industrial vibrator design

Zach Church

How To Choose Quality And Effective DC Vibrators For Your Salt Spreader

By Zach Church

As winter approaches, taking time to ensure that salt spreader you have on your truck is optimized to its fullest potential is essential to making quick work of the snow and ice heading your way. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or perhaps a first-time user, choosing the correct DC truck vibrator can make a huge difference in the performance of your equipment. 

Here are five important things to keep in mind: 

  1. KNOW YOUR HOPPER SIZE 

Begin by checking the size of your spreader hopper. Cleveland Vibrator’s line of DC truck vibrators come in several sizes so it’s important to select the one that best fits your needs. The MG-80 and its 80 pounds of vibratory force is a perfect choice for smaller tailgate spreaders. However, if you have a larger, slide-in V-Box spreader, you would be wise to opt for a heavy-duty solution like the MG-200 which boasts 200 pounds of force. In some V-Box applications when even more vibratory force is needed, one option is to mount two vibrators – one on each side of the spreader. 

PRO TIP: Product stickers and powder coating don’t mix well with harsh winter conditions so keep a written copy of the make/model of your spreader as well as the make/model of your truck vibrator handy so you can access that information easily in case you need to reference it later. 

  1. INSTALLATION MATTERS 

Proper installation is key to ensuring that your vibrator continues to function optimally. It’s always a good idea to keep the following things in mind when purchasing and installing a truck vibrator:  

  1. Use a steel backing plate to mount your vibrator. Not only will it extend the life of your spreader, but your actual vibrator will also last much longer.  
  1. When uninstalling an older vibrator from your hopper, be sure to inspect the area around the bolt holes to make sure the plastic isn’t cracked.   
  1. Although you want to make sure your mounting bolts are tight, be careful not to overtighten (See No. 2 above). A snug fit will help prevent wear and tear on your hopper. 

Installation is a good time to check anything/everything that might be happening behind the scenes on your hopper. When left unchecked, those little things can turn into big problems down the road. For more helpful installation steps and tips, click here for our handy vibrator instruction manual.  

  1. MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR LONGEVITY 

Extend the life of your vibrator by following these maintenance best practices: 

  • Avoid carrying the vibrator by the cable. 
  • Leave slack in the cable during mounting. 
  • Be cautious when pressure washing the hopper, avoiding direct water pressure on the vibrator. 
  • Handle the spreader with care, considering the presence of the vibrator during unloading. 
  • Tighten bolts securely to ensure the vibrator can perform its job effectively. 
  • Check the duty cycle in the vibrator’s manual to prevent prolonged operation. 
  • Make sure the vibrator has proper ventilation. Overheating a vibrator can cause internal motor component failure. 
  1. REACH OUT FOR ASSISTANCE 

When it’s time to replace your DC truck vibrator, it’s easy (and tempting) to simply copy and paste your previous order. But making sure you have the right equipment is critical and it never hurts to get a second opinion. If you find yourself in doubt about your selection – or if you have general questions about your unique needs, don’t hesitate to contact a member of our sales team. They’re available from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and can be reached by phone, email, or via a handy chat feature on our website. Simply provide your spreader model number and someone from our team will guide you toward the ideal solution for your needs. 

  1. WINTER DOESN’T LAST FOREVER 

Even though it’s hard to believe sometimes, winter won’t last forever and the good news is that Cleveland Vibrator’s line of DC truck vibrators aren’t exclusive to winter applications. If your company also handles any type of landscape work in warmer months, that same hopper is often used with grass seed, fertilizer, and other materials. And the same type of moisture issues that can wreak havoc on your ability to smoothly spread salt or ice melt can also severely limit your ability to smoothly spread those items.  

Beyond those areas, our expansive line of vibratory motors and equipment are utilized in mining, recycling, concrete and aggregates, food and pharmaceuticals, plastics, powders, foundry operations, and many others. You can explore their versatility and see photographs of them being used in real-life applications in the extensive application gallery found on our website.  The benefits of using vibration in manufacturing operations is endless – and well documented.  

In conclusion, selecting the right DC truck vibrator for your salt spreader is a straightforward yet essential task. By considering hopper size, following proper installation procedures, and adhering to good maintenance practices, you’ll ensure your equipment performs at its best when you need it the most. Choose wisely, operate carefully, and tackle the season with confidence. 

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, we’re always just a message or phone call away. 


Share this blog post:
FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail
Mike Stratis

MG Electric Truck & Trailer Vibrator: How To Quickly & Safely Unload Material

By Mike Stratis

If you are in the truck and trailer industry servicing dry bulk materials, you know how much of a headache unloading materials like grain products, DDG, aggregates, and road salt can be when it sticks to the inside of your end dump or hopper bottom trailer. So, to ease the stress of these material flow problems, The Cleveland Vibrator Company introduced our 12 VDC electric-powered vibrators, the MG Truck and Trailer Vibrators, which are designed to handle tough material flow challenges and eliminate sticking material for any load size.

DC Vibrator, MG Vibrator, Truck and Trailer, Truck and Trailer Vibrator, Trailer Vibrator, Electric Vibrator, electric vibrating motor
Read More…
Share this blog post:
FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail
Derek Stake

The Engineering Perspective: How to Stop Fatigue Failure During Vibrator Installation

By Derek Stake

After reading some of our very informative blogs about vibration applications on hoppers, you probably learned that vibrators don’t damage equipment, wrong installations do. Those blogs described how critical it is to size the vibrator for your hopper applications and the importance of using a stitch weld to adhere the vibrator mount to the hopper wall. Now, I would like to provide some engineering support discussing why stitch welding is essential and further insight into how vibration works to improve material flow inside a hopper.

Read More…
Share this blog post:
FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail
Steve Chinn

Top 5 Reasons OEMs Should Switch to Uras Techno Vibratory Motors

By Steve Chinn

In 1978, we were approached by a company specializing in rotary electric motors: Uras Techno. Sharing our goal of providing vibratory units built to the highest quality standard with options to fit each customer’s unique application – we found our perfect match! Since then, we have been the exclusive USA stocking distributor of their rotary electric motors. Together, we have helped many now-happy customers make the switch from competing brands.

Stainless Steel, Vibratory Motor, Vibrating Motor, Food Grade, Rotary Electrics
Uras Techno Stainless Steel
Rotary Electric Motor

For example, a few months ago, an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) in the food industry was looking for an alternative vibrator for their feeder, which is used to transfer frozen fruit in their production process. The competing brand’s units had gaps in the design that were easily contaminated. This led to frequent downtime to clean the vibrators to avoid sanitary issues. Choosing to make the switch, they now experience less downtime thanks to their easy-to-clean Uras Techno stainless steel food-grade motors.

So, why should you take the leap and switch to Uras Techno?

Read More…
Share this blog post:
FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail
Katy Sabo

Which Industrial Vibrator Works Best for Cold Temperature Applications?

By Katy Sabo

Previously, I wrote a blog about industrial vibrator options for hot temperature applications like transfer chutes in forging facilities or installations on cope & drags in a foundry. But what about those applications on the other end of the temperature spectrum?  

Let’s talk about those cold environment applications like outdoor installs on a silo, chute, or load-out spout in geographic locations that face frigid temps, hopper bottom trailers delivering goods when there’s snow on the ground, or within facilities that do not have climate control.  

When frigid temps are a factor, we lean towards supplying an electric vibrator option for material flow issues. Electric industrial vibrators do not require compressed airlines to operate, which is the biggest drawback when using pneumatic vibrators for these application environments. 

Between RE Rotary Electric Vibrators, CM Electromagnetic Vibrators, and DC Vibrators, plenty of voltage options, force outputs, and frequencies are available.  

Read More…
Share this blog post:
FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail
Jack Steinbuch

How to Choose the Best Isolator for Your Vibratory Equipment

By Jack Steinbuch

Here at The Cleveland Vibrator Company, we’ve committed ourselves to providing the best solution to your material flow problems for over 95 years. We like to say, sometimes “off-the-shelf” is just plain “off,” which is why our goal is to build a tailor-made solution to fit perfectly into your operation and application. Whether you need specific dimensions to fit a vibratory table into your existing process, require vibratory screen deblinding technologies, or have particular isolators you would like on your vibratory feeder; we offer design flexibility for our fabricated equipment to fit your application.

Read More…
Share this blog post:
FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail
Katy Sabo

Which Industrial Vibrator Works Best for Your Extreme Temp Conditions?

By Katy Sabo

Casting facilities pour molten metals into molds that require vibration to enable material flow and release air from the molten metal during the cooling process. Hot Forging Facilities feed metal ranging from 800 degrees Fahrenheit to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the material they’re producing which may require vibration for their transfer chutes. These are just a few examples of material flow locations that vibration can be used within these facilities.

What is the one thing these applications have in common? Heat.

Read More…
Share this blog post:
FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail
Steve Chinn

Frequently Asked Questions About Rotary Electric Vibration

By Steve Chinn

In 1923, The Cleveland Vibrator Company began its journey in the exciting world of industrial vibration, specifically the use of pneumatic powered options for foundry applications. As we ventured into other industries, we noticed a new trend: the demand for electric-powered motors.

Soon after, we decided it was time to explore this exciting new opportunity and set out to find a partner specializing in electric-powered vibration. We eventually partnered with an outside company to supply this demand from our customer base. As with any new venture, we experienced a few hiccups along the way; lead times were too long, insufficient force options available, and the lack of “Cleveland Vibrator Quality” our customers came to expect.

Read More…
Share this blog post:
FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail
Jack Steinbuch

Reduce the Noise Level on Your Vibratory Equipment

By Jack Steinbuch

OSHA specifies that a hearing conservation program should be in place when “noise exposure is at or above 85 decibels averaged over 8 working hours, or an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)”. This can be an issue for some vibratory equipment. However, we have selections available that will reduce noise levels which can result in many positives for your facility (OSHA).

For example, did you know investing in noise-reducing vibration can lead to an increase in productivity and overall safety? High noise levels can lead to short- and long-term physical damage including ringing ears, temporary changes in hearing, and long-term hearing damage or loss. But, less commonly known, it can also put a strain on your pocket by reducing productivity, contributing to poor communication and concentration, and can even contribute to workplace accidents by limiting your employee’s ability to understand speech (OSHA).

Since there is a wide variety of vibratory equipment, for this blog, we will focus on “brute force” vibratory equipment.  The vibrating body is directly installed on the equipment and is driven by a vibrator or dual motors, and the supporting structure is isolated from the vibrating body. Now let us look at potential ways to reduce their noise level:

Read More…
Share this blog post:
FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail
Avatar

Automate the Hammer Swing by Following These 5 Steps

By Cleveland Vibrator Team

Our team is frequently asked about the proper installation of our Single Impact Air Knocker units. Since these units require two strokes of air for proper operation, the required components and installation process are slightly different than a more traditional pneumatic piston vibrator. Here, we will answer frequently asked questions and walk through the step-by-step installation process.

Step One

After properly sizing and selecting the units (which can easily be completed by utilizing our Vibrator Selection Guide!), it is time to install. First order of business, what are the components required for proper operation? There are a few items needed:

  1. The Single Impact Air Knocker (Complete with the Exhaust Port Protector and Grade 5 mounting hardware, provided with each unit)
  2. The Mounting Channel
  3. Hoses
  4. Valve
  5. Filter/Regulator/Lubricator
  6. Safety Cable
  7. Timer Box (Optional)

Read More…
Share this blog post:

FacebooktwitterlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterlinkedinmail
1 2 3 4  Scroll to top