Tools and parts should regularly go through check and maintenance to ensure that they continue to perform well, and this includes feedplates.

Before you begin your feedplate maintenance routine, please remember to follow every possible safety precaution when inspecting inside the infeed spout. It is important to ensure the disc has come to a complete stop before attempting any maintenance.

Once it is safe to do so, you can follow these steps to inspect the feedplate:

1. Before adjusting the feedplate, you must first check that the vertical anvil and horizontal anvil are properly set to a correctly positioned infeed spout.

2. The feedplate then needs to be inspected for wear. If the end of the feedplate that contacts the vertical anvil is worn or damaged, it should not be used again – it is time to replace it with a new feedplate.

3. Next, loosely install the feedplate to the side of the infeed spout, with the end of the feedplate resting against the vertical anvil. The feedplate should fully contact the vertical anvil, and the bolts, while need to be tight enough to obtain metal to metal contact, should not be torqued.

4. Once done, install the keeper block by driving the keeper block snugly into position. Then, torque the feedplate bolts.

5. Next, enter into the chipper infeed spout with a light.

6. Inspect the distance at the end of the feedplate to the exposed corner of the vertical anvil. Do note that there should be 1/16” to 1/8” of the vertical anvil showing past the feedplate. Also check to see if this distance is parallel.

7. If the distance is greater than 1/16” to 1/8”, it means that the infeed spout needs to be loosened slightly and slid away from the vertical anvil. If so, move the infeed spout toward the vertical anvil to desired tolerance. During this process, the feedplate must be loose and should not be in contact with the vertical anvil.

8. After sliding the infeed spout, retighten the spout and reset the feedplate as per above instructions. This may take several attempts to complete.

9. If the distance at the end of the feedplate to the vertical anvil is not parallel from top to bottom, the infeed spout needs to be tilted. You can do this by adding or removing infeed spout shims normally to the top infeed spout wing and retightening.

10. After the above process, be sure to inspect the clearance of the horizontal anvil.

If you need any help with maintenance or if you are looking for new equipment and parts, contact AKE Sales Tech today. With our technical expertise and extensive experience in the industry, we are able to make solid recommendations that meet your requirements. Email us at sales@akesalestech.com.au.