Installation Procedures & Tips

Proper Installation is the key to performance and longevity. We’ve compiled a few procedures and tips to help ensure proper installation and proper performance going forward.

  • Be sure that the screen media’s panel dimensions are correct for your vibrating screen. Panels that are too narrow or too wide cannot be properly tensioned and will self-destruct. Normally, the outside hook dimension for most screening media is approximately 1-1/2″ narrower than the “distance between the side plates” of the vibrating screen. This allows proper engagement of the tension rails, which need to be firmly seated into the radius of the hook, or bends, of the screening panels, and it also allows a proper amount of uniform tension to be applied.
  • Replace worn and missing channel rubber with new rubber that is all the same brand. It is important that different types of channel rubber are not used on the same deck and that all the channel rubber is replaced at the same time. Many different types of channel rubber are available, each with slightly different heights. Uniform tensioning is impossible if different types of channel rubber are used.
  • Check to be sure that the screening panels are centered in the middle of the deck. This prevents uneven tensioning where the screening media can be pulled to one side or the other of the screen. Should this situation occur, even tensioning from both sides of the vibrator is impossible, and breakage of the screening media is imminent.
  • Apply tension evenly to the screen media. Alternate tightening the tension bolts on both sides of the vibrator, not just one side, at the same time. This keeps the screening panels centered and permits uniform tensioning across the entire width.
  • After initial tensioning, check that the screening media is contacting all support bars (covered with new channel rubber) on the screen deck. If the screen media cannot be tensioned down onto the support bars then the use of J-bolts may be needed. This will prevent flexing of the screening panels and eliminate possible breakage. Heavy-duty scalping screen media often requires the use of J-bolts.
  • Apply proper tensioning to be sure that the screen media has been installed “drum tight.” After a brief operating time of 10 minutes, go back and re-tighten the tension bolts. Some light-duty screen media and especially rubber and polyurethane screens stretch upon initial tensioning. Therefore, it is important to re-tension to prevent looseness and breakage.
  • It is also important to use the same type and configuration of tension rail that is recommended by each vibrating screen manufacturer. Interchanging different types of tension rails prevents proper tensioning of the screen media and may prevent the screen panels from being pulled down onto the side resting shelves.