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.
Wondering how you can maintain your utility vehicle? Whether you rely on your utility vehicle just for simple transportation around your property or job site, or you use it to haul materials, proper maintenance is essential to its proper function. Luckily, keeping your utility vehicle in great shape isn’t too difficult with a little care and effort. Here are several good ways to keep your utility vehicle maintained.
Change the oil and oil filter
Your utility vehicle needs regular oil changes, just like the family car. In fact, keeping an eye on the oil is one of the most important utility vehicle maintenance tasks. Be sure to top off the oil as needed and change the oil and oil filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Take some time to check the oil levels before taking your vehicle for a ride so you never put unnecessary stress on the engine.
Change the engine air filter
Your utility vehicle won’t run as well as it should with a dirty, clogged air filter. Air filters are easily accessible, so you can check them regularly. Look closely at the filter box during your check and clean out any dirt or debris inside.
Check the coolant level
While you don’t need to check the engine coolant before every ride, try to stick to a regular schedule of inspection. During your check, look at the lines and fittings to make sure they’re in good condition. These little checks can prolong the life of your vehicle’s engine, keeping the seals cooled and lubricated and boosting the efficiency of the engine.
Lubricate the fittings
You should notice grease fittings, or Zerk fittings, on all pivot points of your vehicle. As long as they’re well oiled, they keep your utility vehicle running smoothly. Use a grease gun to keep your fittings lubricated, and always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for recommendations on what grease to use and where to apply it.
Maintain the battery
Many utility vehicle owners leave their vehicles parked in storage for the winter only to find that the battery’s dead by spring. Utility vehicle batteries need to charge regularly, and leaving the battery to die over the winter usually necessitates getting a new one.
If you’re storing your utility vehicle for the winter, establish battery maintenance practices to keep it charged. Be sure to check the status of the battery on a regular basis and look for corrosion around terminals. Going the extra mile to care for your battery will extend its life and prevent premature replacement.
Check the brakes
One good way to keep your utility vehicle maintained is by giving the brakes some attention. Check the brake pads’ thickness, the quality of the lines and brake fluid levels on a regular basis. If any element of the brakes appears faulty, visit your local equipment service center immediately, since functioning brakes are essential for your safety.
Want to learn more about how you can maintain your utility vehicle? Contact Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. today. We’ll help you keep your utility vehicle in great condition so it’s ready to go whenever you need it.
When you think of welders, you’re probably picturing someone working in a fabrication shop. However, mobile welding services exist. How can welding be mobile—and how does it work?
One common use for mobile welding involves heavy equipment repair. If you can’t haul your equipment to a service center, you’ll need to call a mobile welder. They’ll come to your location and perform the necessary repairs, using special equipment to power the welding tools.
Here’s how mobile welding works.
Mobile welding equipment
You might be familiar with traditional welding equipment, which is usually used in the confines of a workshop. The actual welding guns, protective equipment and welding supplies are the same as what’s used in a mobile welding situation. However, the power supply is different.
Instead of plugging mobile welding equipment into an AC outlet, mobile welders have to find other solutions. Most commonly, this involves a gas-powered generator. The generator has to be able to meet or exceed the welding equipment’s needs, which can make them quite loud. They often use mufflers to cut down on the amount of noise produced.
Gas-powered welding machinery doesn’t take up a lot of physical room, but it can be heavy. Some welding equipment (including the generator) weighs 600 pounds or more. This requires the use of a trailer to transport the welding equipment to remote locations.
There are also “portable” welding generators and equipment, which can produce about 10 to 12 welds on one charge. Some of these weigh as little as 31 pounds, making them suitable for hard-to-reach or elevated areas.
Safety considerations
Mobile welding also involves different safety considerations. The welder will use all the regular protective gear they’d wear in a fabrication shop. However, they also need to be conscious of their surroundings. Between vegetation and other flammable material, there’s potential for serious damage. That’s why mobile welders spend a lot of time cleaning up the site and the equipment—before and after the repairs are completed.
Equipment repairs
One popular type of mobile welding is equipment repairs. After all, when your tractor breaks down, loading it onto a trailer (if you own one) is going to be difficult. Alternatively, you could pay someone to come tow it for you, but that can get expensive. Having a mobile welder come out and perform the repairs on-site is a convenient and easy solution for everyone involved, and means you’ll save both time and money on the repair.
Now that you know how welding can be mobile, be sure to consider this option for your next repair needs. Your mobile welder should be trained in using mobile power sources as well as the best safety practices. This will ensure you get the repairs you need, with no added complications.
The team at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. can help you with all your heavy equipment mobile welding needs. When you need safe, reliable and expert welding services, our team is ready to help. Call us today to learn more and get a quote.
What is lowboy trailer transport? When you’re considering your transportation options, you might be confused by the variety and scope of hauling. Lowboy trailers are also known as lowbed trailers: their decks are lower to the ground than other types of trailers. This makes them suitable for transporting certain types of heavy loads, like construction machinery and more.
Here’s an overview of what’s involved in lowboy hauling, and when you might choose this type of transportation.
Lowboy trailers
Lowboy trailers have been around since the early 1920s. Over the following decades, the design changed slightly: instead of being rear-loading trailers only, they were changed to allow for front loading. This allowed haulers to change the types of loads that could be transported on lowboy trailers. It also meant that lowboy trailers no longer required ramps for loading.
Today, lowboy trailers include hydraulic lifting and lowering systems, detachable goosenecks and air brakes. This makes them available for towing from a number of different vehicles.
While the dimensions and capacity of a lowboy trailer can vary, depending on the manufacturer, you can generally expect to see a well size between 24 and 29.6 feet long. They should carry up to 80,000 pounds (depending on their axle number, which can range from two to eight). They’ll usually come with a double drop configuration with a 10-foot front deck and a 9-foot rear deck. Their height capacity ranges between 8.5 and 10 feet, and their width goes up to 8.5 feet.
In the United States, lowboy trailers are often used to haul construction, mining, excavation, farming and other types of heavy equipment.
Advantages of lowboy trailer transport
There are plenty of reasons you might choose lowboy trailer transport. Here are some of the most common:
Ease of loading: The goosenecks, low height and hydraulic improvements make lowboy trailers easier to load. Since you won’t need ramps, it’s fast and easy to load up your heavy equipment or cargo and send it on its way.
Can haul heavy equipment: Thanks to the low height, you can haul large pieces of heavy equipment (up to 80,000 pounds). This is an ideal choice for transporting heavy machinery.
Can haul oversized cargo: The low profile also makes it possible to haul oversized cargo across the country—especially in areas with height restrictions.
Improved stability: Since lowboy trailers are built low to the ground, they have a lower center of gravity. This makes them more stable during the transportation process.
Improved safety: Finally, lowboy trailers use high-strength materials to ensure they can handle heavy, oversized loads. You can rest assured that your loads—and the drivers—will remain safe during transportation.
Now that you know what’s involved in lowboy trailer hauling, you can make an educated decision for your next transportation needs. They’re a versatile choice with plenty of benefits.
If you already own lowboy trailers, you’ll inevitable need maintenance and repairs. Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. can help. Call us today to learn more about our services, including heavy vehicle and trailer repair.
Routine tractor maintenance is the best way to keep your tractor out of the repair shop while ensuring it’s capable of handling your everyday needs. But do you know what that maintenance entails or when it should be performed? If not, keep reading.
This post will cover everything you need to know about tractor maintenance:
Tire pressure: Running a tractor with low tire pressure increases wear and tear and decreases fuel efficiency. Be sure to check your tire pressure before starting it up for the day, and add air if the tires are below the recommended levels.
Air filters: Your air filters can be the difference between a working engine and one that’s destroyed by contaminants like dirt, sand and even manure. These filters get dirty and should be changed every 500 hours. If you notice a loss in power or if your tractor is smoking, replace them sooner.
Fuel filters: Your fuel filters also go a long way in protecting your engine from dangerous contaminants by preventing debris from entering the fuel itself. We also recommend replacing these filters every 500 hours or so.
Hydraulic systems: Built-in hydraulic systems are essential for running front loaders and other equipment. Be sure to check the hydraulic lines every 200 hours, and change the hydraulic oil every 500 hours. You’ll also want to make a habit of periodically inspecting the hydraulic-oil level and topping it off if necessary.
Engine oil: Speaking of oil, you can’t forget about your engine oil. Prevent the need for tractor repairs by changing your oil and oil filter every 200 hours.
Coolant: Just like your motor oil, the engine coolant collects contaminants as time goes on. This debris causes great wear and tear on your coolant system and can result in premature breakdowns. Flush the coolant system, and fill it with new coolant every two years to eliminate the contaminants.
Belts: Pretty much every aspect of your tractor relies on a belt to keep it operating. These belts are built to last, but they will wear down over time due to high heat and friction. We advise checking your belts periodically for any signs of cracking or glazing. Replace them right away if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Hoses: Coolant hoses and hydraulic lines are also hardy, but they are other components that will also eventually fail. Failing hoses and lines lead to leaks and subsequent repairs. Check the hoses periodically for any signs of damage, and replace them at least every two years.
Paint touch-ups: You may notice a few rust spots while you’re tuning up your tractor. Don’t ignore these! Rust only gets worse with time and can result in more than mere cosmetic issues. Touch up your paint as needed to prevent rust and corrosion.
Does your tractor need help?
Whether you need some professional maintenance performed or reliable tractor repairs, come to Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. Our wide range of services ensures your tractor runs its best all year long. Call today to schedule your appointment.
