Looking for industry views on vibrators mounted on rock hoppers for Telebelt applications, i have done some research and feel that electrical is the way to go v.s. hydraulic and/or air. so far i found two applications one being a Philips Temro 35"x9"x6 5/8 with a thrust impact force of 3000lbs for $1746.00 its uesd for truck boxes. i am worried that this is way more than what i require and that this much force would crack welds on the hopper. The other is a large line pump vibrator form Putzmeister 12v and 3000rpm for $2200.00. These cost seem high and im not convienced that they are the right applicaton so im putting it out there to those of you who have practice over theory to recomend a better alternative.

Check out vibco or earthquake vibrators.

I don't know how much force vibrators put out, but I would think one slightly bigger than whats on the grate of most pumps would be big enough. 

I do think electrical powered would be the way to go. One thing I would watch for is that it's designed to run constantly rather than momentarily. I used one once that was only supposed to be used momentarily and I wasn't aware of it. Needless to say I fried it! The material I was running had a lot of dirt in it too and I really needed a vibrator. 

It shouldn't take a whole lot of force to cause material to fall through as long as it's vibrating when it goes in.

I use a hydro one. It's nice

I don't see many companies using vibrators anymore.  Thought is, if you force a non-flowable material through the 3-yard hopper, what happens in the feeder transfer and discharge reducer?

I know we can't always expect pea gravel, but some things just don't flow.  Wet sand and "native soil" come to mind. 

Some of these materials can be better handled with a grate, a.k.a. "grisley" on the hopper.  They can break up clumps and sand balls.

With that said, Telebelts have a 30 Amp plug at the rear of the unit.  This plug is fused, but is connected straight to the battery without a switch.  Small electric vibrators, running less than 30 amps, can give a lot of kick. 

I suppose you could run a hydraulic off the system.  There is always the option of vibrators, electric or hydraulic, with their own power source.

If you mount a vibrator, mount it on the front or back side, near the throat.  DO NOT bolt it directly to the hopper.  It will rip the bolts out.  Mount a larger, thicker sub-plate to fasten the vibrator to the plate.

Controlling has options.  With a relay, you can use a belt signal to run the vibrator.  You can also add a relay and toggle switch, to the pressure washer circuit, to select pressure washer or vibrator control.  You then have remote control of the vibrator.