Preventive maintenance and good housekeeping procedures will help extend the life and reliability of your telescopic stacker.

by Torben Johannsen

Telescopic stackers are among the most advanced conveyors available in the bulk material handling market – worldwide. Technology has advanced to such an extent that practically anyone can operate a stacker today at the touch of a few simple buttons. Unfortunately, nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and effortless operation can sometimes lead to effortless care. As with any machine, you get out of it what you put into it. Following regularly scheduled inspection guidelines and maintenance tips provided within the operator’s instruction manual will always extend the life and reliability of your telescopic stacker. Take proper care and it will last a lifetime.

Keeping a record of all maintenance and inspections is not only informative for the future value of the machine, but will prove helpful in circumstances where warranty coverage is validated. Using a daily and monthly checklist for inspection is ideal (see checklists provided). Regardless of any manufacturer’s warranty policy, proper maintenance and care play critical roles in the process of warranty claims. In fact, most warranty claims, if and when they occur, are often rejected based on improper care or failed compliance to maintenance guidelines.

Standard maintenance tips

The following preventive measures are generally considered an essential part of a telescopic warranty policy and represent minimum guidelines for inspection and maintenance.

* Winch cables: The winch cable system must be properly maintained to ensure smooth operation as well as the safety of those who operate it. It is important to keep winch drums clean, as debris can significantly reduce the lifespan of a winch cable. Winch cables should be inspected daily for cable slack, cable fraying, and wear on the wire rope sheave. The lifespan of a typical winch cable can reach more than 20 years with proper maintenance. Most cable winch systems are equipped with tensioning springs and limit switches for additional safety.

* Lubrication: To ensure proper operation, periodic lubrication on a weekly basis or every 50 operating hours is very important. Critical lubrication points include inner and outer tail and head pulley bearings, support roller bearings, support shaft bearings, winch drum bearings, and cable sheave bearings. Failure to properly lubricate can cause multiple problems such as contamination, overheating, and, eventually, premature failure. It is important to understand that over greasing can be just as problematic as under greasing. If a bearing is greased to the point that it starts leaking, dust and dirt may stick and eventually work its way back into the bearing causing long-term damage.

* Wheel hubs: Hub oil levels should be checked before any stacker is permitted on the road or every 6 months if working in a permanent location. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations when selecting an oil type.