Machine frame for supporting dewatering elements

In a machine frame in combination with and for supporting at least one rotatable dewatering element over which an endless belt may travel during operation of a paper machine, having the following features:

• a) a first rotatable dewatering element having an operator-side end and a drive-side end;
• b) a lower beam which extends substantially parallel to the first dewatering element is connected in torsionally rigid manner:
• b1) to a first frame part for supporting the drive-side end of the first dewatering element which rests in tilt-proof manner on a foundation;
• b2) and to a second frame part for supporting the operator-side end of the first dewatering element which rests on the foundation via removable intermediate pieces;
• and
• c) an extension of the lower beam extends beyond the operator-side frame part, the outer end of the extension being adapted to rest on the foundation,
• the improvement wherein:
• d) the lower beam is a single beam arranged laterally alongside of the first dewatering element;
• e) the lower beam has a cross-section having a height (h) which is at least twice its width (b);
• and,
• f) the first and second frame parts are connected in the torsionally rigid manner only by the single lower beam.