Stacking Hoppers; Inspections & Maintenance - Vestil H Series Instruction Manual

STACKING HOPPERS

H-series hoppers are designed to stack
on top of each other. Notches in the base
and rim grooves in specially designed cast
feet of one hopper engage the rim of the
hopper supporting it as shown in the
diagram to the right.
Hoppers of identical width can be
stacked together, i.e. H-25 and H-50 series
hoppers stack together. H-100 and H-150
series hoppers also stack together. Always
unload hoppers before stacking them and
NEVER create stacks of more than 3
hoppers. The bottom hopper must not be
equipped with casters.
DO NOT move stacked hoppers! Only move hoppers one at-a-time by properly mounting each
hopper to your forklift as described in Step 1 on p. 8. All hoppers must be empty as long as they are stacked.
INSPECTIONS & MAINTENANCE
Before using this hopper for the first time, create a written record describing its appearance and features. Include
descriptions of the chute, feet, base, safety chain and quick link, pivot points and pivot point hardware, and the chute
release mechanism. Release the chute. Describe how the unit looks and sounds as the chute rotates. Also describe the
force necessary to release the chute using the manual release lever (see p. 8) as well as the cable and handle. Secure
the chute to the base and describe how the latch mechanism works. Take photos of the unit and add the photos to the
record. This record establishes normal condition. During future inspections, compare your findings to the record to
determine if the unit is in normal condition. If issuers are discovered during an inspection, remove the hopper from
service. Restore the hopper to normal condition BEFORE using it again. DO NOT continue to use a structurally damaged
hopper. Examples of structural damage include cracked welds, warping or deformation of one or both of the fork pockets,
chute, pivot points, or frame members.
Inspections:
Inspect the following components at least once per month and replace any component that is excessively worn or no
longer operates normally:
1.) Pivot points: look for excessive wear, warping, or other significant damage to pivot pins, cotter pins, and pin
receivers.
2.) Hopper chute and base frame: examine the structure for damage, deformations, corroded, or excessively rusted
regions
3.) Hardware (bolts, nuts, pins, cotter pins, retaining rings): inspect hardware for looseness and severe wear. Tighten
loose connections and replace all damaged hardware.
4.) Casters (if hopper is equipped with caster kit): check for looseness, excessive wear, or damage to the casters,
caster bearings, mounting brackets, and hardware.
5.) Release mechanism: the torsion spring should cause the latch lever to automatically recoil and the lever should
firmly engage the release lock bar. Check the release cable for fraying, thinning, and bird-caging regions.
6.) Moving parts: listen for unusual noises and watch for irregular movement. Remove dirt and debris from areas that
could affect the hopper's dumping motion.
7.) Safety chain: examine the safety chain, its point of attachment to the base frame, and the quick links for damage.
8.) Labels: all labels must be firmly affixed in the locations shown in the "Labeling Diagram" on p. 10.
Maintenance:
Implement a maintenance program to ensure that the product functions properly and is adequately maintained. The
following steps should be applied to complement established maintenance programs.
Step 1: Tag the hopper, "Out of Service."
Step 2: Inspect the unit as described above. If deformity, corrosion, rusting, or excessive wear of structural members
is found, DO NOT continue to use the product.
Step 3: Perform all necessary adjustments, replacements, and repairs.
Step 4: Make a dated record of all repairs made to the hopper.
Copyright 2018 Vestil Manufacturing Corp.
Rev. 7/20/2018
Rim
groove
Notch
H-hoppers MANUAL
Cast
foot
Page 9 of 11