Pit & Quarry, February 2014
MAINTENANCE TIPS FROM EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS AND OUR READERS Jaw crusher maintenance A lot can be saved or achieved by giving your machine the attention it needs including costs and time your crews could be spending elsewhere W ith proper planning and preparation maintenance programs can be made easier and more effective Importantly operations can meet time management cost savings and safety goals by employing good maintenance strategies Successful jaw crusher maintenance requires the right resources the right tools and the right approach says Bill Macini a Telsmith service technician Certainly when an operation is down whether for preventive maintenance or component failure there is always the pressure to get the plant up and running as soon as possible So workers may take shortcuts that ultimately cost the operation more in the long run Macini says Crews need to be trained in the proper methods and management needs to provide the support and resources to do the job correctly Macini offered several tips to enhance your own maintenance Cleanliness is key Keep oil systems free of contamination With a production production production mentality comes the attitude of lets hurry up and change the oil But crews dont bother to clean out any sludge buildup in tanks and the new oil becomes contaminated A periodic oil analysis offers a heads up about the condition of the machine Also changing the oil requires clean buckets clean rags and storage in a clean environment Keep the breathers clean as well and keep the right gaskets and oil filters on hand Dont run oil filters into the red Always have the right replacement parts and cleaning components set aside and ready to go Be proactive and remain prepared as oil change intervals come up Keep the toggle area clean particularly before any crusher adjustments Its best to wash out the toggle seats and plates daily as wet material buildup results in a gritty compound that grinds down components causing premature wear Also remove dirt and debris from crusher frame surfaces and from areas around the machine Monitor discharge chutes for any obstructions and check for any material buildup under the jaw to avoid excessive wear on the pitman Conduct regular inspections As specified by owners manuals crews should follow the discipline of daily weekly and monthly recommended inspections While there are many inspection items listed on a manufacturers maintenance schedule several are worth highlighting Check jaw dies daily making sure bolts are kept tight Check cheek plates for any excessive wear that may affect the mainframe of the jaw Monitor flywheels for cleanliness tightened bolts and potential cracks and make sure drive belts arent worn or cracked BY CAROL WASSON Check jaw dies daily making sure bolts are kept tight Once a toggle is sheared or broken maintenance crews may have to spend up to four hours to remove and replace it 84 PIT QUARRY February 2014 www pitandquarry com
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