---
title: Piston Vibrator Corrects Bottleneck And Decreases Shutdowns
description: This pneumatic impactor is controlled by a timer, to deliver powerful industrial vibration to keep production flowing and reduce material buildups.
image: https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/Thumper-1.png
---

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## Problem Solved Paper

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# Piston Vibrator Corrects Bottleneck And Decreases Shutdowns

[Martin Engineering](https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/author/martin-engineering)

 March 6 2026

[Vibration](https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/tag/vibration)

### Problem

 ![](https://static.martin-eng.com/www.martin-eng.com/case-studies/P1145-1.jpg)The plant’s mixture of coal and shredded tires (TDF) hangs up on the feed hopper grizzly. The plant has removed several of the grizzly bars, creating a larger opening but material still hangs up. This bottleneck forces plant personnel to push the fuel mixture over the pit, and then get out of the loader to poke the pile through the grizzly with a shovel.  

### Solution

 ![](https://static.martin-eng.com/www.martin-eng.com/products/vb-piston-vibrators/vb-pv-thumper-piston-vibrators/THUMBS/21287_02_MOXIETHUMB_750.png)To improve material flow, a [Thumper™  Series Timed Impactor](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product/61/thumper-series-timed-impactor) from Martin Engineering was installed to cover half of the grizzly’s four sections. Controlled by a pneumatic timer, the Thumper™  Series Timed Impactor delivers powerful sledgehammer-like blows to stimulate material flow and prevent bottlenecks.  

### Results

   
![](https://static.martin-eng.com/www.martin-eng.com/case-studies/P1145-3.jpg) When the plant is moving fuel, the operator turns on the air supply to the Thumper™  Series Timed Impactor. The device operates at a rate of 30 to 40 impacts per minute. With the Thumper™ Series Timed Impactor operating, there is continuous material flow, with no shoveling required. The operator can stay in the loader to get the fuel moved more efficiently. 

[![<p>Watch Webinar:</p> <p>Vibration Used On Bins, Chutes, Hoppers</p>](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5156573/interactive-208841600037.png)](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIxLtRuDXafke3WXVs7lZ4KcF3rflUgZ3EA%2Flr4gr83LaffDYPUZcEGy7Wednzaq17rzzSvUZi5ZOT%2BQCcaaYHJKFpXH693PE50%2FE5sbr8GvSug7hG%2Fw3XSOKVwfXs0An%2Fh8FVUNrxcL7BwZjjGl7CQdX0xEG1Xq9xXyFTXT3IOo7pW0cpH9UsPkryw099SzSKLQQ%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=208841600037&portalId=5156573)

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