Abstract: A blanket charger for feeding raw batch material into a glass making furnace, particularly an end fired, sidewall fed type furnace. The charger has a main support frame with a raw batch hopper chute thereon and a reciprocable charger plate positioned under the hopper chute for receiving raw batch material therefrom. The charger plate is reciprocally moved by a fluid driven cylinder and piston device motivated by a fluid, preferably a nonflammable, water-glycol solution or by air. The travel distance of the charger plate in the forward and rearward strokes is selectively controlled by a pair of adjustable striker rod assemblies positioned on the charger plate which alternately contact a pair of frame mounted limit switches. Stroke speed of the cylinder may be varied by selective adjustment of appropriate control devices.

Abstract: A batch charger for feeding raw batch material to a glass furnace includes a jacking assembly for raising and lowering the charger plates for improved angular adjustment thereof. The batch charger includes an adjustable charger plate crank assembly for regulating the working stroke of the charger plates and further includes adjustable batch gate assemblies for controlling the height of the raw batch blanket deposited on the charger plates. A power train is also included which permits operation of the charger by one or both of the drive motors in independent or duplex drive modes.