Lauter Tun Rake Design ???

[tcbeer1]

I have a criveller 30 BBl system with mash/kettle and lauter. I am in the process of building a top retractable rake system for the lauter, does anyone have one any pros, cons, pictures or plans.

Thanks,
Tom

[beertje46]

I have a 30 bbl. Specific Mechanical system. The rakes on the mash/lauter tun are driven from the top via a Euro-sew motor. The rake height is adjusted via a hydrolic (water) cylinder controled by a Versa-valve solenoid.

[Ted Briggs]

I worked with one from DME that was driven with a variable speed reversable motor. I would suggest the same. Reverse was good for grains out as it had feet w/ locking pins. In forward the feet would trail behind the rakes at 90deg but in reverse the pins locked them so they scraped bottom and sides. (built w/ teflon pads) A quick hosing and mash in again! Variable speed was cool for a number of reasons.

[Valleybrew]

Tom,

I have a 30 BBL mash tun being mfg right now. We have a
variable speed drive. (Bi directional as well) with up and
down control drive.. Forward to rake, Backwards to plow
grain out. Rake length is 18" for a ~7 foot diameter mash tun.
Watch your rake lengths and design quality or they will bend
and distort under heavy load. Good Luck. Lots of photos on
the web of different designs.

Steve

[tcbeer1]

Steve do you have any specs or drawings of the rotation coupling between the drive shaft and the air/hydrauic cylinder. I have almost all the drawings
accept for that part, I would like to find that part off the shelf but its not looking good. I also wanted to ask if any one has had any problems with the drive shaft sliding through the gear box I'm a little worried about it binding.

Thanks
Tom
Thomas Creek Brewery

[Valleybrew]

Hi Tom,

I don't have drawings with that level of detail sorry..The system mfg
doesn't release that info to me. Have you tried contacting any system
builders directly? They may have some one who could help. Another
avenuse would be the food service industry, They use a lot of motor
driven mixer components that are very similar to mash rake design.

Steve

[beertje46]

Paging tcbeer1 to the white courtesy phone...

I have a criveller 30 BBl system with mash/kettle and lauter. I am in the process of building a top retractable rake system for the lauter, does anyone have one any pros, cons, pictures or plans.

Thanks,
Tom

Tom,
I just e-mailed you 40+ MB worth of rake pix. Call me with questions.

Peace out.