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BARK BLOWER ADJUSTMENTS (CONTINUED)
C. REGULARLY TRIPPING THE BLOWER RELIEF
The blower on your machine has a relief valve in the air line to protect the blower against
a large back pressure that could build if the line becomes plugged. The relief valve, set for
12 psi (83 kPa), is located directly behind the blower in the engine area on the driver's side of
the machine. A blockage, temporary or otherwise, can trip the relief valve, which causes a loud
whining noise to be heard from the engine area. Occasional blowing off through the relief valve is
expected, as long as the machine can clear itself. However, if the relief valve goes off repeatedly
in a 10-second time span, then the discharge area or hose is in danger of becoming completely
blocked. The floor speed should be immediately reduced until the relief valve is not heard
consistently going off. Partial plugging most often occurs with less-processed material or if the
mulch is wet and dense.
D. MATERIAL METERING GATE
The metering gate is a manually-operated gate located inside the rear of the hopper. It is a
vertical panel that can be moved up and down, as well as in and out, from the feed roll. When
changing the metering gate location, it is important to understand the three main material groups.
The closer the material is to Dry, Aged Material, the closer the gate should be to the feed roll, and
the farther it should be from the floor. The metering gate should be moved away from the feed roll
and closer to the floor, the closer the material is to Wet or Heavy Material, leaving Green Material
somewhere in-between the two. The better the material is, the less interaction the metering gate
should have; the heavier, wetter, and harder the material is, the more interaction the metering
gate needs.
CLEARING A BLOCKAGE
If the unit does become plugged and the machine can not clear itself, immediately shut down
the engine, either by pressing the emergency stop on either the Radio Remote Transmitter or
the Main Control Panel, pressing the engine stop (ENG STOP) button on the keypad or with the
ignition key on the main control panel. After engine is shut down and all moving components
have stopped, perform the following steps for clearing a blockage.
1. Disconnect the discharge hose and determine if the blockage is in the airlock discharge.
Any blockage should be seen through the outlet. If there is no blockage, then the hose is
plugged somewhere.
2. If there is blockage, loosen the clamps on the front and the rear of the discharge outlet.
3. Remove the discharge.
4. Remove any blockage and clean the discharge of any mulch debris, especially on the
gasket surface, so that it can seal tightly.
5. Install the discharge outlet and clamp into place.
6. Reconnect the discharge hose if it is not plugged.
7. Restart the machine with the floor off, then run the engine to full RPM to clear out the
airlock and any mulch lying in the hose.
8. Resume normal operation.
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