What if your hydraulic drill was actually drilling into your bottom line?

Hydraulic drill systems are the heart of many different businesses. However, for those businesses to turn a profit, it’s essential to maintain these drills so that they last a very long time while still maintaining worker safety.

Wondering what the best ways to maintain hydraulic drill systems are? Keep reading to uncover our top tips!

Plenty of “Fluids”

There are many ways to maintain hydraulic rig systems. However, an essential one is to keep everything well-lubricated.

Wear and tear from frequent drill use can dry up some of the existing fluids. Also, if you operate the drill in very hot areas, the weather may further dry out the drill.

Double-check the kinds of fluid and viscosity that your drill needs, and incorporate regular lubrication into your regular drill maintenance schedule.

The Connection “Sweet Spot”

Another important part of drill maintenance is tightening the connections. However, this maintenance aspect is easier said than done.

For example, you need to tighten the connections to avoid aeration. However, if you tighten them too much, you can damage the valve body. In turn, a damaged valve may result in a hydraulic system that is full of unwanted metal shavings.

So, how tight is “too tight?” The honest answer is that no two drilling systems are exactly alike. It might take a bit of trial and error to determine the process that works best for your employees.

Filter Changes

Let’s face it: a hydraulic driller is a complex piece of machinery. Therefore, it’s reasonable to conclude that the maintenance of this machinery is equally complex.

Fortunately, some of the best maintenance tips for drillers are the same as the essential tips for your household appliances. For example, you need to regularly change the driller filters to keep them operating at peak efficiency.

Additionally, you need to take the time to clean the driller’s strainers regularly. Between cleaning strainers and changing the filters, you can keep unwanted contaminants from negatively impacting the effectiveness and performance of the drill.

Seasons and Schedules

Our final maintenance tip is simple: you need to create a regular schedule of drill inspection and, if necessary, repair.

Employees should look out for things like excessive noise (a possible sign of air in the system or damaged machinery) and extreme heat (a possible sign of coolant failure, high system pressure, or damaged machinery).

It’s easy to miss some critical signs when you are not looking for them. Therefore, it’s essential to set a regular schedule of inspection and maintenance.

Remember that this schedule may need to change with the seasons. Your drill is likelier to overheat in the summer; you may need to increase your inspections during the hot season.

Don’t forget to request professional repairs as needed!

Hydraulic Drill Maintenance: The Bottom Line

Now you know the secrets to hydraulic drill maintenance. However, do you know who can help with the rest of your equipment?

We specialize in helping with the inspection, maintenance, and repair of industrial machinery. Contact us today to see how we can save your bottom line!

The oil industry today is booming. Jobs and revenue in the industry increase each day.

Whether you own an oil rig or work on one, you know the importance of a clean oil rig. A clean oil rig goes beyond appearance, as it makes for more efficient operation and is essential in providing a safer workplace for employees.

Here is some information about cleaning oil rigs.

Pressure Washing Rigs

A fast and effective way to clean oil rigs is through pressure washing. This method involves hitting the rig with water with an extremely high level of pressure.

It’s an affordable way to clean the rig and gets the job done quickly and effectively. Research a few companies to find out if they incorporate chemicals into the pressure washing process.

Powerful chemicals made for oil rig cleaning can cut through sludge and grease to make the rig look brand new and ultimately safer.

Pressure washing is one of the easiest and quickest ways to clean grease and oil-based mud. Depending on your particular company, you may be required to pressure wash the rigs yourself. Look into prices for equipment, so you’ll have what you need on standby.

How to Clean Oil Rigs with Chemicals

Chemicals are also an effective way to get rid of deep layers of left-behind dirt and debris. These industrial chemicals work as a degreaser and a solvent to get rid of excess grime, dirt, and oil.

The chemicals make cleanup effortless since they’re highly effective at removing caked-on debris. You can also use them throughout your location, including on walkways and other equipment.

Always make sure that you safely handle chemicals. When in doubt, hire a professional company that can apply the chemicals for you and does so in a responsible manner. They should also understand the potential environmental impact.

These potent chemicals usually come in large containers and should work with both hot and cold water. Integrate them into your steam cleaning procedures to get an even faster result. 

Industrial cleaning chemicals work well for offshore and inland oil rigs as well as in engines, throughout shipyards, and even on boat decks and trucks. Contact a distributor to find out more about pricing and reordering schedules, so your facility stays clean throughout the year.

Cleaning Oil Rigs is Easy with the Right Tools

Whether you choose to use power washing or chemicals, knowing how to clean oil rigs will keep your facility safe and clean. These methods can help clean your rigs, so they run efficiently and provide a safer place for everyone to work.

Visit our website for an extensive catalog of products and services geared toward the oil and gas industry, agriculture, mining, and more.

Mud tanks are an integral part of oil rigs. While these storage tanks are often overlooked, they have several essential functions.

However, what exactly is a mud tank? Read on to find out.

What Are Mud Tanks?

A mud tank is a sizable storage container, typically with an open top. In the past, people called it a mud pit because it used to be just a pit dug out of the earth. It’s used to hold drilling mud.

Mud tanks are constructed from welded-up steel plates and tubes. The bottom of the tank can either be square or cone-shaped. A tank can have several compartments.

For safety reasons, a catwalk with guard rails may be installed at the top of the container. This allows workers to inspect the drilling fluid without the danger of falling into it.

The Role of Mud

Drilling generates much heat from friction. Even small hand-held drills produce a lot of friction heat.

Now imagine a drill many times larger and spinning with more power digging through the earth. This is the case when drilling boreholes for oil and gas extraction or core sampling. The friction generated can cause severe damage to drilling equipment.

This is where drilling mud or drilling fluid serves a critical function. It acts as a lubricant to reduce friction and heat produced by drilling. It protects the drill and the hole formation from damage.

Another role of mud is to act as a carrier for materials that you’re trying to dig up. The materials are suspended in the mud, carried to the surface, and subsequently filtered out.

Drilling mud requires a special formulation taking into consideration factors such as viscosity and density. In fact, you’ll need the expertise of a mud engineer to determine the type of drilling mud suitable for your rig.

Active and Reserve

A mud tank is classified as either active or reserve. You can find many tanks in one oil rig. While the rig doesn’t use all the tanks at once, it does use several.

An active tank holds the mud that circulates during drilling. The number of active tanks depends on the volume of mud required to keep the hole full. It’s also vital that the amount of mud is sufficient for proper circulation.

An active tank can have different compartments with different roles. For example, the suction tank is where the pump picks up the mud that is used for the hole. The active tank can also have a chemical tank for mixing different chemicals and additives.

The reserve mud tank is not a part of the drilling process, but it has some critical functions. It can store excess mud and sometimes heavy mud for emergencies.

Crew members also use the reserve tank for mixing different types of mud.

Keep on Tanking

Every part of an oil rig is essential. Mud tanks are no exception; they are needed to make your oil rig run like clockwork.

Are you in the market for tanks and other oil rig equipment? Kor-Pak can provide you with quality parts such as brakes, friction materials, and hydraulic power units. Be sure to contact us.

The rate of fatality in the oil and gas industry is seven times higher than for employees in any other employment sector. That’s why safety is a huge issue in the field. 

Since the oil and gas boom from 2003 to 2013, oil and gas companies have made significant strides in improving workplace safety. Automated technologies and land transportation safety policies have helped decrease fatality rates across the board. 

Regardless of these improvements, oil and gas extraction is a dangerous profession. Check out these work safety tips to remain safe on the job.

1. Choose a Safety Program

Employees on a rig need to work together. When choosing a safety program, choose one that emphasizes camaraderie. One employee’s negligence can lead to another employee’s injury or death.

With a safety program that emphasizes open communication, trust, and respect, employees are more likely to help and protect one another daily. This reduces the risk of death or injury. 

2. Local Emergency Response Resources

Employers and employees alike should know how to contact the local emergency response services should an emergency arise. 

Beyond calling the responders, employers can reach out to these services before an emergency occurs. Responders can visit the job site and be made aware of potential hazards.

Safety emergencies on an oil rig can be detrimental to the local population, and local emergency responders should be interested in helping keep everyone safe.

3. Wear the Right Gear

All employees should know the proper gear they need to wear daily. Supervisors should monitor employees to make sure they comply with these safety regulations.

Things like protective goggles, respiratory protection, facial protection, and gloves help prevent workplace injury or death on an oil rig. 

4. Regular Maintenance

Many workplace mishaps can be attributed to failure to maintain equipment. Accidents and injuries resulting from improper handling or maintenance of energized or mechanical equipment can be decreased through proper training as well as regular checkups and maintenance.

Some laws establish how often heavy machinery needs to be inspected and maintained. Failure to do so can lead to fines. If an employee is injured or killed as a result, the company may be found liable for damages in court.

5. Keep Areas Clean

Keep floors, equipment, and work areas clean and free of loose items to prevent trips, falls, and struck-by hazards. Supply spill kits and post clear signage for other emergency and safety equipment so that workers can address hazards quickly.

More Work Safety Tips

These work safety tips are essential to the integrity of the oil and gas extraction industry. These are essential jobs that help society function, and thus, employees need to be protected. 

If you’re worried about safety procedures on your job site, bring these concerns and work safety tips to your supervisor.

The global market for friction materials is projected to hit $23 billion by 2020. So are you looking to differentiating molded vs. sintered friction material? This article is a guide to understanding each of these two materials.

With asbestos ruled out as a friction material in many countries, there has been ongoing research for alternatives. These two materials are among the most prevalent in the market today.

What Is Molded Friction Material?

Molded frictional materials are made through molding metals through a hydraulic pressing method.

The process of molding the frictional material includes the following;

• Blending vermiculite particles, asbestos-free filler, and thermosetting resin
• Placing the blended mixture into a shaped mold cavity
• Compressing the mixture at high pressure and room temperature to form a preform
• Hot-pressing the preform into a different mold at a temperature of about 350oF and 2500 psi

It requires the right equipment, materials, and personnel to manufacture quality products.

Application of Molded Friction Material

Molded friction materials are used in heavy machinery such as cranes, lift trucks, mining and logging equipment, draglines, and shovels. Generally, they are appropriate for heavy industrial application. For high-performance cars, they are ideal because they can withstand very high levels of heat.

What Is Sintered Friction Material?

Sintered frictional materials are made through metal metallurgy. A sintered material can come from any of these materials;

• Nickel
• Steel
• Brass
• Copper
• Bronze
• Aluminum

The powder is mainly formed using the atomization process. It is then taken through the process of metallurgy to manufacture friction materials.

The sintering process maintains the physical attributes of the metal.

The powder is poured into a mold or die cavity as per the shape of the desired part. It’s then compacted under high pressure at room temperature to form a solid shape.

The solid part is then placed in a furnace and heated under extreme heat. This is the sintering process, which fuses the metal particles to form a rigid product.

This process is used to manufacture clutches, brake pads, and brake linings.

Application of Sintered Friction Material

Compared to molded materials, the sintered ones have more frictional characteristics. They can be used in regular cars to heavy industrial machinery. Besides, they are inexpensive hence popular among many.

The Durability of Molded Vs. Sintered Friction Material

Sintered materials have a higher friction coefficient than the molded ones. However, both types of brake systems have high durability. It all depends on usage.

The mixture of elements gives sintered frictional material lots of friction. Also, the molded ones tolerate high temperatures while maintaining grip.

Choosing Between Molded and Sintered Frictional Materials

Selecting quality materials can be difficult. However, it’s still easy to choose the ideal one.

Molded materials function better in cold conditions while the sintered counterparts are ideal for warm conditions. Sintered ones wear down the rotor unlike the molded one. With both products being long-lasting, the ultimate decision lies with the user.

The Bottom Line

Deciding between molded vs. sintered friction material? Both of them will serve you as long as you purchase from quality manufacturers. Visit our site and access more quality industrial products.

The oil and gas industry might be considered the backbone of America’s economy. With production going back to the mid-1800s, oil is an absolute necessity for this country. Since 2017 American oil companies have produced and refined over 571 million metric tons of oil.

The oil industry employs thousands of people, making it one of the most lucrative jobs in the country. Oil rigs are complicated. Keep reading to find out how most rigs work and what kind of parts make them up.

From the Top Down

First things first: getting to know your rig is essential. As such, knowing every inch of it from the mast to the mud tanks is the first step. There are several major components for every rig.

Crown Block

This collection of pulleys is located at the very top of a rig. These pulleys maneuver the heavy drilling equipment further down the rig. They will be mounted to the platform, keeping them stable throughout the drilling process.

Top Drive

A top drive will help decrease the manual labor that goes into oil drilling. The motor will turn the string which controls the drill. This replaces a Kelly or rotary table some older rigs are outfitted with.

Doghouse

For the people running the drill, a doghouse is a place where they can stay undercover to observe the drilling processes. It can be used as an onshore office or for offshore drilling it keeps the electronics safe from the elements.

Drill Pipe

This part will encase the drill bit and help revolve the bit as it goes deep into the ground. It will also circulate the drill fluids, preventing the part from overheating.

Drill Bit

Possibly the most essential part of every rig, the drill bit, will bite into the shale or gravel the rig is placed over, bringing you closer to oil. Drilling the wellbore is an essential step of the oil production business. Making sure your bit is reliable and of high-quality metal will ensure the process goes smoothly.

Shale Shakers

Oil drilling is a messy business. There will be a lot of material you need to sift through. Shale shakers are a collection of sieves and screens that will help remove unwanted grime from the well.

The Mast

This part is where most of the pulleys and strings are located. It’s the tallest part of every drill. You’ll be able to position the strings with the mast, ensuring your best ground penetration.

Mud Tanks

When a well begins to fill with excess fluids, it’s necessary to store them safely out of the way. Mud tanks are steel tubes and plates that keep those drilling detritus safe.

Know the Oil Rig Inside and Out

There are a lot of moving parts that go with an oil rig. Knowing what each one does will ensure you’re able to keep an eye on your rig better.

If you notice some parts are beginning to wear out though, it may be time to get some replacements. When you do, be sure to contact us. Our high grade, industrial parts will keep your production business running smoothly.

Do you work in construction and use heavy equipment regularly? Can the environment make it hard for the machinery to operate correctly?

We happen to know a few ways to ensure that your equipment performs well.

A variety of tests are available to test the durability of the material you use on the job. They ensure that your tools function no matter what the weather is like.

With these techniques, you can save money on new machines and learn how to use your equipment in different scenarios. By using our services, you can have an easy time operating cranes, bulldozers, loaders, excavators, and other machines.

Here are five different types of testing to perform on your equipment to ensure their functionality.

1. Shock Testing

The quality of construction equipment depends on how well they can handle being moved around. There’s a way to make sure that it doesn’t fall over in these scenarios.

The material testing equipment for this option includes free-fall shock towers that simulate shock waves. Common sources of shock waves that construction equipment deals with include shipping, loading, and transport.

No matter how careful you try to be with your machines in loading docks, the wrong move can cause it to fall over. Even if you have to drop the equipment during placement, the force can cause it to tip to the side.

The shock towers can drop your machines from different heights and angles to see how much force they can take. It’s best to drop it from all angles to see if there are any weak spots.

We recommend this testing for those working with larger amounts of equipment. This can come in handy for projects in populated areas, or those that involve large structures.

2. Temperature and Humidity (Different Types of Testing)

The extreme heat and cold of the summer and winter can make it harder to operate cranes, bulldozers, and other large equipment. While the majority of these machines are designed for these conditions, you can never be too safe.

If you want your equipment to perform consistently, you should try it at different temperatures and humidities in environmental test chambers. The best options are below 0 degrees Fahrenheit and over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Not all equipment is made of the same material, so some machinery will be able to handle specific temperatures better than others. We suggest testing everything you use, from iron to steel.

These material testing methods may not be needed during the Fall or Spring, which don’t experience such extremes. However, you should be ready just in case the temperature is still relatively high in November, or it’s still cold enough in April to get snow.

These chambers also come in handy in case you have to move the equipment to another part of the world that’s warmer or colder than where you are now. This will prepare your machines for whatever the area you’re traveling to has to offer.

3. Chemical Resistance Testing

Your equipment may be tough enough to handle extreme cold and heat. However, it may not be able to withstand certain chemicals.

Anti-freeze, fertilizers, insecticides, and other chemicals may be more harmful to machinery than they are to what you are usually using them on. This can lead the tools to degrade and break apart over time.

The age of the equipment may affect how much of these chemicals it can take. If you’ve been using the same machines for years, then you’ll have a tougher time in this situation.

Make sure to spray these chemicals and their components on your tools. Some machinery may take longer to react than others, but you’ll need to keep an eye on them.

This test is significant if you’re going to be renting equipment for a certain project. Spraying chemicals on it before you use it will save you plenty of time and money on finding replacements.

4. Sand and Dust Testing

Some people in the construction industry have the luxury of working in more pleasant environments. Others, however, have to work in places where dust and sand are common.

This material can keep your machines from working by collecting into parts that affect movement. If they stick to your tools long enough and in certain conditions, they can reduce the toughness of the object’s surface.

That’s where lab testing machines come in. Enclosed chambers have been designed to blow sand, dust, and gravel at your machines to test their resistance.

You will need to consider factors such as pressure, temperature, concentration, and humidity during the tests. Parts you should test include seals, enclosures, coatings, and brakes to ensure the equipment can move and stop when you need to.

Make sure that the tests include large particles, which are very common in the outdoors. If you don’t live in areas where sand and dust are common, these tests can still help in case you eventually have to work in such an environment.

5. UV Exposure Testing

As good as the sun may feel after months of low temperatures, your equipment may not feel the same way. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation may be keeping your machines from performing as they should.

Different types of material can handle UV exposure better than others. Enough exposure can cause cracks and peels in the coating, as well as a loss of strength in the surface.

With Xenon-arc UV exposure, your construction equipment will be able to handle the worse that the sun can throw at it. This test consists of bulbs that create a spectrum of natural sunlight to shine on the material.

You should first consider how much sunlight the area where you’re working is exposed to throughout the year. Tests during cloudier or colder days can prepare your machines for brighter days.

If you’re working on a variety of projects, you may need to conduct more tests. Some buildings consist of more steel or bricks than others, and their location can affect how much UV exposure they experience.

Our Take

Construction equipment requires different types of testing to be ready for any situation. Weather and the environment come with a variety of challenges, and the material and tactics you use to move machines face damage risks.

However, with the right testing machines and settings, you can keep your equipment in shape and running for a long time.

Check out more of our tips today so that your construction equipment stays strong and continues to produce amazing projects.

Are your brakes breaking? Need more friction in a clutch situation? Stopping power when you need it isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity!  Safety is no accident, and you shouldn’t delay replacing worn friction components in any of your systems.

Quality friction material, adequately selected according to its attributes, is crucial to daily safe operations of your business. Scan-Pac Manufacturing produces a wide array of products to suit your needs. Read on to learn more.

Fact and Friction

The need for friction materials drives a global market that’s projected to increase at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% between 2019 and 2023.

The worldwide value will reach nearly $24.7 billion by 2023, according to a recently published report. So, friction is not a slippery slope by any stretch!  

By way of definition, friction materials are used in systems that require direct contact pressure between two or more parts to control speed.

Obviously, due to direct contact during use, friction materials wear down and become less effective over time. However, the rate of wear varies. Different materials have predictable capacities for wear and performance under specified conditions (such as temperature range encountered, speed requirements et al.).

Click here for a description of various friction materials and how they are used in various applications.  

Since 1976, we have offered a full range of friction products serving numerous industries, including iron and steel, rail, wind power, mining, agriculture, and oil.

Scan-Pac Friction Replacement Parts

We are pleased with our long partnership with industry leader Scan-Pac Manufacturing, featuring non-asbestos friction materials in:

• Cranes, Shovel & Draglines
• Overhead Crane Linings
• Gear Tooth Facings
• Flat Sheet
• Oilfield Frictions
• Green Gripper Woven
• Flexible Molded Linings
• Gemini Frictions
• Forklift Sets
• Plant Frictions
• Paper Mill Frictions
• Off-Road Equipment

Scan-Pac has been ISO 9001-certified for over 16 years. Their commitment to producing the finest quality friction materials available on the market today, at competitive prices, is unwavering. It’s no wonder that Scan-Pac products are so popular with our customer base.

Among their many product offerings, Scan-Pac supplies:

• Clutch and brake applications for agriculture, overhead cranes, and lift trucks
  • RF38 materials
  • Semi-metallic SM003 for high-energy brakes on cranes

• Brake blocks, draw-works sets, molded cathead linings and gear tooth clutch facings for oil drilling, well service rigs
  • RF72 materials

• Blocks, bearings, and “eel slip” wiper blades for the paper industry
  • RF11 and RF44 materials for paper mill winding machines that involve constant drag and tension

• Vertical and horizontal center plate liners, equalizer seats, snubbers, and wear plates for the railroad industry
  • “Gatke” phenolic laminate materials for severe load and impact needs

• “Yaw” brakes and torque limiters for windmills
  • RF72 materials

• Flexible woven materials for winches used in construction, industrial, and marine applications
  • GGW, Gemini woven, 2420R materials
  • GGW especially good in harsh environments such as workboats and dock handling winches

Scan-Pac’s reputation for high quality at a reasonable cost is their hallmark!

We Are Your Friction Experts

Kor-Pak is a customer-focused, relationship-based company whom you can rely on for expert advice on solving all your friction material puzzles. Scan-Pac produces many materials that could offer solutions for your business.

You need a supplier that understands all aspects of friction material application – from the mundane to the complex. Contact us today and let us help!