Pit & Quarry, April 2014
WHEEL LOADERS Examples of other safety components to check during the pre and post operation walk around include running lights rear view cameras backup alarms and safety belts Watch for debris accumulation too Are steps cleared to prevent slipping Are handrails clean Have air vents been cleared to prevent steaming in the cab In addition to safety focus on wear items Check ground engaging tools and buckets during the walk around for signs of wear or cracking In addition to the pre operation check do the same checks at the end of the shift Thats often the best time to spot cracks leaks or other damage that might have occurred that day Capitalize on technology Wheel loaders are built with a host of technological advancements Take advantage of them as part of the equipment maintenance process For instance some wheel loaders use programmable controls to ease the pounding wheel loaders and their operators encounter in pits and quarries One such feature is the ride control feature found on Case wheel loaders Wheel loaders work in a hard and abrasive environment Proper care and maintenance is critical to productivity It reduces loader arm bounce during travel and dampens the vibration that reaches critical machine components The system is especially beneficial in aggregate applications given the weight the wheel loaders carry and the uneven terrain over which they transport materials Also take advantage of telematics at every opportunity Telematics provides actionable information from the wheel loader to your location of choice including an office computer laptop or mobile device Many use telematics to schedule automated maintenance alerts Telematics can significantly reduce the time involved in the data collection process as well as the paperwork that triggers preventive or corrective maintenance Users can also quickly pull reports with all of the pertinent information needed to schedule maintenance at the opportune time Additionally users can hone in on specific areas that need attention Newer engines newer maintenance Many newer wheel loaders in the industry are built with technologically advanced engines that require a different level of maintenance than older wheel loaders These engines are designed with high pressure common rail HPCR fuel systems Fuel cleanliness is critical with HPCR The fuel storage tank should be regularly inspected for rust and damage as well Another must is to change fuel filters at manufacturer recommended intervals or more frequently depending on the work environment Use OEM filters instead of knockoffs that typically cost more in the long run Follow manufacturer recommendations on filter types and sizes Utilize the same micron size filters on both the fuel system Change fuel filters at manufacturerrecommended intervals or more frequently depending on the work environment 16 PIT QUARRY April 2014 www pitandquarry com
You must have JavaScript enabled to view digital editions.
