I've got a question that I should be able to figure out on my own, but I thought I might save some experimentation by asking it here.

The old sand delivery pipes--the ones that shoot the sand under the wheels--on our 45-tonner were destroyed by hitting the rails on our turntable. When the turntable is balanced, the rails stick up 4" or so above the rails of the approaching track. As soon as some weight is put on the table, it leans to the end and the rails even up. But the sand pipes go ahead of the first set of wheels to hit the table, and thus, are smashed.

Should I just start experimenting with cutting the pipes back, and see if I can get them high enough to clear the rails and still be effective? Are there any other tricks that might work, like maybe making the last 6" or so out of a stiff rubber hose that would keep its shape to deliver the sand, but still be flexible?

Thanks.

TSS

tsschult@usd.edu

I would be much more concerned about the turntable myself. I won't claim to be an expert, but I suspect something is awry with the end suspension of yours. The Milwaukee table at Harlowton (100 foot through truss--gone now) dipped only a couple inches. A four inch drop sounds like it may cause problems with the center bearing down the road. Hopefully the experts out there have an answer.

I have seen air hose attached to sand pipe ends though, and that might solve your immediate trouble.

Michael Seitz

Missoula MT

I've got a question that I should be able to
> figure out on my own, but I thought I might
> save some experimentation by asking it here.

> The old sand delivery pipes--the ones that
> shoot the sand under the wheels--on our
> 45-tonner were destroyed by hitting the
> rails on our turntable. When the turntable
> is balanced, the rails stick up 4" or
> so above the rails of the approaching track.
> As soon as some weight is put on the table,
> it leans to the end and the rails even up.
> But the sand pipes go ahead of the first set
> of wheels to hit the table, and thus, are
> smashed.

> Should I just start experimenting with
> cutting the pipes back, and see if I can get
> them high enough to clear the rails and
> still be effective? Are there any other
> tricks that might work, like maybe making
> the last 6" or so out of a stiff rubber
> hose that would keep its shape to deliver
> the sand, but still be flexible?

> Thanks.

> TSS


mikefrommontana@juno.com

I think, perhaps, the problem is most prevalent on ready track 1. The jump from the roundhouse leads onto the turntable is less, more in the neighborhood of the 2" you mention. I think it's the case that those tracks have sunk a bit and are causing the problem.

When you have an engine balanced on the table, only the center bearing is supporting the weight of the turntable and engine, allowing things to pivot. When you move it off balance, i.e. moving the engine towards the lead track, the turntable tilts slightly, and the end is then supported on the circular pit rail. There has to be some float to it, becasue if the ends of the turntable were in constant contact with the pit rail, there would be too much friction to turn it. All of this taken together, I think that the turntable is OK, but that a track or two may need some adjustment.

> I would be much more concerned about the
> turntable myself. I won't claim to be an
> expert, but I suspect something is awry with
> the end suspension of yours. The Milwaukee
> table at Harlowton (100 foot through
> truss--gone now) dipped only a couple
> inches. A four inch drop sounds like it may
> cause problems with the center bearing down
> the road. Hopefully the experts out there
> have an answer.

> I have seen air hose attached to sand pipe
> ends though, and that might solve your
> immediate trouble.

> Michael Seitz

> Missoula MT

> I've got a question that I should be able to


tsschult@usd.edu

You can buy a thin, flattened rubber hose made especially for sand pipes, that is attached with a hose clamp to the pipe itself. Being flattened, it is self-closing at the end and helps to keep the sand in the pipe dry. Not sure where to get it, but the common name is sander nozzle hose. What we had came in a roll.

Cleaning sanders is an unpleasant task in winter, often leading to arthritic fingers from gripping a ball peen hammer for long periods in the cold.


bobyar2001@yahoo.com