CHAPTER IV 



THE CLEANING APPARATUS 



THE fan and sieves separate the grain from the chaff. 

 It is in the handling of these, which constitute the 

 "cleaning apparatus," more than any other part of 

 the separator, that the skill of the operator or separator 

 "tender," as he is called, shows itself. The local reputa- 

 tion of any particular machine is largely due to its record 

 as a "cleaner." 



The Fan Blinds. The position of the fan blinds regu- 

 lates the amount of wind or "blast" that the fan produces. 

 These should be adjusted to clean the grain without blow- 

 ing it over and this adjustment can be made while the ma- 

 chine is running. Both upper and lower blinds should be 

 partly open. The right-hand blinds affect the left side of 

 the sieve and vice versa; therefore, if grain is being blown 

 over on one side, the blinds on the opposite side should be 

 closed a little. Use as much wind as possible without 

 blowing over grain. In windy weather it is necessary to 

 close the blinds on the windward side of the machine more 

 than those on the other side. The blast is retarded by the 

 volume of chaff it is moving, hence heavy feeding, and a 

 blast that is all right when the cylinder is kept full, will 



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