GVF

GVF Hydropneumatic Elutriation System

(Rootwasher)
Owners Manual
Model Numbers:
GVF 13000
GVF 13050
GVF 13100

3033 Benzie Hwy. Benzonia, MI 49616 231-882-5921

Fax 231-882-5637 www.gillisons.com 800-392-6059
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 Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
BASIC OPERATION OF THE HYDROPNEUMATIC
ROOT WASHER 2
SHUT DOWN 3
START UP 2
TROUBLESHOOTING 3
SUGGESTIONS FOR MAINTENANCE FREE
OPERATION 4
REFERENCE 5
SIEVE SIZE RECOMMENDATIONS 6
GVF WARRANTY 7

Updated 9-24-15

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GVF Hydropneumatic Elutriation System INTRODUCTION 1

INTRODUCTION
The information in this publication generaly describes
the use and care of the GVF Hydropneumatic Elutriation
System. Every effort has been made to provide correct
and concise information, as available at the date of
publication. Gillison’s Variety Fabrication is available
should items in this book or details of your machine not
be understood.
Gillison’s can assist in areas concerning machine
service. If the original book should become lost or
damaged, consult Gillison’s in regards to acquiring a
replacement.
Customers are strongly advised to contact Gillison’s in
connection with any service problems and adjustments
that may occur.

Use only parts from Gillison’s for repairs

and/or replacement.
Single Unit HES

L-Unit HES

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2 BASIC OPERATION GVF Hydropneumatic Elutriation System

BASIC OPERATION OF THE

HYDROPNEUMATIC ROOT WASHER

START UP

NOTE: AIR MUST BE TURNED ON FIRST AND

OFF LAST

1) Turn the air supply on and adjust pressure gauge to

7 psi (0.49 Kg/cm2) then turn the water supply on and
adjust pressure to 50 psi (3.52 Kg/cm2).
Recommended Washing Times for Roots

2) Place soil and root samples up to 27 cubic inches Soil Duration

(150 cm3) into tube. If clay content is greater than 50%, Texture Minutes*
samples should be broken and soaked in a dispersing
agent for 12 to 15 hours. Note reference listed below Sand 4
for details.
Sandy Loam 6
Loam 8
3) Place transfer tube on top of washing chamber and
attach primary sieve (there are several screen sizes). Silty Loam 10
Select proper screen size for soil particle size. Be sure
Clay Loam 11
screen size is small enough to retain smallest roots, yet
not too small so the primary sieve becomes plugged by Clay 12
soil particles.
* These times may vary depending upon the
amount of organic matter, clay type, density of
4) Set timer for appropriate run time to activate washer. roots, and degree of soil compaction.
Refer to table at right for recommended run times per
sample.

5) When timer shuts off, remove primary sieve and

examine the soil particles which remain in the washing
chamber for roots. If chamber is free of roots, perhaps
duration of wash was too long. If roots are remaining,
increase washing time until soil in chamber is free of
roots. Repeat this process several times until an efficient
and quantitative washing time has been established.

6) Rinse roots from the primary sieve into the secondary

sieve using the sprayer at the top of the hydroelute
system.

7) Remove transfer tube; empty water and soil residue

from the chamber into the lower sedimentation basin by
inverting the chamber.

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GVF Hydropneumatic Elutriation System BASIC OPERATION 3

8) Set washing timer for 30 seconds to rinse inverted in an upright position. When medium sized air bubbles
tube into lower sedimentation basin. do not appear at the top of a full washing tube attempt
to remove the blockage by temporarily increasing the
air pressure to a maximum of 20 psi (1.41 Kg/cm2).
Greater pressures may damage the tubing. If the air jet
9) Periodically remove sediment from upper
remains plugged, invert the washing chamber, remove
sedimentation basin or flow through the primary sieves
the air line and clean the jet with the aid of a very fine
may become blocked, reducing the efficiency of the
wire.
system.

3) If the timers do not function, check the plug and

10) Process root samples or preserve them in 10%
circuit breaker. If electricity is delivered to the timer,
formaldehyde.
contact Gillison’s Variety Fabrication for repairs.

SHUT DOWN
4) If the seal between the washing chamber and transfer
tube begins to leak, remove small soil particles from
below seal, examine the seal for damage and lubricate
1) Ensure washing chambers are flushed clean and store seal with silicone base lubricant. Contact Gillison’s
in an inverted position. Variety Fabrication or a local dealer for replacement
seals.

2) Turn off water first then air last while the washing
chambers are in the inverted position. 5) If the primary sieve overflows during the run of
samples which contain large quantities of organic
matter, reduce the sample size. If this occurs on very rare
occasions, flush the primary sieve during the operation
3) Remove accumulated soil and wash out the upper
by the rapid upward and downward movement of the
and lower sedimentation basins.
submerged primary sieve.

TROUBLESHOOTING
1.If, during operation, a funnel shaped vortex is absent
at top of the open washing chambers, then the air flow
may be too great. If the air flow is appropriate (i.e.,
giving the appearance of slowly boiling water) then
be sure the water pressure is greater than 50 psi (3.52
Kg/cm2). If the pressure is greater than 50 psi (3.52
Kg/cm2), then observe the water flow from each of the
three water jets at the base of the washing chamber.
This may be achieved by observing the flow of water
from each jet into the empty washing chamber during
the first few moments after turning the timer on. If any
of the three water jets are not functioning, remove the
external tubing and clean the jet with a very fine wire.
When the three jets are operating properly, a vortex
should be observed as the tube fills up with water and
small air bubbles.

2) The air jets will become plugged by debris in the

washing chamber if the source of air is turned off while
the chamber is filled with water. Therefore, always turn
the air on first before the washing chambers are placed

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4 MAINTENANCE GVF Hydropneumatic Elutriation System

SUGGESTIONS FOR MAINTENANCE FREE

OPERATION

1) Always turn air on first and off last.

2) Always store with washing chambers inverted.

3) Be sure to completely drain water from washing

chamber water lines when stored under freezing
conditions.

4) Clean and wash sedimentation chambers at the end

of each day especially when dispersing agents have
been used.

5) Repaint metal frame as needed.

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GVF Hydropneumatic Elutriation System REFERENCE 5

REFERENCE

1) Smucker, A.J.M., S. L. McBurney and A. K.

Srivastava, 1982. Quantitative Separation of Roots
from Compacted Soil Profiles by the Hydropneumatic
Elutriation System. Agronomy Journal 74:500-503.

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6 SIEVE SIZE RECOMMENDATIONS GVF Hydropneumatic Elutriation System

SIEVE SIZE RECOMMENDATIONS

Suggested Sieve Size for Specific Soil Types

Recommended Primary
Soil Type
Sieve Screen Size
Pure Sand 930 or 1000
Loamy Sand 760 or 840
Sandy Loam 760 or 840
Loam 500 or 530 or 760 or 840
Sandy Clay Loam 500 or 530
Sandy Clay 500 or 530
Silt Loam 500 or 530
Silt 350
Silty Clay Loam 350
Clay Loam 350
Silty Clay 290 or 297 or 350
Clay 290 or 297

To determine the screen size, use the maximum particle size of 90% of the primary particles.

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GVF Hydropneumatic Elutriation System WARRANTY 7

GVF WARRANTY

Gillison’s Variety Fabrication, Inc. will replace or repair at GVF option, any GVF manufactured item that is,
in the opinion of GVF, defective in material or workmanship for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase,
and is returned to the GVF plant or service center at the expense of the customer. This warranty is made
expressly in lieu of all other warranties expressed or implied. The Warranty Registration card must be
completed in full and returned to GVF within thirty (30) days of date of delivery to qualify for this
warranty.

The owner is specifically responsible for the operation and service of the machine. This warranty shall not
apply to any product that has been subject to misuse, negligence or accident. In the event of a defect in
material or workmanship, GVF sole responsibility is to the repair or replacement of the defective part and is
not responsible for lost time or any other expenses incurred due to lost time.

All OEM items such as Tires, Batteries, Engines and Hydraulic components are warranted by the original
equipment manufacturer. GVF controls the installation of these products but not the manufacture; therefore,
GVF warranty applies to the proper installation but not the OEM component itself.

Retail Customer Responsibility: It is the Retail Customer and/or Operator’s responsibility to read the
Operator’s/Owner’s Manual to operate, lubricate, maintain, and store the product in accordance with all
instructions and safety procedures. Failure of the operator to read the Operator’s/Owner’s Manual is misuse
of this equipment. It is the Retail Customer and/or Operator’s responsibility to inspect the product and to
have any part(s) repaired or replaced when continued operation would cause damage or excessive wear to
other parts or cause a safety hazard.

It is the Retail Customer’s responsibility to deliver the product to the authorized GVF dealer, from
whom he purchased it, for service or replacement of defective parts, which are covered by warranty.
Repairs to be submitted for warranty consideration must be made within 45 days of failure. The Retail
Customer is responsible for any cost incurred by the Dealer for traveling to or hauling of the product for
the purpose of performing a warranty obligation or inspection.

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