With harvest season approaching, it’s a good idea to get your grading and handling equipment checked over before things get busy. Taking a bit of time now to inspect your machinery can help avoid unexpected breakdowns further down the line — and a breakdown during harvest tends to cause a lot more disruption than one that happens during a quieter period.
Here’s a general checklist to work through before the season starts.
Elevators & Conveyors
Conveyors and elevators are usually some of the hardest-working machines on the line, so it makes sense to check these first.
- Belts – look for signs of wear, splitting, or flattening. It’s a good idea to check the belt joiners too, along with the tension. A belt can seem fine when it’s not moving but behaves differently once it’s under load.
- Alignment – run the belts both empty and loaded to make sure they’re staying centred and not rubbing against the frame.
- Bearings – check for unusual noise, heat, or movement, and grease any fittings that need it.
- Chains and drive components – check these are properly tensioned and not showing excessive wear. Lubricate where required.
- Safety features – make sure any safety stops or descent mechanisms are tested and working properly, rather than assuming they’re fine because they weren’t used recently.
Hoppers and Grading Equipment
It’s really important to ensure that operators are fully trained in the safe and correct use of this machinery, not just for the safety of the operators themselves, but also with regard to damage to the crop if the machine is set up incorrectly.
- Rollers – check for wear or uneven surfaces, as this could damage the crop.
- Sensors (if your equipment has them) – these can be affected by dust or dirt after a period of not being used, so make sure they are clean and properly adjusted.
- Chains and bearings – check for wear and play. Lubricate where necessary.
- Belts and drive – check belt tension, and inspect for wear and damage.
- Safety switches – test emergency stops and check all safety guards are present and properly fitted, as well as working correctly.
Weighers and Stitchers
Its also important to ensure that weighers and stitchers are set up correctly, to avoid costly downtime and delays during busy periods
- Weighers – should be checked over for belts, bearings, sensors etc, and especially check-weighing to reduce over/under filling of the bags
- Stitchers – bag conveyors, automators and stitchers should be thoroughly cleaned and checked prior to the start of the season. A breakdown here can cause much frustration.
Don’t forget, here at David Harrisons, we offer comprehensive on-site repair, maintenance and service for all makes of vegetable and potato handling equipment. Just give our workshop a call on 01353 740666 to arrange a visit.
Electrics & Safety Systems
It’s also worth taking a general look at the electrical and safety side of things before the season starts:
- Test isolators, emergency stops, and safety interlocks while equipment is running, not just when it’s switched off.
- Check cabling for signs of damage, particularly anywhere it might get pinched or rubbed.
- Make sure control panels haven’t been affected by dust or damp while machinery has been out of use.
Repair, Rebuild, or Replace?
Sometimes a pre-season check throws up more than a quick fix can solve. If a machine is showing wear in several areas at once, it might be worth considering a proper rebuild rather than dealing with issues one at a time. We’ve covered this topic in more detail in our article comparing rebuilt equipment to new equipment, if that’s something you’re currently weighing up.
Don’t Leave It Too Late
It’s much easier to deal with a problem before harvest starts than in the middle of it, when time and patience are both in shorter supply. If your check turns up something that needs attention, it’s worth getting in touch sooner rather than later — demand for parts and rebuild work tends to increase as harvest gets closer, so earlier enquiries usually mean shorter waiting times.
Need parts, a rebuild, or some advice on a specific machine? Get in touch with our team on 01353 740666, or take a look at our Parts store and Rebuild & Restore services
