4/14/2015 6:04 AM
I've stopped rebuilding cutting units years ago, and do them completely when it's time to replace the reel. I started using Swepco 103 grease back in 2004 and have not lost a bearing related to grease, in fact I went four years without replacing a bearing. We will purge everything, keep rollers adjusted and will rebuild anything that developes the slightest little play in it if we cannot adjust it out.
Hydraulic hoses we inspect every time on the lift, if there is a crack or abrasion in the rubber coating we replace it, other than that we let them ride. Attended a class years ago with a guy from Eaton corp, who had his own company the rebuilds all heavy hydraulic components for large equipment, along with making hoses, and he said unless you see signs of external wear leave them alone. I've followed that rule with one exception, some equipment is sold with lower psi ratings, and single wire strand, so I replaced with double braided wire that has a higher psi rating. We see very few problems working with a program like we do. Also, we clean the fittings with brake or electric cleaner, then add some blue thread-locker, and mark lines across both sides of the fitting like they do at the factory, this way we can see if they move during our daily inspections/setting of cutting units.
Regards,