Even a robust, quality piece of equipment such as a paddle mixer requires maintenance to sustain daily operating procedure. As an added benefit, regular maintenance prevents costly breakdowns, promotes safety, and extends equipment life. To help promote paddle mixer maintenance, outlined below are our top tips for properly maintaining a paddle mixer.
Tip #1: Follow General Safety Procedures
First and foremost, safety considerations must be followed when operating or maintaining a paddle mixer. General safety considerations include:
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- Check for damage, malfunctions, or excessive wear to the equipment, as well as irregular occurrences, noises, or odors. Do not operate the paddle mixer if any damage or irregularities are detected. In addition, do not start the paddle mixer without performing all pre-operation checks and inspections.
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- Maintenance should only be performed as directed by FEECO. Record all maintenance procedures, including details regarding the date, supplies, person performing maintenance, and the overall condition of each affected component.
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- Shut down, lockout, and tag all machine controls before performing any maintenance procedure, including inspections, lubrication, or adjustments.
Tip #2: Maintain Proper Operation Procedures
Proper operation is critical to the maintenance of a paddle mixer. Therefore, a paddle mixer should only be operated by trained personnel. Both operator training and continued customer service support are available from FEECO’s customer service department.
Tip #3: Follow Paddle Mixer Maintenance Instructions
Regular paddle mixer maintenance will prevent wear, avoid component malfunctions, and detect potential component issues early. The following components must be maintained regularly to ensure proper performance from the equipment:
Note: For further instruction on how to perform paddle mixer maintenance, consult the equipment manual or contact FEECO’s customer service department.
Paddle Mixer Drive Shaft Maintenance
Mixer drive shafts do not require maintenance or removal under standard operating conditions. However, the mixer drive shaft may incur damage if a foreign material enters the equipment. FEECO provides instructions on how to remove a shaft in the Maintenance and Lubrication section of the paddle mixer equipment manual.
Paddle Mixer Shaft Seal Maintenance
Periodically inspect shaft seals for material leakage around the seal. Any sign of leakage indicates the seal is worn and should be replaced.
Paddle Mixer Pinion Gears Maintenance
Pinion gears require periodic inspection to ensure tooth contact and backlash settings are acceptable. It is important that both elements are inspected at the same time. In addition, they must be checked and reset if a bearing is replaced or a shaft is removed. Pinion gears also rotate inside a tub of oil and should periodically be inspected for contaminants. If contaminants are found, the oil bath should be drained, and the gears cleaned and refilled.
Bearings, Couplings, Drive Motor, and Speed Reducer Maintenance
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance instructions to properly maintain the paddle mixer’s bearings, couplings, drive motor, and speed reducer literature.
Note: Coupling maintenance information may also be included as part of the speed reducer literature.
Sprocket and Chain Drive Maintenance
Inspect the sprockets and chain drive periodically for wear or damage. At the same time, examine the sprocket alignment, shaft alignment, and chain slack to ensure proper drive alignment. Periodically, the oil in the chain drive should be inspected for contaminants. If contaminants are found, the chain should be cleaned of contaminants and the oil should be drained, flushed, and refilled.
Spray System Maintenance
Inspect and clean the spray tips regularly to ensure each nozzle’s spray pattern is identical. Replace damaged nozzle heads as needed.
Tip #4: Check and Maintain the Equipment before Each Shift
At the start of each operating shift, perform the following inspections and maintenance:
- Inspect all equipment components before each operating shift to ensure that no parts are damaged or suspected of being damaged. Repair or replace damaged parts before starting or operating the equipment.
- Check the oil level of the reducer, chain drive, and pinion gears. Fill the oil to the required level as necessary.
- Ensure that the mixer shafts and paddles have sufficient clearance to turn freely during operation. Remove loose material or foreign objects if necessary.
- Clean the mixer box, removing any unwanted material that may have stuck to the equipment.
- Ensure all safety devices are properly installed and secured.
The FEECO service department supports paddle mixer customers with installation, parts, maintenance, and training, ensuring that our customers and their equipment receive the best care possible. To learn more about FEECO’s paddle mixers, contact us today!