The cost-effective way to optimise machinery ready for winter production
Preparing machinery for winter production does not have to mean investing in expensive new maintenance equipment. With maintenance budgets under pressure, the priority is making the most of available resources while keeping production running reliably.
Colder temperatures, damp conditions and demanding production schedules can put machinery to the test. A clear maintenance plan helps you identify where attention is needed, prioritise work on critical equipment and address developing problems before they cause an unexpected stoppage.
Start by reviewing recurring faults, outstanding repairs and any changes in machinery performance. Which machines would cause the greatest disruption if they failed? What work can be completed during a planned shutdown? Are the necessary replacement parts, tools and skills available?
Planning ahead gives your team time to investigate problems and organise corrective work. It also helps you direct spending towards the tasks that will have the greatest impact on reliability, rather than allowing breakdowns to dictate your budget.
However, completing that work may require specialist equipment your team does not use regularly. Buying a tool for an occasional inspection or a single bearing replacement can be difficult to justify.
This is where maintenance equipment hire can offer a practical, cost-effective solution, giving your team access to the right tools for the job without the full purchase cost.
Get in touch with our product experts for your free winter reliability walkthrough(T&C’s apply)*
Access specialist equipment without the upfront cost
Buying maintenance equipment can make sense when it will be used regularly. However, a specialist tool needed for an annual shutdown or an occasional bearing replacement may spend much of its life in storage.
Hiring allows you to select equipment for a specific task without committing to the full purchase cost. It also provides an opportunity to assess how a tool performs in your application before deciding whether to invest.
For winter maintenance, this means you can budget for the work required and access suitable equipment for the duration of the job. ACORN offers maintenance equipment hire across bearing heaters, alignment tools, bearing pullers and condition monitoring systems.
Inspect machinery before winter production
A machine that is still running may already be showing signs of deterioration. Unusual noise, rising temperatures or visible wear can provide an opportunity to investigate before a fault causes disruption.
Hiring inspection equipment can help your team assess areas that are difficult to check during routine maintenance. An endoscope, for example, can provide a view of internal components through suitable access points, helping you investigate suspected damage without immediately committing to extensive dismantling.
An infrared thermometer can help identify temperature differences that warrant further investigation. Compare readings taken under similar operating conditions and use the findings alongside other checks to decide what needs attention.
Check alignment when servicing drives
Replacing a worn component is only part of restoring reliable operation. If the underlying cause remains, the replacement may suffer the same problem.
Misalignment can contribute to vibration, additional loading and premature wear in connected components. Checking shaft or pulley alignment during planned maintenance helps address these issues before machinery returns to production.
Hiring an alignment tool gives your team access to accurate measuring equipment for the job. It is particularly useful after replacing a motor, disturbing a drive assembly or carrying out work that could affect alignment.
Protect replacement components during removal and fitting
A planned shutdown provides an opportunity to replace worn bearings, but the tools and methods used matter.
A suitable bearing puller helps apply removal force in a controlled way. Where heat mounting is appropriate, an induction heater provides controlled heating to expand the bearing for installation. Equipment selection should account for the bearing’s dimensions, weight and mounting requirements, with fitting carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Hiring is especially useful when a replacement bearing requires a different heater capacity from the equipment you normally use.
Plan your hire around your winter shutdown
To get the most value from equipment hire, identify the tasks, tools and replacement parts required before maintenance begins. Confirm equipment availability, access requirements, power supply and any training or support your team needs.
Allow enough time for inspection, corrective work and checks before restarting production. Record the results so you have a useful reference for future maintenance.
With the right preparation, hiring maintenance equipment can help you complete essential work, protect replacement components and prepare machinery for winter without a significant upfront investment.
* Terms & Conditions: Only one free booking slot per month will be available in this offer. If demand is high, we will advise you on available dates. Alternatively, you could schedule a call to discuss your problems with one of our product specialists.
Travel and accommodation requirements are not included in the free service, these will be charged to your company at standard mileage and accommodation rates and all cost will be agreed in writing with yourself before the work is undertaken.