HOW TO REPAIR HOPPER DOORS

The diagram on the opposite page illustrates the working parts of a typical hopper door. In a building where the trash disposal chute is made of brick for an incinerator system, a steel or cast iron hopper door frame - called a Wall Buck Frame (A) - will be found cemented in the brick wall. It is within this frame that the removable hopper door is mounted and secured in place with screws. Hopper doors designed for compactor trash chutes are mostly single units, light in weight, not requiring a mounting frame.
When the door handle (B) is pulled down, the door will open pivoting on its Hinge (C). The Trash Pan (D), which is bolted to the Door Plate (E), will be exposed. The pan is shaped for safety and will seal the throat of the trash chute when the door is fully open. When the Handle is released, the gravitational pull of a Weight Bar (F) will cause the door to self-close. A Hydraulic Door Check (G) located behind the Access Panel (H) will prevent the door from slamming shut. (In some models, a Spring near (G) or a hydraulic check with a built-in spring (G) works to self-close the door instead of the weight bar.)

COMMON PROBLEMS

DOOR SLAMS SHUT - This problem is generally caused by a defective Hydraulic Door Check (G), or by a check that has dislodged from its mount.
DOOR DOES NOT SELF-CLOSE- If door remains open when handle is released, look for broken or missing Weight Bar (F), a broken Spring or its mount, or a defective Hydraulic Door Check with Built-in Spring (G).
DOOR ONLY PARTIALLY CLOSES - This problem is usually caused by dirt build-up under the pan at (G). Also look for a damaged Hinge (C), and for a broken or warped Frame (A).
LOOSE HOPPER DOOR -If a door slamming problem is neglected, its effects can crack the surrounding wall, loosen mounting screws, or dislodge the Wall Buck Frame (A) causing the hopper door to loosen.
OTHER COMMON DEFECTS - Other problems generally include: broken door handles, broken door panels or sections; warped/twisted pans; or loose nuts and bolts.

HOW TO MAKE REPAIRS

Find the photo of the hopper door being repaired and follow the instructions on how to remove the door from the wall. To make repairs (1) identify the problem, (2) remove the door from the wall, (3) visually inspect the door and locate the defective part, (4) use the Sargent Part Number to purchase a new part, (5) replace the defective part. (Note: Buildings should stock one or more spare hopper doors to temporarily replace those removed for repairs.)

SAFETY TIPS

While the average serviceman will find the repairs described here easy to perform, safety should be a top priority when performing this kind of work. Before attempting to remove or replace a hopper door, momentarily shut-off all incinerator or compactor equipment in the basement. Avoid leaning into the trash chute and protect against any falling garbage thrown down the trash chute from a floor above.