1400 Series Granulators Chapter 3: Installation 19 of 43
3-6 Initial Start-up
This machine has been run under power and tested at the factory prior to shipment. The
necessary settings and adjustments have been made so that a minimum amount of setting up
or re-adjustment is required when starting up the machine in its new location.
With all electrical, mechanical connections and lubrication requirements having been
attended to, the following start-up steps should be carefully carried out before attempting to
place any material into the infeed hopper. Use the following procedure to prepare the
machine for initial start-up:
Before operating the granulator, ensure that the granulator has been
correctly assembled and wired.
1. Access the cutting chamber as described in Section 3-4 on page 18.
2. Thoroughly clean the rust preventative materials or grease from the inside of the
cutting chamber and screen.
3. Check all rotor knives to make sure they are properly seated on the rotor and securely
fastened. Although they are ground as a set, one knife will probably be .001” to .002”
higher than the others. This should be marked and used when adjusting the bed
knives for proper clearance.
4. Use a feeler gauge to check the clearance between the rotor and the bed knives by
turning the rotor backwards. Rotating the rotor backwards gives a better feel and does
not cut the gauge, should the knives be too close. Check the knives on each end only.
Proper clearance is 0.005” to 0.008” for most materials; 0.014” to 0.016” for solid
wall pipe with 0.187” wall thickness or greater. This clearance is slightly greater at
the center of the knives.
Recheck knife clearance after the first 24 to 36 hours of operation.
5. To make the adjustment on the bed knives, the bed knife bolts should be hand
tightened to hold the knife firmly against the knife seat while adjusting the knife
forward using push and pull screws. After the clearance is set, torque the screws
according to Section 7-1 on page 32.
6. With the exposed parts of the machine thoroughly clean, and all knife clamping bolts
securely fastened, close the cutting chamber as described in Section 3-5 on page 18.
After initial start-up, the rotor knife retaining screws should be checked after
8 hours running to be assured that 220 Ft. Lb. of torque is maintained.
Thereafter, rotor knife retaining screws should be checked weekly.
The rotor must be rotated at least two rotations every 30 days to prevent
brinnelling and corrosion of raceways.