Car Parts

How Getting Proper Forklift Training is Essential and Beneficial

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Forklifts are the hardest working machines in the business. These machines are not easy to deal with and require experienced drivers. Damages that are caused by the inexperienced drivers can be way too costly. That is why all business owners that deal with forklifts want to hire skilled drivers because they know who to handle and operate the forklift effectively. These machines are used to move luggage, curtains, and other items, and this operation needs careful and experienced drivers. Due to this, skilled and licenced drivers are in demand, and almost all companies prefer experienced drivers over inexperienced drivers.

Getting your forklift licence not only gives you experience but also increases your chances of getting jobs and earning more money. Your certificate is a kind of guarantee that you are suitable for this job and can operate the machine effectively without causing any kind of damage. No matter how experienced you are, company owners always ask for certificates or licences. Today, one can easily take forklift short courses and get their licenses.

In this article, you will know how having a forklift licence can increase your chances of making money and getting more jobs.

Your Licence is Your Guarantee

As I have already mentioned, business owners look for drivers who can operate the machine effectively. Your certificate is the guarantee that you are an experienced and skilled person who can reduce the chances of machine or cargo damage. Due to this, today drivers are looking for schools that offer short courses and give licence.

You Get More Money

Those who have a licence are more likely to get paid well as compared to those who don’t. In short, getting your licence increases the chances of making more money. Every business owner prefers to hire those who come up with their credentials, including licence. So if you really want to improve your monthly income you need to get your licence in order to get more work.

Reduce the Risk of Damage

When you are trained and skilled, you are less likely to damage the machine or cargo. Most of the time, drivers end up with cargo damage or machine damage that costs too much. And when you take the training you learn all the possible things that can assist you in dealing with emergencies and lower the risk of damages.

Ensure Safety

Workplace safety is one essential thing. When you work safely, you increase the ratio of production. A layperson may not be able to guarantee the safe work on the site while when you get training, your trainer introduces you with the steps that in your training session, you learn that you must be aware of the following things:

  • Hydraulic lift knobs
  • Parking pedal
  • Accelerator pedal
  • Forklift directional controls
  • Clutch and brake

With these things, you make your work environment not only safe for yourself but also for the other co-workers.

How To Repair an Electric Motor

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https://automobileglobe.com/What is an electric motor?

Flick a switch and get instant power, how our ancestors would have loved electric motors! The basic idea of an electric motor is really basic and straightforward. Electricity is applied at one end and an axle, that is, metal rod rotates at the other end giving you the power to operate a machine of some kind. It is through this process electricity is converted into movement.

Electric motors are in electric trains, remote controlled cars and so on. On the computer I am using, there is probably two electric motors present, one spinning my hard drive and another one powering the cooling fan.

However, the purport of this article is to critically examine a situation whereby a motor is damaged, be it through over use, damaged parts or water so as to determine if a motor repair or motor replacement is needed.

How to choose between repairing and replacing a motor

Motors are very dependable when maintained and managed to a certain point. Motors are devices which converts any source of energy into mechanical energy. After that point the motors fail. It depends on you to make the decision quickly to either get a motor replacement or repair and get machine going again. You need to realize that the decision made during this period can considerably influence the efficiency and reliability of the equipment.

The effect of motor repair on efficiency depends widely from one repair shop to another. The efficiency can only be identified when measurement is taken before and after repairs. Quality based repair shop develop programs which aimed to reduce the impact in the motors effectiveness when repairs are done.

Many companies automatically replace the motor after it has been destroyed without considering repairing them which can be a very terrible choice leading to monetary loss.

There are some considerations to ponder upon before final decisions are made which are;

  • The frequency of repairs

The reliability of the equipment decreases with the number of repairs made to the motor. For instance, if the motor has been rewound numerous times it brings the dependability of the equipment into uncertainty. Companies usually have a limit to the number of repairs to be made on a motor in their guidelines

Irrespective of the motor’s component and cost and savings, decisions might also affect the machine’s reliability or perceived reliability. For example, if the motor has been rewound numerous times by means of burnout ovens, or the motor frame has been broken in the application, or some additional reason brings the long-term reliability of the motor into doubt, a replacement choice could be made.

Companies frequently have procedures such as a threshold to the number of rewinds a motor might have through its lifespan. However, this sacrifices a few opportunities that might be implemented through the repair procedure.

  • Availability of replacement

Some motors are not available because of design of its special part and delivery time which can cause production based motors to decide on repairing. For example, if the difference between all of the cost associated with the new motor is higher than the repair, the decision of getting a new motor which should not be acceptable.

In these conditions, the environmental and energy effect is overlooked, and repairs might cost more than the price of the new machine. In other severe cases, the existing motor might be repaired to run long enough for the replacement motor to be delivered. These instances often are the result of a reliability-based replacement decision.

  • Age of machine

A moderately widespread guideline is to repair motors only if they don’t go beyond a range of 50%-80% of the new. This method commonly used in conditions where the owners want a simple rule to make a decision which often c the full lifecycle cost of the machine result not to be attained. This method is usually combined with availability and reliability, but not often.

When an electric motor is still relatively new, there is a chance it might still be under warranty. However, if it isn’t it might be best to still repair it, as there will be likely to be available. If the motor has passed the expected lifespan it is best to get a motor replacement. Today motors are designed to last 15-20 years. Modifications can be made to the motor to increase it lifespan based on it usage.

  • Cause of failure

The first step is to figure out what caused the failure the motor. It will be better to repair the motor if it is a problem is relatively simple and cheap to repair. If a terrible failure occurred due to a significant damage to the motor, it might be more feasible to get a motor replacement than repair it. In some cases, a component might be damaged which can be easily replaced. The damage should be assessed by a professional.

  • Purchasing a new motor

Purchasing new motor which reduces production and lead to reduced productivity might not be the best course of action, it will be more effective to repair such motors in this condition. It is advisable to get a professional who can assess the new motor performance compared to the one that needs to be repaired

Buy the new motor from the vendor which meets all specification requirement by the organization

Conclusion

Scientists have deduced that there six main causes of electric motor failures namely; over-current, low resistance, over-heating, dirt, moisture and vibration. So when considering between motor repair and motor replacement, there are more items to consider apart from environmental and energy savings.

While the primary focus during the past 20 years which led to some poor decision, there are more factors to consider such as motor reliability, suitability, spares in inventory and motors impact on production.

It is better to develop a document management plan aimed to maintain and compile accurate reports on your repairs. Review your reports regularly in order to detect areas which needs improvement in relation to the operation of the motor.

Ensure that when repairing your motor, it is important for get a maintenance engineer, motor repair experts and owner to ensure that appropriate decisions are made in order to make the choice cost effective.

 

What Are the Functions of Transmission Fluid

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What Are the Functions of Transmission FluidWhat to know about the transmission fluid:

The transmission fluid assist cool and lubricate your car’s transmission’s internal components. The transmission sends power from the engine to the wheels of the vehicle. An automatic transmission shifts the vehicle into different gears and this is dependent on the speed that you are driving. In an automatic transmission vehicle, the transmission system comes with an oil pan that contains the transmission fluid and fluid filter. The fluid provides the power/force needed to shift into different gears. In manual transmission vehicles, there is a case that has the transmission fluid.

In contrast with an automatic transmission, the fluid in a manual vehicle system is not directly involved in shifting gears, since it is a mechanical system, while an automatic transmission is operates on hydraulic. If an automatic transmission doesn’t have enough fluid, or the fluid has gotten contaminated, it is possible for the transmission to begin to slip and eventually fail. If a manual transmission does not have get fluid, or the fluid has become contaminated, it is possible for the transmission to get noisy, the internal components to wear out faster and eventually fail.

Facts to Note:

An automatic transmission fluid service will substitute the pan gasket, filter, and transmission fluid. Some cars do not have a serviceable transmission filter and some transmissions are meant to stay “sealed for life,” implying that they do not need any service or maintenance. Go through your owner’s manual for information on whether you have the sealed system or not.

In contrast to the automatic transmission, the manual transmission does not contain a filter, which implies that as parts wear, the transmission fluid gathers particles of metal and is unable to filter them. This is why it is very essential to carry out a transmission fluid service as per manufacturer recommendations.

 

How to Fix:

Drain your transmission fluid

(Automatic only) Install new pan gasket and filter (if replaceable)

Refill the proper type and quantity of oil/fluid for your transmission

Check for leaks

Test drive the car

It is advised that a car should have a transmission fluid replacement every 40,000 miles. If you observe any fluid underneath the vehicle, get it inspected as soon as you can. Replacing your transmission’s fluid frequently will greatly extend the service life of your cars’s transmission.

 

Common signs indicating you may need to replace the transmission fluid:

Car has a hard time running

Car stalls when going up or down a steep incline

Check Engine Light comes on

Transmission makes noise

How important this replacement:

The transmission fluid services are a great part of regular upkeep and will raise the service life of your transmission. According to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association, 90% of automatic transmission failures are made by overheating and can be usually be blamed on transmission fluid that should have been replaced.

What Causes Brake Noise during Cold Weather

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automobileglobe.comDriving your  car during cold weather is not the most relaxing ride you particularly if you hear suspicious brake sound or noise. You may start wondering if your vehicle will ever stop or if your brakes will give, creating an accident which might not only be difficult to fix, but equally traumatic. But what causes these noises and how can you stop them? One thing to bear in mind is, that not all sounds that issue from your brakes implies that there are problems or damage, but just the same, you should regularly inspect your brakes and where in doubt, get professional opinion.

What are vibrating brakes

The main reason for a brake squeal is the high-frequency vibrations that happen when your brake pads have contact a rotor that has an irregular surface. This will make the pads bounce and vibrate, transferring the vibrations to the calipers and caliper pistons leading to a squealing sound.

Irregular rotor surface can occur when while driving you pass through a small puddle of water which freezes around the rotor, making a temporary irregular surface. As the brakes heat up, the ice will melt and the surface of the rotor gets smooth once again stopping any vibrations.

Dust Drums

Vibrations are equally a result of dust built up over the course of a few years. Most of the dust issues from the shoes of your brakes wearing down, which begins coating the drum and cause the vibrations mentioned earlier. These vibrations can become stronger during cold conditions or because of morning dew since apart from dust coming from the brakes, frozen water droplets and dust from the road also cover the drum temporarily. Once the brakes warm up, the sound should stop a little but with the use of dust and contaminant removing products, the brakes should be cleared from dust once again and the sound is stopped.

Rust

Cast iron brakes rust overnight and the rate of rusting quickened with cold, humid weather which will create gritting sounds and vibrations. This rust can often be cleaned away easily and prevented by replacing the brakes from iron to ceramic and keeping the vehicle in a dry environment such as a garage when not in use especially during the night. If constantly wet, during cold conditions, water can freeze around the brake, increasing the rate of rusting and permanent damage to the rotor.

Being one of the most vital components of your car’s safety, brakes should be inspected and regularly well maintained. Even if most noises indicate nothing, checks from professional mechanics and preparing your car before the cold season starts are a must. If a sound is not usual or louder than usual or is related to the vehicle also acting funny, it will probably imply that the wear and tear of the brakes has approached an advanced stage. Always bear in mind that the cold and freezing conditions, usually speeds up the process of damage and wear and thus extra care must be taken.

 

What Is the Difference between Shocks and Struts

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https://automobileglobe.comAnytime you drive over a speed bump, pothole, or other rough roads, you will be thankful when the shocks and struts on your car are working well. While these two car components are often discussed together, they are individual components that offer a vital service for keeping your car sturdy and safe. If you’ve ever thought about the difference between shocks and struts, this article should present some light. Let’s take some time to break down what a shock is and a what strut is, the duties they handle, and what occurs when they wear out.

Are Shocks and Struts the Same Component?

Each car driving down the road today has a car suspension system comprised of multiple individual components — including shock absorbers (or struts) and springs. Springs are made to support the car and cushion the ride when the car strikes objects in the road. The shock absorbers (equally known as struts) reduce the vertical travel or motion from the springs along with absorbing or soaking up the impact from road obstructions.

People often use the terms shocks and struts to describe the same component since they actually serve the same purpose. However, there is a difference in the design of the shocks and the strut — and each has unique pros and cons:

  • The primary difference between a strut and shock is in the design of the individual suspension system.
  • All cars will use a shock or a strut on each of the four corners. Many use struts on the front with a shock absorber in the rear.
  • Struts are used on cars without an upper control arm and link to the knuckle while cars with an upper and lower control arm (independent suspension) or a solid axle (on the rear) make use shock absorbers.

What is a Shock Absorber?

A shock absorber is made to be slightly stiffer than a strut. This is mainly since they work with ancillary suspension part to absorb the shock from the road. There are 3 main types of shock absorbers:

  1. Mono-tube Shock Absorber:The most regular type of shock absorber used is a mono-tube (or gas) shock absorber. This part is made from a steel tube with a rod and piston installed inside. As the car drives over a bump, the piston pushes upward and is compressed slowly by gas for a smoother transition.
  2. Dual Shock:A dual or twin-tube shock features two vertical tubes that are filled with hydraulic fluid as opposed to gas. As it’s compressed, fluid is sent to the secondary tube.
  3. Coil-Over Shocks:Cars with shock absorbers mounted on the front are usually called coil over shocks — they have a shock absorber that is ‘covered’ by a coil spring.

What is a Strut?

The most regular type of strut is referred to as the MacPherson strut. This is a very sturdy and durable part that adds the strut and spring into a single unit. There are some cars that utilize a single strut with a separate coil spring. Struts are typically installed to a steering knuckle, with the top of the ‘spring’ installed to support the body. Struts are much smaller than shock absorbers, which is a primary reason why they are often used in cars with compressed suspension travel.

Should I Use a Shock or Strut in My Car?

Like any other moving component, a shock and strut are made to wear out over time. Depending on the type of car you own, they can last anywhere from 30,000 to 75,000 miles. They should be changed as recommended by the car manufacturer, and it’s always a good idea to use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) replacement parts when they need replacement. If your vehicle came from the factory with shock absorbers, you have to change them with the same type of component. The same is to be said about struts.

Shocks and struts should equally be changed in pairs (on the same axle at the least) and the car should have a professional suspension alignment finished to ensure the tires, steering, and complete suspension system is aligned properly.