Service Bulletin Number 2001-1

May 2001

SERVICE BULLETIN

Number 01-1

Improved Vibrator Bolts

Besser Company is now offering a high strength solution to today’s vibrator bolt stretching problems. This combination of improved bolts, hardened washers, and use of a Flex Loc® nut provides a more robust fastening system for the increasing demands of current vibration systems. The following parts are designed for Besser Ultrapac® four-at-a-time concrete products machines and can also be used anywhere this bolt length is adequate. Although this system is more forgiving, it is not a fail-safe application if poor fastening procedures are used.

Reasonable care must be taken when matching up the mating surfaces of the mold top plates, mold sidebars, bearing housings, and pallet guides. These surfaces must be kept clean prior to assembly, be free from burrs or rough edges around the holes, and they must be flat so full surface contact can be maintained. If any of the above conditions are not met, this will detract from the normal bolt stretch that keeps the fastener tight and will cause a failure in any fastening system. Careful inspection of all components must be done prior to assembly and any components showing the above conditions should be repaired or replaced. Please observe the torque requirements on the following page. These torque requirements must be achieved when tightening the fasteners as the resulting bolt stretch keeps the fastener from loosening.

The fastening system includes the following components:

Stronger hex head and flat head bolts that are specifically designed for this application. The flat head bolt has a hex socket head rather than a screwdriver slot.
The cadmium plated fasteners provide lubricity that reduces variations in torque ranges. This produces a more repeatable clamp force and increased corrosion resistance.
Increased thread length on the fasteners to absorb more of the load. This is the area where normal bolt stretch takes place.
The threads of the bolt are rolled prior to heat treat, making them stronger than conventional cut threads.
An elliptical fillet radius is made under the head of the fastener. This extends the life of the bolt.
"Besser/SPS" will be stamped on the head of the fasteners. This indicates that the bolt was made for Besser Company by SPS Technologies.
A 1/4" thick hardened washer will be placed above the nut of all fasteners and under the head of the hex head fasteners for a more rigid assembly. Non-hardened washers can adversely affect bolt stretch. The hardened washer also helps dissipate the load forces by offering a larger surface area. Note the orientation of the washers on the attached drawings.
A cadmium plated 3/4" "Flex Loc" nut is used with the fasteners. A "Flex Loc" nut distributes the load evenly across the bolt threads, eliminates the need for a lock washer and can be reused.
This improved fastening system can be ordered as a complete Set of Parts, or individually as shown below.

PART NO. DESCRIPTION

#648371 Complete Set of Parts for one Ultrapac mold

#488059 Hex Head Bolt 13.0" long

#488060 Flat Head Bolt 13.5" long

#087871 Flex Loc Nut

#115333 Hardened Washer

#490711 Flat Head Assembly & Instruction Drawing

#490710 Hex Head Assembly & Instruction Drawing

NOTE: The Flex Loc nut and hardened washers can be used on any bolt length and will be an improvement over lockwashers and standard nuts.

HEX HEAD FASTENER

RECOMMENDED FLAT WASHER ORIENTATION AS SHOWN.
INSTALLATION TORQUE 340 FT. LBS. - TURNING THE NUT

FLAT HEAD FASTENER

RECOMMENDED FLAT WASHER ORIENTATION AS SHOWN.
INSTALLATION TORQUE 190 FT. LBS. - TURNING THE NUT