News
Vacation shutdown checklist
We are heading for the summer interval where a lot of sawmills take the opportunity to give their kilns a rest. This is an excellent opportunity to carry out thorough checks of your installations.
“The cost of an unscheduled shut down is incredibly high. But a lot can be prevented. We would once again like to emphasize the importance of preventive maintenance. The summer is an excellent time to carry out checks if the kilns will be shut down anyway,” says Joakim Berglund and Fredrik Åhman, Valutec’s experts in maintenance and service issues.
Valutec’s inspection protocol – available at the Valutec website – is a great tool for the shutdown period.
“Everyone who runs through the items in the protocol can be sure of having carried out a thorough inspection.”
A few tips prior to the inspection
Do not start your inspection until the kilns are at a complete standstill. Among other things, do the following:
- Check the machine deck thoroughly.
- Check fasteners and fan walls.
- Lubricate motors and inspect all spray nozzles.
- Check for any air leaks in the pressure frames and cylinders; repair as necessary.
- Check condition and function of flaps.
- Thoroughly clean the feeder intake and output and inside the kiln.
- Inspect the heater coils and wash as necessary.
- Take samples from the spraying/steaming water and the water to the wet sensor bath. Submit the samples for analysis.
Link to the inspection protocol: https://valutec.ca/after-sales/inspection-report/