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MACHINE MAINTENANCE
Daniel Took, Head of Product at Kärcher UK discusses the best cleaning practices for cleaning construction machinery to a high standard.
CLEAN MACHINE
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onstruction machines are exposed to huge quantities of dirt during operation. Whether on site or off-site, cleaning measures play an important role in preserving functionality and retaining value as well as acting as a precondition for maintenance and repair. Clean operating equipment is also essential for protecting employees and ensuring workplace safety. There are a range of cleaning methods that can be utilised to protect machines from cold- and hot-water high pressure to dry ice blasting.
Cold-water high pressure on-site: Whether dump trucks or diggers – construction machines take a lot of punishment but need to remain fully operational. To ensure this, intermediate cleaning on site is essential. For fast and efficient cleaning, cold-water high-pressure washers are ideal; removing dirt from chains, shovels or wheels without the need for cleaning agents. A robust design enhances the pressure washer’s portability allowing them to be easily transported around the site on pallets or by crane hook depending on where the machines are located. When selecting the machine, it must be ensured that, in addition to sufficient pressure, it offers a flow rate of at least 1,000 l/min. The larger the flow rate, the higher the amount of water coming from the pressure washer aiding the removal of large quantities of dirt. The water supply can be provided via a mains connection or a tank on location, or by means of a high-pressure trailer, depending on the machine and local conditions. In addition, it must be decided whether an electrically powered model is appropriate, or versions with a diesel or petrol engine. To achieve the desired delivery rate, various nozzles are available as accessories. Flat jet nozzles are designed for removing coarse dirt from surfaces – for example on shovels or trailers. If hardened dirt must be removed from a small surface, a point jet nozzle is more suitable. Rotation nozzles combine both functions as they can be rotated to alter the nozzle depending on what is required.
Hot-water high pressure off-site: When machines are off-site or returned to the firm, deep cleaning is essential before any maintenance can be done. Stationary installations set up as wash bays equipped with hot-water high-pressure systems are ideal for achieving a faster cleaning result. If oily or greasy dirt is involved, a cleaning agent can be used to reinforce the quality of clean at the wash bays. Here it is important to
30 JANUARY / FERBRUARY I CPN
