Debris in Bag

[miteclipse]

I've been running AWF Hardwoods, almost 2 tons so far since burning season began for me in late October. Opened the hopper last night to refill and notice a big dirt clump type rag with string around it. Wow, glad I caught this before it got wrapped around the auger. I'm lead to believe that this was in the middle portion of a bag. Pellets are being poured slowly now. I did have half a bag a few weeks back that had swelled. Not sure if I'll run AWF again because of this.

Has anyone been debris free on certain brands? Never had an issue with Lignetics/Southern States bags.

 

[kenora]

So thats what happened to Bill.... we suspected he had fallen into the pellet mill

 

[drizler]

You ain’t seen nothin yet. Back several years ago mine quit. Had to take it apart to find a nice ragged piece of steel just the right size to get along side the auger and blow the motor. It must have been a piece of the pellet mill that broke [emoji3061]. It happens unfortunately.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[tlc1976]

Only thing I've seen is earlier this season, a chunk of unground wood about 1/4 x 1 1/2" long. Good to know I should be keeping watch.

 

[Ssyko]

I’ve found nuts, bolts, screws, pieces of plastic. Much larger chunks of wood that would not make it through the mill so had to be placed in or after the cooling line by a disgruntled employee. Never know what you’re going to find lol.

 

[miteclipse]

Looks like there is alot of horror stories

 

[Dataman]

Found "Liberty Head Double Eagle", but nothing really worthwhile. Was hoping for Crystalline Carbon. I just get Sawdust and Wood Pellets. Now I will watch more closely for debris.

 

[FirepotPete]

A couple of rare earth magnets or old hard drive magnets attached near the bottom of the hopper near the auger helps to catch any magnetic objects. Have caught one piece years ago using them and have never had any problems. Of course I just jinxed myself saying that.

 

[Connecticut Yankee]

Nothing too adventurous, so far, but this is only my first season, lol! Did find a large clinker after one particular bag, and the dealer thought it might have been a piece of bag plastic that had gotten in at the factory.

My favorite story was a thread on here, in which a guy reported finding a complete set of keys in the hopper!

 

[doghouse]

I once found the plans for world domination.

 

[FirepotPete]

I once found the plans for world domination.

Comrade Putin, is that you in the red dog house...?

 

[miteclipse]

Found 1/2 inch what looks to be like a broken bearing. Somehow it made it theough the auger and was on the burnpot. Im done with AWF

 

[KenofShelby]

Wow,, I didn’t know I should be watching for these things.. I do pour my pellets into the hopper slowly, so I would see any problems,, The mill I get my pellets from burned down last month, so don;t know what I will do.

 

[Rascal08]

i found a piece of concrete in my auger that jamed of course and took out the auger motor. They were cozy cofmy pellets

 

[jp99]

If you ever add corn to your pellets, you'll also find parts of cobs, small rocks and other field debris in there.

This is one reason I like pouring pellets and corn into a bucket and mixing by hand. I get a chance to see each product as it's poured, and one final check when the bucket contents are poured into the hopper.

 

[Tails1]

A couple of rare earth magnets or old hard drive magnets attached near the bottom of the hopper near the auger helps to catch any magnetic objects. Have caught one piece years ago using them and have never had any problems. Of course I just jinxed myself saying that.

There was someone on here recently had a nail go through his stove and jam the auger that came with the pellets. A couple of strong magnets like what you describe is a BRILLIANT idea, next shut down I will install some. Thanks!