DID YOU KNOW?
Did You Know?
How do you keep vibratory hammers running
smoothly in very cold temperatures?
By Mike Bogardus and Josh Angel, ICE® – International Construction Equipment, Inc.
In extreme cold weather conditions, you not only have to relocate
the case drain return but you also have to increase the case
drain hose by one size, including the case drain quick disconnects.
ICE® had to do this in the North Slope in Alaska several
years ago to keep the pop offs (RV3 valves) from leaking. We were
running an Arctic-rated low-pour oil, as well.
The contractor can run the power unit up against the stops.
First, unhook the vibro hoses from the power unit and install covers.
(Do not stand in front and close the doors.) Throttle the unit
up at least halfway (be aware that you may have to rev higher to
prevent stalling), and then put the unit in forward. This will raise
the temperature of the oil the quickest. Once the oil is warmed up
to the desired temperature, rehook the vibro hoses and let oil flow
through the system. This will let some of the cold oil in the hoses
blend with the warm oil. Another tactic is to run the unit in reverse
with the hoses hooked up, but it can take a long time and will not
work on very cold days.
When you’re in a situation where you can’t recirculate the oil
through the hoses –i.e., any vibro with a power unit running the
single direction control manifold –there is a heater circuit available.
This will work, but the contractor has to do their due diligence to
get everything fired up hours before they start up in the morning.
Some contractors have the power unit mounted to the back of
the crane with the hoses running up the boom. This is efficient for
working, but the hoses running up the boom can restrict the case
drain flow in very cold temperatures, as having to push the thick,
cold oil up the hoses is more difficult. That, combined with the
power unit being in the air, can make the oil colder. The contractor
may need to lower the hoses.
The most effective way of keeping vibros and power units
warm is to secure a tarp to cover the units and use diesel-fired bullet
heaters to heat the enclosure(s). This works very well; we have
even seen customers use parachutes they purchased from a military
surplus store do the same job. You can use a tank heater, however
they have their own issues, at times.
For extreme conditions, switch to a lighter weight oil. For
example, we use a 46 weight in ICE® vibros. The same oil is offered
in a 32 weight. When temperatures get warmer, you will have to
switch back to the original oil. t
surz / 123RF Stock Photo
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