MACHINING & MACHINERY MACHINE MAINTENANCE
DIPERK POWER SOLUTIONS
Maintaining your engine when not in use
Engines are like your favourite pair of boots — they are made to be used . But , when it ’ s not in use , operators must ensure their engine is maintained properly . If left unused for extended periods , problems can start to develop and prevent the engine from working efficiently . Here , Keith Brown , Technical Manager at DiPerk Power Solutions provides tips on how to maintain your machine .
Some machines are only used at certain times . For example , a combine harvester will only operate during the harvest , and a stand-by generator only runs during mains outages . While these machines are not constantly running , operators want to be sure that they will perform when the time comes to start them up again . By regularly maintaining idle engines , operators can reduce the risk of problems developing while they are not in use .
REGULAR CHECKS
The fuel system is the heart of the engine , pumping the fuel your machine needs to run , so always take care in keeping it clean and installing new filters before starting it up again . Leaving biodiesel in the fuel system can attract moisture , bacteria and fungi that leads to problems when starting up the engine . Therefore , if it runs on biodiesel , it ’ s important to drain the tank before refilling it with clean diesel and allowing it to run for ten to 15 minutes to flush out the residual biodiesel .
Leaving a stored engine unattended for long periods increases the risk of contamination from nature . For example , if condensation collects in the machine , it can cause corrosion . One way to prevent this is topping-up the cooling and oil reservoirs , which leaves less room for condensation to collect . Insects , animals and water can also get into the engine while it ’ s not running and cause issues — covering the exhaust and air inlet openings helps to combat this .
If batteries are still connected while the machine is not in use , they can discharge , so it ’ s always important to disconnect them first . Disconnecting also helps to deter theft
Leaving a stored engine unattended for long periods increases the risk of contamination from nature .
when the equipment is left unattended for long periods of time in remote locations .
STARTING UP
Before using the machine again , there some key tasks to perform to ensure the engine will work efficiently . Changing the engine oil and filters prevents condensation reacting with contaminants in the used oil . When connecting the batteries and starting the engine , allow it stay idle for five to ten minutes to improve oil flow and the lubrication of critical components .
If the machine has wheels , check that the tyres have sufficient depth and no defects . If the tyres are under-inflated , it can increase fuel consumption and impact braking performance . It is also important to check that any lights on the machine are working properly . You can either ask a colleague for help or park in front of a reflective surface to see the lights — like you would when checking your car ’ s lights .
Just like you clean and polish your boots so that they look good when you take them out of the cupboard , regular maintaining stored engines ensures that they will perform efficiently when you need them .
For expert advice on how to effectively maintain your engine , visit the DiPerk website .
For expert advice on how to effectively maintain your engine , visit www . diperk . com
76 PECM Issue 54