5. Operation
PNEG-2116
Bucket Elevator
39
Elevator Bucket Filling
Proper filing of the buckets is vital to achieving the design capacity of the elevator. Buckets should be filled
to slightly above the water level line shown in
. In section elevator intake
, discusses
some of the factors influencing elevator capacity in general and bucket filling in particular.
The following procedure can be used to give a reasonably accurate capacity indication for an elevator
leg when used without a bulkweigh system. For calibration with the use of a bulkweigh system, refer to
Figure 5C Bucket Water Line Drawing
1. Make certain that the pit, all spouts, and the legs are all empty. Be certain you know the exact empty
and gross weight of the truck, train car or whatever you are using for the test.
2. Start the elevator and make certain it is running properly and ready to receive material. Load the pit
but do not start the feed to the elevator.
3. Open the feed to the elevator and start the timer.
4. It is very important to keep the pit full in order to keep a constant feed rate to the elevator. Continue
loading the pit until the truck, train, etc. is empty. When the pit empties, stop the timer.
5. After the entire system empties, use the formula below to calculate BPH capacity.
Net material weight = (Gross weight truck) - (empty weight)
TF = 60 / (minutes to run the load)
(net material weight / (lbs. per bushel of material) x (tf) = BPH
(OR)
(net material weight) / (lbs. per cu ft of material) x (tf) = cu FPB
6. Repeat procedure if necessary to confirm results.
Ref #
Description
A
Water Level
B
Cup
C
Belt
