Routine Preventative Maintenance

The Extendable Conveyor is designed to operate with a minimum level of maintenance. The preventative maintenance procedures provide an easy means of determining the operational status of the conveyor and result in identification of possible trouble areas so the condition will not deteriorate to the point where a failure is likely to occur. Please refer to your manual for model-specific preventative maintenance procedures.

Daily

Performed by Operator

1. Check operation of conveyor controls. Ensure that all "STOP" pushbuttons operate properly. Also ensure that all limit switches function properly.
2. Clean any accumulation of dust and/or dirt from the conveyor surfaces and remove any accumulation of debris. Do this with the conveyor belt stopped. Never touch a moving belt or rotating part.
3. Ensure belt is tracking properly. NEVER TOUCH A MOVING BELT.

Weekly

(1) Safety: Observe all safety precautions. Turn off conveyor except when operations must be performed with equipment running. NEVER TOUCH A MOVING BELT OR ROTATING PART.

(2) Examine Controls and Wiring: With the conveyor shut down and disconnected, look for damage to conduit and wiring. DO NOT TOUCH LOOSE WIRES.

(3) Examine Motor and Reducer: With the conveyor shut down, look for damage to motor and reducer housings. Look for evidence of lubricant leakage from gearcase. If leakage is detected, check for proper oil level. Add oil if required. (Lubricant: Texaco Multigear EP-85W-140 or equivalent).

(4) Clean Conveyor: Remove any accumulated debris from beneath the surfaces of the conveyor. MAKE SURE CONVEYOR IS LOCKED OUT.

(5) CLEAN UP: Restore conveyor to its original status. Ensure all inspection equipment is removed from work area. Initiate repair work orders as required. Report serious deficiencies to the maintenance supervisor.

Monthly

(1) EXAMINE PULLEYS & BEARINGS: With the conveyor running, listen for abnormal noise coming from any pulley assembly or bearing. All pulley bearings should be lubricated every four to six weeks. Tighten set screws as needed. NEVER TOUCH A ROTATING PART. USE A METAL ROD TO TRANSMIT SOUND TO YOUR EAR AND NOTE ANY EXCESSIVE BEARING NOISE. NEVER REACH UNDER OR INTO THE CONVEYOR WHEN THE BELT IS RUNNING. FOR ACCESS TO SOME PULLEYS, COVERS MUST BE REMOVED IN MATING BOOM SECTIONS. USE METAL ROD TO REACH THROUGH ACCESS WINDOWS TO CONTACT BEARINGS. SEE ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS FOR LOCATIONS.

(2) EXAMINE BELT: With the conveyor running, look for damage to belt or belt lacing. Remove any raveled edges or cord that might catch on pulley assemblies. Also repair or replace belt lacing that show physical damage. NEVER PERFORM ANY WORK ON THE BELT WHILE IT IS MOVING.

(3) RETURN ROLLERS: Using a metal rod, contact the protruding ends of the hex shafts to listen for abnormal bearing noise. Remove window covers to gain access to some roller shafts. Never reach your hand through these windowns when the belt is running. Replace all covers when done. Never reach under the machine when the belt is running.

(4) EXAMINE MOUNTING BOLTS: Check all drive motors by jogging units to ensure mounting bolts are tight. Check conveyor hold-down bolts to ensure conveyor will not come loose from floor hold-down devices.

(5) ELECTRICAL CABLE REEL: Inspect electrical cable to ensure that cable is not pulling out from a cable connector. Also completely extend and retract the conveyor observing the recoil of the cable. If cable is sagging, completely extend the conveyor and attempt to add an additional wrap to the spring at the reel housing. (Do not over tension spring by over wrapping cable). See manufacturer's literature.

(6) ELECTRICAL WIRING: Check all electrical conduit and fittings to ensure damage has not been done to the system. Fix damaged, loose or bare wiring or connections.

(7) CLEAN UP: Restore conveyor to its original status. Ensure all inspection equipment is removed from work area. Initiate repair work orders as required. Report serious deficiencies to the maintenance supervisor.

Quarterly

(1) CAM ROLLER LUBRICATION AND ADJUSTMENT: Inspect and adjust cam rollers. Both both front and rear cam support blocks have provisions for lubrication. Front blocks can be lubricated without guard removal. To lubricate rear cams, the rear guard must be removed. All cam rollers should be checked for proper adjustment. (See boom alignment instructions.) MACHINE SHOULD BE LOCKED OUT FOR THIS PROCEDURE.

Semiannually

(1) CHANGE FLUID IN GEAR BOXES: Twice a year the gear head lubricant should be changed. The gear cases should be drained and cleaned. Fill units with Texaco Multigear EP-140 or equivalent. (Note: Cold weather applications may require a thinner grade oil).
When adding oil to any gear box the following procedure should be followed:

1. Remove the oil level plug in the side of the box that controls the oil level height.
2. Remove the fill line plug located on the top of the gear box.
3. Add lubrication through the top fill line port.
4. Add lubricant until it runs out of the fluid level line hole. CAUTION: DO NOT OVER FILL GEAR BOX WITH OIL.
5. Replace both plugs in gear box. ELECTRICAL LOCKOUT REQUIRED.

(2) EXAMINE MASTER CONTROL PANEL: Wipe dust from exterior of panel. Open panel door. Remove dust from interior of panel (DO NOT TOUCH WIRES). Look for burned wiring and loose terminal connections. Close panel.

(3) OBSERVE DRIVE SECTION: With the conveyor running, carefully contact motor and reducer housing WITH METAL ROD to detect excessive vibration from bearings or gears. Listen for evidence of wear or damage to internal parts. DO NOT GO NEAR MOVING PARTS.

(4) CLEAN BOOM ROLLER CHAINS: With the conveyor shut down and locked out, wipe dirt from chains and sprockets. Lubricate chain with a SAE #10 weight oil.

(5) WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION AND LUBRICATION: If the conveyor is a traversing unit each wheel bearing should be inspected for wear, proper alignment, and tightness in wheel mount. All wheel bearings should be lubricated at least twice a year and quarterly if unit is traversed regularly. LOCK-OUT REQUIRED.

(6) TRACK CLEAN OUT: If unit is of the traversing type with floor mounted track the rear track should be checked for build-up of dirt and debris. This should not be allowed to build-up where it interferes with conveyor wheels. Clean out slots are provided at each end of the track for removal of debris.