Spreader unit with movable bearings

• What was needed: igubal flange mounted and spherical bearing technology
• Requirements: A movable bearing for the screw conveyor of the spreader unit that is permanently resistant to the aggressive road salt
• Industry: Spreader unit, automation
• Success for the customer: The flange mounted and spherical bearings used from the igubal product range withstand the salt in the application. The maintenance-free bearings were combined with a shaft material made of easily machinable stainless steel.

The machine is a winter service spreader with a capacity of 350 to 800 litres for spreading gritting agents such as sand and grit as well as de-icing agents like salt. The spreader works on the 12V battery voltage of the carrier vehicle, so that there is no need for a hydraulic drive. This means that it can be mounted on any pick-up or other flatbed vehicle. The application rate is dosed to the exact gramme by a screw conveyor. A computer unit helps us calculate the desired spreading width and travelling speed, thus indicating the correct conveying speed of the screw conveyor. Overdosing and thus unnecessary environmental pollution is virtually eliminated.

The screw conveyor bearing proved to be problematic. So as to be able to compensate for axial misalignment and dynamic movements in the screw, the bearing had to be movable. To make sure it would withstand the aggressive salt, the decision was made in favour of an igubal flange mounted bearing type EFSM-30 on the output side and an igubal spherical bearing type KGLM-30 on the drive side. AISI 303 stainless steel, which is easy to machine, was selected as the shaft material.