Top 5 tips for extending the life of your postharvest equipment

Taking time to look after your equipment will extend the life of your biggest investments. With regular care and maintenance, you will save time and money. Read WYMA’s top 5 tips for extending the life of your Postharvest equipment. 1. Keep Equipment CleanTake time each day to clean your equipment thoroughly. Trapped dirt causes parts to malfunction, leading to costly equipment break-downs. Clean equipment is also safer and easier to inspect. When parts are clean, you can easily see if they are running correctly. It is also a good idea to keep your site as clean as possible. Equipment should be sheltered from wind and rain (where possible) to help prevent rust and rot. 2. Inspect Equipment RegularlyMake sure you have a comprehensive inspection and maintenance schedule. If you take time to check your equipment regularly, you will be able to fix small issues before they become major problems. Perform preventative maintenance to replace high-wear parts before they break down. This will save you time and money. Some parts that should be checked often are: bearings, seals, gaskets, belts, rollers, pulleys, electrics, etc. 3. Staff TrainingIt is important to have trained staff on-site. They will know if equipment is running correctly and will be able to trouble-shoot effectively. It is worthwhile to train everyone who is working on or near equipment so they know what equipment should look like - and sound like - when it is running well. Problems will be found early if you have plenty of trained staff paying attention. 4. LubricationLubricants help moving parts perform better. They reduce friction and extend part life. Include ‘part lubrication’ on your maintenance schedules. Make sure you are using the right lubricants. There are different lubricants for different parts, so check the manufacturer’s recommendations. 5. Use High Quality Spare PartsIf you want great performance and long life from your equipment, use high quality spare parts. Do not replace parts with similar, but lower quality parts. Low quality parts will not only wear faster, but can also cause damage to your equipment if they are not completely fit-for-purpose. Check with your supplier to make sure you use the spare parts they recommend. More information