Product Bulletins

Service Bulletin: Cold Weather Operation of Automated Equipment



Summary

Cold weather and icy conditions can potentially reduce the functionality of air motors used in StoneAge automated equipment. This may occur when operating equipment in cold environments that include any of the following conditions: wet air, long airline runs, water in the airline, or internal condensation freezing due to thermodynamic gas expansion in the motor. Motor performance is compromised when exhaust ports start to ice up. Without intervention, the ports may close off completely which can stall the motor.

Solutions

StoneAge recommends the following solutions to prevent decreased functionality in air motors during cold weather operations.

Best method: Use regenerative desiccant air dryers in-line with the pneumatic hoses to lower the dew point.

Next best method: Use a Pneumatic Tool Anti- Freeze Lubricant in the oiler system of the StoneAge equipment. Common trade names are Tanner Gas, Killfrost, Dixon, and Polar-lube. These fluids act like gasoline antifreeze by drying out moisture that’s in the line.

Affected Parts or Assemblies

ASSEMBLY PART NUMBER ASSEMBLY DESCRIPTION AIR MOTOR PART NUMBER
ABX-500-V2 AUTOBOX HOSE CONTROL DEVICE LM 016-4
 ABX-2L-V2 AUTOBOX 2L ASSEMBLY  ABX 250
ABX-3L AUTOBOX 3L ASSEMBLY  ABX 250
 ABX-PRO-100  AUTOBOX PRO ASSEMBLY  PRO 155-001
 BB-100-XX  BUNDLE BLASTER  LM 016-4
 BFW-100  BIG FLOW WATERLANCER  LM 016-4
 BRLM  ROTARY LANCING MACHINE  LM 016-4
 BTC-100  BOILER TUBE CLEANER  SG 055
 BTC-200  BOILER TUBE CLEANER  PRO 155-001
DB-XX  DECK BLASTER  SG 055
EB-100  EXTENSION BOOM  LM 016-4
FCT-XX FLOOR CLEANER SG 055
GH-100 GEARHEAD ASSEMBLY LM 016-4
LP-300 LANCE POSITIONER LM 016-4
LWP-500-X-V2 LIGHTWEIGHT POSITIONER LWP-520-001
NAV-100 NAVIGATOR ASSEMBLY PRO 155-001
SG-40-CCN-XXXX AIR BELT DRIVE ASSEMBLY SG 055
SG-E60-XXXX AIR DRIVE ASSEMBLY LM 016-4
SKR-STD STANDARD STRIKER LWP 520-001 & LM 016-6
SKR-TRK TRACKED STRIKER LWP 520-001 & LM 016-6
SKRL-100 LIGHTWEIGHT STRIKER LWP 520-001 & LM 016-4
SM-300 PENDANT TUBE CLEANER LM 016-4
SM-AIR AIR POWERED ASSEMBLY LM 016-4

 

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