PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-560
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 560
JULY 1999
hen blowing sand meets oil, hy-
draulic fluid, grease or filters, there are
problems ahead for equipment.
In the desert, keep an eye on hy-
draulic cylinders, brake master cylin-
der caps, air cleaner elements and oil
filters.
.. anything that is lubed, contains
lube, cleans lube or filters air.
Lubing
Too little lube causes parts to lock
up. But too much lube catches sand
and turns into sandpaper. Reach a com-
Desert Operations . . .
Shield dipstick from blowing sand
Check the inside of the cap, open-
ing, dipstick and fill port before re-
placing the cap. Clean away as much
sand as possible.
Clean cover before removal
Because sand gets into everything,
cut oil change intervals in half. That
way, sand-contaminated oil has half as
long to cause component damage. For
instance, if the LO says to change oil
every 12,000 miles, change it at 6,000
(or whenever the AOAP lab says).
Change the oil even more often if con-
ditions are really bad.
Before opening any cap, whether it
protects oil, brake or transmission fluid,
wipe the sand from around the cap and
then position yourself to block blow-
ing sand from the opening.
conditions. For example, turntables for
cranes and mortars should be kept clean
of lube.
Hydraulic cylinder rods, which are
lubed automatically during use, should
be wiped off at every shutdown. Sand
on the rod cuts seals, causing leaks.
promise and lube more often, but with
less lube. There should be little excess
left outside a relief valve and seal.
External surfaces that normally need
lube need little or none at all in desert
PS 560
3
heh heh!
now it's time
to
clog filters
and
gum up
lube
!
Do not lube turntable
Wipe hydraulic cylinders after use
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