Altec DRM 12, Manual

Page: 38 / 143

Section 6 — Care of the Unit • 33
Section 6 — Care of the Unit
Warning
Death, serious injury, and/or property damage can
result from improper maintenance of the unit. Do
not perform maintenance procedures on this unit
without proper training.
Notice
Use the checklists in the Appendix as daily, weekly,
monthly, and yearly guides for preventive mainte-
nance.
The following engine information is general in nature
and applies to some of the popular engines available
for the chipper. For specific information please refer to
your EOM.
Warning
Death or serious injury can result from unexpected
movement. Follow the lock-out tag out procedure
before accessing internal components of the unit.
Death, serious injury, or property damage can result
when attempting to access moving components.
Make sure components have come to a complete stop
before performing inspection or maintenance.
Remove keys from the ignition switch and place in
pocket.
Never reach into the engine cowling or within the engine
panels with the engine running.
Caution
Injury can result from contact with engine compo-
nents that are hot. Use caution when accessing
the engine cowling or in the vicinity of the engine
exhaust.
Engine Oil
The engine oil level should be checked each day or when
the engine has been operated for 10 hours, whichever
comes first. It is preferable to check the oil level after the
engine has been stopped for a period of time. This allows
the oil in the upper section of the engine to drain down
into the oil pan. This will allow you to obtain an accurate
measurement of the level of oil in your engine. If the level
is low, refer to your EOM for the recommended viscosity
and type of oil for your engine.
Change the engine oil and filter according to schedules
and instructions provided in your EOM.
Engine Coolant
Caution
Injury can result from contact with engine compo-
nents that are hot. Use caution when removing the
radiator cap.
Never check the coolant when the engine is hot. Allow
the engine to cool down first. Refer to the EOM for proper
procedures. Always make sure proper eye and hand
protection is worn when servicing the coolant system.
Check the coolant level before starting the engine at the
beginning of each work period. The coolant level should
not be less than 1” (2.54 cm) below the top of the radia -
tor upper tank. Refer to the EOM for proper coolant and
mixture ratio.
The engine radiator can quickly become plugged with
wood particles. This will cause improper engine cooling,
and may cause extensive damage to your engine. Many
factors contribute to the buildup of wood particles in the
radiator. The main contributor to radiator plugging is
buildup of airborne particles in the engine radiator area.
Directing chipper discharge downwind of the engine
radiator area, discharging into a chip body, and using
chip body screens or canvases will greatly reduce this
condition. Proper belt condition and coolant mix-ratio/
level are also critical to proper engine cooling. The ra-
diator should be inspected and cleaned on a daily basis
using compressed air only. Do not use water to flush the
coolant fins of the radiator. Any wood particles left from
a water flush will harden and become extremely difficult
to remove.
Notice
Improper radiator maintenance can result in engine
damage that will not be covered under the engine
warranty.
Engine Air Filter
Due to the varying degrees of dust produced during the
normal chipper operation, it is critical to the life of your
engine to maintain a clean air filter. Do not hit the filter
against an object to clean the filter. Check your filter
weekly and clean or replace as specified in your EOM.
Failure to properly maintain the engine intake system
and filters can quickly decrease the engine’s effective
horsepower and cause engine failure. Failures due to
improper air intake system maintenance are not covered
under engine warranty.