Removing oiler to increase life of cylinders
25 Feb 2010
Recent evaluation of air cylinder performance has prompted HarvestMaster to recommend discontinuing the use of oil in all harvest data systems. Tests show new cylinders and solenoids that are never oiled have significantly longer life expectancy than those that are lubricated. The following is the recommended procedures for updating a system to operate without oil.
Wilkerson Air/Oiler Assembly
- Drain residual air from system. Close the drain valve.
- Remove oiler unit from Wilkerson Assembly.
- Connect the air line directly to the output of the pressure regulator.
- Disconnect the small air lines at the actuators.
- Start the air compressor.
- Set the actuator controls to Manual and flush the air lines with clean air for 5 minutes while using the manual actuator switches to “Open” and “Close” the gates. (This will clear residual oil from the air lines)
- Shut down the compressor and close the safety cut-off valve on the GrainGage.
- Replace all wearable parts using a maintenance kit.
- Place sticker where oiler use to be stating “DO NOT USE OIL”.
Bosch/Rexroth Oiler
- Drain residual air from system. Close the drain valve.
- Drain oil from the lubricator bowl and wipe all lubricator parts clean.
- Reassemble oiler and attach not to outside stating “DO NOT USE OIL.”
- Disconnect the small air lines at the actuators.
- Start the air compressor.
- Set the actuator controls to Manual and flush the air lines with clean air for 5 minutes while using the manual actuator switches to “Open” and “Close” the gates. (This will clear residual oil from the air lines)
- Shut down the compressor and close the safety cut-off valve on the GrainGage.
- Replace all wearable parts using a maintenance kit.
Note: Failure to follow these procedures may result in premature cylinder failure.