Roasting Drum Alignment
by Randy G. - Hottop Customer Support
One of the most important maintenance items for Hottop owners is also one of the most neglected, and that is keeping the drum aligned. Over the years the design of the roaster has changed. Some small changes and other larger ones. Over that time the information concerning how the customer should deal with the alignment of the roasting drum has also changed. Let's clear the air.
The proper alignment of the roasting drum is important to the life of the drum motor. Problems can include:
- A drum that drags on the bearing plate
- A drum that drags on the roast chamber's rear wall
- A Drum that has an axle which rides in a worn bearing plate
- A Drum not in correct alignment to its axle
These can all cause damage to the drum motor or its gearbox. The reduction gears in the gearbox are an integral part of the drum motor. If a gear fails, the drum motor will need to be replaced.
Unfortunately, the proper alignment of the drum is usually ignored until a scraping sound is heard or damage is done. What to do?
We have a new, comprehensive Roasting Drum Alignment page which you might call, everything you wanted to know about drum alignment and didn't know existed.' This procedure will likely eliminate future drum motor problems, and if you already are dealing with scraping sounds, it should certainly help either eliminate them before the drum motor is damaged.
Take your time. It is not difficult, but it is the details that count in this procedure.