YPT Wobbler Feeders

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Built for Tough Materials

WBL Series Wobbler Feeders

A Wobbler Feeder is a specialised piece of bulk-material processing equipment that combines feeding and pre‐screening (scalping) functions, particularly designed to handle wet, sticky, clay‐bound or fine-laden feed material that tends to clog conventional feeders or vibrating grizzly screens.

The device consists of a series of rotating shafts on which elliptical or triangular bars (sometimes called “wobbler bars”) are mounted in parallel. These bars rotate in unison but with phased offsets, producing a “wobbling” or tumbling action that agitates the material, separates fines and clay/sludge, and ensures a uniform feed of the coarse or desired material into the downstream crusher or conveyor.

In short, the wobbler feeder acts as a robust “self-cleaning” feeder/scalper combination, enabling downstream plant throughput, reducing blockages and improving feeding consistency in challenging feed conditions.

Areas of Application

Wobbler feeders are used in a variety of mineral processing, aggregate and bulk-materials operations. Key application areas include:
  • Prior to the primary crusher in mining operations, especially where the run-of-mine feed is high in moisture, stickiness or fines/clay content.
  • In aggregate processing plants where blasted or washed material contains high clay/silt content, and pre-cleaning is needed before crushing.
  • In bulk loading/unloading terminals (rail, ship, barge) where mixed material or fine oversize need to be removed before conveying.
  • In underground or in-pit conditions where vibrations or space may be limited and conventional feeders/screens are prone to blinding or bridging
By integrating the feeding and scalping functions, the wobbler feeder helps improve plant efficiency, reduce crusher wear (by removing fines/clays), lower maintenance and manage difficult feed materials.

Principle of Operation

The operating principle of a wobbler feeder involves several key stages:

  • Feed:

    Material enters the feeder, typically from a bin, hopper or truck dump, and lands on the bar deck composed of multiple parallel rotating shafts with elliptical/triangular bars.

  • Agitation / “Wobbling” motion:

    As the shafts rotate synchronously (but with phased offsets between adjacent shafts), the bars produce a tumbling, scrubbing motion. This motion helps break up lumps, remove sticky fines/clays, and keep the feed material moving forward rather than bridging or blinding.

  • Separation of fines / unwanted material:

    Smaller particles, mud, clay and fines pass through the gaps between the rotating bars and fall out (to a separate chute or discard). The remaining coarser, desired material continues on the deck to the discharge end.

  • Controlled discharge:

    The coarser, clean material is delivered at a uniform rate to the crusher or downstream conveyor. The feed rate and composition are therefore improved, and the downstream equipment is protected from clogging, excess fines and muddy feed.

  • Self-cleaning / non-clogging design:

    Because of the abrasion/scrubbing action of the bars and the motion, the feeder resists blocking even in wet or sticky feed conditions—a primary advantage over vibrating feeders or grizzlies.

Heavy-Duty Feeding for the Toughest Conditions

YPT Wobbler Feeder Highlights

Continuous, Clog-Free Feeding for Uninterrupted Flow

Design Criteria

Material characteristics:

lump size, bulk density, moisture content, clay/silt content, abrasiveness. Higher moisture or fine clay content increases the need for wobbler action.

Feed rate / tonnage:

The required throughput drives the width, deck length, number of shafts, bar pattern and drive power.

Deck length and width:

Longer decks allow more time for tumbling/separation of fines; width determines the capacity and allows accommodation of large lumps.

Bar geometry and shaft offsets:

The elliptical/triangular bars and phased shaft arrangement determine the “throw” and tumbling effect. Proper gap size between bars is key to unwanted fines passing through.

Inclination / angle of deck:

Some wobbler feeders have slight incline to aid flow; design must account for material behavior on the deck.

Robust construction:

High-impact loads (large lumps, loading trucks, blockages) require heavy structure, wear liners, strong bearings and often oversized drives.

Maintenance access / reliable drives:

Because the units are used in demanding conditions, design should consider ease of inspection, lubrication, replacement of bars, and robust drive systems (gearbox, coupling) with overload protection.

Integration with upstream/downstream equipment:

The wobbler feeder should be matched to the feed source (bin, dump, truck) and the downstream crusher/conveyor, including feed profile, distribution and uniformity. Pre-screening of fines helps protect crusher efficiency and reduce wear.

Technical Specifications

Deck width

~1 000 – 2 400 mmBased on capacity and lump size

Deck length
Speed:

~3 000 – 9 000 mmLonger deck = more separation time

Capacity (tonnes/h)

~200 – 1 000 t/h+Depends on width, length, material density

Drive power

~22 – 75 kW or moreDepending on size and load

Bar spacing / gap size

~30 – 150 mmDetermines minimum size passing through deck with correct
design and power

Shaft speed / bar speed
Power:

Synchronous drive, moderate RPMTumbling motion criticalon load,
friction and speed

Wear materials / liners

Hardened steel, manganese, wear platesImportant given heavy duty dutyand lubrication
dependent

Inclination angle

Horizontal to slight inclineOften near horizontal for separation standard

Important Considerations:

  • Feed bed distribution and uniformity:

    The performance of a wobbler feeder depends strongly on how the material is dumped onto its deck. Uneven feed, deep ratholes or side dumping may reduce the tumbling action and separation efficiency.

  • Gap sizing vs fines removal:

    Setting the bar gap too small may undermine throughput; too large may allow unwanted fines into crusher — calibration is important.

  • Inclined decks trade-off:

    While deck incline may assist flow, too much incline can reduce separation time and increase slip of coarse material.

  • Wear management:

    The bars and shafts are subject to severe wear — planning for spare bars, impact liners and a maintenance schedule is critical to avoid unplanned shutdowns.

  • Integration with crusher feed:

    The wobbler must be sized to match the crusher’s capacity and the feed quality; undersizing will negate its benefits.

  • Material changes:

    If the feed geology changes (lump size, clay content, moisture) the wobbler settings (bar spacing, drive speed, deck length) may need adjustment — the design should allow such flexibility.

  • Dust and overflow management:

    Material thrown off or fines dropped through the deck need proper containment; lack of chute design may create dust or muddy runoff.

  • Capital vs benefit:

    Although wobbler feeders cost more than simpler feeders, their benefits (reduced crusher wear, fewer blockages, reduced maintenance) must be evaluated in the specific site context.