Martin Sprocket & Gear Drag Conveyor Safety - Manual (Page 8)

Operation
Lubricate all bearings and drives per service instructions. Gear reducers are normally shipped without
lubricant. Refer to service instructions for lubrication.
Check conveyor to insure all tools and foreign materials have been removed.
Check conveyor to insure all covers, guards, and controls to other equipment is installed and operating
properly.
In start-up of the conveyor, operate several hours empty as a break in period. Observe for bearing heat up,
unusual noises or drive misalignment. Should any of these occur, check the following and take necessary
corrective steps.
1.) When anti-friction bearings are used, check for proper lubrication. Insufficient or excess lubricant
will cause high operating temperatures.
2.) Misalignment of troughs, loose chain and misalignment of sprockets can require excessive
maintenance and cause poor life expectancy.
3.) Check assembly and mounting bolts; tighten if necessary.
After the conveyor has been run per the above instructions, stop the conveyor. LOCK OUT/TAG OUT ALL
POWER, and check discharge to insure it is clear and material flow through the discharge will not be
impeded in any way.
Restart the conveyor and gradually begin to feed material. The feed rate should be gradually increases until
the design capacity is reached.
Do not overload conveyor. Do not exceed conveyor speed, capacity, material density, or rate of flow for
which the conveyor and drive were designed.
Cut off feed and allow the conveyor to empty. LOCK OUT/TAG OUT ALL POWER SUPPLY.
Check all bolts and all alignments. Realign as necessary, tighten all bolts and check chain adjustment.
If the conveyor is to be inoperative for a prolonged period of time, operate conveyor until cleared of all
material. This is particularly important when the material conveyed tends to harden or become more viscous,
or sticky if allowed to stand for a period of time.
It may be necessary to readjust chain tension after running material in conveyor.
Check motor amperage frequently.
It is extremely important the following precautions be followed to prevent personal or property damage:
1.) Only persons properly trained and familiar with drag conveyors be permitted to operate or
maintain the unit.
2.) LOCK OUT/TAG OUT ALL POWER prior to any inspection or maintenance, refer to ANSI Standard
ANSI Z244.1.
3.) Periodically run the conveyor empty for a few minutes to check for excessive vibration, loose
fasteners, security of covers and guards, noise, and bearing and drive temperature.
4.) ALWAYS operate the conveyor with covers, guards, safety labels in place.
5.) NEVER walk on or across conveyor covers, guards or grating.
6.) DO NOT place hands, feet or clothing in conveyor openings.
7.) DO NOT poke or prod the conveyor or material in the conveyor.
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