If you work in the recycling industry, you’ll know how important your machines are for keeping things moving.
Industrial recycling machines work with tough materials like scrap metal, car parts, cables, and more every day. Over time, this kind of work takes its toll.
It doesn’t matter which recycling application you work in – keeping your equipment in good shape with machine maintenance is absolutely essential.
We’ll explain the basics of maintaining your equipment so you can get the best from your machines and avoid preventable breakdowns, to keep things moving and protect your bottom line.
Why machine maintenance matters
Specialised recycling equipment handles heavy loads, intense outputs, and tough environments.
If you don’t take the time to maintain your machines, components can wear out faster, energy use can increase, and the risk of breakdowns goes way up.
Doing simple routine checks and servicing reduces downtime, helps avoid costly repairs, and extends the life of your equipment.
For scrap yards and industrial recycling services, keeping machines in top condition makes daily work safer, quicker, and more cost-effective!
Reducing machine downtime
Downtime costs money and it’s often avoidable. One of the biggest potential mistakes a scrapyard can make is relying only on reactive maintenance (fixing things after they break).
This can lead to longer delays, unexpected costs, and more serious damage down the line.
The data backs this up! According to a 2024 Limble report, the best way to reduce downtime is to keep equipment in good condition with regular maintenance.
On top of that, 69% of maintenance teams prefer using proactive maintenance to manage ageing machines, rather than replacing them.
These stats make it clear that regular servicing and basic upkeep can be a lot more affordable (and more effective) than just waiting until a machine fails.
By fixing small issues early (like leaks, rust, or worn parts), you can avoid major breakdowns and extend the life of your equipment – win-win!
Cleaning and checking your equipment
Keeping your recycling machines clean is one of the easiest ways to prevent problems or malfunctions from popping up.
Dust, grease and metal fragments can build up quickly, especially in high-traffic sites. This build-up can damage parts, overheat motors, or clog hydraulic systems.
Plan regular cleaning into your schedule and do quick checks for signs of wear or damage like frayed belts, loose fittings, or any strange noises.
Paying attention to these warning signs can stop small issues from turning into serious faults.
Machine lubrication and parts
To keep your machines running smoothly, you need to make sure your moving parts stay properly lubricated.
This includes blades, hinges, and any areas that slide, spin, or press during use. Use the right oil or grease as recommended in the machine manual.
It’s also important to replace worn parts before they fail. Blades, seals, and bearings won’t last forever, and swapping them out early helps dodge bigger problems later.
Keeping a record of what’s been checked or replaced (and when) can make this easier.
Hydraulics and electrics
Most industrial recycling machines use hydraulic and electrical systems to power key parts like shears, balers or conveyors.
If there’s a fault, like low pressure, a fluid leak, or an electrical issue, the machine could stop working completely.
Take the time to check fluid levels, hoses, wires, and fuses regularly. If something smells burnt, starts sparking, or seems off, stop the machine and get it looked at.
Lots of issues can be fixed quickly (and cheaply) if they’re caught early!
Regular machine servicing
Even if you usually handle basic machine maintenance yourself, it’s still worth getting your equipment serviced regularly by an expert.
We’ll check for problems you might miss and make sure everything’s running safely and efficiently.
At JMC Recycling, we’re proud to offer professional machine servicing, either at your site or at our workshop in Nottingham.
We work with all kinds of industrial recycling machines; from shears, balers, and cable strippers to full systems. We can service machines you bought directly from us, or from other suppliers too.
Need help with your machine maintenance?
Let us help!
JMC Recycling offers servicing, either on-site or at our Nottingham workshop. We work on all types of recycling machines, even if you didn’t buy them from us.
We also supply genuine spare parts to keep your equipment running safely and efficiently.
Talk to the experts – explore our brand-new recycling equipment, browse high-quality used machines, or contact us to book a service or ask about repairs!
