21
REAR METERING GATE
The rear metering gate is designed to regulate the flow of
material out of the hopper. Two types of the metering gate are
available: hand crank, or manual opening.
NOTE: Stainless steel inserts may be purchased and
installed to limit the width of the gate opening on
412, 414, 420, and 440 models. Narrowing the gate
opening gives a little better control over spread
distribution with difficult material such as wet, sticky
sand.
The rear metering gate may be left open a limited amount
if the material you are hauling across your facility does not
flow (leak) out when the conveyor is not running. Dry sand
and fertilizers are especially bad for leaking out and we
recommend the metering gate be fully closed when transporting
these materials.
There is a scale beside the gate to show you how far the
gate is open (general reference only). The gate opening height
for each operation will need to be determined. For example, a
light topdressing may require the gate to be open 1/8 in. (3
mm); whereas, for a heavy topdressing and core filling, the
gate may have to be open 4-5 inches (10-12 cm). The operating
speed also affects the amount of material you are dispensing.
If accurate calibration of material delivery rates is required,
the actual gate opening should be determined using the following
steps:
1. Make sure the conveyor belt is properly tensioned. Refer
to belt adjustment in the Maintenance section.
2. Press down firmly on the gate so it depresses the belt as
far as it will go; then lock in place with the hand screws.
It requires about 40 to 50 pounds of force to set the
metering gate in the fully closed position. This must be
done since the belt drops slightly below the gate opening
when material is in the hopper. Make sure the gate appears
level.
3. Using a ball point pen, draw a line on the back wall of
the hopper across the top of the metering gate. This is
your “zero” gate opening reference line.
4. On both the right and left ends of the reference line, draw
a scale (fractional inches or millimeters) going up from
the line for an exact gate opening reference.
NOTE: When the metering gate is set to its “zero”
position, material will still flow out the Turf Tender
conveyor when the conveyor is in operation. The
belt cups will actually allow about an 1/8 inch layer
of material to come out the metering gate.
As you test the metering gate for material flow, you should
also check for material leakage under the side wipers of the
hopper.
Manual Rear Metering Gate
The metering gate is secured by the two turn-screws, one
on each side. To adjust gate height, loosen the two turn-screws,
adjust to the proper height (either by hand or by using the
hand crank), and tighten the turn-screws to secure the
adjustment.
Depending upon the material being applied, the gate may
be left open 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) even when transporting
materials. Sand and other large aggregate type materials will
not flow out at these openings under normal conditions. Finer
materials such as grass seed may tend to flow out even when
the gate is open a small amount.
FRONT GATE
The electric front gate function adds both safety and
convenience to the operation of the machine. The tractor
operator can open and close the gate from the seat of the
tractor so no one needs to get close to the machine when it is
working. That also means that only one operator is required.
The electric front gate is easy to operate. One switch moves
the gate either up or down. Push the switch away from the
tractor operator and hold to open the gate. Pull the switch
toward the operator and hold to close the gate. Releasing the
switch will stop the gate at whatever position it is in.
The purpose of the front gate is control material flow out
the front of the Turf Tender. Material may be unloaded directly
in front of the machine or to the side using the side conveyor
in the operating position.
Depending on the material being hauled, the front gate may
be left open a small amount. Because of the relative position
of the gate opening to the end of the main conveyor, many
materials will not leak out if the gate is left open 1-2 inches. If
you plan to leave the gate open, monitor it while you are filling
the hopper to see if you will have a problem.
Always close the gate to the position you need before filling
hopper. Trying to force the gate closed when the hopper is full
may damage the gate or the front of the hopper.
Keep the gate clean and keep the track free of debris. This
limits excessive wear and potential damage from the gate
jamming on the debris.
OPERATION
