Issue 38 | March 2011

METSOS NEWSLETTER FOR CONSTRUCTION CUSTOMERS

Cone crushers

Eccentric bushing burnout

Unscheduled stoppages In a crushing plant, failures may occur requiring a crusher to be shut down for unscheduled maintenance. Even when such interventions are performed, it is necessary that certain precautions be taken to avoid repeated occurrence. One possible failure is the burnout of the eccentric bushing. Generally, three conditions will indicate that there has been a bushing burnout: Total lockup of the crusher Overheating of lubricating oil Bronze filings in the screen of the hydraulic unit A few factors that can cause eccentric bushing burnout are: Use of improper lubricating oil Trouble in the lubricating system (oil pump) Utilization of improper liner profile or pirate lining Equipment setting adjusted too closed Off-center or segregated feed Excess fines in feed material Incorrect rotation What should be done when this occurs? First, it is necessary to identify the cause of the failure for its immediate correction. Then we must remove the damaged bushing so that a new one can be installed. A few precautions should be taken: When the bushing becomes seized (stuck) to the main shaft of the equipment (see picture below), it must be cut for removal.

Caution: take care not to cause scoring (etching) to the main shaft when you are cutting the bushing.

What is the next step? Next, it is necessary to clean and polish the main shaft and the inner diameter of the eccentric. Following clean-up, it is necessary to measure the main shaft and the internal diameter of the eccentric at a minimum of 4 heights and two positions separated by 90 degrees from each other, as seen in the following example (right top corner of this page).

After taking these measurements, they must be submitted to Metso technical assistance to assess whether they are within tolerance limits. If so, the new bushing may be installed. If not, Metso will advise on the type of repair that is possible or whether one of the two components must be replaced. Installation will be performed according to the instructions in the equipment manual. Prior to resuming normal equipment operation, it will be necessary to break in the bushing as establish below: Run the crusher free of any load for 1 hour Run the crusher for 2 hours with a full chamber, but with the equipment open far enough to reach 50% of the motors nominal power rating (or 60% of its nominal amperage) Close the crusher until 75% of the crushers nominal power rating is reached (or 80% of its nominal amperage) and run for another 4 hours Close the crusher until 100% of the nominal amperage is reached and run for 1 hour Between these 4 steps, always inspect equipment to ensure that operating conditions are normal and that the adjustment ring is not knocking during crusher operation. Tip: All crusher bushings should be inspected at the time of liner replacement. This precaution can help to avoid unexpected stoppages of your equipment.

AUTHOR Felipe Ribeiro | PROOFREADER Carlos Padin PUBLISHED BY METSO BRASIL IND. E COM. LTDA Questions must be sent to the e-mail below. Your question can be the subject in later issues. E-MAIL marketing.br@metso.com | WEBSITE www.metso.com

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