Stay safe. Follow procedures in the Operation Manual. Always use proper protective equipment, fully power down machines and use locks before service. Salford is not liable for injury or damage caused by improper maintenance or operation. Contact your Salford dealer for more information or support.
Monitoring and adjusting the chain tension on your AB320DF air boom is critical for smooth operation and accurate application of granular products. In this guide, we walk you through the steps shown in our service video to ensure your equipment runs reliably and safely.
Safety First
Before you get started:
- Wear proper PPE: Safety glasses and steel-toed boots are required.
- Ensure machine is off: Confirm that the chassis is turned off and that the air boom is completely empty.
Step-by-step instructions
1. Locate Chain Tension Cutouts
Find the chain tension cutouts at the rear of the machine near the chain motors:
- There are separate cutouts for the left and right chains.
- If you’re using a two-product bin, you’ll see:
- Two cutouts per side (upper and lower chain).
2. Check Chain Tension Level
Refer to the indicator slots within the chain tension cutouts:
- Correct tension: Chain rests between the two slots.
- Too tight: Chain sits above the top slot.
- Too loose: Chain hangs below the bottom slot.
3. Locate the Adjustment Rods
Find the rods for the chain that needs adjustment:
- Lower chains: In front of the hopper (between hopper and cab).
- Upper chains (if equipped):
- One on the outside center of the hopper.
- One on the inside center of the hopper.
4. Loosen the Locking Plates
- Use a 9/16-inch wrench to remove the bolt on the locking plates. This gives you access to the adjustment nuts.
5. Adjust Chain Tension
Using a 1-1/2-inch or adjustable wrench:
- Tighten or loosen the nut until the chain rests within the proper slot range.
- Make sure both sides are adjusted evenly to prevent misalignment.
Tip: Use the notches by the idler bearings as a visual guide to confirm even tension.
6. Reinstall Locking Plates
After adjusting:
- Reinstall the locking plates and tighten them with the bolt and a 9/16-inch wrench.
- These keep the nuts from loosening during operation.
7. Chain Worn? Next Steps
If you can’t achieve proper tension through adjustments:
- You may need to remove chain links or replace the chain entirely.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- Always double-check both sides of the machine for symmetrical tension.
- If chain tension is frequently off, inspect the chain for wear or stretching.
- Keep the cutouts clean for clear visibility of the indicator lines.
Keeping your AB320DF air boom’s chains correctly tensioned is a simple task that ensures precision and reduces wear over time. Just follow these steps regularly to keep your equipment running at its best.
For more detailed instructions, check out our YouTube video on the AB320DF Chain Tensioning. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more helpful videos.
For additional support, contact your Salford dealer or visit the Salford Connect Portal.