A separator with a magnetic drum which rotates through a well-defined liquid flow path to separate magnetic particles from liquid delivered to the flow path by way of a trough. A weir extends between the trough and the drum to define a gap at the entry end of the flow path. The weir is hinged to swing downwardly and upwardly to automatically increase and decrease the width of the gap when the incoming flow rate increases and decreases, respectively, the weir thus acting to maintain the liquid level in the trough substantially constant at various incoming flow rates. The trough is shaped to spread the incoming liquid across the length of the drum in a streamlined manner. The housing of the separator is of a fabricated construction enabling easy removal and replacement of an arcuate apron which coacts with the drum and the housing to define the flow path. |