7. maintenance
Your oliver gravity separator is designed to give years of trouble-free service. However ,as with all machinery , periodic maintenance is required to keep it in top condition. The following is a list of some areas that can be problems, if not periodically checked :
DECK
THE DECK OF YOUR oliver is the portion of the machine that actually contacts and makes a separation. To maintain optimum separation, the deck should be checked frequently and cleaned Or repaired as needed. Even in very clean atmospheres, dust and dirt will build up on the underside of the deck. This causes a restriction of air flow through the deck and will eventually plug the deck completely. See figure 20A.
When the deck becomes plugged, it is necessary to remove the deck from the machine and clean it. Thoroughly clean the entire deck. A deck that is only partially cleaned will become plugged sooner . To check if a deck is clean , place a light on a drop cord under it. If the deck is clean, you should be able to see light through every opening of the deck cover. Dirty areas will show up as dark spots and should be cleaned more thoroughly. Decks can also be cleaned with the machine running. The advantage of this is that it is not necessary to remove or handle the deck . disadvantages are that the deck is not cleaned as thoroughly as when removed, and they must be cleaned more frequently.
Many customers clean the deck by blowing straight down on the deck with the machine running. Blowing straight down loosens the fine dust collects on the bottom of the deck surface.
With the fans running, the dust is pushed through the deck by the operational air, and does not settle inside the machine For this purpose we suggest a blow gun with an extended nozzle at least 48” in length. Air from the extended nozzle should be blown downward. With an extended nozzle you can clean the entire deck surface without leaning on the deck. We caution that you retain the OSHA blowing tip, and install it on the modified cleaning wand. Cleaning wands are available from the factory for a reasonable fee.
Because decks are in direct contact with the material being separated,they are subjected to abrasive wear.inspect your deck frequently for wear.
As a deck wears out, the surface becomes smoother and it becomes more and difficult to move the heavier product out from under the lighter layers.
Normally, when the wires of the deck overcover are worn halfway through, it is time to repair the deck. If the deck cover is worn completelybthrough, there is danger of ruining the undercover, which develops the air pattern. See figure 20 B.
All oliver decks with wire overcovers are built with a perforated metal undercover, which develops undercover is not demaged, it is not necessary to replace it. When rebuilding a deck, always inspect the deck thoroughly. Look at the underside of the deck and inspect each rib for cracks, dents, bends or other problems. Lf the ribs are damaged, it will be necessary to tear down the deck completely to replace them. The deck frame is made of high quality aluminum. Any repairs must be made by someone experienced in working with aluminum. Any repairs must be made by someone experienced in working with aluminum. Factory repair is available at a reasonable.
When installing an overcover or undercover, it is best to place the deck on to sawhorses with a light underneath. By looking through the screen toward the light, you will easily be able to locate the ribs for fastening purposes. Always stretch the screen tightly. Tightly screens give betters separation results than loose ones.
Finally, inspect the deck trim, aprons, rails, and riffles ; and replace what is needed. The horizontal metal pieces running across the top surface of the deck are called riffles. Riffles assist heavy particles in working uphill by trapping them behind the riffle and allowing light materials to flow over. Riffles are riveted to the top of wire overcover. The rivets should extend down into the deck ribs. Lf your deck is supplied with riffles, a riffle should be attached over each of the aluminum ribs exactly like pattern supplied on the new machine.
Drives
There are three sets of belts and sheaves in your Oliver Gravity. They are : the main drive belts or fanbelts, the vari-speed belt from the vari-speed motor to the eccentric shaft, and the blender belt from the blender motor to the blender drive. New machines should be checked very frequently for the first few week because new because new belts tend to stretch as they are broken in. to check belt tension, turn off the machine and lock out the power supply. Then apply pressure to the top of the belt midway between the two sheaves. The belt should deflect approximately ½ inch. The var-speed belt drives the eccentric shaft. Proper tension is maintained on the vari-speed belt by the spring action in the vari-speed unit. There is no manual adjustment. Lf the va