Buffalo Tumbler, Gear Ratio Reducer
Buffalo Tumbler, Gear Ratio Reducer
(OP)
Hello,
I built a Tumbler for Large Hides, Buffalo, Elk etc. The
tumbler is like a dryer, it is 6'long, 6'wide, making the circumference 18'. It is made with 2*4's & 3/4" plywood on the sides, I have it on a Metal Frame with Pillow Block Bearings on the sides for rotating, I am trying to use a Baldor 1.5 HP Electric Motor Single Phase, Farm Duty with 1725 RPM. I need to slow it down to 18 to 20 RPMs. I used a 1.5" pulley on the motor shaft & a 4'pulley (12'circum), on the tumbler itself and it still won't slow down, we tried to connect it to 120v kept popping circuit breakers, connected it to 220 works fine just can't seem to get it to slow down. The hides are pretty heavy also and i have to put in at least 150lbs of saw dust to help break the hides.
I built a Tumbler for Large Hides, Buffalo, Elk etc. The
tumbler is like a dryer, it is 6'long, 6'wide, making the circumference 18'. It is made with 2*4's & 3/4" plywood on the sides, I have it on a Metal Frame with Pillow Block Bearings on the sides for rotating, I am trying to use a Baldor 1.5 HP Electric Motor Single Phase, Farm Duty with 1725 RPM. I need to slow it down to 18 to 20 RPMs. I used a 1.5" pulley on the motor shaft & a 4'pulley (12'circum), on the tumbler itself and it still won't slow down, we tried to connect it to 120v kept popping circuit breakers, connected it to 220 works fine just can't seem to get it to slow down. The hides are pretty heavy also and i have to put in at least 150lbs of saw dust to help break the hides.





RE: Buffalo Tumbler, Gear Ratio Reducer
Now, assuming that is what you meant, the answer is no. Single phase motors cannot, for the most part, be slowed down electrically. Your best bet is to do this mechanically to be honest. Technically there are variable speed drives for single phase motors, but they will not work on that motor.
Anticipating possible further questions:
1) Your best electrical approach may be to use a slower motor to start with, such as a 6 pole motor (900RPM synch. speed), which will turn ~850RPM depending on slip. Then your pulley ratio will not need to be so high.
2) Another theoretical option (since you would need to replace that motor anyway) is to put in a 3 phase motor and get a VFD to operate it. VFDs can convert 1 phase to 3 phase easilly in that HP range. The drawback to that is that you may have trouble running the motor continuously under a heavy load at really low speeds, so you still need to play with your pulley ratio. If you are going to do all that, it only makes sense if variable speed means something to you. If not, I'd recommend just doing it all with pulley reduction.
JRaef.com
"Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems." Scott Adams
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> FAQ731-376
RE: Buffalo Tumbler, Gear Ratio Reducer
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Buffalo Tumbler, Gear Ratio Reducer
yours
RE: Buffalo Tumbler, Gear Ratio Reducer
JRaef.com
"Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems." Scott Adams
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> FAQ731-376
RE: Buffalo Tumbler, Gear Ratio Reducer
A 3" pulley on the jackshaft to the 48" pulley on the drum will turn the drum at 17.97 RPM.
The jack shaft is winning 3 votes to nothing. Go with it.
yours
RE: Buffalo Tumbler, Gear Ratio Reducer
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com