The Model 450A is a custom-designed gravimetric feeder that pairs a heavy-duty apron belt (metal pans on industrial chain) with Merrick’s exclusive Model 465A weigh unit. It provides continuous, accurate rate control and totalization for materials that are too abrasive, hot, sticky, or coarse for conventional rubber-belt weigh feeders.

Merrick also offers upgrading and modernization services that allow older weigh feeders (any manufacturer) to be retrofitted with current technology for improved accuracy and reliability.

It is specifically designed for abrasive, wet/sticky, large, or hot materials. Typical applications include:

• Feeding abrasive materials to cement raw mills
• Metering wet materials such as limestone
• Feeding hot clinker
• Other severe-duty bulk solids in cement, mining, minerals, and similar industries

Conveyor widths range from 24″ to 72″ (product page notes 36″–72″ as common). Lengths are available from 9′ to 60′+.

The dual load-cell, multi-parallelogram weigh suspension spans three pan sections and is capable of feed-rate accuracies of up to ±0.5%. Load cells are mounted outboard for easy side access and include environmental protection plus barometric and temperature compensation.

• Heavy-duty channel construction
• Flanged infeed section of abrasion-resistant steel, custom-designed for material flow
• Totally enclosed, dust-confining design with quick-removal access panels on all sides
• 15.68″ pitch-diameter head and tail sprockets
• 4″ flanged overlapping apron conveyor pans on engineered industrial chain with 4″ diameter rollers
• Heavy-duty pillow-block bearings
• Cast rollers with chilled rim riding on ASCE crane rail
• Extra-heavy-duty enclosed screw take-ups
• Tail-sprocket-mounted speed sensor (also functions as a zero-speed switch)
• Shaft-mounted speed reducer with variable-speed AC or DC motor
• Model 465A Weightometer Unit (multi-parallelogram suspension spanning three pan pitches, dual strain-gauge load cells)
• Calibration test weights

• Drag chain cleanout
• Sloped bottom pans
• Discharge pluggage switches
• No-material-on-conveyor switch
• Customer-specified motors and speed reducers

The exclusive Model 465A weigh unit uses a unique multi-parallelogram suspension that provides a stable platform for accurate load sensing. Dual strain-gauge load cells are mounted outboard. The suspension spans three pan roller pitches. Speed is measured by an encoder on the tail sprocket shaft, which also serves as a zero-speed switch. The system works with Merrick’s Genetix process controller.

The Model 450A is typically paired with Merrick’s Genetix process controller. Genetix is a powerful single-board controller that does not require a local operator display to function and can interface with most modern PLC systems via DeviceNet, ControlNet, Profibus, Ethernet, and other industrial protocols. It supports everything from single-feeder installations to complex multi-feeder blending systems.

Yes. Merrick offers upgrading and modernization services for older weigh feeders, regardless of original manufacturer. These upgrades can include modern electronic weigh suspensions, AC/VFD drives, and Genetix controllers to improve accuracy, reduce maintenance, and extend equipment life.

Contact Merrick Industries for a custom-engineered solution:

• Phone: +1 850.265.3611 (Worldwide)

Technical support is available Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–4:30 pm Central Time, with emergency after-hours support.