How To Shut Down Your ADM Asphalt Plant for the Season

If you’re a seasonal hot-mix asphalt producer who shuts down for the winter months, follow these helpful tips for proper shut down of your asphalt plant. This checklist is provided to guide you through shutdown. You may also reference the operation and maintenance sections of your equipment manuals. We have made every attempt to ensure completeness, unforeseen or unspecified applications, and details. There may be variations that preclude covering every possible contingency. If you have questions or need further information, call ADM at 260.637.5729.

Shutdown Procedures:

Eliminate any condition that might lead to cold-weather-related equipment damage. Make a list of items that may need to be repaired or replaced. Filters, drive belts, bearings, and gear oil should be ordered for winter maintenance.

1. Inspect the inside of the drum and drum flights for signs of excessive wear.
2. Inspect the inside of the stack and the inlet to the exhaust fan. If the blades are worn on the exhaust fan, the balance and efficiency may be affected. Only qualified personnel should make repairs to an exhaust fan.
3. Clean the liquid asphalt cement and dust injection pipes. Inspect for signs of wear. Replace as needed.
4. Inspect the trunions and tires for metal flaking between the tire and the trunnion. Look for grooves in the tire or trunnion. Adjust per the drawings provided.
5. Clean the accumulated build-up on the drag conveyor, chain, and sprockets. Then look for signs of wear, including the wear plate in the bottom and sides of the drag conveyor.
6. Check all limit switch paddles, gob hopper, cone, and silo gates for excessive wear. Reline or replace as necessary.
7. Remove all excessive material from belt and/or chute feeders, hoppers, conveyors, and belts. Inspect for excessive wear, cuts, cracks, and missing pieces of belts.
8. Conduct a visolite test to detect leaks in the baghouse. Repair any leaks or damaged bags and cages. Vacuum the dust from the top of the tube sheet on the baghouse. This will help prevent rust and corrosion during the off season.
9. Check operation of pilot and pulse solenoids. Check for worn or ultra-violet damage to the pulse lines.
10. Check the screw bearings and shafts for wear. Replace as necessary.
11. Inspect all vane feeders and blowers. Clean and oil blowers. These items must be rotated 10-25 rotations per month.
12. Clean the control house thoroughly. Cover all exposed controls and computer equipment. Control the temperature, if possible.
13. Check the condition of all drive belts, pulleys, rough top lagging, sheaves, and bushings.
14. Inspect all gear box oil for signs of water and metal grindings. Replace as needed.
15. Protect all generators, burners, burner blowers, and asphalt pump from cold weather, rain, and snow, by covering them with heavy tarps.
16. Clean out and drain water from all air lines, water traps, and oilers, to prevent breakage that can result from freezing temperatures.
17. Clean the plant site of oil spills and other debris.
18. Paint and clean all surfaces to slow corrosion.
19. Replace any teeth or wear bars in any RAP processors.
20. Replace any screen cloths in the scalper screens.
21. Check the inside of the drum for wear on flights and discharge paddles for proper tension. Inspect the flights, chain, wear plate, and sprocket for wear.
22. Inspect thermocouples, discharge chutes, inlet chutes, and ducts for wear. Replace as needed.