Apron Feeders

The TAKRAF Apron Feeder has a heavy-duty main frame, which can be designed to be either self-contained or integrated into a plant and hopper structure. It is equipped with either welded or cast design flights or pans. The pans/flights are heavily reinforced underneath to withstand all bending loads. The flights are bolted to two strands of tractor chains. The attachment can either be in-board (inside chain) or outboard (outside chain). Attachment is by track bolts and square track nuts.

The main frame is manufactured from welded heavy steel sections, to provide a unitised sturdy construction. Impact rails are incorporated into the frame to support the carrying flight deck under abnormal impact. Return rollers are contained within the frame or attached to the pans.

The head shaft is manufactured from forged alloy steel and is equipped with standard crawler type sprockets. Each sprocket comprises a hub and interchangeable bolted sprocket segments. The sprocket segments have an odd number of teeth, for increased life.

The tail shaft is manufactured from forged alloy steel and is equipped with steel traction wheels, keyed to the shaft or attached by clamping elements. The head shaft and tail shaft rotate in anti-friction, self-aligning spherical roller bearings. Chain take-up is accomplished by means of manually operated single acting hydraulic cylinders acting on the tail shaft bearing housings.

The drive shaft supports up to two variable speed drives, which are designed either as hydraulic or electro-mechanical drives. These drives are connected with a flange coupling or shrink disk connection. The drives are provided with an integrated torque arm that is attached to a bolted adapter on the apron feeder main frame. 

Electromechanical drives incorporate a planetary gearbox with additional bevel stage. The motor is supported by an integrated flange or motor consol attached to the gearbox. Hydraulic power units for hydraulic drives are provided as separate self-containing installations.

The chain is forged and induction hardened (SALT or dry chain type) and may be joined by a split or pin master link. Adjacent flights overlap to minimize spillage. The load rollers and return rollers will be standard crawler type sealed and lubricated rollers, manufactured from hardened forged steel and incorporating bronze bearings. All rollers are flanged to provide lateral guidance to the chain and flights. Corrosion protection of fabricated items is to the standard TAKRAF system.

The apron feeder is provided with pull-wire lines and guarding along both sides. The guarding is customized to comply with the codes and standards applicable in design.

A spillage handling system can be provided underneath the apron feeder as required. Depending on the material, this system is designed as either a spillage conveyor or scraper. For various plant layouts, such as those with a discharge conveyor underneath the apron feeder, a designated spillage handling system might not be necessary.

All apron feeders are generally shipped partially assembled or in modularized sections where required to match transport envelope restrictions. The drive and guards are packed separately.

The TAKRAF Apron Feeder is designed for superior maintainability and visibility of components. This includes but is not limited to a designated pan replacement area. The plant layout allows access to both sides of the apron feeder. The main frame has openings to maintain and clean key areas.