Thermometers for Spitzer SF/SK Silo Trailers
A thermometer is a temperature-monitoring instrument within the pneumatic system of an aluminium Spitzer SF or SK silo trailer. During discharge, bulk material — PE/PP granulate or other powdered goods — is conveyed by a stream of compressed air that heats up as the compressor works. Monitoring temperature keeps the discharge process within a safe operating band: excessively hot air can damage seals, hoses, and the product being transported.
The thermometer case is manufactured from stainless steel, making it resistant to corrosion and mechanical damage in the dusty, vibrating conditions of trailer operation. The thermometer works alongside the pressure gauge as the second core monitoring instrument on the pneumatic system — the gauge shows pressure, the thermometer shows temperature, and together these two readings describe the state of the pneumatic line during discharge.
Air temperature in the pneumatic line is not constant — it depends on how long the compressor has been running, the working pressure, and ambient conditions. A live temperature reading allows the operator to act before the temperature approaches the safe limit for seals and hoses. For this reason, a thermometer in good working order with a clearly legible dial is just as important as the pressure gauge: an inaccurate or unreadable reading deprives the operator of control over one of the two key discharge parameters.
Our range covers two dial diameters and two temperature ranges, enabling an exact match to the installation space and operating conditions of any given silo trailer.
Specifications and Materials
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | thermometer |
| Case | stainless steel |
| Available diameters | 63 mm, 100 mm |
| Temperature range | 0–200°C or 0–250°C |
The stainless steel case ensures long service life under the demanding conditions of bulk material transport. The two temperature ranges allow the reading resolution to be matched to the actual working range of the system.
Sizes and Types
Thermometers are selected according to two parameters: dial diameter and temperature range.
| Diameter (mm) | Temperature range |
|---|---|
| 63 | 0–200°C or 0–250°C |
| 100 | 0–200°C or 0–250°C |
- 63 mm diameter — compact size for confined instrument-mounting spaces.
- 100 mm diameter — larger dial, improved legibility from the operator’s position.
- 0–200°C range — finer scale graduation within the typical operating band.
- 0–250°C range — used where air temperatures may reach higher levels.
The choice of diameter and range is determined by how the instrument is fitted and by the maximum temperature that occurs in the system of the individual trailer.
Compatibility with Spitzer Silo Trailers (SF/SK)
The thermometers in our range are intended for the pneumatic systems of Spitzer aluminium silo trailers in the SF and SK series. Selection comes down to matching the dial diameter (63 or 100 mm) and temperature range (0–200°C or 0–250°C) to the operating conditions and mounting arrangement on the specific trailer.
The thermometer is fitted at the temperature measurement point on the pneumatic line, typically adjacent to the pressure gauge. We determine the correct specification based on the parameters of the individual Spitzer trailer’s pneumatic system.
In practice, the right temperature range depends on how hard the trailer’s compressor works and how long a single discharge cycle runs. Where air temperature stays in a lower band, the 0–200°C range gives a denser scale and more precise readings. In systems where air heats up more significantly, the 0–250°C range is the safer choice, providing adequate headroom above the expected maximum. Dial diameter — 63 or 100 mm — is primarily a function of the mounting location and the legibility required from the operator’s viewpoint.
Common Faults
In service practice, the most typical thermometer fault is a seized or bent pointer caused by exceeding the measurement range — the instrument then either reads incorrectly or fails to return to its rest position. Another common issue is fogging of the dial, which makes it impossible for the operator to read the temperature during discharge.
A thermometer with an uncertain or illegible reading must be replaced — an incorrect temperature reading in the pneumatic system can lead to overheating of seals and hoses. When selecting a replacement, the measurement range must cover the maximum temperature in the system with adequate margin.
A third fault encountered in service is mechanical damage to the case or connection fitting after impact or overtightening — although the stainless steel case is robust, the threaded connection itself is vulnerable to excessive tightening torque. When replacing a thermometer it is worth inspecting the measurement port and the connection seal, so that the new instrument seats correctly and is not exposed to the same failure modes as its predecessor.
Availability and Delivery
Thermometers in 63 and 100 mm diameters and 0–200°C or 0–250°C ranges are dispatched from PHS Magnum stock in Chorula near Opole; less common specifications are available on direct delivery.
- Poland — courier delivery
- DACH — delivery to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic
- Collection — warehouse in Chorula near Opole, 4 km from the A4 motorway
For help matching the diameter and range to your system: Spitzer service, tel. +48 602 716 551. Full range of services and quotes: magnumchorula.pl/en/service/.
Related Categories
- Glycerine pressure gauges — stainless steel glycerine gauges, 63 and 100 mm
- Sight glasses and spare parts — aluminium sight glasses with borosilicate glass
- Safety valves — Herose valves for the silo and compressor
- Spitzer spare parts catalogue — full overview of all categories
- Services and quotes: magnumchorula.pl/en/service/
- Expert portal: pasternak.me
See also: This category in the full PHS Magnum network catalogue (all brands) →
Author: Aleksy Pasternak — Managing Partner PHS Magnum, 20 years in the industry, ISO 9001:2015 internal auditor (DEKRA).
