Brick and block machine maintenance: a daily, weekly and monthly checklist

Most stoppages on a brick or block line come from small things left too long: a loose bolt, a leaking hose, a mould worn out of size. A short routine prevents most of them. Adapt this checklist to your machine’s manual and keep a log.

Safety first

• Switch off and lock out the power before cleaning, adjusting or reaching into the machine.
• Release hydraulic pressure before opening any hydraulic connection.
• Keep guards in place and never bypass interlocks to save time.

Daily

• Clean moulds, tamper heads and pallets at the end of each shift, and oil the moulds before starting.
• Check the hydraulic oil level and look for leaks at hoses and fittings.
• Grease the points marked in the manual.
• Clear spilled material from moving parts, rails and sensors.
• Listen for new noises from motors, vibrators and the pump.
• Empty and wash out the mixer so material does not set inside.

Weekly

• Check that vibrator motor bolts and mounts are tight.
• Inspect hydraulic hoses for cracks, bulges and rubbing.
• Check belt and chain tension, and lubricate the chains.
• Inspect mixer blades and scrapers for wear.
• Clean dust out of the control panel and check that cable glands are sealed.
• Measure a few blocks against the target size.

Monthly, or as the manual says

• Replace hydraulic filters, and test or change the oil on schedule.
• Check the pressure gauge against the set pressure.
• Measure the moulds and plan replacements before blocks go out of size.
• Check the bearings on motors, mixers and conveyors.
• With the power isolated, have an electrician tighten terminals and check the earthing.