THERMOPLASTIC PAVEMENT MARKING APPLICATOR

The following are general specifications for the Thermo Mark II Featherlite.

 

       GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

 

Scope: It is the intent of these specifications to describe the minimum requirements for a hand-propelled applicator suitable to pre-melt and extrude thermoplastic pavement markings with a temperature control system:

 

EMPTY WEIGHT

MATERIAL CAPACITY

DIMENSIONS

285 lbs.

250 lbs.

57”L x 43-1/4”W x 37”H

 

Installation: The unit shall be capable of properly melting while installing every type of thermoplastic pavement marking application (long-line’s, skips, messages, arrows, etc.).

 

Material Holding Tank: The tank must have a ¼” thick oval bottom and ¼” thick straight wall sides (a vertical pot is not acceptable).  The outer rectangular aluminum shall be insulated via a 1” mineral wool insulation held in place by a 1/16” aluminum panel and ventilated. The material holding tank must be bolted, not welded, to outer skin assembly for ease of replacement. There shall be two hinged rectangular doors with a ¾” turn down lip for added strength covering the thermoplastic material kettle. Doors shall be equipped with slide bolt locks. A removable screen shall be provided to filter out foreign material during molten thermoplastic kettle transfer.

 

Exterior Construction: The unit shall be aluminum construction where the front houses the material holding tank and the rear a 20 pound LPG fuel tank with proper safety heat controls. The fuel tank compartment shall be open to allow for maximum air circulation. The applicator shall ride on three wide airless tires with precision bearings mounted on an axle. Front axle shafts must be mounted using flange bearings to allow maximum drag free propulsion. All bearings must be able to accept grease via grease zert. No stamped bearings or foam filled wheel’s allowed.

 

Rear Swivel Wheel: The unit shall be equipped with a precision swivel wheel. Wheel shall be airless and use precision bearings. Swivel wheel shall be operated from a lever control attached to the push handle by the operator’s left hand. Swivel wheel shall automatically lock in straight line when lever is released. Wheel bearings shall accept grease via grease zert. Wheel will be adjustable for true tracking. No stamped bearings or foam filled wheel’s are allowed.

 

Hand Controls: A handle, located on the left side, shall enable the operator to keep material agitated during operation. Two handles shall be located on the right and easily controlled with a single hand, the outside lever opens and closes material transfer valve and the inside lever activates the extrusion die and bead dispenser simultaneously.

 

Brakes: A dual front wheel parking brake shall be provided to prevent the applicator from moving while being refilled. Brake must also have the ability to be use as a friction brake on down hill slopes. Brake must be adjustable. Brake lever to be attached to push handle for ease of operating.

 

Heating System:

A. Two spread head side port burners, with a minimum total of 20,000 BTU rating per hour, shall be mounted in a compartment under the molten tank for maintaining thermoplastic material at proper melting and application temperatures.

B. A single valve standing pilot combination control shall be provided and located under the bead reservoir tank compartment with the pilot easily accessible behind an observation door to enhance operation safety.

 

Thermostat: The material shall be controlled by means of an automatic temperature control system to melt and maintain material temperatures between 400 degrees F and 440 degrees F, monitored by a thermocouple that is positioned in the material holding tank. Thermostat shall be able to show both set temp and actual temp at the same time. Battery operated thermostat is not allowed.

 

Die Shield: An aluminum heat and wind shield shall be mounted on the applicator’s right to cover the extrusion die. It shall contain a minimum two 3 ¾” by 7-inch, re-ignitable, radiant heater’s to direct heat on the die and material valve. The side of the shield shall fully swing open and latch in the upright position for easy access to the extrusion die. Open flame heating directly attached to die is unacceptable. The die shield shall accommodate various width extrusion dies from 4” to 12”.

 

Pointer System: The applicator shall be equipped with a heavy-duty pointer system indicating the location of applying the thermoplastic pavement marking. The pointer shall be adjustable left or right and freely swivel up and down under spring tension, holding any position without requiring hand adjustment or bolting.

 

Extrusion Die System: The die shield must contain a spring activated extrusion die hanger bar. The extrusion die shall automatically interlock and disconnect from the die shield without the use of a butt hinge, separate bolt, or connecting rod. The connected extrusion die shall be completely height and angle adjustable.  A properly secured and adjusted die shall be capable of accomplishing a true, straight thermoplastic line. The extrusion die shall receive material from the molasses valve while in the user’s direct view. The lines will be squarely started and stopped by means of a swing door operated by dual, fast closure, heat shielded springs. The die shall contain tungsten carbide protected runners to ensure long wearing on road surfaces. The die shall open to the width of the line and to a minimum of 7/8” away from the die trough, exposing the road surface for maximum application adhesion and speed. All die parts shall be high temperature and rust resistant metal.

 

Bead Dispensing: The applicator shall be equipped with one stationary variable width bead dispenser, aligned directly behind the die. The bead dispenser shall be adjustable. Bead dispenser shall be able to apply a 4”, 6”, 8”, or 12” width as well as the ability to shut off all flow of the beads. Adjustment of width shall be obtained by rotation of a single lever located on the end of bead dispenser. The bead dispenser shall be aluminum constructed, and have an access door, with a minimum opening of 4”. Bead dispenser shall be able to receive a continuous flow of beads from the bead reservoir tank with access door in the open position with out lose of beads.

 

Bead Reservoir: The bead reservoir tank shall hold a minimum of 50 lbs. of glass beads and will continuously feed the bead dispenser via a 1 ½” material feed hose. The bead reservoir shall have a minimum opening of 4”. Bead reservoir lid shall be hinged and held shut by spring loaded catch.

 

General: Complete printed specifications, literature, photos, and illustrations must accompany each bid.  Two copies of instruction manuals and parts books for the applicator and accessories shall be supplied. When delivered, the unit shall be completely assembled and ready to operate except for fuel.

 

Delivery – The unit shall be delivered within 45 days of receipt of written purchase order.