How To Extend The Life Of Your Marland Clutches

There really is no secret when it comes to the life of your overhead cranes. It comes down to maintenance and prevention.

And of course, you have to buy and install the right parts- like Marland clutches.

We know that clutch maintenance is vital to the longevity of your overhead cranes. The problem is many companies take no action, or ignore the signs until it’s too late.

And when it’s too late, you could have a real problem on your hands. So rather than waiting for disaster to strike, start preventing problems now.

Here’s how:

 

Installing Marland Clutches

Marland Clutches are made to be the best. They’re engineered to be able to perform the toughest jobs while requiring minimum maintenance.

But that doesn’t mean some maintenance isn’t required. And that maintenance can go a long way toward extending the life of your clutch. Proper installation is also essential.

Here’s how to properly install your clutch:

• Do not operate the machinery until it’s been filled with oil according to specifications.
• Lubricate properly.
• Check the direction of freewheeling operation.
• To check for correct direction of rotation, hold the outer race in place. Then try to rotate the cam first in one direction, then the opposite direction.
• Mount clutch on staff.

Marland Clutches Need Maintenance

Oil maintenance is extremely important when it comes to extending the life of your clutch.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Both humid and dusty conditions will determine how often you have to check and maintain the oil. However, regular inspection is recommended.
• Make sure all bolts are tightly screwed on to avoid leakage.
• To figure out how often you need to check your oil, examine a sample from the clutch cover plate oil hole. The objective is to look for evidence of contamination.
• Once the frequency of future examinations is established, a regular routine of draining, flushing, and refilling the clutches with fresh oil is required.
• Every 3-6 months, apply grease to the gear teeth in the engaging/disengaging sleeve.
• Keep all parts as clean as possible. Dirt and grit will cause problems.
• Never use a hammer or try to pull on the clutch cover plate.
• Check to ensure that bearing, oil seals, and gaskets aren’t damaged.

Never use carbon tetrachloride. It’ll harm neoprene seals.

What to Ask When Implementing a Maintenance & Prevention Program

If you want to extend the life of your crane and its parts, you need to create an effective maintenance and prevention program. You also want to hire the right professional team to handle it for you.

Most of the time, a yearly inspection is all that’s needed to ensure that all the parts of your crane are working smoothly.

Here are some great questions to get you started:

• Reputation: Does the service company have a good reputation within their industry?
• Accommodating: Is the company you’re thinking of hiring to take care of your crane willing to accommodate your schedule and needs?
• Performance: During each visit, will the company perform all standard maintenance procedures like fluid changes, runway checks, and greasing the bearings?
• OSHA & OEM Requirements: Does your service company meet standard OSHA & OEM recommendations?

We’ve been in business since 1976 because we believe in creating value for our customers. Contact us today for parts, questions, and support.