August through to October is known as the windy months in South Africa. We have all born witness to the windstorms currently blowing through the country, bringing with it the much-anticipated rain and summer months.
When the weather acts up, companies in the engineering, agriculture, and mining sectors need to be more vigilant about their equipment.
Encountering a breakdown or potential injury on duty is a large concern to all involved. All equipment must be checked to ensure no potential dangers are looming.
Incidents tend to occur when we turn a blind eye to the operational aspects of a plant. This is a dangerous error to make.
It is critical to the success of any plant and the safety of its employees to run routine safety checks, ensuring that everything is running smoothly.
Mining equipment is put under duress with the workload it produces, resulting in wear and tear to all the bits and pieces keeping the plant going.
A strict maintenance schedule should be implemented to ensure that there is no downtime due to equipment failure.
Strong winds bringing dust and sand into a plant can cause damage to intricate parts of the operation that are not always visible to the naked eye.
To guide you along the safety process, we will provide you with a few tips on successfully maintaining your industrial equipment.
Five Tips to Successfully Maintain Your Mining Equipment
- Keep machinery lubricated at all times
Any machine is destined to fail without proper lubrication. Lubrication is as important as what the moving parts of the machine are. Lubricating a machine regularly and correctly will alleviate excess friction.
The lifespan and deterioration of a machine are expedited when the correct precautions are not taken seriously and performed regularly.
Too much lubrication will cause errors such as energy loss, damage to seals, and an excess in the accumulation of grease.
Ensure that the correct type of lubrication is applied to each machine so that there are no breakdowns further down the road.
- Clean heavy machinery well
Heavy machinery is fitted with special seals to protect the intricate parts. If dirt and grime find their way in there, the untrained eye will not detect it. This will lead to catastrophic damage and loss.
Broken or torn seals need to be changed immediately, and the breathers must be kept clean from debris. Filters need to be changed when they are dirty or clogged.
With heavy winds or rain comes dirt and grime. Keeping your machinery covered or indoors will help alleviate the trouble that this can cause.
- Keep up with regular maintenance.
Conducting an inspection or repair when something goes wrong is not enough for heavy machinery to stay in top condition.
Set up a regular inspection plan with notations taken on any inspection performed previously.
Conduct regular checks on gaskets and seals. Belts and pulleys must also maintain their alignment.
Moving parts, such as gears, should be checked continually to ensure no wear and tear or damage. Proper lubrication needs to be applied to the parts to keep them functioning at optimal levels.
- Take note of wear and tear.
During normal operations, you may notice some wear and tear occurring to parts or machines. It is imperative to take note of this as it may be a signal of more severe problems, especially on braking systems.
Common signs of wear and tear include heat, vibration, and belt shape.
Overheating can be caused by the incorrect use of lubrication to moving parts. When vibration occurs, there may be some gears or belts that are misaligned.
- Keep the operators well trained.
One of the most effective ways to ensure your heavy machinery stays operational is to train all staff.
New employees need to go through an intense training process to ensure they know how everything works and what to look for in case of a problem.
Current employees should go through refresher courses and new inductions on any new and improved machines or parts that they may acquire.
Without the proper induction and training, any business runs the risk of downtime or even accidents that can be costly.
Training courses should be scheduled at regular intervals to ensure that all the operators know what they are doing and what to look for when a machine is misbehaving.
If you want to ensure the longevity of your heavy machinery, the tips above will guide you in the right direction.
When you need new equipment, parts, or assistance, Huebner Speed Monitoring is the partner you need. Backed with years of knowledge within the mining and agricultural industries, Huebner will ensure the safety of your workforce, and equipment is their top priority.
They provide each customer with a tailor-made solution. Contact one of their friendly staff today to get the ball rolling on a long and successful business partnership.