Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/124173
Equipment Management high-ash content of these superior oils is formulated to improve wear protection, soot-related viscosity control, and prevent thermal and oxidative breakdown. Using lesser quality oils or incorrect viscosity can shorten engine life, and cause time-wasting, costly repairs. High duty-cycle boom operation requires proper hydraulic oil type and viscosity because anti-wear and anti-corrosion additives degrade under high heat conditions. It is also important to be vigilant about changing both engine and hydraulic filters per the manufacturer's spec. A regular oil sample program uncovers warning signs of potential component failure and enables timely scheduling of repairs to minimize cost and downtime. 2. Frequently lubricate attachments. Frequent greasing of the attachments is key to long pin and bushing life. Pin/bushing tolerances are tight when the machine is new. But miss just one greasing interval and tolerances won't stay tight. Adding grease later does not stop the wear. Avoid cutting corners. A high-quality grease protects components even when heat builds. Lesser grade greases can turn to liquid and run out. Though many larger machines use an auto-lube system to keep these important pins greased, check often to be sure the grease tub is full and that all fittings are being serviced. 3. Choose high-quality diesel and use caution when fueling. Fuel supply is important. Most operations will have a fuel truck and a designated fuel/maintenance tech that supplies the #2 diesel fuel and hopefully takes precautions to ensure cleanliness of fuel and delivery. The increasing trend in bio-diesel of adding generic methyl esters to stretch the volume of diesel through blending, plus additive detergents and stabilizers, affects the quality of fuel and can "wick" and attract water. Most machines now have a primary fuel filter that has a water separator to remove this water-in-suspension within the fuel. However, these water separators are not automatic and require a daily inspection and draining. When fueling and servicing the machine, pay attention to two points: • When removing the fuel cap, check for a vacuum. If you feel a vacuum, the fuel tank vent could be clogged. This accumulation is not unusual in dusty aggregate conditions. When clogging happens, the fuel pump must work harder to deliver fuel, and it will fail prematurely. • Before fueling, drain a small amount of fuel from the bottom of the tank to see how much debris and water are present. If there's a lot of debris and water, drain the tank until the fuel runs clean. 4. Use OEM filters sized to the excavator. Filters are the most critical component for trouble-free machine performance. Filters sized to the machine provide a clean fuel supply and prevent water and debris from getting into the engine. Avoid the temptation to use non-OEM filters. When the fuel tank is not kept clean, the filters are quickly overpowered. Organics entering the fuel tank permit the growth of algae that can foul the filter. The algae sludge must be treated chemically to break it down and drain it. Clogged filters reduce the amount of fuel being delivered to the fuel transfer pump and injection pumps, potentially damaging the fuel transfer pump. Starving the injection pump can lead to internal failure. As the transfer and injection pumps are pulling hard, loose-fitting O-rings will allow air to be sucked into the injection pump, causing catastrophic failure. 5. Regularly inspect attachments. At regular intervals, bring the attachment close to the ground to check all welds and joints for cracks. Stress cracks develop over time; if caught early, they can be easily repaired. Be sure to wipe down the inspection area; grease or debris on the attachment often disguise cracks. At the same time, check grease lines, hydraulic cylinders, and tubing to spot loose bolts. Aggregates Manager May 2013 EM_AGRM0513.indd 31 31 4/18/13 2:13 PM