NAVCO HCP Railcar Vibrator Railside Shaker and Overhead Shaker
Categories: Pneumatic Vibrators, Vibratory EquipmentTags: , , , , , ,

Don’t get caught unprepared again this winter!

Every year, as the weather changes, so do the unloading times of your hopper railcars. A 10–15 minute unload in October can become 45 minutes to more than an hour in January. Across a 100-car train, that adds up fast. Just 30 extra minutes per car is 50 extra hours of unloading for the entire train.

Why It Happens

Cold weather makes two properties of dry bulk materials worse: material strength and sliding friction. Together, they cause sticking, bridging (material forming an arch over the outlet) and rat-holing (material flowing only through a narrow channel above the gate while the rest stays put).

Material Strength

Material strength is a material’s ability to hold its shape after it has been packed together. As temperatures drop, moisture in the material and in the air condenses and can freeze. Individual particles bond together and behave like a single larger mass. That higher material strength means the product no longer flows as freely as it did in warmer weather.

Sliding Friction

Sliding friction is the resistance between the material and the car’s wall surface. Steel hopper walls get cold quickly, and condensation or frost can form where the product meets the wall. Material that would normally slide down the slope sticks to the wall instead, building up in corners and on slope sheets. That slows or stops flow to the outlet.

The result: more material left in the car, longer unloading times, and more work for your crew in the coldest conditions.

How to Prepare this Fall

Getting an early start is the key to keeping your railcar unloading on schedule as the weather turns cold. To make sure your NAVCO railcar vibrators and shakers are ready, we’ve put together a checklist that will help keep unloading easier this winter.

  • Inspect and clean or replace air filters.
     Clogged filters starve the vibrator of air and reduce its output.

  • Drain filter regulator bowls.
    Water left in the air system can freeze in lines and components.

  • Check your air compressor.
    Follow your compressor model’s recommended maintenance schedule.

  • Check the lubricator oil level and type.
    Top it off if it isn’t full. Verify the oil is suitable for your winter temperatures.

  • Verify air pressure settings for your NAVCO product.

  • Check air plumbing for damage and leaks.
    Leaks reduce pressure at the vibrator and make your compressor work harder.

  • Inspect the electrical wiring (if applicable).
    Look for loose hardware, damaged components and unusual wear.

  • Check grease points (if applicable).
    Grease if dry. Dried out joints or motors can prevent shakers from operating as intended.

  • Cycle the equipment to confirm it operates properly before winter conditions arrive.

Don’t forget: Check your upstream and downstream equipment as well. Conveyors, gates, and pits can slow unloading just as easily as a car that won’t empty.

Ready for Winter?

A few hours of maintenance this fall can save many hours of unloading this winter. If you have questions about your equipment, need replacement parts, or want to find out whether your current setup is right for your material, contact the NAVCO team today.

Need help selecting a product for your application?

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