Even though they’re bigger, utility vehicles like tow trucks, snowplows or any vehicle used for heavy hauling are designed to handle extreme loads and work in adverse conditions. However, they’re still susceptible to a variety of problems. Keep reading to learn the top issues that come with utility vehicles and how they can be avoided:
Poor fuel economy: Unlike passenger cars, a utility vehicle’s miles per gallon isn’t always considered during manufacturing. This leads to higher fuel costs, which is particularly problematic with higher diesel costs these days.
Brake wear: Some of the most common problems with utility vehicles are related to the truck’s braking system. Since they’re heavier, utility vehicles take a longer time to slow down, and the brakes have to work overtime to bring the truck to a stop. Crew members must be aware of the added braking time when they’re driving utility vehicles.
Uneven tire wear: Any car, SUV or pickup truck can have trouble with uneven tire wear, but this problem is more pronounced with heavy-duty utility vehicles. Uneven tread wear on individual tires or slight pulling indicates that the tires aren’t up to par and should be replaced.
Rollovers: Since they’re often top-heavy, utility vehicles can roll over when making sharp turns. While this is an issue on any roadway, the chance of a rollover gets even higher while driving on winding roads or in winter weather conditions.
Reduced visibility: Another safety problem that often comes with utility vehicles is reduced visibility. Blind spots behind the truck or having trouble seeing what’s in front of the vehicle can lead to collisions or a variety of workplace injuries.
How can these issues be avoided?
Thankfully, you can typically avoid the most common problems with utility vehicles. Follow these tips to keep every truck in your fleet in tip-top shape:
Schedule routine maintenance: The top way to prevent breakdowns with utility vehicles is to bring them in for routine maintenance. Along with preventing disasters, a regular tune-up can also help improve fuel economy. Consider bringing your entire fleet in for maintenance at once to ensure every utility vehicle performs its best.
Make repairs as soon as possible: It’s easy to ignore a slight problem with a utility vehicle or even a blinking dashboard light. However, turning a blind eye to issues leads to more expensive repairs in the future. Even though it means some added downtime, it’s best to bring your utility vehicle in for repairs when something’s amiss.
Use highly trained drivers: You can avoid issues like rollovers or accidents caused by reduced visibility by hiring properly trained and experienced drivers. It’s also a good idea to schedule routine training sessions, so drivers are always up to speed on the latest safety regulations.
Whether you’ve experienced any of the top issues that come with utility vehicles firsthand or you’d like to avoid them altogether, talk to the experts at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. We offer mobile utility vehicle repair within a 200-mile radius, and we’re available 24/7 to make emergency repairs.
Hauling heavy equipment from point A to B is a big job, possibly requiring dozens of hours of work and a full crew of trained professionals. Even if it’s just up the road, failing to prepare for the trip or not following proper safety procedures can result in equipment damage or injuries.
Luckily, completing the hauling project without harming team members or damaging any equipment doesn’t have to feel like rocket science. These are our best tips for safely hauling heavy equipment that you should always follow.
Select the right vehicle and trailer
The first step is choosing an adequate trailer and vehicle to haul your heavy equipment. Obviously, using a truck that’s not rated to pull a heavy load or a trailer that can’t support your equipment simply won’t work. A few of the trailers you can choose from include flatbeds, lowboys, drop decks or gooseneck trailers.
Inspect and secure the load
Improper loading is one of the most common causes of accidents with heavy equipment hauling. So, one of our best tips for safely hauling heavy equipment is to secure everything before you take off. Along with making sure the load is distributed evenly across the trailer and the equipment is locked in place, you’ll likely need to use tie-downs or wedges and checks to keep everything secure.
Only hire trained and experienced drivers
Securing the load and using the right truck and trailer won’t do much good if you have an inexperienced driver behind the wheel. Make sure everyone on the crew has experience with heavy hauling and is capable of safely performing the job.
Know the local road laws and regulatory requirements
Every state has different regulations for heavy hauling—especially when driving down state highways—and those laws can even vary from one town or county to the next. Make sure you understand all of these requirements and have obtained any necessary permits for each town or state you’ll be driving through.
Plan your route ahead of time
Getting behind the wheel and relying on your GPS to get you to your destination might work if you’re driving a passenger car, but that’s not the case with heavy hauling. Our next tip on how to haul heavy equipment safely is to plan your route in advance. Try avoiding roads that are under construction, have toll booths or low-hanging wires. Additionally, plan the trip outside of rush hour, when there are fewer vehicles on the road.
Double-check everything before leaving
You can never be too cautious when it comes to heavy hauling. Before you leave, take a few minutes to perform another inspection of the vehicle, trailer and cargo. It’s not a bad idea to have a few crew members take on this task instead of relying on one person.
We’re the only team you need
At Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc., we specialize in lowboy hauling to transport heavy machinery, as well as providing utility vehicle repairs. Contact us today to learn more about how to haul heavy equipment safely or to get a quote for hauling or repairing your vehicles.
Hydraulic systems are made of a variety of components. These include valves, filters, pumps and cylinders. Of these parts, the cylinders are one of the least complicated. Still, it requires specific knowledge to repair these components. Here’s what to do to repair a hydraulic cylinder.
How to repair a hydraulic cylinder
If you need to repair a hydraulic cylinder, use the following process. For assistance, don’t hesitate to contact your local hydraulic experts:
Preparation: Before you begin the repairs, you should start by cleaning the surface of the hydraulic cylinder. Disconnect all hoses and plugs. Then, drain the fluid from inside the cylinder.
Tools: For this repair, you’ll need a screwdriver, punch, pliers, seal kit, rubber mallet, torque wrench and emery cloth.
Steps: To repair a hydraulic cylinder, you must follow several steps. Start by disassembling the cylinder. Then, diagnose the cause of the failure. Next, repair or replace any damaged components. Lastly, rebuild the cylinder.
Tips for how to repair a hydraulic cylinder
As you complete the steps above, use the following tips. These will make the process go more smoothly and deliver optimal results:
Complete a thorough inspection: As you inspect the disassembled hydraulic cylinder, expand your inspection to the entire assembly. Check all components for wear and tear, not just the failed part.
Assemble the wear band: The hydraulic wear band guides the pistons. Be sure to assemble this band, also referred to as the guide ring or wear bush, to help reduce metal-on-metal contact in the cylinder.
Use the right tools: Keep in mind that metal tools will scratch the cylinder’s surface. This can cause problems with corrosion. Always use expert-recommended tools for these repairs. Consult with your local hydraulics shop for tool recommendations.
Handle with care: Handling cylinders with high-tension springs can be dangerous. If you are working on a larger cylinder, this can be particularly tricky. Be sure to handle with care, or ask an expert to make this repair for you.
Watch for bends: If rod seals fail prematurely, this often indicates there is a bend on the rod. You’ll need to take care of this issue as part of your hydraulic cylinder repair.
Use the right measurements: If you are replacing seals, keep in mind that seals expand or contract in response to environmental conditions. So, do not base the replacement seal on the measurement of the existing seal. Always go with manufacturer recommendations or consult with your local hydraulic system experts.
Why you might need to repair a hydraulic cylinder
Hydraulic cylinders may need repairs for one or more reasons. One of the most common reasons is damage of seals. This can occur due to corrosion, incorrect fitting or improper metalwork clearance. Fluid contamination is another potential reason for repair. Exposure to extreme temperatures can also cause failure and require repair.
Get expert repairs
For quality hydraulic cylinder repairs, contact the team at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. We have been serving customers throughout the area with top repairs since 1984. Call us today at 541-989-8505 with any questions or to schedule your on-site repair.
Hydrostatic drives, also known as hydrostatic transmissions, are used in a variety of applications across many industries. This type of drive is the transmission of choice when a hydraulic motor must be driven at variable speeds and offer bi-directional capabilities. Hydraulic drives are often found in mobile equipment, centrifuges, log cranes, conveyors and chemical washers. When this type of system breaks down, it requires specific methods of repair. But how exactly does hydrostatic repair work?
This is one of the most misunderstood transmission systems. Many of the components are enclosed in a pump assembly, so it can be difficult to understand how hydrostatic repair works. Here’s a quick overview to provide the insights you need.
Hydrostatic repair explained
Hydrostatic systems contain fluid. Any time fluid is located inside a container, it puts pressure on the walls of that container. Within a hydrostatic transmission system, the fluid puts pressure on the components. This is called hydrostatic pressure. Over time, this pressure can cause wear and tear on the system. Eventually, the hydrostatic system may need to be rebuilt.
When a rebuild is needed, experts in hydrostatic repair will complete a full rebuild process for the drive system. This process should include the following essentials:
Inspection: The components are disassembled and inspected by a qualified technician.
Cleaning: The technician will use solvent to clean each part and place it in a dust-reduced environment.
Calibration: The hydrostatic repair expert will check each component to make sure it meets manufacturer specifications. He or she will measure and calibrate each part to confirm it meets these standards.
Replacement: The technician disassembles all valves and rebuilds or replaces them as needed.
Reconditioning: Each part will be replaced, machined or reconditioned to bring it up to manufacturer specifications.
Rebuilding: The high-pressure manifold and the charge pump are rebuilt.
Sealing: The technician will replace O-rings, seals and gaskets. This should include a new shaft seal.
Checks: The technician will use a specialized tool to check the hydraulic drive for leaks.
Recording: The hydraulic expert will record all readings and quality levels and check them against manufacturer specifications.
Adjustments: Flow and pressure should be checked and adjusted to recommended specifications.
Filling: The technician will fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Painting: Lastly, the technician will paint the system and complete the finish with a quality seal.
Who does hydrostatic repair?
If you need hydrostatic repair, you need to entrust the job to experts who know how hydrostatic repair works. Look for professionals who have a track record of success in the industry. They should have experience with a variety of equipment and offer on-site repair for your convenience. For the best results, look for a locally-owned provider of hydrostatic repair services that puts its customers first.
Schedule hydrostatic repair today
For quality hydrostatic repairs, contact the team at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. Family owned and operated, we specialize in meeting all your hydraulic equipment repair needs. Our experts can provide on-site repair, machining, assemblies, sales and more. Reach us today at 541-989-8507 with any questions or to schedule your next repair.
Find yourself wondering what might be some good ways to do line boring? Line boring is an essential process in engine machining, ensuring parts align exactly as they should. Unfortunately, it’s a complex process requiring plenty of precision and effort to prevent work hardening and to ensure machined parts align correctly. Read on to get to know the best tips to follow when line boring.
Pay attention to the color of the chips
When you’re using high-speed steel (HSS) tooling for line boring, look closely at the color of the chips. You can easily tell if your HSS is overheating if you notice blue chips. Overheating causes the machine to lose its hardness, resulting in severely reduced machining performance. If you’re using carbide tooling without coolant, look for light blue chips to indicate overheating. As soon as you notice overheating, reduce the speed of the machine to lower the heat and prevent work hardening.
Choose your tools wisely
One of the best tips to use when line boring is to select the right tool for the task at hand. HSS tooling is slower than carbide, but it’s inexpensive, easy to sharpen and won’t fracture in the same way as carbide.
Generally, though, the performance of carbide tooling is better for machining welded material. It can withstand high-density grain boundaries in a way that HSS can’t, but it is more sensitive to fracturing. Always sharpen the tool bits with a silicon carbide wheel and use a small fine stone to hone the edge of the carbide bit.
Double-check your measurements
There are many effective ways to measure the bore, but it’s always best to double-check your work with a secondary method. Use over-the-bar calipers to quickly and accurately measure the bore while the bar’s still in place. Special bore measuring tools can also pinpoint the distance from the bore surface to the bar, helping you quickly and accurately gauge bore diameters.
Many bore measuring tools can also serve as a tool setting device, allowing you to correctly index the tool. You can always use spring calipers and micrometers for indexing—they’re old school but provide a tried-and-true way to easily gauge the diameter of the bore.
Use a standard 1-inch throw dial indicator with a mushroom head and magnetic base for tool setting—they make it easy for you to adjust the tool height as you work. Use inside micrometers and T-gauges to provide absolute accuracy for bore measuring, but keep in mind the bar will have to be removed to accommodate these measuring tools.
Each machinist has their own preferred methods when it comes to line boring. Whether you’re just starting out or you have years of experience in the industry, learning about some good ways to do line boring can go a long way in making your efforts easier and your work more precise. For more information on line boring and the equipment required to do the job right, reach out to the team at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. today.
