Dross processing system

An improved dross processing system for recovering metal from dross skimmed from a metal melt of a melting furnace, the dross processing system having;

• a substantially vertical support positionable so as to be in close proximity to the melting furnace,
• a reaction vessel for holding the skimmed dross, the reaction vessel having a reaction vessel upper rim, and a bottom terminating in a drain port,
• a reaction vessel support which pivotably supports the reaction vessel with respect to the substantially vertical support,
• means for pivoting the reaction vessel between a horizontal position, where the upper rim is substantially horizontal, and a dump position, where the dross residing in the reaction vessel may fall therefrom,
• a motor having a drive shaft with a free end,
• a motor support arm attaching to the substantially vertical support, and
• an impeller having an impeller axis, the impeller attaching to the free end of the drive shaft such that, when the motor is in a raised motor position and aligned with the reaction vessel, the impeller resides above the reaction vessel upper rim, and when the motor is in an at least one lowered motor position and aligned with the reaction vessel, the impeller resides below the reaction vessel upper rim,
• the improvement comprising:
• a motor support carriage to which the motor is mounted;
• a carriage guide mounted to the motor support arm and directing said motor support carriage along a substantially vertical path;
• means for raising and lowering said motor support carriage relative to the motor support arm so as to move the motor between the raised motor position and the at least one lowered motor position.