Airwash Blowers Operating Tips

by Dave Mielke
Field Service, Tonka Equipment Company


Moisture in your airwash blower?  This is the Number 1 cause of blower failure. 


The Sutorbilt or Turbotron blowers used by Tonka are large volume air supply blowers with pressure under 7 psi. These blowers are designed to run 24/7; however, when used as an airwash blower for the Simul-Wash™ cycle, their cycle duty is very infrequent and poses a different maintenance schedule.  The Tonka airwash blower is always started and stopped "dead headed" to  prevent water migration to the blower unit. 


The following simple maintenance rules should provide you with many years of trouble free operation of your airwash blower: 



Monthly: 

• The pressure relief valve, a weighted pop-off relief device on the blower discharge, should be checked for ease of operation. It should slide easily on its guide. If not, it should be lightly lubricated with a light oil. Be careful not to leave a heavy residue on the machined surface. 
• Run the blower and listen for any squealing from the drive belts.  Squealing indicates that the proper tension is not being applied to the drive belts; they should be adjusted or replaced if they show any wear. A 1/2" to 3/4" deflection is normal for the belts. 

Quarterly: 

• Verify that the condensate moisture trap and normally open solenoids are allowing moisture to be drained. This can be done by bumping the blower briefly with the solenoid coil removed from the solenoid stem(be sure to insert a screwdriver shaft into the hole in the coil to prevent it from burning up while energized).  This will permit a discharge of air out the condensate drain line.   Some moisture being discharge when the blower shuts off is normal, however a continuous drip could indicate an AWI valve is leaking and should be investigated.  If you do not experience a discharge of air, disassemble and clean the drain line.   

Semi-annually: 

• Remove and clean air intake filters more often if in a dusty or outside environment. Drain and replace blower oil. Be sure to use manufacturer recommended oil and do not overfill. Grease blower bearing cups and electric motor bearings if equipped. Use motor manufacturer recommended grease as listed in the O&M manual.