ADJUSTING WHEEL

505445 ADJUSTING WHEEL Proper alignment of the drifter on its feed is fundamental to the entire drilling process. This adjusting plate is used to set the precise position and angle of the drifter cradle relative to the feed beam. It compensates for manufacturing tolerances and wear, ensuring the drill steel is perfectly parallel to the direction of feed.

When the drifter is misaligned, drilling performance suffers significantly. You might notice the drill steel wearing unevenly or that it's difficult to drill a straight hole. This misalignment also puts excessive side-loading on the drifter's front head and the feed components, accelerating wear and increasing the risk of a breakdown. Using the correct plate maintains the geometry of the entire feed unit for reliable operation.

Inspect this plate for flatness, cracks, or elongated bolt holes during major drifter or feed maintenance. If you see signs of heavy wear on the drifter cradle slides or the feed beam, a worn adjusting plate could be the root cause. Always replace it to restore the correct alignment and protect more expensive components from damage.