Tie Plate Separator and Method Thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a tie plate feed assembly, comprising:
 a tie plate mover in feed communication with a tie plate receiver which sorts tie plates;   a receiver motor for operating said tie plate receiver, said tie plate receiver driven by a drive assembly;   a mover motor which operates said tie plate mover; and,   wherein said mover motor is inoperable if a drive parameter of said receiver motor is beyond a preselected value.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said receiver motor is a hydraulic motor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said parameter is a pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said receiver motor is an electric motor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said parameter is current. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a hopper in communication with a mover, said mover operably connected to said mover motor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , said mover being a conveyor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , said mover being a vibrating feeder. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said preselected value corresponds to a load of tie plates in said tie plate receiver. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said mover motor is stopped when said preselected value represents a load that is too high.