Problem with Finn T 60

[Jim K.]

Hey Folks, I am new to this forum and have a problem that I was wondering if anyone had any insights on. My machine (Finn T 60) loses performance during a load. The initial spay works OK but as the load progresses the stream loses distance and the ability to atomize. When the load is about three quarters done sometimes I have to close the recirculating valve to get the rest out. Changing nozzles to the fan spray helps also. Typically my mix is 7 bags of hydrostraw and about 5 pounds of plantago with native grass seed. No fertilizer.  So far I have tried reducing the tackifier, slowing the agitation speed way down, making sure the tank is not air locked, and reducing the gap between the impeller and casing from about .045 to about .035. Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jim 

[hydroservice]

ITS SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE HAVING A FOAMING ISSUE. AS YOU HAVE TRIED ALL THE NORMAL METHODS THE LAST IS TO EITHER CUT BACK ON THE TACKIFIER OR ADD A DEFOAMER. AS SOON AS THE LOAD IS MIXED SLOW DOWN YOUR AUGER AND TRY NOT TO RECIRCULATE UNLESS YOU HAVE TO.

[hydroservice]

I really think your problem is related to 1 of the materials you are using. My guess is the Plantago. A few things you could check on the machine is the hydraulic pressure. It should be around 2100. If its a lot higher it will cause the paddle to go faster then it should. The other thin to check is your recirculation nozzle. If its really worn out it will let to much go back into the tank. Before you load be sure the recirculation, hose, and gun are all working with good pressure. As I do think the cause is from a product another thing you could try is loading differently. When do you add the tack? Be sure the fiber doesn't have any tack in it as well as some does. Some tack doesn't mix all that well with water and it can build up after several loads. When tackifier first came out we tried several and 1 there was just no way it was going to work in the seeder. Foam city. Some of the others also had issues. I have found very very few hydroseeding products that the Finn can't deal with but there are a few. There were more that I couldn't deal with using then the machine.

[Jim K.]

First of all, thanks for the replies. I really appreciate the input. I tried a couple of loads with the amount of plantago cut in half and didn't have any different results. I put the tack, grass seed, and wildflower seed in a 5 gal. bucket and pour that into the tank when the water is half to two thirds full. Then I add the mulch. Once the load is mixed I slow the agitation speed way down. The part that is hard to get a handle on is that the machine ran well until a couple of jobs ago.

[hydroservice]

If the machine ran well, no problems, with the same materials until just recently First look for a build up in the tank of anything. If its not that then the clutch is all that is left. Its not often that an electric clutch slips but it has happened. They usually just quit. The drive all the way to the impeller can't really slip. Spray a load of just water. If everything works fine its somehow with the materials. If something is not right with the machine it should show up.

[Gill]

I had a similar problem with mine, thought it was the electric clutch, turned out to be a short in the wiring.

[Aqua Mulcher]

Hydro,  you mention a nozzled in the recirculation system...I have a T-60 and I'm not aware of one???   I have had this problem in the past but I'm convinced it was the cold water...

[hydroservice]

Without a doubt cold water can create issues with tack. The recirculation nozzle is the small pipe your recirculation line connects to. As the machine gets bigger the opening of the nozzle gets smaller. All will wear out in time.