Jan 24, 2022
Address Drum Interiors Now to Prevent a Breach During Production
BY AsphaltPro Staff
Last week, we looked at the exterior of the drum. Let’s face it; if this component fails during spring 2022, you might have a long wait-time replacing it. That means you want to use this season to get the drum conditioned for a smooth and prosperous 2022 construction season.
A point you want to remember is every repair should be made according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lockout/tagout regs. Because we’re talking about the interior of the drum, you also have confined spaces regs to work within.
Don’t take shortcuts. Please be safe. Please make a safety mindset your constant mindset, and check out the related article about Oldcastle’s safety line system before you make interior drum inspections or repairs.
What else do you need to check regarding the interior of the drum? Your OEM will have a checklist in your maintenance manuals. If you lost track of that booklet, you can probably find a pdf on the OEM’s website. Consultants and parts manufacturers are another good resource to assist, but here’s a good list to get you started:
- Look at flights for excessive wear, heat curling, cracking
- Look for air leaks around the knockout box and ductwork
- Check the rakes at the mixer discharge for damage, bending
- Check the liners on the discharge collar
- Does the AC injection tube have wear on the end? Gotta fix that.
Now is the time to repair or replace faulty iron, seals, and the like. This is when you take care of all the elements that you might only “patch” during the height of construction season. When you’re in the drum, take advantage of the downtime to correct anything and everything to ensure a stellar start to 2022.