Bucket Sampler

The Bucket Sampler is designed to extract increments, or cuts, from a free-falling flow of bulk materials within a vertical duct. Representativity is ensured because a complete cross-section of the material stream is collected with each pass, capturing variation across the full width of the flow rather than sampling from a single point.

Whether the application involves grains, seeds, powders, or other granular materials, the Bucket Sampler offers a reliable sampling solution built for consistency and ease of use. The M&W Bucket Sampler is engineered to make the sampling process quick, efficient, and hassle-free, minimizing operator involvement while maintaining sample accuracy.

The Bucket Sampler is available in two configurations to suit different material types and operating conditions. The standard variant, the Bucket Sampler Chain (BS-C), is delivered with a robust chain drive system, making it a dependable choice for a wide range of sampling needs across agricultural, food processing, and quality control applications. The Bucket Sampler Wire (BS-W) is delivered with a robust wire drive system and is preferable for materials containing significant amounts of dust or fine particles, making it particularly well suited to applications such as biomass and limestone powders.

Bucket Sampler (BS)
• Fine particles are kept enclosed in the BS by a cover housing. This also avoids cross-contamination.
• The BS collects a full cross section of the material flow
• The BS is easy to install.
• If space is a constraint the BS is beneficial due to its compact design.

The Bucket Sampler features a bucket cutter connected to two parallel drivers, either chain or wire depending on the variant, which move the cutter through the material stream at speeds of up to 0.6 m/s. During each sampling cycle, the sampler runs the cutter through the falling material stream twice, ensuring a thorough, representative cut before the collected sample is emptied through the outlet.

Between sampling operations, the bucket is parked above the bottom outlet, keeping it clear of the material flow and ready for the next cycle. An inspection hatch is located on top of the sampler, providing convenient access for routine maintenance and the replacement of spare parts, helping to minimize downtime and keep the system running reliably over the long term.

The Bucket Sampler control software manages the timing and movement of the cutter, coordinating each pass through the falling material stream to ensure a consistent, representative sample is collected on every cycle. Extraction can be triggered according to a configured sampling frequency, by material throughput, or in response to signals from upstream process equipment, allowing the sampling schedule to align with actual production conditions.

The software controls the cutter’s travel speed along the chain or wire drive, up to 0.6 m/s, ensuring smooth, repeatable motion through the material stream on each of the two passes per cycle. It also manages the parking sequence, returning the bucket to its resting position above the bottom outlet between operations to keep it clear of the material flow until the next sampling event.

Operators can monitor cutter position, cycle counts, and system alerts through the control interface, providing clear visibility into ongoing sampling activity. Sampling parameters, including cycle frequency and trigger conditions, can be configured to match specific process requirements, allowing the Bucket Sampler to be adapted to different material types and production schedules.

The software also includes fault detection and alerting, flagging issues such as drive faults or obstructed cutter movement so maintenance teams can respond quickly and maintain consistent sample quality.