4B Scoop

IN THIS EDITION:

  • Hazard Monitoring Design – what, why, how?
  • The Need for Speed(Master)
  • Carl’s Top 3 Tricks for Bulk Handling
  • Who is Tim Williams?
Certified Components

Plan for the Hazards


Like everything in business, the best hazard monitoring takes planning and strategy. Unfortunately, one of the most critical areas is also one of those areas that gets put together on a need-to basis.


To assist, 4B Components’ Hazard Monitoring Design Service, created with an eye toward intentional, strategy-based preventive maintenance and monitoring. The goal is reducing your risk and the accompanying downtime. 


Our experts will pull from our extensive range of CSA/ATEX/IECEx/INMETRO approved technology to suit your requirements and budget.


We can provide anything from a replacement sensor to a fully integrated hazard monitoring system that can be operated as a stand-alone device or connected to your plants PLC.


To get a FREE recommendation from our engineers, fill out a quick form HERE.

Hazard Monitoring Components

What the Heck Is Hazard Monitoring?



Hazard monitoring systems are designed to detect the common dust ignition sources that occur on machinery, such as friction from misaligning belts, bearings overheating and belts slipping on the drive pulley—the technology that keeps watch on your bucket elevators and conveyors 24x7. 



SpeedMaster Tester

The Need for Speed(Master)


The 4B SpeedMaster, our speed switch sensor and system testing device is the fastest, most reliable and easiest way to check your belt slip or underspeed sensors. This is independent, real time, complete verification of your entire speed monitoring system to ensure alarms and shutdowns are functioning as expected.


SpeedMaster is engineered with two modes:

  • Input mode measures pulse rate at normal speed.
  • Output mode lets you input pulses to test the system.

And the built-in Pulse Pilot fits in the gap between the speed sensor and the Whirligig® cover.


Key features:

  • Speed switch calibration testing
  • Exact alarm point testing
  • Exact shutdown point testing
  • No need to disconnect or modify sensor assembly for testing
  • Easy to read display
Watch Video

Carl’s Top 3 Tricks for Bulk Handling

Carl Swisher
Listen Here

Since back when 4B created the first elevator bucket from pressed steel in 1909, (shameless plug, we know), we’ve been laser-focused on designing material handling components that are unique or enhance efficiency. Or ideally, both.


Fast forward ten decades, and our Sales Manager Carl Swisher has made himself a master of material handling. Lucky for you, he likes to share his knowledge, and the Dust Safety Science podcast managed to extract three gems on his best ways to address your bulk material handling challenges.


Here’s what he said:

  1. Don’t bet on belt splicing – In an overlap splice, standard elevator bolts can snap or pull through the belt from the torque. Instead, go for a bigger bolt like the reference 70.
  2. Stop sparking your conveyor paddles – Typical drag conveyors use metal paddles attached to the chain, but the metal wanders or bends, and sparks fly. (Swipe left on that.) Instead, drop the hot work and go for Bolt N Go.
  3. Consider the casing, not the elevator – When it’s time for more capacity, conventional wisdom says knock that old one down and put in new, but that’s expensive and slow. Instead, let 4B Components engineers optimize the existing casing for max throughput.

Interest piqued? Check out the complete podcast—and all the details on Carl’s favorite material handling tricks!


Tim Williams

Who is Tim Williams?


Tim Williams 

Senior Sales Representative


Tim has been with 4B Components for almost a decade, supporting elevator and conveyor customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S regions. With over 38 years of industrial parts sales and distribution experience, he’s seen every corner of the industry, so we asked for Tim’s take on some key issues.


On why people stay at 4B Components

“4B is committed to the continuous improvement of our existing products and to developing solutions for the emerging needs of our customers. I take pride in being part of that constant mission to provide the best products and solutions to our material handling customers.”


On the best part of his job

“Interacting with customers at their facilities. Learning their needs and working to provide viable solutions to improve the reliability and efficiency of their processes.”


On what makes the ag industry different

“Many processes in the ag industry are either seasonal or constant. For instance, crop harvesting and transfer of the harvested crops to storage may have a short process time of a few weeks and then the harvest becomes an ingredient in a continuous process that does not allow for much downtime for equipment replacement or repairs.”


On what sets 4B Components apart

“For a company to excel in this industry consistently for over 100 years is evidence of 4B Components being committed to providing reliable and efficient solutions for our customers.”



On how to take a break from work

“Spend time with my wife Michelle, son Joshua and our chocolate lab. I also like fishing—freshwater and saltwater—and shooting sports. And I enjoy watching baseball, both minor league and MLB.”

FALL EVENTS - Where will you be?

Be sure to stop and say hello at the following events!


Oct 8-10 : Solids in Dortmund, Germany - [Stand 5 -L20]

Oct 16-18 : FIGAP in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México - [Stand #608-610]

Oct 16-17 : MHEA conference in Chesford Grange, UK - [Stand 6]

Oct 17 : GEAPS Gulf South Chapter Associate's Night in Laplace, LA 

Nov 6-8 : AFIA Equipment Manufacturers Conference (EMC) in Bonita Springs, FL 

Nov 10-13 : IAOM MEA in Dubai, UAE - [Stand D9]

Nov 21 : GEAPS Cornbelt/Hoosier 2024 Mini Convention in Covington, IN

Nov 26-28 : AICCE27 in Tunis, Tunisia - [Stand M6]

Dec 3-5 : Vrac Tech in Mâcon, France - [Stand HSP - A52]

Dec 9-12 : Country Elevator Conference and Tradeshow (CEC) - [Booth #505]

Need components for your plant? Time to restock? WE GOT YOU.


Put together your order for parts like speed switches, hazard controls, belt & pulley alignment parts, bearing temperature sensors and level & plug indicators and give us a call. And if you need it fast, same-day shipping can save the day!


Call 309-698-5611 to set up delivery.

Facebook  LinkedIn  Web  YouTube