Choosing reliable equipment is key to operating an efficient fleet, but frequent breakdowns or complex maintenance requirements keep vehicles off the road, costing your business in time and money.
Keith has spent the past 50 years designing a trailer unloading system aimed at providing customers the lowest cost of ownership of any moving floor on the market.
According to Zyggy Reinoga of Keith Walking Floor Australia, the reliability of Keith’s hydraulic drive unit helps build loyalty among Keith Walking Floor customers, “The Walking Floor drive requires very little maintenance, especially when compared to the daily maintenance required to keep other systems in good working order.”
Reinoga explains that the Keith Running Floor ll drive unit was designed for the lowest total cost of ownership over the lifetime of the equipment. Interchangeable components like the cylinders and the check valves mean fewer parts are required for a fully stocked back-up inventory.
In addition, Keith systems are designed to make servicing the equipment as simple as possible. Easily accessible components cut downtime when repairs are needed. “You don’t need to break down the entire system to replace one valve.”
Maintenance requirements are also minimal. Keith recommends drivers conduct daily visual inspections of the Walking Floor system, checking hydraulic fittings, hoses, bolts and floor slats for loose connections, leaks or damage. “Drivers are in the prime position to notice small issues like loose floor bolts and fix them before they cause any damage,” adds Reinoga.
Aside from that, implementing a basic monthly and biannual maintenance routine will help keep the Walking Floor system operating trouble-free. On a monthly basis, or after 25 operating hours, recommendations include checking the system for hydraulic leaks and making sure that the operating temperature is within acceptable range. No component should be warmer than 60° Celsius.
Retorquing the bolts that see the most movement is an important step in the monthly maintenance schedule. The three cylinders are attached to the drive unit with barrel clamps. Those bolts, along with the floor bolts should be retightened each month.
At the six-month mark, or after 150 operating hours, Keith recommends inspecting the wear areas of the drive unit and flooring components for possible replacement. Oil filters should also be changed. “If you are running clean hydraulic oil through the system, problems will be few,” says Reinoga.
Rotating the floor slats end-for-end is another procedure recommended by Keith to extend the life of the slat. If the ends of the floor slats are worn more than three-quarters of the original thickness, it is suggested to remove the slats and rotate them. “A general guide for slat rotation or replacement is after approximately 3,000 loads, depending on the material you are hauling.”
“A little regular care goes a long way with Walking Floor systems,” says Reinoga.
