Routine Machine Maintenance
Routine Machine Maintenance By Clive Macintosh.
Before we start, the first important rule of thumb is to keep machinery clean. If your machines are kept free of grass, dust and debris they will function better and enjoy a longer working life.
Before we start, the first important rule of thumb is to keep machinery clean. If your machines are kept free of grass, dust and debris they will function better and enjoy a longer working life. Listed below are the basic regular routines that need to be carried out.
1, Check oil level daily.
When checking the oil, make sure that the machine is on level ground, any unevenness will give a false reading on the dipstick. If the machine has been in use prior to checking the oil allow 10 minutes for the engine to cool and the oil to return to the sump at the bottom of the engine. Remove the dipstick and wipe the oil off with a clean rag, this oil reading will not be accurate. Replace the dipstick fully into engine and then remove and check oil level. If the level is below or near the low mark on the gauge, add appropriate oil carefully and check the dipstick so as not to overfill. Damage can be caused to an engine overfilled with oil as much as under-filled.
2, Air Filter.
The Air filter should be serviced (cleaned) approximately every 25 operating hours depending on the conditions that the machine is operating in. For example dry dusty conditions will result in more regular cleaning. Every 100 operating hours the filter element should be replaced.
3, Spark plug.
Every 25 operating hours or earlier if necessary, the spark plug should be serviced. The plug should be removed and brushed with a wire brush to remove carbon build up. Be sure to remove any loose particles of carbon from inside the plug. When the spark plug is screwed back in the cylinder head take care not to over tighten.
4, Carburettor.
After 25 hours of operating the float bowl should be removed and cleaned. Ideally this should be done when the fuel tank is empty. While the bowl is off clean out the jets and then replace the bowl.