02 Dec Baler Maintenance
With proper care and maintenance, that baler sitting unobtrusively in the corner of your facility will provide years of service. Following common-sense actions like keeping the areas around the baler clean and uncluttered will help, as will inspecting and cleaning the unit’s sensors and rams, and making sure the oil cooler is not blocked with debris, which could cause overheating and damage.
However, performing the regular maintenance and inspection procedures outlined in your baler’s operating manual will ensure your unit’s longevity. While we always suggest reviewing the maintenance recommendations from your baler manufacturer, the following can provide a basic indication of the parts and systems of a typical baler that require maintenance.
Regular Oil Checks
Hydraulic oil is what gives a baler its powerful capabilities and ensuring that it remains uncontaminated and at prescribed levels is an essential baler maintenance checkpoint. You can often check the oil levels yourself, regularly take an oil sample for analysis, and change the filter annually, as most manufacturers suggest.
Metal fragments could indicate a mechanical problem and might damage internal hydraulic system parts, while fluid contaminates could indicate system leaks you need to identify and repair. Always use the hydraulic oil specified by the manufacturer or your baler could underperform or worse, be damaged. You should also change the air breather and oil filter based on the manufacturer’s schedule, which will likely include special intervals for service in harsh environments.
Equipment Training
You should train personnel to operate the baler, not just give them a ten-minute walk-through and expect them to manage the machine flawlessly. It’s best to develop operating instructions and post them nearby the baler so that users can review operating and maintenance procedures. Ely Enterprises offers a variety of training videos and has copies of owner’s manuals for almost every machine. Developing an operating checklist can help the operator establish a routine for using the machine, which builds confidence and efficiency.
It also helps to have a supply of critical parts and supplies on hand like filters and hydraulic oil to prevent unnecessary downtime. Parts and components can and do wear out, and it makes sense to develop a preventive baler maintenance schedule that takes these expected repairs into account.
Proactive Maintenance Support
Ely Enterprises has worked at building and maintaining customer relationships for over 40 years, and we know how important it is to have a reliable source of resources, coaching, and support during downtime. With preventative maintenance programs and a fully stocked parts department, our service technicians are trained and ready to maximize the life and productivity of your equipment investment. Learn more about our baler maintenance capabilities.
