Bucket ELEVATOR TROUBLESHOOTING Causes, Effects, Solutions

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Three Categories

• Discharge ( Down-legging – Back-legging)
• Bucket Filling ( Uneven Fill – Incomplete Fill )
• Premature Bucket Failure ( Wear – Cracking )

Discharge Back-legging

-Back-legging describes elevated material falling down the up leg.

-Causes

• Speed too fast
• Buckets worn
• Obstruction in head or throat
• Pressure vent or internal structure

Typical throw Pattern for High Speed Grain Leg

Shroud in Head

Helps control material flow and reduce discharge problems

Discharge Down-legging

Down-legging describes elevated material falling down the down leg.

-Causes

• Speed too fast/slow
• Wiper damaged or missing
• Throat position too high
• Buckets un-vented
• Obstruction in Throat
• High moisture/Sticky Material
• Air Pressure in Leg

Bucket Discharge

• The point at which material starts to exit the bucket is determined by belt speed, and commodity being conveyed.
• A high speed elevator will begin to discharge at about 30-40 degrees before top dead center
• Complete discharge should occur at approximately 100 degrees below top dead center.

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Discharge Position

• As speeds and capacities have gone up, throat position has gone down
• Most manufacturers have a minimum position of 45̊ below centerline of head shaft

Bucket Discharge

• In theory, capacity can be gained by increasing belt speed.
• Practical application can be tricky

Speed Increase Effects

• Earlier Discharge
• Higher throw trajectory
• Increased air volume
• Reduction of time window
• Increase in commodity damage

Bucket Fill Problems

-Causes

• Misguided inlet
• Buckets un-vented
• Pulley/inlet position not optimal
• Speed too fast
• Vertical spacing
• Buckets worn
• Obstruction

-Upside Feed Optimal Pulley Position

To Vent or Not to Vent

• Conveying meals or soft stock materials
• Sticky or high fat content
• Any light test weight materials
• Powders or flours
• WHEN IN DOUBT, VENT YOUR BUCKETS!

Bucket Venting

PREMATURE BUCKET FAILURE

-Causes

• Improper hardware selection
• Over-torqued hardware
• Incorrect bucket or belt size
• Misaligned belt
• Excessive digging
• Poor inspection practices

-Solutions

• Must install a locking device
• Use proper torque settings
• Ensure buckets and belting are proper widths
• Install digger buckets
• Regular inspections to replace damaged buckets

Excessive Bucket Wear

• Misguided or poor feeding
• Improper bucket Material
• Application tends to cake or build up in trunking
• Severe downlegging causing heavy digging

-Bucket with holes in belly

Urethane buckets in mash leg at Prestage Farms.

-Cracked bolt holes

Cracked Bolt Holes – Cause

BUCKET MATERIALS

• Prime Virgin Polyethylene
• Zytel Nylon
• Urethane – 55 Durometer

Polyethylene Vs Urethane

The Cost of Bucket Wear

• 10×6 poly bucket
• 10×6 poly bucket
• 1” wear on front lip =164.15 cubic inches
• 1” wear on front lip =164.15 cubic inches
• Water level new = 356.4 cubic inches
• 1” wear on front lip = 265.35 cubic inches
• ,Loss of 25.5%

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