Yellow Jacket Pneumatic Piston Vibrators

About YJ Pneumatic Piston Vibrators

Yellow Jacket Pneumatic Piston Vibrators

Piston vibrators use the impact action produced by the oscillating piston to flex the bin wall. This flexing action loosens material stuck to the wall, thus restoring material flow. In general, there are two styles of pneumatic piston vibrators; Impacting (IM) and Air-Cushioned (AC- non-impacting).

The internal piston of impacting models strikes the base of the vibrator, producing the greatest amount of force and frequency. Air-Cushioned models use a cushion of air to dampen the piston movement, so the piston reverses direction before impacting the vibrator base. Therefore, Air-Cushioned models are more quiet but also produce less force and frequency than the Impacting models.

With a longer stroke and a lighter, more compact housing, the Yellow Jacket Piston Vibrator (YJ) force output is stronger and more effective than the old heavy cast iron piston vibrators (P-Series Models). The increase in the length of the piston travel (stroke) and the decrease in the mass of the housing allows the piston to impact a more powerful sting. You can often size down to the next size smaller to replace the bulky cast iron models. Please see:

Use the most efficient piston vibrator available! Save money on energy because the Yellow Jacket piston vibrators barely require 3 CFM (85 LPM) to run the smallest model at 40 psi (2.8 bar) and only 29 CFM (821 LPM) for the largest model at 80 psi (5.5 bar).

Advantages of YJ Piston Vibrators

  • Durable - Specially designed all steel alloy housing is tougher than cast iron.
  • Operates at air pressures up to 100 psi (7 bar). Most competitive piston vibrators cannot exceed 60-80 psi (1.4 - 5.5 bar).
  • Wear Resistant Piston - Specially designed to withstand harsh conditions and prevent seizing of piston when limited lubrication is used. Wear resistant coating is standard on all 3" YJ's and all Railcar models.
  • Lightweight - 50-70% lighter than competitively sized piston vibrators.
  • Easy to Mount - Single mounting bolt. Mount kits available. Easy to interchange with other brands. Safety cable ready.
  • Shielded Exhaust Ports - Built-in protection. Exhaust Port Shields keep contaminants from entering the piston chamber. When a vibrator lies on the ground when not in use, dirt enters through unprotected exhaust ports and can ruin the vibrator. If debris enters the housing it scratches and scars the piston and housing bore, shortening the life of the vibrator. Our shields are rated for continuous outdoor exposure. They are inexpensive and easy to replace. No other piston vibrators on the market have this type of exhaust port protection:
    • Exhaust Port Shields (EPS) - Port protection is an exclusive feature of Yellow Jacket® Piston Vibrators. These special protective shields keep contaminants from entering the piston chamber and shortening vibrator life. Made of MIL Spec neoprene for long life. Replacements are inexpensive and easy to install.
      Exhaust Port Shields
    • Tuff Band Exhaust Port Shields (TB) - These more rugged exhaust port shields keep contaminants out of the housing extending vibrator life. They can tolerate harsh environments and rough handling. Engineered to cool the unit, extending vibrator life on continuous use applications. Tuff Bands are standard on all Railcar models (YJR).
      Railcar Tuff Bands
  • Trouble-free Operation - No required maintenance if using filtered, lubricated air.
  • Spring ensures reliable start-ups in all mount orientations. Engineered to protect spring from impact, giving longer life.
  • More Force - Longer piston stroke provides more energy to move material than competitively sized vibrators. Impact (IM) models produce 100-200% more force per CFM of air than the competition. Air-Cushioned (AC) models produce 7-60% more force per CFM.
  • Maximum Force - Impact (IM) model produces vibration of maximum force and frequency.
  • Quiet Model Available - Air-Cushioned (AC) model produces less noise than Impact models.
  • Energy Efficient - Most efficient piston vibrators available today. Require less than 10 CFM (283 LPM) even for largest models.
  • Versatile - Easy to control force and frequency by adjusting air supply.

Specifications

  • Requires filtered air
    • 15-100 psi (1.0-6.9 bar)
    • 4-30 CFM (85-850 LPM)
  • Lubrication required.
  • Impact Pistons - 90 and above dBA.
  • Air Cushioned Pistons - 90 and less dBA.
  • Up to 90 dBA @ 100 psi for Air Cushioned - lower psi and sound level goes down.
  • >90 dBA @ 100 psi for Impacting - lower psi and sound level2 goes down.
  • Springs allow vibrator to operate in any position.
  • Standard in all models except railcar vibrators.
  • Maximum Ambient Temperature up to 180ºF (82ºC). Higher temperature rating possible - call factory.
  • YJ Piston Operations Manual
  • YJ Piston Dimensions & Drawing

Options

  • Impact Models (IM) - The piston strikes the base of the vibrator producing the greatest amount of force.
  • Air-Cushioned Models (AC) - Quieter than impact models because a cushion of air eliminates metal-to-metal impact.
  • Wear Resistant models (YJW) - Special infused coating extends piston life under harsh conditions. Prevents seizing of piston if limited lubrication is used. Coating is standard on all 3” size vibrators and railcar models.
  • Railcar models (YJR) - Includes a wedge mount bracket to fit railcar pockets. The internal pistons are coated with a special infused coating for wear resistance. Coating also prevents seizing of piston if limited lubrication is used. Easy-to-handle and lift because it is 50-70% lighter than traditional railcar vibrators. Faster 2” Impact model weighs just 22 lb. and the 3” Air-Cushioned model weighs only 36 lb. Exhaust ports protected by unique Tuff Band Shields, which tolerate aggressive handling.

Accessories

  • Manual Valves:
  • 2-way manual ball valve used to turn the vibrator on and off for normal operation.
  • 3-way manual ball valve used to turn the vibrator on and off when rapid on/off/on operation is required.
  • Solenoids - For remote or automated control, use 2-way normally closed solenoid valve to turn the vibrator on and off for normal operation or 3-way normally closed solenoid valve when rapid on/off/on operation is required.
  • Airline Kits - Required for trouble-free operation and long life of piston vibrators. Includes airline filter, lubricator, and pressure regulator with gauge.
  • Installation Kits (PMK) - Complete kits make vibrators easy to install. We simplify the mounting process by providing properly sized channel iron and all necessary hardware. Includes mount channel with attached mount nut, hose barb, hose clamp, safety cable and anchor ring.
Piston Mount Kit
  • Exhaust Port Shields (EPS) - An exclusive feature of Yellow Jacket® Piston Vibrators. These special protective shields keep contaminants from entering the piston chamber and shortening vibrator life. Made of MIL Spec neoprene for long life. Replacements available.
  • Tuff Band Exhaust Port Shields (TB) - These more rugged exhaust port shields keep out contaminants and can handle harsh environments or rough handling. Engineered to cool unit, extending vibrator life on continuous use applications. These are standard on all Railcar models (YJR).
  • GBF Bracket - Female pocket bracket that accepts universal wedge-shaped male bracket found on portable vibrators such as Yellow Jacket® Railcar (YJR) Piston Vibrators.
  • Sirometer - Convenient, compact rpm meter for measuring vibrator speed.

Vibrator Selection

Since piston vibrators create material flow by flexing the bin wall, selection of the proper vibrator is based on the bin wall thickness. The thicker the wall the bigger the vibrator needed. If selecting a more quiet Air-Cushioned model you generally use one size larger than an Impacting model sized for the same application. Selection is also based on the combined weight of the chute or moving part of screen and the material inside. Please see: