paint tank. The paint spray gun is located on the right front side. The bead-dispenser hopper is mounted
in front and to the right of the engine and the compressor. A flexible hose connects the hopper with a
rotating bead spreader. The front wheel furnishes the traction for the machine. Power is transmitted to
the wheel from the engine by roller chains.
3-18. Uses. Traffic-marking machines are used to paint stripes and dispense glass beads into the wet
paint in one operation. Depending on the make and model, machines may have any number of features,
such as spray guns and bead dispensers.
a. Air Compressor. An air compressor may be a single- or twin-cylinder type and is capable of
delivering ample air pressure. The safety valves are generally set at 75 to 100 pounds per square inch.
b. Paint Tank. A paint tank varies in capacity with the type of marking machine. Strain all
paint before placing it into any paint tank. Paint-tank lids or covers are of the clamp-on type. Most
paint tanks have a hand- or power-operated agitator which keeps the paint thoroughly mixed during the
operation. This agitator is also used for cleaning the tank.
c. Paint Gun. A paint gun mounted on the traffic-marking machine has the same design as that
used for ordinary spray painting. The spraying width is governed partly by the spray gun's adjustments
and the distance the spray gun's nozzle is positioned from the surface being striped.
d. Bead-Dispenser Hopper. The hopper is a special mechanism that meters (measures out) and
applies glass beads. The hopper's size depends on the traffic marker's size, and the hopper is driven by
an auxiliary shaft. After the glass beads are metered by the dispensing mechanism in the ratio of 6
pounds to every gallon of binder, they are blown by air pressure into the wet binder stripe.
3-19. Operation Characteristics. Most traffic-marking machines are designed to handle any standard
traffic-marking paint. They also spray lacquers and reflectorized synthetic materials (glass beads).
Always use the reducing agent recommended by the paint manufacturer when it is necessary to thin
traffic-marking paint; never use gasoline.
3-20. Operator Maintenance. Perform machine maintenance according to the directions set forth by
the manufacturer. However, if such manuals are not available, the suggestions listed in the following
paragraphs should be followed:
a. Gasoline Engine. Keep the lubricating oil in the crankcase at the proper level. Change the
oil at intervals of 25 to 50 hours of operation. Renew the oil-filter cartridge when the oil is changed.
Remove the air filter from the engine, disassemble the filter, and wash in cleaning solvent. Place new
lubricating oil in the oil filter cartridge and reinstall the air filter.
b. Paint Tank. To clean the paint tank, first remove the tank cover and pour the paint into a
disposable container. Then pour about a gallon of thinner into the tank. Replace the cover, let the fluid
agitate for two or three minutes, and drain the fluid.
3-41
EN0562
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