Technical Knowledge

How to maintain and service the riding power trowel to extend its service life?

December 10, 2024

VANSE VS1046 power trowel
How to maintain and service the riding power trowel to extend its service life? 2
A ride-on trowel is a construction machine used to smooth and compact concrete surfaces. Here are some ways to maintain and service it:
 

Daily maintenance

 

– **Cleaning the machine body**

– After each use of the ride-on trowel, clean the concrete, dust and other debris on the machine surface in time. You can use a damp cloth or a soft brush to clean it to prevent debris from sticking to the machine body for a long time and causing corrosion. For example, chemicals in concrete may react with the metal material of the machine body, so it must be cleaned in time.
– Pay special attention to cleaning the chassis and around the blade of the trowel. These parts are in direct contact with concrete and are most likely to accumulate dirt.

– **Check the blade**

– Check the wear of the blade before and after use every day. If the blade is worn too much, it will affect the troweling effect. Generally, it is judged by observing whether the blade edge becomes blunt or has a notch.
– If the blade is found to be severely worn, it needs to be replaced in time. And when installing a new blade, make sure the blade is firmly installed and tighten the fixing screws to prevent the blade from loosening during work and causing safety accidents.

– **Check fuel and lubricating oil**

– For fuel-powered ride-on trowels, check the fuel quantity and quality regularly. Use qualified fuel and avoid using fuel containing impurities or water to prevent damage to the engine.
– At the same time, check the oil level and oil quality of the lubricating oil. Insufficient lubricating oil will increase the friction between machine parts and lead to increased wear. If the lubricating oil is found to be dirty or insufficient, it should be added or replaced in time. It is generally recommended to replace the lubricating oil according to the time and model specified in the machine's instruction manual.

 

Regular maintenance (weekly, monthly, etc.)

 

– **Check the various connecting parts of the machine**

– Regularly check the connecting parts of the ride-on trowel, such as screws, nuts, etc., for looseness. Because the machine will vibrate during operation, these connecting parts may become loose.
– Use tools such as wrenches to check and tighten various connecting parts, especially the connecting screws of key parts such as chassis, engine, and joystick.

– **Clean the air filter**

– The function of the air filter is to filter the air entering the engine and prevent impurities such as dust from entering the engine. If the air filter is clogged, it will cause insufficient air intake to the engine, affecting its performance and service life.
– The air filter can be removed and cleaned with compressed air or water. After cleaning, make sure it is completely dry before installing it back. It is generally recommended to clean the air filter once a week or every two weeks. The specific cycle depends on the dust conditions in the working environment.

– **Replace the engine oil and oil filter**

– The engine oil plays a role in lubrication, cooling and cleaning during the operation of the engine. As the use time increases, the engine oil will become dirty and deteriorate, so it needs to be replaced regularly.
– At the same time, the oil filter also needs to be replaced to ensure the filtering effect. Generally, the engine oil and oil filter need to be replaced every 50-100 hours of work (the specific time depends on the machine's instruction manual).

 

Long-term storage and maintenance

 

– **Storage environment selection**

– If the ride-on trowel is to be stored for a long time, a dry and well-ventilated indoor environment should be selected. Avoid storing in humid or corrosive places to prevent the machine from rusting and corrosion.

– **Cleaning and protection of the whole machine**

– Before storage, the machine should be thoroughly cleaned, including the body, chassis, blades and other parts. And apply a layer of anti-rust oil on the metal surface to protect the machine.
– You can use special anti-rust oil or lubricating oil for application, focusing on parts that are prone to rust, such as blades, screws, etc.

– **Battery maintenance (if it is an electric trowel)**

– For electric driving trowels, pay attention to battery maintenance when stored for a long time. Take out the battery after it is fully charged and store it in a dry and cool place. Charge the battery once every period of time (generally recommended every month) to prevent damage caused by battery self-discharge.

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About the Author: Shandong Vanse Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.

Shandong Vanse Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech manufacturer specializing in concrete construction machinery, including laser screeds and related equipment. The company integrates R&D, production, and global sales, with products exported to over 60 countries and widely used in infrastructure projects worldwide.

Shandong Vanse Machinery

Leading manufacturer specializing in high-performance concrete laser screeds, telescopic arm flatwork handlers, and mechanical ride-on power trowels.

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