BIG BLASTER ®

We Make Your Bulk Materials Handling

Air Cannon
Cleaner, Safer and More Productive Maintenance Instructions
Through Personalized Performance.
Go to BIG BLASTER ® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions web page

MARTIN® HURRICANE Air Cannon

BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon with

MARTIN® TORNADO Exhaust Valve

One Martin Place

Neponset, IL 61345-9766 USA
800-544-2947 or 309-594-2384
Form No. M3747-01/08 FAX: 309-594-2432
© MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANY 2008 www.martin-eng.com
M3747
 Important
MARTIN ENGINEERING HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY FOR: DAMAGE DUE TO
CONTAMINATION OF THE MATERIAL; USER’S FAILURE TO INSPECT, MAINTAIN AND TAKE
REASONABLE CARE OF THE EQUIPMENT; INJURIES OR DAMAGE RESULTING FROM USE OR
APPLICATION OF THIS PRODUCT CONTRARY TO INSTRUCTIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS
CONTAINED HEREIN. MARTIN ENGINEERING’S LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO REPAIR
OR REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT SHOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE.
Observe all safety rules given herein along with owner and Government standards and regulations. Know
and understand lockout/tagout procedures as defined by American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
z244.1-1982, American National Standard for Personnel Protection - Lockout/Tagout of Energy Sources -
Minimum Safety Requirements and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Federal
Register, Part IV, 29 CFR Part 1910, Control of Hazardous Energy Source (Lockout/Tagout); Final Rule.

The following symbols may be used in this manual:

! DANGER
Danger: Immediate hazards that will result in severe personal injury or death.

! WARNING
Warning: Hazards or unsafe practices that could result in personal injury.

! CAUTION
Caution: Hazards or unsafe practices that could result in product or property damages.

IMPORTANT
Important: Instructions that must be followed to ensure proper installation/operation of equipment.

NOTE
Note: General statements to assist the reader.
 Table of Contents

Section Page
®
BIG BLASTER HURRICANE Main Piston Rebuild Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
BIG BLASTER® HURRICANE Exhaust Valve Rebuild Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
MARTIN® TORNADO Exhaust Valve Rebuild Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 i BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 BIG BLASTER® HURRICANE Main Piston Rebuild Instructions
H

IMPORTANT
Read entire section before beginning work. All safety
rules defined in your air cannon’s documentation, and
all owner/employer safety rules, must be strictly
followed when installing and servicing this equipment.
1
1
! DANGER
Turn off and lock out/tag out air supply and energy
source before blasting air cannon to prevent air
cannon from refilling.
Do not open door/port or enter structure before
turning off compressed air source, locking out
controls, purging line pressure, and venting air from
tank. Opening structure door while cannon is
operational can kill you.
1. Turn off and lock out/tag out energy source (A) according to American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) z244.1-1982 and Federal Register, Volume 54, Number 169, Part IV, 29 CFR Part 1910.
2. Blast air cannon to remove air from tank. If tank has a relief valve, pull ring to make sure air stored in
cannon has been released.
3. Close safety slide gate if equipped with one. If air cannon has an open discharge port, make sure you
are safely isolated from free flowing material or hazards inside the discharge area.
4. Disconnect air lines.
5. Remove bolts from valve assembly.
2 3

4 5

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 1 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 6. Remove the valve from tank.
7. Remove 1/4-in. bolts that hold basket to exhaust valve.
8. Remove old piston and spring assembly.

6 7 8

9. Inspect bearing surface for excessive wear or stress fractures in the aluminum casting.
10. Remove o-rings and clean all mating surfaces.

IMPORTANT
All o-ring mating surface need to be clean and smooth
for an air tight seal. Apply a small amount of grease to
o-rings to ensure o-rings stay secure in the o-ring
groove during assembly. Make sure o-rings are not
pinched during reassembly.

9 Bearing Surface 10

11. Install new piston and spring into bearing basket.

12. Install o-ring on exhaust valve.
11
12

#166 O-Ring

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 2 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

13. Align bolt holes and install 1/4-in. bolts.
14. Install bearing basket o-rings.
15. Apply high-temperature grease to discharge tube o-rings.

13 13

14 15

#169 O-Ring #425 O-Ring

16. Inspect the interior of the air cannon.

17. Install valve assembly onto discharge tube.

16 17

Discharge
Tube

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 3 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

18. Install compression washers and bolts.
19. Connect air lines and check for leaks.
18 19

Fill Line

Control Line

20. Move the safety slide gate to the open position and install pin.
21. Slowly pressurize the air cannon and check for leaks.
22. Pressurize the air cannon and test fire to make sure all connections are correct.
23. The BIG BLASTER® HURRICANE Air Cannon is now ready for operation. Watch air gauge when
cannon is fired. The needle should drop to “zero” instantly. The exhaust port elbows should be pointing
down, so dirt does not fall into the exhaust valve.

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 4 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 F C

BIG BLASTER® HURRICANE Air Cannon Main Piston Rebuild Kit

Item Qty. Description

A 2 Spring Bumper Pad
B 1 Compression Spring
C 1 Piston
D 1 O-Ring #166
E 1 O-Ring #169
F 2 O-Ring #425

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 5 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 BIG BLASTER® HURRICANE Exhaust Valve Rebuild Instructions
1. Remove lever cap and pipe elbows.
2. Hold woodruff key, supplied in the kit, in the valve stem slot using locking pliers. Remove the flat head
screw from the valve stem. Usually a quick hit with a dead blow hammer will break the LOCTITE®
Adhesive free.
3. Disassemble the rest of the exhaust valve, and check for wear on the piston pocket and valve stem seat.
4. Clean all areas of the exhaust valve. The pocket must be smooth for the piston and o-ring to slide on.

Valve
Stem Seat

Pocket

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 6 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 5. Drive out bearing sleeve using a standard (7/16”) deep well socket.
6. Press in new bearing sleeve using the next size socket (1/2”) on the bearing and lightly tapping with
the dead blow hammer.

7. To reassemble the valve, LOCTITE® 242® Threadlocker and LOCTITE® 7649 Primer N will be
needed for the screw and blind hole. High-temperature Mobil 1® Synthetic Grease is used for the
pocket, valve stem, and piston. A generous amount is needed on all surfaces.

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 7 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 8. Insert woodruff key into key way in valve stem. Tap the key with a hammer to press it into key way.
9. Apply LOCTITE® 7649 Primer N to blind hole and screw, and let dry 3–5 minutes. Apply three drops
of LOCTITE® 242® Threadlocker in the blind hole and two drops on the screw. Hold the key using
locking pliers while tightening the screw. Tighten the screw to 12 ft-lbs.

IMPORTANT
Allow 24 hours for the LOCTITE® 242® Threadlocker to cure.

10. Remove the woodruff key. It is only to be used for assembly purposes.
11. Insert the urethane bumper into the hub using a dead blow hammer.

Remove Key
After Assembly

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 8 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

12. Install elbows pointing down during service, so material will not collect in the exhaust valve. The
elbow connections should be snug, but still adjustable. Apply a small amount of high-temperature
Mobil 1® Synthetic Grease on the piston top. Install manual lever cap and tighten the cap screws to
12 ft-lbs.

Apply Grease
To Piston

13. Operate the manual lever to ensure the valve stem has a full range of movement. There should be a tight
fit around the valve stem and seat. Apply a small amount of grease on the plunger for operating the
manual lever.

14. The BIG BLASTER® HURRICANE Exhaust Valve is now ready for service.

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 9 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 13

14
15
12
8
11

5 9
3 7
4

24

23 2

22
1
25

20

16

17

18

17

19

21

27
26

BIG BLASTER® HURRICANE Exhaust Valve

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 10 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 Item Qty. Description Part Number
®
1 1 MARTIN HURRICANE Valve Body Cap 37775-H
2 1 Bearing Sleeve 37287
3 1 Compression Spring 1.937 OD 34671
4 1 Piston 37789
5 1 O-Ring #331 2.225 ID x .210 CS 37804
6 1 Air Inlet Valve 37790-U
7 1 Screw SFHS 1/4-20NC-2A x 1.00 33552
8 1 Plunger 37791
9 1 O-Ring #150 2.862 ID x 1.03 CS 37794
10 1 Top Cap 37776
11 1 O-Ring #206 .484 ID x .139 CS 37795
12 1 Handle 37792
13 1 Slotted Spring Pin 1/4 x 1-1/4 SS 32403
14 1 Quick Release Pin 1/4 x 1.63 ZP 37796
15 6 Screw HHC 1/4-20NC x 1 ZP 12699
16 1 Urethane Bumper 37793
® HURRICANE
17 2 MARTIN Spring Bumper Pad 38064
18 1 Compression Spring 35077
® HURRICANE
19 1 MARTIN 4.00” Piston Assembly 38022
20 1 O-Ring #166 6.737 ID x .094 CS 35078
21 1 MARTIN® HURRICANE Basket 37897
22 6 Compression Washer 1/4 11521
23 6 Screw HHC 1/4-20NC x 7/8 ZP 11891
24 2 Street Elbow 1.00” 90 degree 36124
25 1 Hex Socket Plug 3/8 37987
26 2 O-Ring #425 4.500 ID x .275 CS 20771-S
27 1 O-Ring #169 7.487 ID x .103 CS 38066

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 11 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 MARTIN® TORNADO Exhaust Valve Rebuild Instructions
1. Remove lever cap and pipe elbows.
2. Hold woodruff key, supplied in the kit, in the valve stem slot using locking pliers. Remove the flat head
screw from the valve stem. Usually a quick hit with a dead blow hammer will break the LOCTITE®
Adhesive free.
3. Disassemble the rest of the exhaust valve, and check for wear on the piston pocket and valve stem seat.
4. Clean all areas of the exhaust valve. The pocket must be smooth for the piston and o-ring to slide on.

Valve
Stem Seat

Pocket

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 12 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 5. Drive out bearing sleeve using a standard (7/16”) deep well socket.
6. Press in new bearing sleeve using the next size socket (1/2”) on the bearing and lightly tap with the
dead blow hammer.

7. To reassemble the valve, LOCTITE® 242® Threadlocker and LOCTITE® 7649 Primer N will be
needed for the screw and blind hole. High-temperature Mobil 1® Synthetic Grease is used for the
pocket, valve stem, and piston. A generous amount is needed on all surfaces.

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 13 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 8. Insert woodruff key into key way in valve stem. Tap the key with a hammer to press it into key way.
9. Apply LOCTITE® 7649 Primer N to blind hole and screw, and let dry 3–5 minutes. Apply three drops
of LOCTITE® 242® Threadlocker in blind hole and two drops on screw. Hold the key using locking
pliers while tightening the screw. Tighten the screw to 12 ft-lbs.

IMPORTANT
Allow 24 hours for the LOCTITE® 242® Threadlocker to cure.

10. Remove the woodruff key. It is only to be used for assembly purposes.

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 14 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

11. Insert the urethane bumper into the hub using a dead blow hammer.
(MARTIN® BB2 and BB4 Models only.)

Remove Key
After Assembly

12. Install elbows pointing down during service, so material will not collect in the exhaust valve. The
elbow connections should be snug, but still adjustable. Apply a small amount of high-temperature
Mobil 1® Synthetic Grease on the piston top. Install manual lever cap and tighten the cap screws to
12 ft-lbs.

Apply Grease
To Piston

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 15 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

13. Operate the manual lever to ensure the valve stem has a full range of movement. There should be a
tight fit around the valve stem and seat. Apply a small amount of grease on the plunger for operating
the manual lever.

14. The MARTIN® TORNADO Exhaust Valve is now ready for service.

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 16 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 15
14 17
8 2
11 4
13

7 3 6
10
12 9 5 16 19 18
1

MARTIN® BB2 TORNADO Exhaust Valve

Item Qty. Description Part Number
1 1 Valve Body Cap 37847
2 1 Bearing Sleeve 37287
3 1 Compression Spring 1.50 OD 302 SS 37860
4 1 Piston 37858
5 1 O-Ring #225 1.86 ID x .139 M435
6 1 Air Inlet Valve 37857-U
7 1 Screw FHSHCS 1/4-20NC x .75 30453
8 1 Plunger 37791
9 1 O-Ring #229 2-3/8 ID x .139 CS 37859
10 1 Top Cap 37861
11 1 O-Ring #206 .484 ID x .139 CS 37795
12 4 Screw SHC 1/4-20NC x 1 12627
13 1 Handle 37792
14 1 Slotted Spring Pin 1/4 x 1-1/4 SS 32403
15 1 Quick Release Pin 1/4 x 1.63 ZP 37796
16 2 Street Elbow 3/4 NPT Galv 13052
17 1 O-Ring 3-3/4 ID Viton 35863
18 1 2.00 XHV Piston Bumper 37779
19 1 Hex Socket Plug 3/8 NPT 37987

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 17 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 5 2 1
14
12 9 3

13

6
11 7
15
10 8 4 19 17 16
18

MARTIN® BB4 TORNADO Exhaust Valve

Item Qty. Description Part Number
1 1 Valve Body Cap 37775
2 1 Bearing Sleeve 37287
3 1 Compression Spring 1.937 OD 34671
4 1 Piston 37789
5 1 O-Ring #331 2.225 ID x .210 CS 37804
6 1 Air Inlet Valve 37790-U
7 1 Screw SFHS 1/4-20NC-2A x 1.00 33552
8 1 Plunger 37791
9 1 O-Ring #150 2.862 ID x .103 CS 37794
10 1 Top Cap 37776
11 1 O-Ring #206 .484 ID x .139 CS 37795
12 1 Handle 37792
13 1 Slotted Spring Pin 1/4 x 1-1/4 SS 32403
14 1 Quick Release Pin 1/4 x 1.63 ZP 37796
15 6 Screw HHC 1/4-20NC x 1 ZP 12699
16 1 Urethane Bumper 37793
17 1 O-Ring #166 6.737 ID x .094 CS 35078
18 2 Street Elbow 1” NPT 90 degree 36124
19 1 Hex Socket Plug 3/8 NPT 37987

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 18 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

 17 1

13 10 9 2
14 5

12

6
15 8 4
16
11 7 3 18

MARTIN® BB6 TORNADO Exhaust Valve

Item Qty. Description Part Number
1 1 Valve Body Cap 37848
2 1 Bearing Sleeve 37287
3 1 Compression Spring 1.937 OD 34671
4 1 Piston 37789
5 1 O-Ring #331 2.225 ID x .210 CS 37804
6 1 Air Inlet Valve 37790-U
7 1 Screw SFHS 1/4-20NC-2A x 1.00 33552
8 1 Plunger 37791
9 1 O-Ring #150 2.862 ID x .103 CS 37794
10 1 Top Cap 37776
11 1 O-Ring #206 .484 ID x .139 CS 37795
12 1 Handle 37792
13 1 Slotted Spring Pin 1/4 x 1-1/4 SS 32403
14 1 Quick Release Pin 1/4 x 1.63 ZP 37796
15 6 Screw HHC 1/4-20NC x 1 ZP 12699
17 1 O-Ring #275 10.484 ID x .139 CS 36169
18 2 Street Elbow 1” NPT 90 degree 36124
19 1 Hex Socket Plug 3/8 NPT 37987

Martin Engineering M3747-01/08 19 BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions

Any product, process, or technology described here may be the subject of intellectual property rights reserved by
Martin Engineering Company. Trademarks or service marks designated with the ® symbol are registered with the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office and may be proprietary in one or more countries or regions. Other trademarks and
service marks belonging to Martin Engineering Company in the United States and/or other countries or regions may
be designated with the “TM” and “SM” symbols. Brands, trademarks, and names of other parties, who may or may
not be affiliated with, connected to, or endorsed by Martin Engineering Company, are identified wherever possible.
Additional information regarding Martin Engineering Company’s intellectual property can be obtained at
www.martin-eng.com/trademarks.
 MARTIN ®

We Make Your Bulk Materials Handling

BIG BLASTER Air Cannon ®

Cleaner, Safer and More Productive Maintenance Instructions

Through Personalized Performance.
Go to MARTIN ® BIG BLASTER ® Air Cannon Maintenance Instructions web page

MARTIN® HURRICANE Air Cannon

BIG BLASTER® Air Cannon with

MARTIN® TORNADO Exhaust Valve

One Martin Place

Neponset, IL 61345-9766 USA
800-544-2947 or 309-594-2384
Form No. M3747-01/08 FAX: 309-594-2432
© 2008 MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANY. All rights reserved. www.martin-eng.com
M3747