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Vibration Troubleshooting (TBB)

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When the sifter is producing excessive vibrations, first identify whether it is due to an imbalance or a mechanical
problem; this can normally be done by simply grabbing hold of the frame. If the frame has a shock or mechanical
jolt with each revolution, it is probably not out of balance. If the frame feels solid but has a swaying or pulling feel,
then it is out of balance.

A list of probable causes of excessive machine vibration, in the sequence generally found to be the cause,
follows:

· Faulty Bearings in Tie-Bar. If there is significant movement or play in the bearing, or if you can tell the
bearing itself is loose, the bearing should be replaced.

· Improperly Adjusted or Installed Tie-Bar. Follow the instructions for the type of tie-bar installed on your
machine. Throw blocks should always be installed flush with the bottom of the shaft. Once the tie-bar is
installed and tightened, the machine should be revolved by hand. The movement should be uniform with no
tight spots or binding feeling. See the Removing, Installing, Adjusting and Maintaining the Tie-Bar section
of this manual.

· Accumulation of Material in the Sifter. The increased weight of product accumulated in the sifter will cause
the sifter to be out of balance. This is checked and corrected by opening the sifter and removing the sieves.
Clean out and re-install the sieves.

· Loose or Broken Weight Bucket Keys. A full-sized key is used to hold the weight bucket in the proper
position on the drive shaft. Occasionally the key can wear the bucket knuckle, causing the bucket to shift
slightly and cause the machine to vibrate. This is checked and corrected by loosening the weight bucket,
prying it up, and observing the key; if the key is worn or broken, replace the key and securely tighten the
bucket. If the knuckle is worn, the bucket should be replaced.

· Improper Leveling or Loose Mounting. The machine should be level on the floor or mounting platform.
On installation, shims should be placed under legs. The anchor bolts should not be used to pull the legs
down to the floor. Check for an out of level condition. Movement can also occur if the bolts holding the sifter
to the floor or ceiling are loose or if the mounting pads have broken.

· Mounting Platform Too Weak. Occasionally, platforms are designed and built which are not rigid enough to
support the sifter or adequately absorb small vibrations that may occur. This is apparent when a machine
runs smoothly without a load but causes the platform to shake when loaded. Consult a structural engineer
regarding reinforcement of the platform or consult with Great Western about adding bracing to the machine.
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Vibration Troubleshooting (TBB)
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· Bad Pillow-Block Bearings. The machine uses eight (8) pillow-block bearings. Normally, even if the four
attached to the sifter frame go bad, little can be detected from the machine’s operation. However, if any of
the four bearings attached to the upper and lower dome drive frames wear, to where they have significant
play, the machine will shake excessively. Remove these bearings and replace them if excessive play or wear
is detected.

· Broken Drive Component. If the upper or lower dome drive frames or any of the four bearing frame support
arms have broken, a mechanical punch or vibration will result when operating the machine. Due to the
precision to which these machines are manufactured, it is not possible to weld the broken components; they
must be replaced. Also verify that the knuckle has not broken loose from the weight bucket. If it has, the
entire bucket assembly should be replaced.

· Out of Balance. Verify that the lead weights and wooden spacers are in the bucket in the number and
sequence shown by checking the weight chart on the weight buckets. Generally, if the housing, sieves, and
weights in the weight bucket have not changed, then the originally balanced sifter will remain in balance.