Unloading - Meridian SMOOTHWALL BIN Owner's Manual

Owner's Manual: Smoothwall Bin
The standard hopper bin is designed with two
feet of clearance at the bottom of the cone to
provide room for unloading equipment. Use
auxiliary unloading equipment as appropriate
for your storage system.
A general list of guidelines to be followed include
but are not limited to:
• Open the Top Lid while unloading to prevent
vacuum damage to the bin.
• To unload product from the bin, use the
crank to open the slide gate assembly on the
unloading chute. The emptying rate of the
bin is determined by how far the slide gate is
opened.
Optional permanent auger mounts and auger
boots to enclose the unloading chute can be
ordered to complement the functioning of your
storage bin.
The slide gate assembly is optional on Meridian
Manufacturing Inc.'s feed bin line.
• Do not, under any circumstances, use the
optional bottom manway as an unloading port.
If it is used, the product will empty unevenly,
creating a situation that could cause damage
to the bin.
• Do not crawl under an opened unloading chute
to inspect for a suspected blockage. Caked or
impacted product could suddenly break loose
and cause facial, body and/or eye injury.
• Do not attempt to enter the bin through the
loading hatch at the peak. This opening is
designed for loading the bin only and not for
human entry.
03.2020

4.6 UNLOADING

• When unloading fertilizers, make sure that the
product does not cake or cling to the sidewall,
or empty to one side. Bridging may also occur.
This usually occurs when hot product such as
mixed potash is loaded into the bin and then
cools, causing a moisture build-up due to
condensation.
If this happens, an uneven stress is generated
on the bin structure and could cause structural
damage.
To remove the build-up or bridging:
- Bang on the side of the bin with a rubber
mallet to break the product loose.
- Use a long pole or piece of wood through
the manhole to chip the caked product free.
• Use the bottom manway to enter the bin only
when it is empty, for cleaning purposes.
• If you enter the bin, make sure that there is
no possibility that the loading/unloading auger
could be started up.
Lock-Out Tag-Out the power sources to all
auxiliary equipment and have a responsible,
trained person close at hand to keep
unauthorized individuals away from the work
area.
• Enter the empty bin with extreme caution.
Wear protective clothing, goggles for eye
protection and a properly filtered respirator
mask for lung protection.
It is also good safety practice to connect a
safety line to yourself and a secure attachment
point outside the bin before entering the
enclosed area. Have a responsible, trained
person outside to assist in case of an
emergency.
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