What should I do if my compactor becomes flooded?
Product: Compactors
Category: Maintenance
While Marathon compactors and balers are built to withstand all elements and provide many years of reliable service, some weather environments can provide problems for your system. One particular case is flooding, caused by heavy rains and severe storms.
If your equipment experiences a high volume of exposure to water, especially if the unit is submerged, you must take precautionary steps to ensure that your equipment is in working condition before you resume operation.
The electrical system must be checked for water buildup in any junction boxes, Sealtite connections, or other places water might accumulate. Remove any water using absorption methods or low heat fans. After all water has been removed, check the wiring using a continuity meter to ensure that electrical connections are stable and working properly. Repair any connections that are damaged and replace any wiring or components that have become unsafe or unusable.
NOTE: Remember, the presence of water, an electrical conductor, can make electricity even more deadly. Please practice necessary Lock out/Tag out methods as outlined in your Operations, Maintenance, and Installation manual provided to you.
Your hydraulic system should be immediately checked if exposure to water occurs. A sample of the hydraulic fluid should be sent to a certified hydraulics center to be tested for contamination. If water is present in your system, cease operations until the fluid can be removed, the system flushed, and new AW 46 fluid in the correct amount is added to your equipment. Water can cause severe damage to all hydraulic components because of the variances in viscosity and density.
If you take these steps to ensure that your equipment has not been affected by the water exposure, you can be certain that your equipment will continue to provide reliable service.
