Description Overview Line of machines for making felt pads from sisal tow, a by-product of twine production. Original machine was a Fehrer V12 from 1970; the feeder was replaced with a new Fehrer model in 1988. When new in the 1980s, the line produced 900 pads (41" x 77" x 2-3/4 oz./ft²) per 8-hour shift. Before shutdown in late 2014, production was approximately 500 pads of the same size per shift. If the needle loom is fixed or replaced, production could return to approximately 900 pads per shift. The same machines can be used for other hard fibers such as coir or henequen. Machine Line Components Three pickers with progressively finer teeth for fiber preparation. 1988 Fehrer feeder. Layering machine. Needle loom. Cutting machine that trims sides and performs automatic transversal cuts at desired pad width. Specifications Pad sizes produced: up to 82" long; widths of 41", 56", 62", or 80". Pad thickness: 2-3/4 oz./ft². Condition of Each Component First picker: needs a main bearing to become operational; no manufacturer name on the machine. Second picker: operational, missing a few teeth but functional; no manufacturer name on the machine. Third picker: operational, missing a few teeth but functional; from Fehrer. Feeder: functional. Layering machine: functional. Needle loom: needs new bushings or replacement; the main problem with the line. Cutting machine: old but functional. Personnel Requirements Three pickers: 2 people each (6 total). Production machine: 4 people. Baling: 2 people. Total: 12 people.
