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Summary of Contents for ACS Marathon Series
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Operation and Installation Manual Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators 8” x 10” • 8” x 14” • 8” x 18” 10” x 12” • 10” x 16” Cutting Chambers Important! Read Carefully Before Attempting to Install or Operate Equipment Part No. 20050-0002-00...
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- Notes - ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 3...
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ACS Group Warranty Information Thank you for your purchase of your new Marathon Series granulator. We are confident that you’ll have excellent results and trouble-free operation with this machine. When the machine arrives at your plant, inspect it carefully for shipping damage before uncrating, and report any damage immediately to your transportation company.
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Our company shall repair or replace, at our discretion, any manufactured item on your Marathon Series granulator without charge FOB factory, within two (2) years after date of original purchase, which is proved to be defective when shipped. Claims for labor or consequential damages is not allowed.
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Safety Considerations ACS Group Marathon Series beside-the-press granulators are designed to provide safe and reliable operation when installed and operated within design specifications, following national and local safety codes. To avoid possible personnel injury or equipment damage when installing, operating, or maintaining this equipment, use good judgment and follow these safe practices: ...
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For further information on granulator safety, installation, and operation, see the American National Standard for Plastics Machinery - Granulators, Pelletizers, and Dicers used for Size Reduction of Plastics - Construction, Care, and Use. ANSI B151.11 - 1982. Safety is no accident! ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 7...
If the Shipment is Not Complete If the Shipment is Not Correct Returns Uncrating Your Granulator Installation .............. 19 Placing and Installing Your Granulator Inspecting and Cleaning Granulator Components Completing the Installation of Your Granulator Electrical Considerations Page 8 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
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Lubrication Specifications and Considerations Knife Recommendations and Adjustments Removing and Replacing Screens Adjusting Bin Level Monitor Sensitivity Recommended Spare Parts List Troubleshooting ............. 41 Troubleshooting Marathon Granulators Troubleshooting Fan and Evacuation Systems ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 9...
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Charts and Figures Typical Marathon Series Specifications and Dimensions Typical Marathon Series Electrical Wiring Diagram Typical Marathon Series Electrical Subpanel Belt Deflection Forces Recommended Grease Product Names Correct Feeler Gauge Usage Recommended Torque for Knife Bolts in Foot-Pounds and Newton-Meters...
Necessary Documents Use this manual as a guide and reference for installing, operating, and maintaining your Marathon Series granulator. The purpose is to assist you in applying efficient, proven techniques that enhance equipment productivity. This introduction includes a brief functional description, a physical description, and machine specifications for these granulators.
CAUTION Models Covered Marathon Series models covered in this manual have cutting chamber sizes of 8” x 10”, 8” x 14”, 8” x 18”, 10” x 12”, and 10” x 16”. Information found in this manual address questions and concerns relating to the major sub-assemblies of the granulator.
• Two (2) locking, two (2) swivel casters Available Options Available standard options for Marathon Series granulators include: • Alternative rotor speeds: 590 rpm, 250 rpm, 150 rpm, 125 rpm • Alternative rotors: Staggered rotor, 2-blade open, 3- or 5-blade solid •...
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• Zero speed switch with alarm light; senses rotation of granulator rotor. If the rotor slows, the switch shuts off the motor to prevent belt burnout. • Hardfaced welding of cutting chamber and rotor • AR400 screen chamber plates Page 14 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
Figure 1 Typical Marathon Series Specifications and Dimensions Marathon Cutting Available Rotor Cutting Open Approx. Bin capa- Average model chamber motor hp knives / circle screen area thruput city, cu. ft. machine sq. in. numbers size 5 hp 7.5 hp 10 hp 15 hp bed knives lbs./hr.
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- Notes - Page 16 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
Lading is attached to our original invoice. If the shipment was prepaid, write us for a receipted transportation bill. Advise ACS Group regarding your request for replacement and to obtain an RMA (return material authorization) number. If the Shipment is Not Complete Check the packing list.
A concrete floor of 4” (10.2 cm) minimum thickness is recommended. Your Marathon Series granulator is mounted on wooden skids, then blocked and banded to secure it for shipment. All non-painted items subject to corrosion are coated with a quality rust preventative, and the machine is covered with heavy duty polyethylene to protect it from moisture and dirt.
CAUTION The edges of the cutting chamber and the chamber knives mounted on the rotor are EXTREMELY SHARP. Always wear heavy gloves and exercise care when working in the cutting chamber. ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 19...
Position and connect any optional accessory equipment such as fans, conveyors, and separators. Ensure all tubing joints are securely clamped and supported. Page 20 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
CAUSE SERIOUS OPERATOR INJURY OR DEATH! Marathon Series granulators are designed for three-phase voltage operation. Refer to the unit nameplate for proper voltage and amperage requirements. Make sure you provide a correctly-sized and –protected supply of electrical power to the unit.
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Article 250 of the National Electric Code and all local codes. Customers’ means of disconnection and branch circuit protection must also be in compliance with the National Electric Code and all local codes. Page 22 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
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If the voltage is not the same, contact the ACS Group Service Department at 262-641-3950 for voltage modification instructions. Once you have determined that the voltages are proper, start the motor and check for the proper...
Figure 2 Typical Marathon Series Electrical Wiring Diagram DISCONNECT BY CUSTOMER WARNING--GROUND ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE GROUNDED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE MOTOR & LOCAL CODES 1-2 FUSE CONNECT FOR WARNING PROPER VOLTAGE 3 FUSE CUSTOMER'S DISCONNECTING MEANS...
Are the optional cyclonic air separator and filter bags empty? Has the fan (optional) been verified for proper rotation direction? Are all electrical enclosure boxes tightly closed and clamped shut? Are all personnel clear of the machine? ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 27...
Pneumatic Evacuation Systems Checklists Marathon Series beside-the-press series granulators can be supplied with an optional fan or blower system to provide efficient evacuation of granulate from the machine. ACS Group offers a large variety of fan configurations. The following checklist is intended to be representative of the basic functioning and design of a fan, rather than being specific to one particular configuration.
If previously removed, place the screen back into its original position, ensuring it is fully seated within the screen chamber. Standing at the rear of the machine, lift the hopper to swing it and the upper cutting chamber to the closed position. ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 29...
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Note: This model series of granulator are not designed to grind purgings, large chunks of solid plastic, or other heavy cross-sectional pieces Page 30 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
Maintenance Maintaining Belts Prior to starting the granulator, ACS Group recommends that you check the drive belt tension for proper run-in deflection force as listed in Figure 4 on Page 32. After the equipment has run between 24 and 48 hours, check drive belt tension again for proper operational deflection force as listed in Figure 4 on Page 32.
The ” displacement at a point halfway between the two sprockets should be approximately (about 9 mm). Replace the sprocket guard cover. Page 32 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
All beside-the-press granulators and accessories are supplied with pillow block bearings which are pre-lubricated at the factory. The external mounting of bearings on ACS Group beside-the-press granulators result in a trouble-free, low maintenance, and long-lived bearing design. The pillow block bearings used require a high quality, lithium-based EP (extreme pressure) type of grease which conforms to the NGLI Grade 2 consistency.
Knife Recommendations and Adjustments Note: The rotor and bed knives are subject to severe conditions, and ACS Group recommends that you inspect knives periodically for sharpness. Keep those knives sharp, and you’ll notice that the machine operates much better with a superior quality of granulate. If the knives get severely rounded, chipped, or otherwise damaged, the granulator will have heavy shock loading during operation, causing a significant reduction in knife life.
Correct Feeler Gauge Placement PRIMARY KNIFE FEELER GUAGE SECONDARY KNIFE Installing Rotor Knives Carefully block the rotor with a piece of wood to prevent it from turning. Reinstall the rotor knives onto the rotor. ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 35...
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Clean the bed knife seat thoroughly with a scraper and/or emery paper to remove any foreign material and rust. Inspect the bed knife and replace or re-sharpen as required. Page 36 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
Secure the bolts, remove the feeler gauge, and proceed with closing the chamber. Note: This is a one-time adjustment only, to be performed when a different screen is installed in the granulator. ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 37...
• Open the bin door at the front of the machine and slide the bin out of the machine. During this operation, the sensor alarm may sound briefly. This is normal and indicates that the sensor is “watching” the bin slide past. Page 38 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
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(½-1) turn. The sensor is now set. Step 6 • Press the emergency switch and turn the machine disconnect switch to , or STOP otherwise disconnect the machine from the main power supply. ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 39...
The recommended spare parts list does not include all parts that are available for purchase, just the parts most appropriate for your particular machine. Page 40 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
Set of bed knives and cap screws Screen/set of screens Set of belts Set of fuses Set of motor starter heaters Optional cyclone filter bag; for use in an optional fan evacuation system ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 41...
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- Notes - Page 42 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
Adjust knives to proper gap Knife gap is too large. specification. Clearance between the rotor Check that the screen is knives and screen is too properly seated in the screen small. chamber. ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 43...
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Ensure proper actuation and A limit switch is open. replace as needed. Verify that the correct push buttons are being depressed and that the main disconnect switch is in the position. Page 44 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
Fan wheel is loose on shaft. needed. Lubricate per maintenance Lack of lubrication. instructions. Bearings sound noisy or are Consult with the ACS Service hot. Bearings have exceeded Department 262-641-3950 for their rated life. replacement instructions. ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 45...
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Granulate builds up in the machine. of time. transition or tubing. Return air vents are covered Ensure the vents are open. or too small. Tighten set screws as Fan wheel is loose on shaft. required. Page 46 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
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Service Notes ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators Page 47...
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Service Notes Page 48 ACS GROUP Marathon Series Beside-the-Press Granulators...
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PARTS SUPPORT ACS welcomes inquiries on all your parts needs and is dedicated to providing excellent customer service. The ACS Customer Service Group will provide your company with genuine OEM quality parts manufactured to engineering design specifications, which will maximize your equipment’s performance and efficiency.
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Do you have a question about the Marathon Series and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers