 Cleaning Your Plate
Vibratory Plate Maintenance Tips to
Keep Your Investment Running Smoothly
By Peter Price
No matter what the application, vibratory plate
compactors always seem to have the odds against them. They’re primarily used in dusty, grimy conditions.
They’re rarely handled with care. And, of course, they’re designed to vibrate, which typically doesn’t bode well for any piece of equipment.
Most manufacturers understand the unique demands placed on vibratory plates and design their machines
with extreme mechanical stress in mind. But it doesn’t matter how well a single-direction or reversible plate is
constructed, it requires basic upkeep to perform correctly on the jobsite. Understanding key maintenance tasks
and following a routine maintenance schedule can help keep this investment running smoothly.
A Must Read
After purchasing a vibratory plate, spend some time reviewing the owner’s manual before testing out the new equipment. Having a basic understanding of the manufacturer’s primary maintenance specifications, recommended start-up and shutdown procedures, safety information and application examples can help an operator become
familiar with the plate’s functionality and make for a more successful
inaugural outing. In addition, though there are some general rules of thumb regarding maintenance, each individual brand and unit may have specific requirements. It’s important to be aware of the manufacturer’s specific maintenance schedule.
An Apple a Day...
Performing a few simple maintenance tasks each day can prevent larger problems down the road.
But before beginning the maintenance process, make sure the
plate is in a clean area, such as a shop or on a trailer. This will help avoid contamination when components are removed, set down and put back on.
Begin the daily maintenance process by washing down the plate. When excess dirt and debris is removed, hidden maintenance issues may become visible. When cleaning the plate, don’t focus the pressure washer directly on sensitive equipment, such as electrical components, as the excess force can cause damage. Avoid using a steam pressure washer; steam has the ability to penetrate seals that are normally watertight.
The engine oil level is the next point of inspection. Place the plate on a flat surface and check the oil via the engine dipstick; an uneven surface could result in an inaccurate oil level reading. Check the hydraulic oil level as well, and keep a watch for contamination. If the hydraulic oil begins to look milky or discolored, change it immediately. This process is typically simple, thanks to large service ports that permit access to common
maintenance points.
The air filter should also be checked daily for cleanliness. Look for excess dirt or contamination that may
hinder the filter’s effectiveness.
Some manufacturers are easing the concerns caused by jobsite dirt and hazards by incorporating a fine grain protective hood that inhibits debris from entering plate components.
Finally, perform a simple hands-on inspection of the entire machine. Because vibration tends to loosen things up, feel for any hardware or safety devices that may need to be tightened. Taking the time each day to perform these quick, simple steps can help keep a vibratory plate
performing at its peak level.
Monthly
Maintenance Tips
While some components require daily inspection, a few vibratory plate checks need to be completed only once per month. This monthly
maintenance routine is equally important as daily maintenance can help avoid costly repairs. If the
vibratory plate runs on a gas engine, begin monthly maintenance by checking the spark plugs. Clean the spark plugs to remove any corrosion or carbon buildup and replace
when necessary.
Inspect the battery on a monthly basis to ensure connections aren’t loose or beginning to short out.
Clean off any acid build-up on the terminals and check the acid level if the plate has a non-maintenance-free battery. At this time, lubricate the poles with electrical grease. This lubrication prevents battery acid from building up on the terminals and
provides better connectivity.
Dirt and other jobsite debris can build up in the fuel tank and cause diminished engine performance, so draining the fuel tank each month is a good idea. After the empty tank has dried and the fuel filter removed, blow the tank clean with an air
compressor. While the fuel filter is out, inspect it for debris. Install a
new fuel filter at least once each year or as needed.
While a visual inspection of the air filter is adequate on a daily basis,
take the time each month to do a
dedicated cleaning. Using an air compressor, blow the filter clean from the inside out with a maximum of 80
to 90 psi of air pressure. Never clean an air filter from the outside in; the force of the compressed air can
cause large particles to cut through the filter medium and diminish its effectiveness.
Many manufacturers now include air filter service indicators on newer plates. As the air filter becomes plugged with dirt, a vacuum is created within the clean air filter indicator, triggering the indicator light and alerting the operator to clean the
filter. Replace the air filter annually.
Additionally, some maintenance
is only required once per year, including changing hydraulic and exciter-housing oil and checking the
rubber isolators. Engine oil should be changed approximately every 250 operating hours. Check your owner’s manual for specific intervals for
your unit.
When changing the oil, be sure to use the proper viscosity oil for the working climate. If the plate will be used in a cold climate, change from summer grade oil to winter grade oil. Check the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended oils and change intervals. The incorrect oil can reduce lubrication properties, leading to component damage and unnecessary wear that diminishes the life of the machine.
Rubber isolators are especially important to check annually, as these components hold together the upper and lower mass of the plate. As the isolators become weak, the upper and lower masses go out of sync and put added stress on belts and hoses between these two areas. The isolators can eventually wear out, so conduct a check each year for excessive stretching or damage.
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Standard Operating
Procedures for Plates
While not a dedicated maintenance task, proper vibratory plate operation may be one of the most important practices to follow.
Often, major damage and consequent costly repairs can be avoided by
simply using the plate correctly. Since this equipment can cost anywhere from $2,000 to nearly $30,000, it pays to follow manufacturer instructions and protect the machine.
First and foremost, as with any
type of equipment, let the machine do the work. Manhandling the plate will only result in potential damage to the unit and possible injury to
the operator. If the plate is moving sluggishly, it may be an indication
it’s in an unsuitable environment, and pushing and pulling won’t resolve the issue.
Proper application goes a long way in avoiding machine issues as well. Generally speaking, plate compactors are designed to work in soils that respond to vibration such as granular materials. Though manufacturers are designing newer models to be productive in a wider range of materials, highly cohesive soils or soils with high moisture content are still
obstacles, as those soils do not respond well to vibration.
Cohesive materials are typically compacted through impact force rather than vibration. When a plate gets stuck in this kind of soil, a
backhoe is often required to free it, which opens the door for potential damage. In addition, the material may work its way into belt guards and other sensitive components, causing premature failure.
Most manufacturers incorporate a central lifting point into the plate design, so take advantage of this when moving the unit around a jobsite, lifting it in or out of a trench or loading and unloading from a trailer. Using the handles to lift the plate may damage the handle shock mounts. When transporting a plate from one jobsite to another, secure it to a trailer via the tie-down points on the bottom base plate instead of wrapping a chain around the
protective frame. This puts much
less stress on the shock mounts, extending equipment life.
Manufacturers today strive to build a better-protected product to reduce maintenance requirements and total cost of ownership. For example, falling objects on the jobsite are often a concern since vibratory plates are relatively exposed. However, some manufacturers are easing this worry by adding an engine hood made of high-strength steel that helps protect internal components from jobsite and transportation damage.
Though manufacturers are bringing to market more durable vibratory plates that require less attention from a mechanic, this equipment isn’t completely maintenance-free. Following a simple maintenance routine can keep a plate running smoothly on the
jobsite, and when considering the cost and inconvenience of a complete plate breakdown, spending a small amount of time on maintenance will pay off in the long run.
Peter Price is a product manager with BOMAG Light Equipment, Mississauga, Ontario.
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