Technical Knowledge
Standard operating procedures for daily cleaning and regular deep maintenance of the power trowel machine

This SOP is designed to ensure equipment performance, extend service life and guarantee operational safety.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Daily Cleaning and Regular Deep Maintenance of power trowels
1. Purpose
Standardize the daily cleaning and regular maintenance of the power trowel machine to ensure that the equipment is always in good working condition, reduce the failure rate, eliminate potential safety hazards, optimize the construction quality and extend the service life of the equipment.
2. Scope of application
This program is applicable to the maintenance and servicing of all electric, gasoline or hydraulic-driven power trowels (including driver-operated and hand-guided types) of our company.
3. Responsibilities
Operator: Responsible for performing daily cleaning and inspection, and reporting any abnormal conditions.
Equipment Administrator/Mechanic: Responsible for conducting regular deep maintenance, repair and record-keeping.
Project Manager/Supervisor: Responsible for supervising the implementation of the maintenance plan and providing resource support.
4. Safety Instructions
Before carrying out any maintenance, make sure that the equipment has been completely turned off, the engine/motor has stopped, the key has been removed, and all moving parts have come to a standstill and cooled down.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and safety glasses.
Do not clean or maintain the equipment while it is in operation.
When handling fuel, engine oil and lubricating oil, keep away from fire sources and do it in a well-ventilated area.
Part One: Daily Cleaning and Inspection (After each shift or daily)
Operation process: Cleaning -> Inspection -> Report
Step 1: Basic cleaning
Remove large debris: Use a scraper or wooden chips to remove large pieces of concrete and mortar adhering to the power trowel plate, the bottom of the blades and the protective cover.
Rinse/Wipe
Timing: If the concrete has solidified, wipe it with a damp cloth. If the equipment permits and the circuit/air filter is protected, low-pressure water can be used for flushing. However, it is strictly forbidden to directly direct water at key parts such as the engine, motor, bearing housing, and control box.
Key areas: power trowel plate, blades, chassis, walking wheels (or tracks).
Drying and rust prevention: Use a dry cloth to wipe off water stains on the surface of the equipment. For exposed metal parts (non-friction surfaces), apply a small amount of lubricating oil for rust prevention.
Step 2: Inspection of key parts
Power trowel and blade: Check for excessive wear, cracks or deformation. Make sure the installation bolts are tight and not loose.
Transmission system
Gearbox/reducer: Check for any oil leakage or abnormal noise.
Belt/chain (if any) : Check the tension and wear condition, and adjust or replace them.
Engine/Motor
Gasoline engine: Check if the air filter is clean and visually inspect the oil dipstick (it should be in a horizontal position).
Electric motor: Check if the power cord is damaged and if the plug is intact.
Walking mechanism: Check the tire pressure and wear of the walking wheels, or the tightness and wear of the tracks.
Fasteners: Quickly check whether the visible bolts and nuts at all parts are loose, especially at the connection points of the power trowel and the fixing points of the handle.
Safety: Check whether the emergency shut-off switch and protective cover are in good condition and effective.
Step 3: Recording and reporting
Fill in the "Daily Inspection Form for Equipment".
If any abnormality is detected (such as abnormal noise, oil leakage, severe vibration, inability to start, etc.), immediately hang the "Under Repair" sign and report to the equipment administrator.
Part Two: Regular Deep Maintenance (carried out by operating hours or cycles)
A. First-level maintenance (every 50 to 100 hours of operation or monthly)
In addition to the daily content, add:
Engine maintenance (gasoline engine)
Change the engine oil (refer to the manufacturer's manual. The first maintenance is usually carried out after 20 to 30 hours of operation).
Clean or replace the air filter element (more frequently in dusty environments).
Check the spark plugs, clean the carbon deposits, adjust the clearance or replace them.
Check and clean the fuel filter.
Transmission system
Gearbox: Check the oil level and replenish or replace the specified gear oil if necessary.
Bearings: Apply high-temperature lithium-based grease to the main shaft bearings of the power trowel plate, the bearings of the walking wheels, etc.
Comprehensive tightening: Use a torque wrench to re-tighten all key bolts in accordance with the torque values specified by the manufacturer.
Electrical system: Check whether all wire connections are firm and clean the dust on the heat sink of the motor housing.
B. Secondary maintenance/comprehensive maintenance (every 300-500 hours of operation or every quarter)
Carried out by professional mechanics, it includes all first-level maintenance contents and adds:
Deep cleaning and inspection
Remove the protective cover and thoroughly clean the accumulated dust and oil stains inside.
Check the wear condition of the clutch plates (if any).
Deep maintenance of the transmission system
Replace all the lubricating oil in the gearbox.
Check for wear on the belts/chains and replace them in groups if necessary.
Check the clearance and abnormal noise of the bearings, and replace them if necessary.
Fuel system (gasoline engine)
Clean the carburetor.
Empty and clean the fuel tank (this must be done before long-term storage).
Walking mechanism
Inspect the wheel axles and steering mechanism, and apply grease.
For the driving type power trowel, check the hydraulic oil level and whether there is any leakage in the hydraulic pipeline.
Performance test
After the maintenance is completed, run the equipment no-load for 10 to 15 minutes to check for any abnormal sounds, vibrations, overheating or oil leakage, and to ensure that each control lever operates flexibly and effectively.
C. Long-term storage and maintenance (equipment not in use for more than 30 days)
Thorough cleaning: As mentioned earlier, thoroughly clean the equipment and dry it.
Fuel treatment (gasoline engine) :
Drain the fuel from the fuel tank and carburetor, or add fuel stabilizer and run the engine for 5 minutes to fill the stabilizer system.
Engine maintenance
Change the engine oil.
Remove the spark plug, inject about 15 milliliters of engine oil into the cylinder, pull the starting rope several times to distribute the oil, and then reinstall the spark plug.
Anti-corrosion treatment:
Apply anti-rust oil to all exposed metal surfaces.
Apply butter to the smears and leaves to prevent rust.
Storage location: Store the equipment in a dry, well-ventilated and flat indoor area. Lower the power trowel plate to the ground to release the pressure of the hydraulic system (if applicable). Lift the tire off the ground or maintain the standard air pressure.
Maintenance records
After each maintenance, the maintenance date, operating hours, maintenance items, replaced parts and oils, and the signature of the maintenance person must be recorded in detail on the "power trowel Maintenance and Repair Record Card".
The record card should be randomly saved for easy tracking of the equipment's history.
Core principles: Prevention first, cleanliness foremost, follow regulations, and keep complete records. Strict maintenance is not only about cost savings, but also an important guarantee for project quality and construction safety.
Note: The parameters provided in this document are for reference only and are not mandatory. Due to differences in technical characteristics between different brands and models of laser levelers, please consult the manufacturer for a suitable solution before actual operation. This reference document assumes no responsibility for any issues arising from failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
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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.
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