{"id":7845,"date":"2015-11-30T15:38:09","date_gmt":"2015-11-30T15:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wasteadvantagemag.com\/?p=7845"},"modified":"2016-02-15T22:41:57","modified_gmt":"2016-02-15T22:41:57","slug":"maintenance-protect-compactor-investment-regular-preventative-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wasteadvantagemag.com\/maintenance-protect-compactor-investment-regular-preventative-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"Maintenance: Protect Your Compactor Investment with Regular Preventative Maintenance"},"content":{"rendered":"

A few timely steps prevent downtime, boost productivity and prevent big issues down the road.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kirk Warren<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Without a doubt, compactors are a wise investment for any business that generates large volumes of waste and\/or recycling materials. By compressing and crushing waste, fewer hauls are required\u2014resulting in significantly lower collection costs. But compactors work hard. They are typically used on a daily basis in all sorts of extreme environments. And, like any heavy equipment, there are electrical systems, controls, switches and hydraulic systems\u2014not to mention constant abrasion of metal against metal.<\/p>\n

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Unexpected downtime is aggravating as well as costly. However, simply performing regular maintenance tasks and attending to the early warning signs of poor compactor performance can typically avoid compactor downtime.<\/p>\n

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Just like your favorite sports car, compactors need a little well-timed care to keep them running strong. A regular preventative maintenance plan is the best way to keep your compactor running efficiently, and following a recommended maintenance schedule will protect against premature failure and\/or wear of hydraulic and mechanical components, significantly extending the compactor\u2019s life cycle.<\/p>\n

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Always operate a compactor within the rated capacity and follow a maintenance and lubrication program. A qualified service technician should always perform preventative maintenance. A compactor should always<\/em> be disconnected from power supply, locked and tagged out before performing any maintenance. It is also advised that the control circuit fuse is removed as a secondary precaution to prevent the compactor from being started accidentally. Double-check circuit breakers to make sure that they are off.<\/p>\n

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The age and type of equipment plays a role in determining maintenance needs, but a good program infuses weekly, monthly and yearly maintenance tasks, such as checking pressure relief valve settings, checking hydraulic fluid level, changing oil and filters, inspecting hoses and fittings for leaks, applying grease to grease fittings and inspecting cylinders.<\/p>\n

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Recommended Weekly Maintenance<\/strong><\/p>\n