Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/141834
• • • • each month to make sure all of the OEMsupplied safety and caution emblems are in place and legible throughout the entire plant. Any plant manufacturer should be able to supply you with a drawing to show which safety emblems were on the plant when it was new, and where they were located. Check the grounds around the plant for any trip hazards. Make sure all electrical cables and wires are safely arranged and out of the traffic pattern around the plant. Check all access ladders and walkways for any broken or bent components that could lead to an accident. Keep open mesh walkways clean of rocks or spillage. Make sure that all electrical equipment is properly grounded. Be aware of and remove any wet spots near electrical components that could create a potential shock hazard. Most plants have a grounding lug on the plant, so make sure the ground cable is securely attached to the lug and the grounding rod is sunk into the ground to meet local code requirements. Check all drive guards. Make sure they are in place with the attaching hardware all tightened to correct torque specs. Make sure the guards do not interfere with the drive belts, drive lines, or any other part of the drive mechanism when the drives are operating. • • • • • • Plant maintenance tips Once you have confirmed that all safety aspects of the plant and grounds around it are in good order, check for things that could negatively affect the plant's efficient operation. • Check to be sure the plant is level in all directions. You should have bubble levels on every side of the plant chassis to make this an easy task. A plant that is not level 26 • may experience production problems that can shorten the life of the structural steel on the plant, as well as the crushing and screening components. Check that the plant is cribbed correctly, and the cribbing is solid. Ensure any optional jack footpads are on a level, firm surface. All weight should be off the suspension during plant operation. Follow manufacturer guidelines and the crib point decals on the plant for correct cribbing instructions. Make sure all shipping braces are removed. Most manufacturers use shipping braces of various types during plant transport, and they paint them a different color than the machine. Your company also probably uses these when transporting the plant. Operating vibratory or crushing equipment with these braces in place can cause serious damage to the equipment. Make sure the tires are off the ground for plant operation. This protects the tires and ensures there are no unwanted vibrations in the plant due to tire bounce or ground conditions. Check the tire pressures. Check for any material build-up between the tires and frame to avoid tire damage. Check for and clean out any material buildup around conveyor pulleys, bearings, and component intake and discharge chutes. Be especially aware of build-up under the vibratory component of a plant. Excess build-up will cause interference between the vibratory unit and the stationary chutes or support structure. This can cause serious damage to the vibratory unit. In many cases, solid evidence of excess build-up around vibratory units can void a manufacturer's new equipment warranty. Prior to starting up the plant, check all drive belts for correct tensioning. Always use the factory-recommended belt ten- Before performing maintenance, be sure to follow proper lockout/tagout procedures. Also, ensure that all safety and caution emblems are properly placed and legible. Clean between the tires and chassis frame. Keep all spillage cleaned. AGGREGATES MANAGER July 2013 EM_AGRM0713.indd 26 6/17/13 12:34 PM