For safety, efficiency, and the health of your machines, the most vital piece of your industrial equipment will always be your brakes. Industrial disc brakes can be the difference between safe stops and major accidents. They don’t last forever, though.
Knowing when your industrial disc brakes are starting to fail takes a keen eye and ear. Through your routine maintenance checks, you can catch the tell-tale signs of a brake in need of repair.
What kind of signs should you look for? We have the expertise to help you spot the problems before they arise.
The Big Signs for Brake Repair
Whether you are in a massive construction site or a busy factory, there will be many noise and distractions. These can hide many details if you are not careful, such as the 5 biggest signs that your industrial disc brakes need some repair.
The best way to spot any of these issues is with proper maintenance and some operation communication. All 5 of these items will be easy spots for a trained operator, so ensure that your crew knows to be open and honest about issues with your machines.
Let’s dive deeper into the 5 sure signs of a brake going bad.
1. Squeaking Brakes
Industrial disc brakes should not make any major sounds when they work. A loud squeak or squeal is a major sign that the brakes themselves have hit their limit.
This sound is often made from the metal indicators beneath the brake pads. When a brake pad wears through, it exposes that metal indicator, and the squeaking sound happens as it connects.
2. Rough Vibrations
While engines may vibrate a bit when operating, your brakes should not vibrate and rattle. This can often come from warped rotors in the brakes themselves.
Rotors will warp after enough heat, so well worn brakes may see warping over a long period.
3. Veering Directions
One of the most dangerous signals on this list is that some vehicles may veer in one direction when you set the brake in. This issue will be similar to a car’s misalignment of the steering system.
If your brakes have gotten knocked out of place bad enough that the engines veer to one side or another when you brake, you are in desperate need of an emergency repair. Letting this go can cause some unexpected accidents as you veer into a collision.
4. Slow Brake Response
Another dangerous sign of a bad brake is a slow response. Even a few extra seconds of time between operating the brake and the machine or vehicle stopping can be a big issue.
This can also be a sign of a deeper problem. There may also be a problem with the connections between your brakes and their controls.
5. Repair Indicators
Sometimes the easiest signal is the most powerful. Most machines have indicators and sensors to monitor the status of all of your pieces. These should be right on the dashboard or near the controls.
If you spot one of these flashing indicators, don’t ignore it! Even if it is a false alarm, it is better to be safe than sorry.
The Best Place for Industrial Disc Brakes
All of these signs can be subtle or sudden. With the proper maintenance and skilled operators at the helm, they won’t remain unnoticed.
When the times comes for replacement and repair for your industrial disc brakes, no one beats us here at Kor Pak. Contact us today for more information.