Macerator maintenance helps avoid costly downtime

Sockett Farm Machinery’s slurry specialist, Richard Sockett suggests that just a little time and care can make the difference between equipment working well and failing.

“Equipment stored over winter may not have been cleaned or oiled sufficiently and will need a thorough visual inspection before use. A common macerator unit like Vogelsang’s ExaCut only has one grease chamber, so it is easy to check and it is advised that it’s given a few pumps of grease every few days to make sure it’s well-greased for smooth operation,” he says.

Easy checks to perform

“I always suggest regular stone trap checks, especially for contractors that work an ever-changing range of farms,” Richard adds.

He suggests checking connections throughout a slurry applicator, be it tanker mounted or umbilical, is essential to avoid any spillages.

“Checking pipes for tears and making sure the connections are all tight before sending slurry through the applicator is really important, especially for systems that run at a higher-than-average hydraulic flow,” he explains.

The hydraulic flow of a macerator such as the ExaCut can run at 40 litres per minute. However, Richard says this is often too high for real world operation.

“I would look to operate at 15-20 litres a minute. A higher speed is only needed for slurry with a higher fibre content. Running at slower speeds will reduce the strain on the macerator and extend its working life,” he adds.

Whilst many checks can be made in the yard, Richard recommends that a thorough service is also advised each year, especially for any wearing metal parts.

“If the wearing metal is worn, the macerator should be disassembled, removing the side plate and rotor to replace the blades and cutting rings. When doing so, it’s a necessity to reset the eccentric adjusters and replace the sponge seal,” he concludes.

Read more machinery news.