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THE MATERIAL-FEED SYSTEM:
The material-feed system on the Bark Blower has been designed to give fast and uniform mechan-
ical feeding. The adjustable feeding rate and the automatic reverse control system allow the use
of varied materials while obtaining maximum production. The system is an integration of the fol-
lowing four subsystems, all of which contribute to efficient material flow:
SUBSYSTEM 1: MATERIAL-HANDLING GROUP
The four major components of the material-handling group are the blower, the drag conveyor or
floor, the feed roll, and the rotary air valve.
The blower is a rotary lobe, positive-displacement type unit having two double-lobe impellers. The
blower is directly driven off the engine flywheel via a flexible coupling. Therefore, whenever the
engine is running, air is being pumped. The blower is equipped with a relief valve, limiting maxi-
mum air pressure to 10 psi (69 kPa), an inlet and outlet silencer for noise attenuation, and an inlet
air filter.
The drag conveyor receives material from the hopper and conveys it to an opening located at the
rear of the hopper, where the feed roll is located. The feed roll ensures a uniform feed of bulk
material to the rotary air valve. The drag conveyor is powered by a variable-speed hydraulic
motor, which also powers the feed roll.
The rotary air valve receives the material from the drag conveyor and pressurized air from the
blower. Its primary function is to convey the material from the atmospheric air, to a sealed cham-
ber where the blower air picks it up and blows it out of the hose. To enable the Bark Blower to
convey fibrous material, the rotary air-valve housing is equipped with a cutting knife and the vanes
on the rotor are angled and hardened. If any long material should protrude above a vane, it will
be sheared off, before the vane enters the close tolerance of the housing, by a scissor-like action
between the vane and cutting knife. The rotor of the rotary air valve is directly coupled and driven
by a bi-rotational hydraulic motor.
SUBSYSTEM 2: HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
Hydraulic power for the Bark Blower is generated by a fixed-displacement tandem hydraulic pump that
is driven off the engine auxiliary drive. The pump receives AW46 hydraulic fluid from the 15-gal (57-L)
reservoir through a service valve and suction hose. It is then delivered to the solenoid control
valves. The pressure driving the two individual hydraulic circuits can be monitored on the outlets
of the pump by utilizing the gauges provided.
NOTE: Use equal to, or greater than, 5 micron absolute filtration.
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