Melting furnace electrode push assembly with torque limiter

A method of pushing an electrode into a glass melting vessel, the method comprising:

• positioning a push assembly proximate a rear face of an electrode, the push assembly comprising:
• a frame;
• a shaft;
• a pusher actuator mounted to the frame and configured to translate the shaft relative to the frame;
• a contact mechanism attached to the shaft and configured to translate relative to the frame;
• a master actuator operatively connected to the pusher actuator such that operation of the master actuator causes operation of the pusher actuator;
• and
• a torque limiter operatively connected between the master actuator and the pusher actuator, the torque limiter configured to disengage when a rotational force on the master actuator exceeds a predetermined amount;
• and
• operating the master actuator to apply a pushing force with the contact mechanism to the rear face of the electrode.