07 May These 4 Bad Equipment Operating Habits Will Cause Your Baler to Need Repairs More Often Than Necessary

Balers are one of the most widely used machines for commercial recycling, being found everywhere from retail businesses to industrial waste management facilities. By compacting various forms of waste, balers allow for much easier recycling efforts, simplifying the processing and transportation of a company’s waste.

Of course, like any industrial equipment, balers are prone to wear and tear, especially when they aren’t being properly operated. In fact, there are various bad equipment operating habits that may cause your baler to need repairs more often than necessary – make sure to avoid these bad habits for a better maintained baler!

Not Regularly Cleaning the Baler
Operating with an uncleaned baler is never a good idea. A lot of debris, dust and grime accumulates in a baler that can cause significant damage to the internal components if left uncleaned. Also, waste around the outside of the baler causes this problem, not to mention possibly attracting rodents that can further damage the baler.

Dirt around the control console can also lead to some operating issues, while a build-up of dust causes overheating of the motors and cooler, which can be very expensive to repair or replace. So, always take the time to clean away dust each day while conducting more thorough deep cleans on weekly, monthly, and quarterly schedules.

A Lack of Preventative Maintenance
One of the more common bad operating habits for balers is using them too often without a thought of preventative maintenance. Instead of waiting for parts to break down, taking the time to do minor maintenance over the weeks and month will save thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs and replacements.

It is recommended to complete weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance checks and repairs on a baler. Weekly maintenance should be top priority in this regard, with examples of weekly maintenance including cleaning parts, avoiding dust build-ups, and inspecting the oil levels and the condition of the power unit.

Forgetting to Check Oil
Baler operators should always check the oil levels when cleaning the equipment. Oil is necessary for stable and safe operation, so it’s important to check this regularly to ensure no issues.

Oil changes are only needed every few years, although certain conditions (such as a lot of dust) often mean oils need to be changed more often. The oil temperature is also important, as not hitting the right levels results in a slower baler.

Poor Hydraulic Maintenance
Hydraulics are the driving force behind a baler yet they are often overlooked and break down sooner than necessary. Issues with hydraulics are quite common due to the immense pressure and very high temperatures they operate under, so they need to be checked regularly to ensure optimal operation.

For example, hydraulic fluid levels should always be in line with manufacturer recommendations, while inspecting the oil around the hydraulics is also important. Finally, a lot of dust build-up may cause overheating sooner than necessary, so always check around the hydraulics and clean when needed.

H-West Equipment, Inc is a provider of recycling equipment, based in Orange, CA.  We sell and service every piece of equipment necessary, from Balers to Compactors, to Shredders, Conveyors, and much more throughout California, Arizona, Nevada and Northern Mexico. We also provide parts and expert service throughout the same coverage area. For a consultation, or to schedule service, reach us through our contact form or call us at our corporate office in Orange CA at (714) 289-7733 today!