pneumatic blowers for sand hauling

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Kellyb, Mar 30, 2011.

  1. Kellyb

    Kellyb Light Load Member

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    You guys that run blowers what size blowers do you run and how sensitive are they to size/effeciency for particular products? I'm looking to haul sand and found a used rebuilt 9" drum (now gardner-denver) blower. One person told me it'd be fine and another person told me I'd have trouble blowing sand with it and I'd be better off with a 12" - not sure what to think.
     
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  3. 2hellandback

    2hellandback Heavy Load Member

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    Blackfoot Idaho
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    My tuthill 9" did fine on sand ,sand is tricky , ask guys delervering around you for tips and hints on how to unload .Im sure a 12 would be better but not by much in fact i have mine i could sell, low hours with 4 way valve lets you haul water if needed. Now i think about it i was constantly blowing off excess air to keep from over pressuring the tank and over heating the blower.
     
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  4. Kellyb

    Kellyb Light Load Member

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    Thanks. I did a search on the topic and one guy said he prefered a 9" because a 12" could be too powerful and damage the trailer. The one you use now is it 12" or 9"?
     
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  5. Cheap Weenie

    Cheap Weenie Light Load Member

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    You can't damage the trailer if you have functioning relief valves.
     
  6. 2hellandback

    2hellandback Heavy Load Member

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    Blackfoot Idaho
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    Either one can do damage if safties fail thats one reason why they have presure guages also.

    Mine is a 9" tuthill.

    How much are they asking for the gardner denver? also ask them if it comes with an air filter system,,,, sand dust and cement dust will take them out fast.
     
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  7. Redimix

    Redimix Light Load Member

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    Feb 26, 2011
    Dallas
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    CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)

    850 CFM is the bare minimum you want to go with.
    Pop off or relief valve on the blower itself should be 18 psi. The one on the pneumatic tanker should NEVER be over 21 psi. The standard burst test pressure for pneumatic tankers is 21 psi.

    Argue all you want but the skill is in how you load up the system on air to sand ratio in the mixing valves. Higher pressure is not necessary the right answer.

    On some rig sites you will be required to unload at a slower pace so you do not overload the customer's filter system.
    On others it is all you can go with the word being faster is better.

    Most of the bowers are 1000 CFM, don't see many of the 850 any more.
    Use the cyclone type air filter (not much of an air filter). Using the standard paper filter will cause the unit to overheat and melt out a fuse plug, that in turn will shut you down and clog up everything. The cyclone will allow about 8% more dirt, this is far better than pulling through a clogged filter.

    The most important point:
    The secret is in the knowledge of the operator in proper mixing of air and sand, this will determine how fast and safely you can unload. More you blow off the better you will become at setting the mixing ratio.

    Anyone telling you more than 21 psi is better is seriously mistaken. We are talking about moving volume here NOT pressure.
     
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  8. High Desert Dweller

    High Desert Dweller Medium Load Member

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    Jan 29, 2009
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    I've never blown sand before- But used to have problems with 1/8 and 3/8 lime. An old hand explained it to me.

    If your air/product mixture isn't correct, the product will settle in the bottom of the hose, which reduces the diameter, thus less product is unloaded. Prop up your hose with a milk crate. If you have an extra long hose run, put a milk crate every 20 feet or so. This works great w/ lime, don't know if it'll work w/ sand, though.
     
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  9. Redimix

    Redimix Light Load Member

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    I have several posts in this forum concerning research I did on hauling frac sand in the Texas market.

    Do a search for post by Redimix to locate them.
     
    montana cowboy and Attack Thank this.
  10. Big Red

    Big Red Lonestar

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  11. Kellyb

    Kellyb Light Load Member

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    Ok another newbie blower question for you vets - what determines CFM? Is that the max cfm blower is capable of or cfm at ideal psi for product or something else?

    Cuz I look at specs and Tuthill t850s go up to 1000 cfm. T1050's go to 1300.

    A salesman at one of the distributors told me most people are buying GD 12L's for sand, but according to the specs it only has a max of 725 cfm - that's less than the popular drum d807...

    Blower Specs: http://bulkequipment.com/products/b...units/truck_mounted__pto_or_hydraulic_driven/

    :biggrin_25524:
     
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