Ground Hoppers

gruber ground hoppersGruber Systems offers a variety of Ground Hoppers for a variety of applications - including Cultured Marble, Solid Surface, Polymer-infused Concrete and other Bulk Powder metering or conveying requirements:

Find your Ground Hopper by application:

  • For use with an Autocaster™ continuous casting system.
  • For use with a Batchmaster™ batching machine.
  • Stand-alone use or used with other equipment besides our Autocaster or Batchmaster machines.
  • For metering aggregate fillers for Polymer Concrete Manufacturing

gruber ground hoppersGruber Systems offers a variety of Ground Hoppers for a variety of applications - including Cultured Marble, Solid Surface, Polymer-infused Concrete and other Bulk Powder metering or conveying requirements:

What are Ground Hoppers? They are devices that convey bulk powder or aggregates from ground level to an elevated discharge height - usually over a metering hopper for an Autocaster or Batchmaster, or to any other bin or processing system that needs bulk fillers discharged at elevated heights.

Find your Ground Hopper by application:

  • For use with an Autocaster™ continuous casting system.
  • For use with a Batchmaster™ batching machine.
  • Stand-alone use or used with other equipment besides our Autocaster or Batchmaster machines.
  • For metering aggregate fillers for Polymer Concrete Manufacturing

 

Ground Hoppers for standalone applications (not involving an Autocaster or Batchmaster) include:

Self-Metering Weight Loss Ground Hopper

new Weight Loss Self-Metering Ground Hopper

For applications not involving an Autocaster or Batchmaster system

This all new Weight-Loss Self-Metering Ground Hopper that utilizes load cells and a sophisticated PLC Control System for precise weight-loss powder metering for a wide variety of metering, batching and conveying applications. Machine control is provided by a PLC-equipped Control Panel

 

 Wt Loss Control Panel

Ground Hoppers for use with Gruber Autocaster Continuous Casting Systems include:

Ground Hopper for use with Autocaster
 

Standard (Powder/Granule) Ground Hopper

For use with Autocaster Continuous Casting Systems and for standalone use

Our standard auger-driven transport system Ground Hopper made for use with our Autocaster casting machine provides reliable conveying of powders such as calcium carbonate blends, ATH blends, as well as granules and other fine particle or lightweight fillers. The Autocaster controls its operation. Can be used as standalone Ground Hopper, but base unit lacks controls. When not used with Autocaster, optional controls can be added including On/Off and Speed Controls.

 
 
Small Aggregate Ground Hopper

Small Aggregate and Large Aggregate Top Mount Ground Hoppers

Both are designed for use with Gruber's Autocaster™ continuous casting systems for Polymer Concrete Manufacturing, but CAN BE EQUIPPED WITH CONTROL PANELS FOR USE WITH OTHER CONTROLLING DEVICES.

These Aggregate Ground Hoppers are designed for conveying aggregates for Polymer Concrete Casting. There are two different types - bottom mount or top mount drive systems (drive motor and gear reducer mounted at the bottom of the auger, or at the top). Shown at left is a top-mount configuration. Both are "screw-drive" style transport mechanisms that utilize a durable auger system. Each has its own unique uses and benefits. Call for more information.

The Small Aggregate Ground Hopper conveys smaller aggregates such as sand, granules no larger than sand, or granular powders.

The Large Aggregate Ground Hopper conveys larger-sized aggregates such quartz, pea gravel or small rock up to as large as 3/8" (7 mm) diameter, although it can also easily accomodate smaller aggregates such as sand, granules and very small pea gravel.

The Standard Powder Ground Hopper (1000AGH) is also used with polymer concrete applications for conveying powder and fine granules.

Belt-Drive Ground Hopper for Highly Abrasive Aggregate

 

Belt-Drive Ground Hopper for Highly Abrasive Aggregate

Gemerally for use with Autocaster Continuous Casting Systems for Polymer Concrete Manufacturing Applications

Transfer lightweight bulk fillers over extended distances to your Autocaster utilizing a positive pneumatic pressure (air) transport system. This eliminates the requirement for an auger, and allows the Ground Hopper to be placed in a more remote location - out of the way of the Autocaster casting system.

 

Recommended for transporting Lightweight Fillers to the Autocaster casting machine from Ground Hoppers located at greater distances:

Pneumatic Ground Hopper for Lightweight Powder Fillers

Pneumatic Ground Hopper for Lightweight Powder Fillers

Gemerally for use with Autocaster Continuous Casting Systems

Automatically meter and transfer lightweight filler material over extended distances with a Pneumatic-transport Ground Hopper. This eliminates the requirement for an auger, and allows the Ground Hopper to be placed in a more remote location - out of the way of the Autocaster casting system or the Batchmaster mixing station.


Ground Hoppers for use with Gruber Batchmaster batching machines include:

Ground Hopper for use with Batchmaster

 

Powder/Granule Ground Hopper for Batchmaster

For use with Batchmaster Batching Machine

Our standard auger-driven transport system Ground Hopper made for use with our Batchmaster batching machine provides reliable conveying of powders such as calcium carbonate blends, ATH blends, as well as granules and other fine particle or lightweight fillers. The Batchmaster machine controls its operation.

Gruber Standard Powder/Granule Ground Hopper

Our standard auger-driven transport system Ground Hopper provides reliable conveying of powders such as calcium carbonate blends, ATH blends, as well as granules and other fine particle or lightweight fillers. Most commonly, these are used to fill the filler metering hoppers used with our Autocaster™ continuous casting machine and Batchmaster metering machines - however, these can be used with other equipment and other applications as well.

Weight Loss version Self-Metering Ground Hopper

Application: Precise metering/conveying of bulk powder or granular fillers.

  • Eliminate laborious manual bulk powder handling and filling.
  • Extends production run time by adding filler capacity.
  • Store pre-set batch run parameters for convenient operation.
  • Load-cell based weight loss scale system delivers precise amount of filler.
  • Intuitive, user-friendly PLC-based touch control and monitoring system.
  • Operates independently (no Autocaster or Batchmaster required).

The Self-Metering Weight Loss Ground Hopper is a standalone, bulk filler metering system for processing of bulk fillers (powders and granules in the standard system).

The Ground Hopper automates the supply of fillers for your production processes, delivering a predetermined amount of filler, at a controllable delivery rate. The feed bin stores 15 cubic feet of material, but that capacity can be greatly extended by adding an optional Bulk Bag Suspender Frame which sits atop the Ground Hopper and dispenses an additional Bulk Bag (Supersack) of filler for longer production runs between filler reloading.

Display of Weight Loss Control Panel

Easily control the operation, feed rate or amount of material metered.

A PLC-based control system monitors the system and meters the precise amount of filler required for each production requirement. Weight Loss systems are more accurate and more precise than volumetric methods used elsewhere.

Weight Loss Control Panel

This Ground Hopper utilizes a load cell-based weight loss scale that continuously and accurately weighs the remaining filler during operation. Easy-to-use touch interface reports on the progress of your batch processing job. 

 

Weight Loss Control Panel

The Weight Loss Ground Hopper with optional Motor Driven Mechanical Agitation System, and Control Panel Mounted on side of the unit with the added Motor-Driven Mechanical Aditation System (shown below)

166779 agitation 325

The Motor Driven Mechanical Agitation System is mounted through the wall of the bin, with the motor outside, and the rotating tines inside the bin, located just above the auger intake area. The tines are driven by the motor, and turn continuously during operation to break up any sticky (or bridging) filler. Certain powders, rubbers and other materials benefit from this additional agitation in the bin prior to metering.

Video

 

Weight Loss Ground Hopper Material Agitation Systems

Various systems are utilized to vibrate or mechanically agitate a material that is prone to "bridging" (material clumping above the auger feed that can prevent or hinder material from feeding into the auger). For those materials, these agitation systems are sometimes recommended. Note that the first one below is included in your Weight Loss Ground Hopper. The other two are options to consider if your material is prone to bridging problemsl. These should ideally be ordered with the Ground Hopper is initially manufacturered.

Sifting Grate and Pneumatic Vibrator

Included!
Sifting Screen and Pneumatic Vibrator Included

This sifting screen and pneumatic vibrator are included standard on the Weight Loss Ground Hopper. Together, they break up most clumpy most conventional materials (like Calcium Carbonate blends) before it enters the auger transport area.

Motor-Driven Mechanical Agitation

Optional (Order No 166779)
Motor-Driven Mechanical Agitation System

For difficult to convey fillers that tend to bridge or “clump up”, a motor-driven mechanical agitation system can be added. This system has rotating mixing tines that continuously turn the material inside the bin during Ground Hopper operation to prevent bridging or clogging above the auger intake area.

Air Pad Vibrating System

Optional (Order No 165768)
Pneumatic Air Burst System for Ground Hopper

This pneumatic air pulse system can be added to new Ground Hoppers to further disrupt the ability for sticky fillers that are prone to bridging to keep fillers flowing by periodically pulsing air bursts into the Ground Hopper feed bin.

 

Features (base powder model):
  • Precise weight-loss based monitoring with electronic controls including calibration offers superior metering compared to other volumetric metering systems.

  • 50 lb/min (22 kg) output rate for standard auger (when metering Calcium Carbonate). Maximum output rate varies depending on material. Auger can be upgraded for higher feed rates (eg 100 lb/min) or different materials.

  • Rugged 15 cubic foot (0.42 cubic meter) bin with heavy-duty 12-gauge steel construction.

  • Durable auger mounted on 45 degree incline (60 degree option also). Minimum 10’ (3m) ceiling height required. Optional custom auger lengths available for different discharge height requirements.

  • Dimensions 57.5” x 42.5” x 45” (146 x 108 x 114cm) (LWH) excluding auger.

  • 230/460V, 3-phase motor options in 60 or 50Hz configurations (specify desired power).

  • 2-way forklift entries for flexible loading and access.

  • Pneumatic vibrator for anti-bridging control (prevents clogging of powders or other fillers).

  • Includes screen for helping to prevent bag scraps and other debris from reaching auger.

  • Includes chain clamps for securing Bulk Bag Suspender to Ground Hopper.

 

Did you know?
Gruber produces a variety of other Ground Hoppers for metering of other powders, granules, and aggregates such as sand, pea gravel, pebbles, stones, and abrasive materials. We can custom configure a Ground Hopper to your specific needs for other materials or applications. Please call to discuss your needs.

This Ground Hopper includes an auger designed for powder or granules, but it can be substituted with a variety of augers for processing larger aggregates or specialty materials. Auger lengths can be modified for your preferred discharge height. Additional agitation system options can be added for difficult-to-process materials. Gruber Bulk Bag Gantries and Conveyors can be added to further automate your production efficiency.

Eliminate the back-breaking work of manually loading bulk filler for your production process, and benefit from reduced labor costs and improved safety by automating your bulk filler handling and conveying processes.

 

Description/Order No.
Ground Hopper, Weight Loss, Including Scale & PLC Module, Add Crating - #150450

 

Options:
Bulk Bag Suspender Frame – #150160
Motor-Driven Mechanical Agitation – #166779
Air Pad Vibrating System – #165768

Downloads:

Gruber Pneumatic Ground Hopper

Automated metering of lightweight powder bulk filler over extended distances utilizing a positive pneumatic pressure (air) transport system.

Automatically meter and transfer lightweight filler material over extended distances with a Pneumatic-transport Ground Hopper. This eliminates the requirement for an auger, and allows the Ground Hopper to be placed in a more remote location - out of the way of the Autocaster casting system or the Batchmaster mixing station.

newNow, you can supply lightweight powder fillers like CalCarb/Lightweight powder blends and ATH blends to TWO different metering hoppers from a single Pneumatic Ground Hopper with the Dual-Feed model!

Bulk filler handling systems can be integrated with your process or batching system to reduce labor, improve efficiencies, aid in material cost control, and potentially lower overhead costs.

Gruber Mobile Ground Hoppers

For situations where you need your Ground Hopper to be movable or portable.

In some cases, your bulk filler handling system is not required to be a fixed location, and you may benefit by moving your Gruber Ground Hopper to where you need it for a given use. Portability offers added convenience and added value to your Bulk Filler Handling investment.

 
Batchmaster-specific Ground Hopper and Bulk Bag Suspender Frame

Special version Gruber Ground Hopper and Bulk Bag Suspender Frame option for use with the Batchmaster III Metering System.

Gruber Polymer Concrete Aggregate Belt Drive Ground Hopper

Designed to handle the demanding requirements of metering large rock or highly abrasive aggregates for polymer concrete and other specialized cast polymer manufacturing applications.

Gruber Large Aggregate Ground Hopper

The "Top-Mount" Large Aggregate Ground Hopper is an auger-screw driven conveyor, typically used to convey larger-sized such quartz, pea gravel or small rock up to as large as 3/8" (7 mm) diameter used in Polymer Concrete Casting applications. This machine is normally used to convey fillers to the filler metering hoppers included with Gruber's Autocaster™ continuous casting machine. It can also easily handle smaller aggregates such as sand, granules and very small pea gravel.

Small Aggregate PC Ground Hopper

The Small Aggregate Ground Hopper is an auger-screw driven conveyor, typically used to convey very small aggregates such as sand, and other granules no larger than sand, as well as granular powders. This machine is normally used to convey fillers to the filler metering hoppers included with Gruber's Autocaster™ continuous casting machine.

Bulk Filler Management Accessories

Gruber Ground Hoppers accommodate either bulk bags (super sacks) or individual bags of filler. The Ground Hopper is one element of a complete bulk filler handling system. Gruber offers a number of other bulk filler handling accessories further automate or customize its integration into your workflow:

Bulk Bag Suspender Frame Bulk Bag Gantry Bulk Bag Roller Conveyor Suspender Cross Frame
 BulkBagSus100  166200 325 BBConvey wPallet150   suspender cross frame130
Hangs a bulk bag above a Ground Hopper - doubling the capacity of the Ground Hopper. The Bulk Bag Gantry aids lifting of bulk bags into position (over the bulk bag suspender). Two sizes - 10’ or 15' Bulk Bag Roller Conveyor easily transports super sacks to the ground hopper. Accessory to a Bulk Bag Gantry to lift/suspend the Bulk Bag.