Service Questions with John: Housekeeping & Your Rock Crusher

Housekeeping is a phrase that does not inspire many despite its necessity. While you may not be doing laundry or vacuuming on the job site, there are still items that are necessary when it comes to the maintenance and housekeeping of your rock crushing equipment. Eagle Crusher Service Manager John is sharing the common areas that are neglected on the housekeeping list and the long-term effects they could lead to if not taken care of properly.

Common Areas with Debris Build Up that need Regular Housekeeping

• Bearings & Clutch Openings

• • When bearings are covered with dust and rock debris, it holds the heat in which breaks down the lubrication and warps the metal.
  • Clutch openings can also collect debris which causes unnecessary wearing.
  • Solution- Make sure the bearings are clear of debris.
• Fuel Tank

• • When the fuel tanks collect debris, the material can cut or move the lines connected to the fuel tank, causing the fuel tank to not run efficiently.
  • Solution- Clean the debris off the fuel tank
• Walkways

• • While walkways being cluttered may not impact the effectiveness of the machine, it creates an unsafe environment for operators.
  • Solution- Keep the walkways clear to avoid any tripping hazards.
• Axles & Surrounding Areas

• • Similar to the walkways, a collection of debris around the axles may not impact the machine itself but could create tears in the airbags or airlines which would make the machine difficult to move.
  • Solution- Keep material build up by the axles to a minimum.

Areas that require Immediate Attention

• Dust and Mud Build Up on the Rotor

• • When the rotors become caked in mud, the rotors do not effectively move or crush material. The additional weight causes unnecessary stress on the bearings and engine. If this is not resolved in a timely manner, this could lead to long-term damage of several parts on your machine.
  • Solution- if you use water as a dust suppressant, add a weekly check in of the rotor and clean when necessary.
• Material on the Impactor Housing
  • Material build-up on the top of the impactor housing causes the spring bridge for the primary curtain, or in some cases the secondary curtain, to not move as much as it is supposed to.
  • Solution- Keep the impactor housing clear of any debris.
• Belt Tracking
  • When material builds up on the underside of the rock crushing equipment, such as the main frame, the material could interact with the belt tracking. This allows the belt to be ripped from the constant interaction with the foreign material and can cause the belt to not track properly, causing a larger issue.
  • Solution- Keep belts free from any foreign material.

Clean Out Your Machines, Not Your Bank Account

Needing to call service for unexpected downtime not only costs you for the service call but for the ongoing downtime. By checking your rock crushing machines for housekeeping necessities, you can protect yourself from unexpected downtime and unnecessary service calls.

Regardless, Eagle Crusher service is always available to you. Whether that’s calling our service team or an authorized local dealer, Eagle Crusher has your back throughout your entire rock crushing journey.

Learn more about the different ways you can protect yourself from unexpected downtimes by checking out other Service Questions blogs.