Ensuring the longevity of bearings requires the correct tools and methods. Are you aware of the best practices?
The agricultural industry demands a lot from its bearings. Machines operate under fluctuating conditions and diverse loads. It's crucial, especially during planting and peak seasons, to not overlook their maintenance. Therefore, proper upkeep is key to avoiding unnecessary downtime.
How to Ensure Proper Maintenance
A malfunctioning machine during peak season due to faulty bearings can be highly disruptive. Regular checks of moving parts are highly recommended to prevent this. Especially bearings, being central to these parts in farm equipment, need particular attention. Using proper tools, like a laser thermometer, helps in maintaining optimal temperatures of these components, preventing overheating. Regularly inspecting and replacing couplings, drive belts, and chains, along with their accompanying sprockets, is also vital.
Effective maintenance begins with timely replacement of bearings and drives. The correct tools for bearing assembly are easy to use and significantly extend the bearings' lifespan, thus enhancing machine availability. We advise using a bearing fitting toolkit or a bearing heater, especially for agricultural machinery since improper assembly methods, like using a hammer, drastically reduce the bearings' life. Proper tools and safety gloves also contribute to a safer working environment.
For chain wheels and pulleys, alignment with a laser and tensioning with the appropriate tools are recommended. Negligent assembly can lead to rapid deterioration and increased costs.
Importance of Lubrication
Lubrication is a crucial aspect of maintaining agricultural machinery. Many open bearings fail due to incorrect grease or lubrication methods. Choosing the right lubricant and tools is therefore critical. Implementing a lubrication schedule, detailing the type of lubricant, tools, frequency, and quantity, is recommended. In some instances, an automatic lubrication system is advisable to minimize human error. In other situations, a specialized, battery-operated grease gun designed for agricultural use suffices.
Despite advancements in automation, much of the maintenance in agriculture remains manual. Your product expert in Kramp is always ready to support you with your questions about bearings and their maintenance.
