7 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Dependable “Dinosaur” Machine
Older machines, when taken care of, can be reliable, dependable work horses for your shop. Prolong the life of your older machine through early detection of inconsistent behavior.
1. Stay on top of operator training
Machinery wear and breakdown are often made worse by unskilled handling. Many machines have multiple operators, increasing the chances of “use & abuse”. Identify a list of best practices and reiterate it often to your team.
2. Add and test lubricants
Lubricants reduce friction around any moving part. A schedule of good lubrication maintenance extends the life of large machinery equipment and parts
Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for type of lubricant and consider purchasing onlyhigh-quality fluids to keep your older machine running smoothly
Consider having a fluid analysis completed - experts analyze particles in the used oil which canindicate parts that may be suffering from wear or breakdown
Lubrication prevents corrosion and water is a major course of corrosion. Maintaining seals andreplacing filters will help keep lubricants free of contaminants
Keep a close eye on oil usage
Sudden reduction in oil use can mean a clogged lubrication line
A sudden increase can indicate a leak somewhere
3. Check for signs of wear
Age affects many key components of your machine. Over time belts will warp, seals will dry/crack,bolts will loosen and stretch out of shape. Vibration, shock, high temperatures, friction and age allcontribute to the breakdown of parts in heavy machinery.
4. Maintain a clean environment
There are many seals and filters in place to keep working parts clean and free of contamination.Seals should be inspected regularly to make sure they’re in good condition. Filters should beinspected and changed regularly.
5. Plan, schedule, and keep good records
Know what needs to be inspected and when.
Components break down, and wear is inevitable. Establish forecasts for the expected life of all components and replace them on schedule.
A maintenance log should also be kept ensuring regular checks are not missed and compliance is measured.
Set aside an emergency fund. Even if you have insurance, it is ideal to set aside emergency funds to cover the cost of unexpected, urgent repair and maintenance work.
6. Get creative
Eventually your older machine will need a part replaced that is no longer available. Turn to yourservice technicians, local fab shops and the creative folks you employ as resources to get yourmachine up and running. This may be a better option then replacing your machine.
7. Keep an expert in the loop
Schedule a full service inspection on your older machine to get a base line and start the monitoring process. Schedule annual or biannual inspections to keep on top of fluids and signs of wear.
