For most people, the least enjoyable part of any job is cleaning up the mess after it’s done. However, when it comes to machinery and equipment, maintenance and cleaning, we at FS Construction Services want to stress that it is one of the most important factors determining longevity and efficiency of your valuable equipment.
It is important to note that our expert team strongly recommends scheduling routine maintenance checks. Annually, we do so for all types of your key equipment including grain drying, aeration, storage, handling or transfer equipment. Yet, there are many self-maintenance items you can conduct on your own.
Because things are usually much easier to digest in list form, here’s a checklist straight from our partner USC on preventative conveyor maintenance for different types of conveyors.
Bin Gates/Under Bin Conveyor
- Check bin gates for leftover seed buildup
- Purge water/oil separator and the air compressor tank to remove moisture
- Clean conveyor tail section to prevent beans from rotting while not in use
- Remove and clean tail section side covers
- Inspect motor drive cover for debris and animal nests (birds, wasps, etc.)
- Grease bearings (1 pump – do not over grease)
- Inspect additional parts (sprockets, chain, v belt, etc.)
Bin Fill Conveyor
- Clean conveyor tail section to prevent beans from rotting while not in use
- Align and tension drive belt and chain
- Clean motor cover
- Grease bearings (1 pump – do not over grease)
- Inspect belt cleats and splice for excessive wear
- If stored inside, cover the inlet hopper
Inlet/Outlet Conveyor
- Inspect conveyor cords for damage, nicks, or exposed wires
- Inspect belt cleats and splice for excessive wear
- Clean/soak hopper brushes if there is chemical buildup
- Clean conveyor tail section to prevent beans from rotting while not in use
- Grease bearings (1 pump – do not over grease)
If you have any maintenance or operating questions regarding your machinery or you are looking to replace or purchase grain drying, grain storage, or grain handling equipment, let the team at Gateway FS Construction Services know. You can give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.