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    Strapping Tool Preventive Maintainance
    Strapping Tools

    Preventative Maintenance Tips for Battery-Powered Hand Strapping Tool

    Phil EricksonPosted on January 22, 2020

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    You’ve invested in your strapping equipment, so you want to keep it in good working order as long as you can.

    Download our e-book, "What You Need to Know about Converting from Steel to  Polyester Strapping."

    A little bit of preventative maintenance goes a long way for any strapping solution.

    To keep your battery-powered equipment in good working order, follow some of these six tips. They could give your hand strapping tools a new lease on life.

    1. Invest in Training for Your New Battery-Powered Hand Strapping Tool

    You may not think of employee training as preventative maintenance, but it’s the first step in protecting your equipment.

    When employees know how to use hand strapping tools correctly, they’ll be less likely to damage them. If they use the tool improperly, they could subject it to unusual wear and tear, which could cause the tool to break.

    A good example is trying to use the battery-operated hand strapping tool on an improper load application.  For example, using the wrong tool for a small cylindrical bundle can bend plates and ultimately will not work well in securing the load effectively.

    Employee training could include elements of preventative maintenance. Many preventative maintenance tasks are easy to perform, and your employees should carry them out on a regular basis. Proper training helps them complete these tasks.

    2. Clean Idle Strapping Tools

    If a battery-powered hand strapping tool isn’t in use, it’s an ideal time to clean it up. Encourage employees to clean tools at the end of their shifts or whenever they finish using the tool.

    This helps keep the tool free of dirt and debris. Even fine dust can cause jams or other issues later down the line. Taking a few minutes to clean the machine every now and then could prevent longer periods of down time.

    3. Battery Maintenance

    Most tools come with Li-Ion batteries, which will require maintenance.

    While not all Li-Ion batteries are the same, maintenance is always critical to its longevity, and it’s an important component in the satisfaction of the tool. Beyond regular maintenance, the tool may also need periodic replacement of the battery for proper functioning.

    4. Talk to Your Provider about a Maintenance Plan

    Another way to protect your investment in your battery-operated hand strapping tools is to set up a maintenance plan with your provider. This helps you protect your new tools from the get-go.

    A provider knows their tools, and they’ll likely have a customized plan for the make and model you’ve purchased. They may recommend periodic inspections, tune-ups, and lubrication of internal components. They should also offer service in case the machine does break. Even the best-maintained machines need occasional service.

    If a part does break or wear out, be sure to replace it immediately. Leaving a worn-out part on the tool can cause larger issues later on.

    5. Recalibrate and Adjust

    Over time, a battery-powered hand strapping tool may need recalibration or adjustment. Parts can wear out and need to be replaced. Certain parts may need realignment. The fasteners might require tightening.

    This is all perfectly normal. The more the tool is used, the more likely it will begin to show signs of wear. Taking the time to address these minor adjustments and recalibrations can keep the machine in working order longer.

    6. Test on a Regular Basis

    Finally, you should test all your battery-powered hand strapping tools on a regular basis. This ensures they’re always in working order and allows you to address issues as they come up.

    With these tips, you’ll be able to get more life out of each and every one of your battery-operated hand strapping tools.

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    Phil Erickson

    Phil Erickson is the President of FROMM Packaging Systems Canada and a certified mechanical engineering technologist. An out-of-the-box thinker, Phil have been involved in the packaging industry for over 20 years, both in manufacturing management and in sales consulting roles. Phil is well-versed in consumable sales and their applications, including plastic strap, steel strap, and many other packaging related products, such as V.C.I. protective packaging, void filling systems, and total packaging solutions.

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