PCCA Journal|1
st
Quarter 2011
36
W
ith line construction continuing year
round, it is more critical now than
ever before to have a preventive
maintenance and service program in
place to avoid or mitigate the conse-
quences of equipment failure.
There are multiple misconceptions about preventive main-
tenance. One such misconception is that preventive mainte-
nance is unduly costly. This logic dictates that it would cost
more for regularly scheduled downtime and maintenance
than it would normally cost to operate equipment until a
repair is absolutely necessary. This may be true of some com-
ponents; however, one should compare not only the costs but
the long-term benefits and savings associated with preventive
maintenance. Without preventive maintenance, for example,
costs for lost production time from unscheduled equipment
breakdown will be incurred. These costs can sometimes add
up to be quite large, depending on the project.
Preventive maintenance will also result in savings due to
an increase of effective service life. Some of the long-term
benefits of a preventive maintenance schedule include im-
proved equipment reliability, decreased cost of replacing the
equipment, and decreased equipment downtime and related
expenses. With thousands of puller/tensioners in the field,
the folks at Sherman & Reilly thought it would be a good idea
to remind their fellow PCCA members that now might be
time to do some preventive maintenance.
Here are a few items we know will decrease downtime
while increasing the service life and safety of your operation.
Proper Lubrication:
1.
Payout brake linkage
2.
Payout brake bushings
3.
Hydraulic drive slides
4.
Reel locks
5.
Reel speed/direction control cable
Stringing Equipment Maintenance