Tips For Maintaining Application Equipment
One of the worst situations you can experience while applying nutrients to a field is to have equipment failure due to poor maintenance. Not only can an equipment failure lead to a lot of downtime with repairs, but it can also lead to potentially dangerous situations for those working alongside the application machinery. The Puck team has assembled some tips for maintaining application equipment to ensure you’re able to get the job done right.
General Fundamentals of Maintenance Work
Before getting into the specific maintenance topics for various pieces of equipment, please abide by the following fundamentals when working on any piece of equipment:
- Never perform maintenance while the machinery is in operation
- Everything should be shut off
- Operators need to wait until all machine movement has stopped
- Any master switches have to be placed in the off position
- Review the condition of couplers, clamps, and gaskets on all of your hoses
- Be on the lookout for signs of poor hose condition (check out the Puck hose maintenance article)
- For pump trailers, check the tire pressure and trailer lights before heading out on the road
- For lead pumps with an articulating boom, lubricate any grease fittings
- Inspect pump bearing case oil level
- Check the engine oil level
- Inspect engine coolant level
- Check the hydraulic lines and couplers to make sure they are in good working condition
- Verify that the hydraulic tank is at the correct fluid level (top off if needed)
- Wash down the equipment’s exterior after use
- Gauge the tire pressure and trailer lights before heading out on the road
- Check for grease buildup and wear on row units
- Look over injector hoses, as well as all hydraulic hoses and fittings for wear
- Inspect flowmeter wires for any wear spots
- Wash down the equipment’s exterior after use
- Check the hydraulic lines and couplers to ensure they are in good working condition
- Grease pivot bearings and the bearing on the end of the hose
- Re-torque and tighten bolts at least twice a year (as needed)
- Replace bolts every two years
- Wash down the equipment’s exterior after use
- Gauge the tire pressure and trailer lights before heading out on the road
- Check the hydraulic lines and couplers to make sure they are in good working condition
- Gear Oil Inspections
- Check the site glass on the pump to determine gear oil level
- Inspect the oil before each use and refill as needed
- Look out for moisture issues before starting each season
- Replace oil after every 1,000 hours of operation, or once oil begins to look or smell burnt
- Wash down the equipment’s exterior after use
Puck Enterprises Parts Store
If you discover during your maintenance check that replacement parts are needed, Puck Enterprises has an online store that is entirely dedicated to keeping your Puck equipment running like new. With hundreds of parts to choose from, you can find everything you need, from hose fittings to toolbar components. To see what parts are available, visit our parts department.
For any technical support, the Puck team is here for you with trained specialists at the ready. You can contact Puck’s technical support by calling 712.481.9097 or submit a request online.
