4

Maintenance

Planning

&

Management

There

has

been

a

continuous

assessment

of

component

change

patterns

over

the

years,

this

has

provided

a

guide

to

determining

optimum

stock

requirements

for

differentials

and

other

commonly

affected

parts.

This

has

facilitated

a

smooth

and

swift

component

change

process

in

response

to

failures

thus

minimising

downtime

and

enhancing

cost

savings.

The

failed

component

can

be

overhauled

while

the

equipment

is

back

in

operation.

Critical

trends

and

fault

repeats

are

noted

as

the

productive

season

nears

the

end

and

are

used

as

a

guide

to

budgeting

for

off-

crop

maintenance.

Inspect

the

drain

plug

for

presence

of

excessive

particles.

Low

Risk

Strategy

–

Minimise

impact

and

monitor.

See

minimise

impact

section

below.

High

Risk

Further

troubleshooting

required.

See

diligent

approach

section

below.

Minimise

Impact

Drain

oil

and

refil

l

with

new

oil.

It

may

be

necessary

to

open

the

component

and

clean

al

l

parts.

This

reduces

risk

of

further

abrasive

wear.

However

it

does

not

address

root

cause.

Plan

further

action

to

address

root

cause.

If

parts

are

worn

overhaul

component

.

Diligent

Approach

High

risk

cases

cal

l

for

a

more

thorough

approach

in

investigation

and

troubleshooting.

In

cases

of

high

risk

procedure

below

suffces.

Check

for

discolouration

of

oil.

Inspect

the

drain

plug

for

presence

of

excessive

particles.

Check

end-play.

If

excessive

particles

are

discovered,

open

unit

for

further

investigation.

Cases

with

high

copper

levels,

open

component

and

inspect

straight

away.

Excessive

endplay

is

indicative

of

advanced

w

e

a

r.

It

may

be

necessary

to

overhaul

unit

at

this

stage.

A

stock

of

differentials

as

part

of

the

maintenance

planning

and

downtime

minimisation

strategy.