Strapping tools are critical for ensuring your employees can carry out their duties safely, efficiently, and effectively. While these tools are vital to many warehousing, transportation, and logistics jobs, they can cause employee problems if not properly maintained and cared for. At Strapping-Products.com, we understand that when you invest in a quality strapping tool, you expect it to work as hard and reliably as you do. Let’s take a closer look at how you can extend the life of your strapping tools and some fixes to common problems that can occur with strapping tools.
Cleaning Your Strapping Tools
Proper maintenance ensures reliability and a long lifespan, as with any mechanical device. Regular maintenance starts with cleaning your tools at the end of a shift by wiping down tools with a slightly damp cloth to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may have accumulated on the tool throughout the day. Compressed air can clean harder-to-reach spaces and crevices in strapping tools where dust and debris are prone to build and possibly cause problems. Special attention should also be paid to gripping surfaces and tensioning wheels for build-ups of dust and grime that can negatively impact the tool’s performance. Deep weekly or monthly cleanings should also be done to remove excess grease, dirt, and grime from moving parts of the strapping tool. Workers should pay special attention to vents on electric-powered or battery-operated strapping tools, which should also be cleaned to prevent overheating, which can damage and reduce the life of your tool.
Lubricating Strapping Tools
Ensuring your strapping tool’s moving parts are adequately lubricated is crucial to preventing excessive wear and tear and ensuring your tool works correctly. Machine oil should be applied to moving parts of a strapping tool, including the tensioning nobs. Ensure your workers are not overly lubricating their tools, as this can cause dirt and dust to build up quicker on moving parts, degrading their performance.
Properly Storing Strapping Tools
Proper storage of strapping tools can greatly extend their lifespan and prevent rust and corrosion from damaging them. Strapping tools should be stored in a cool, dry place easily accessible for your workers at the end of their shift. Storing strapping tools in secure storage also prevents them from being accidentally damaged if left out and unattended in a busy workplace. If you store extra tools for extended periods after a seasonal rush, anti-corrosion sprays can be applied to them for long-term storage until they are needed again.
Common Problems and Solutions to Strapping Tools
While strapping tools from quality manufacturers are generally incredibly effective and reliable, there are some common issues you may run into. Let’s look closely at some of these common problems and their solutions.
Tool Not Tensioning Properly: When a strapping tool is not tensioning correctly, the most common culprit is an issue with the tensioning wheel. Dirt may build up around the wheel, causing tensioning problems. Thoroughly cleaning the tensioning wheel and the gripper plates often resolves tensioning problems.
Tool Making Weak Seals: When a strapping tool is not making a strong seal or crimp of straps, the issue is most commonly caused by not using the correct seals for the strapping material. Excessive moisture or dirt on the seal or the strap can also cause strength issues with seals.
Strapping Tool is Jamming: When a strapping tool is jamming, the most common cause is a build-up of dirt or debris in its moving parts. Deep cleaning and re-lubricating the strapping tool can often remedy this problem.
Get the Best Deals on the Best Strapping Tools at Strapping-Products.com
At Strapping-Products.com, we carry a wide range of strapping tools and strapping products at prices that beat the national average by 10%. Check out our inventory online today or call us at 888-803-8140 to learn more about our current inventory and deals on industry-leading strapping tools.