Balers often play key roles in many business’ operations. As a strong, efficient machine, they improve waste management by making materials compact, easy to store, and simple to transport. To ensure your business doesn’t run into any issues with your baler, you need to make sure it receives proper care. Use this baler maintenance checklist to prevent unwanted delays.
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Train Your Operators
Just like any other equipment, whoever operates the baler needs proper training. Without it, you cannot have confidence in the functionality of the machine. Plus, proper training ensures the safety of your personnel and equipment. The staff that has the proper training can then take responsibility for inspections, cleaning, and more.
Keep Manufacturer’s Manual on Hand
Referring to the official checklist or manual that came with your baler is a great safeguard for ensuring it functions properly. Whenever you’re unsure of any replacement, cleaning task, or other required maintenance, your manufacturer-provided resources should have the information you need.
Keep the Machine Clean
Just like any other piece of equipment, a baler must be clean before it is used. If debris were to build up, complications could easily arise that would lead to downtime, loss of equipment, or worse. Some areas to focus on include the sensors, oil cooler, and housing areas for debris.
Consider having a regular cleaning schedule for areas that experience debris buildups. This ensures that your baler will always be ready for use.
Inspect Often—Weekly and Daily
No piece of heavy machinery should be used without proper inspection. It allows you to keep an eye on pieces that you know are vital to the safe operation of the baler. Since inspection is such an important part of your baler’s functionality, a substantial list of items should be checked daily. These include the following:
-Hoses
-Hydraulic fluids
-Oil temperature
-Filters
-Proximity switches
-Wire tier’s cutter and other parts
-Safety guarding
-Radiator/cooling devices
Other pieces that can be inspected weekly include, but are not limited to, the following:
-Hydraulic oil filters
-Motor couplings
-Bale chamber
-Cylinder housing areas
-Bale wire covers
-Bearings in the drive unit
-Electrical components
Practice Preventative Maintenance
Like the previous two measures, preventative maintenance ensures your baler stays running smoothly. Various parts of your baler will need to be replaced after constant use. Specifically, worn parts should be checked and replaced before complications arise. This will save your business from running into unplanned downtime.
Your baler’s manufacturer should have provided resources that give further information on the lifespan of major parts that will need replacing.
Oil Maintenance Plan
Since your baler’s oil is critical to the health and functionality of the machine, you should check and change it often. It is wise to keep plenty of AW68 oil on hand for your maintenance needs.
For assurance purposes, you should also perform tests, or have an oil analysis company perform tests, on the oil. The results will tell you if there are any contaminants in the oil, which allows you to pinpoint any problems and get them fixed before they cause further damage.
Stock Spare Parts
Purchasing and keeping spare parts is crucial if you want to ensure you never run into extended and unplanned downtime. If a part were to need replacing, and you didn’t have it on hand, you could experience delays of multiple weeks depending on the part.
Each baler may have various parts that need frequent replacement. You can check the resources you’ve been provided or reach out to your baler provider to learn what the parts are.
Shop Vulcan Wire
We hope this baler maintenance checklist assists you! Of course, if you’re using a baler, you likely are in need of high-quality baling wire. Founded in 1975, VULCAN is a leading baling wire supplier offering a wide range of baling wire and packaging strapping products. Explore our inventory, and place your order today!
