While rotary dryers are known for their robust build and reliable processing capabilities, they do require some routine maintenance to continue operating as designed. This presentation discusses one of the most critical maintenance points for rotary dryers: alignment. Topics discussed are how a dryer falls out of alignment, how to recognize when the dryer is out of alignment, and what to do about a misaligned rotary dryer.

1. Rotary Dryer Maintenance
Experts in process design and material
processing for over 60 years.
A Look at
and Alignment

2. Rotary dryers are a critical component in
many industrial processes, capable of
processing all sorts of materials, from
chemicals and fertilizers, to minerals and
ores, and nearly everything in between.

3. While rotary dryers are known to be the
workhorses of the industrial drying industry,
they do require routine preventative
maintenance and care in order to
continue running efficiently for years to
come.

4. Consulting the original equipment
manufacturer, as well as the equipment
manual, will provide a guide for the
routine preventative maintenance your
dryer will require, as well as when that
maintenance should be carried out.

5. The original equipment manufacturer will
likely offer a variety of services to help you
keep your dryer running smoothly. This
may include:
• Tire & trunnion wheel grinding
• Alignments
• Gear replacements
• Spare part installations
• Routine maintenance checks
• 24-hour emergency services
• Annual inspections
• Training programs

6. While all maintenance procedures are critical
to the life of the rotary dryer, perhaps one of
the most important (and one of the most
overlooked) parts of keeping your rotary dryer
running smoothly is routine re-alignment.

7. Misalignment is one of the most commonly
faced issues when working with a rotary dryer.
And while re-alignment is a simple solution,
leaving a drum out of alignment can cause
major issues.

8. Misalignment is one of the most commonly
faced issues when working with a rotary dryer.
And while re-alignment is a simple solution,
leaving a drum out of alignment can cause
major issues.
Having a rotary dryer re-aligned on a routine
basis is an important part of preventative
maintenance, and prolonging the life of the
equipment.

9. What Causes
Misalignment?

10. Misalignment is often the result of an improper
base installation.

11. Misalignment is often the result of an improper
base installation.
Misalignment in the base will quickly
propagate through the rest of the drum,
causing wear and damage to other drum
components.

12. Misalignment also occurs naturally over time
as part of the normal wear and tear a rotary
dryer experiences.

13. Misalignment also occurs naturally over time
as part of the normal wear and tear a rotary
dryer experiences.
For this reason, it is important to routinely have
the dryer re-aligned.

14. How to Tell if a Drum is
Out of Alignment

15. There are many signs that can indicate
that a dryer is out of alignment. This could
include:

16. There are many signs that can indicate
that a dryer is out of alignment. This could
include:
• Excessive tire/wheel wear

17. There are many signs that can indicate
that a dryer is out of alignment. This could
include:
• Excessive tire/wheel wear
• Damage to the tire/wheel

18. There are many signs that can indicate
that a dryer is out of alignment. This could
include:
• Excessive tire/wheel wear
• Damage to the tire/wheel
• Excessive wear on the thrust roller

19. There are many signs that can indicate
that a dryer is out of alignment. This could
include:
• Excessive tire/wheel wear
• Damage to the tire/wheel
• Excessive wear on the thrust roller
• Damage to the thrust roller

20. There are many signs that can indicate
that a dryer is out of alignment. This could
include:
• Excessive tire/wheel wear
• Damage to the tire/wheel
• Excessive wear on the thrust roller
• Damage to the thrust roller
• Pinion/Girth gear wear

21. There are many signs that can indicate
that a dryer is out of alignment. This could
include:
• Excessive tire/wheel wear
• Damage to the tire/wheel
• Excessive wear on the thrust roller
• Damage to the thrust roller
• Pinion/Girth gear wear
• Pinion/Girth gear damage

22. Watching and listening to the dryer run
can also help to indicate that it is in need
of a re-alignment.

23. Watching and listening to the dryer run
can also help to indicate that it is in need
of a re-alignment.
The drum should have little to no contact
with the thrust rollers.

24. Watching and listening to the dryer run
can also help to indicate that it is in need
of a re-alignment.
The drum should have little to no contact
with the thrust rollers.
Drive components should run smoothly,
without excessive chatter or vibrations.

25. What to Do About a
Misalignment

26. If you suspect that your rotary dryer is in need
of re-alignment, contact a service technician.

27. If you suspect that your rotary dryer is in need
of re-alignment, contact a service technician.
Leaving the rotary dryer out of alignment will
only increase the wear and damage on other
components. This will likely result in increased
downtime and maintenance costs.

28. The use of a laser tracking system to re-align
the dryer will provide added benefits.

29. The use of a laser tracking system to re-align
the dryer will provide added benefits.
While traditional alignment techniques do offer
a reliable alignment solution, they also leave
room for error, because they rely on manual
measurements and mathematical equations.

30. New laser tracking systems, however, offer
an advanced solution by using a laser
beam to measure 3D coordinates, and
then recording and analyzing the data
through a software program.
This results in a faster, more precise
alignment.

31. Conclusion
Routine preventative maintenance is an integral
part of keeping your rotary dryer running
smoothly for years to come.
Routine re-alignment of your rotary dryer is an
important part of preventative maintenance,
and will help to prolong equipment life, and
minimize the potential for damage.

32. has been building and servicing rotary dryers
since 1951. Our service technicians can help you
maintain your rotary dryer for years of reliable
processing, including through the use of a laser
tracking system to effectively re-align your dryer.
FEECO

33. Want to learn more?
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Rotary Dryer Handbook
The Rotary Dryer Handbook
Rotary Dryer Sizing & Design
Processing Challenges
Service & Maintenance
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