensioning of the crawler chain can cause premature wear. Under tensioning of the crawler chain can cause slipping or binding. 

How do you adjust for product size?

The McLanahan Crawler Mounted Feeder-Breaker is designed so that the product size produced by the machine is adjustable. The product size is determined by the clearance between the crushing deck and the breaker bits on the pick roll. This clearance can be adjusted in 2" increments with a minimum clearance of 2-1/4" and a maximum clearance of 8-1/4".

Verify that the electrical controls to the machine are locked out before making any adjustments.

To adjust the product size, use a hydraulic jack to raise the roll assembly slightly to release the weight from the frame bolts. Then, remove the bolts and make the required adjustment. Once the pick roll is at the desired height, re-install the bolts and manually rotate the roll one complete revolution to insure that there are no restrictions and that the roll turns freely. After verifying that the roll is free to rotate, apply power to the machine and jog the motor as an additional check for proper adjustment and clearance.

Operational Best Practices

What feeding configurations are available?

Many designs are available to accommodate end, side or three way dumping.

Can the Crawler-Mounted Feeder-Breaker be started under load?

Under normal operating conditions, the Crawler Mounted Feeder-Breaker should be started with the hopper empty. Once the machine is operating at full speed, the feed material may be introduced. For this reason, the machine should be run until the hopper is empty (or as empty as possible) prior to being shut down.

What is the minimum product size achievable with a Crawler-Mounted Feeder-Breaker?

Typically 6" in one dimension.

Recommended Spare Parts

McLanahan Corporation recommends that you keep certain Crawler-Mounted Feeder Breaker replacement parts at your facility. These parts will be available in the event of a breakdown and will also be available to perform any repairs that must be made as a result of regularly scheduled maintenance checks.

Part Name

Quantity

Bearing Housing2
Bit Holder35
Breaker Shaft Assembly1
Cutter Bit with Snap Rings35

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Crawler-Mounted Feeder-Breakers