Aerial Maintenance - LA County Firefighters

Aerial Maintenance

Oils, greases, and other lubricants used by this Department.

Engine oil SAE 15W40 is used in the crankcase of our apparatus, high-fog pump, 1981 American La France road pump transmission and also as a general lubricant on the clevis pins and linkage, and in power steering reservoirs on engines and aerial apparatus. Drip less oil or light machine oil is used on control cables, door latches, and hinges. Chassis lubricant is used on all chassis points which have been provided with grease zerk fittings. ATF Dexron II is used in some aerial ladder hydraulic systems and may also be used in some Allison automatic transmissions. Door Ease Stick is used on door strikers and compartment door latch pins. Engine oil SAE-50 synthetic is used in manual transmissions and all road pump transmissions. 80/140 synthetic gear oil is used in all manual steering gear boxes. Differential oil 80/140 weight is used in apparatus differentials. Molly Dri-Lube is used only on ladder trucks to lubricate the ladder guides and aerials with rollers. Cable lubricant is issued on ladder extension and retraction cables. Chain lubricant is used to lubricate the hose reel chain drives. Break Free is used on Task Force tip nozzles. Lithium-based, all-purpose lubricant is used on non-Task Force nozzles, gate valves, hydra assist valves, four ways, and nozzle shut off. Dry Graphite is used on swivel couplings. Blue Grease is used on aerials with slide pods.

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Aerial Maintenance

Before starting lubrication of apparatus:

1. Inspect the supply of lubricants to assure they have not been contaminated with dirt, water, other greases, oils, or foreign materials. 2. Inspect measuring cans, funnels, grease guns, and other equipment used in dispensing lubricants to assure cleanliness.

Hydraulic oil reservoir

Keep the areas around breathers clean at all times

3. Before removing plugs, such as on the steering gear box, transmission, and hydraulic reservoir, the area around the plug shall be clean. Use a cloth to wipe off all dirt from the grease fittings before lubricating. If the fittings are broken, damaged, or missing, either replace or have them replaced by the area mechanic. 4. All differentials as well as standard road pump transmissions have breathers, usually located at the top of the unit. This is to prevent pressure buildup, thus forcing the lubricant out through seals and gaskets. These breathers shall be kept clean at all times. The area mechanic shall periodically clean breathers. 5. The strain, weight, or pressure on bushings and bearings shall be relieved when lubricating by jacking up wheels, releasing the brakes, and moving the part being lubricated. 6. The filler plug will have either a square lug, recessed square, or will be a large, stamped sheet metal plug. CAUTION: Never remove or loosen a screw or bolt provided with a lock nut, since this would be an adjustment not a filler plug.

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Aerial Maintenance

WEEKLY LUBRICATION

The ladder rollers shall be lubricated with chassis lube. The ladder guides and fly support pads at the end of the ladder bed shall be lubricated with "Molykote" aerosol spray lubricant or "Blue Grease" furnished by the area mechanic. The ladder extension and retraction cables shall be thoroughly lubricated with chain and cable lubricant aerosol spray furnished by the area mechanic. The cable drum shall be lubricated at each grease zerk fitting with chassis lube. During this operation, the cable shall be inspected for any frayed or broken wire. The turntable center pin shall be lubricated after each use with chassis lube. The hydraulic oil level in all aerial equipment shall be checked each week and after each extensive or prolonged use. Any contamination of the oil shall be reported to the area mechanic. These procedures shall also be performed at such other times as conditions or the aerial ladder warrant. Other lubrication is to be performed as required elsewhere in these instructions or in the equipment manual. Lubricate 5th wheel assembly at all grease zerk fittings with chassis lube until lubricant is visible around joints. Excess lubricant shall be wiped off. Lubricate outriggers at all grease zerk fittings with chassis lube until lubricant is visible around joints. Excess lubricant shall be wiped off.

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WEEKLY LUBRICATION

Aerial Maintenance

Ladder rollers

The ladder rollers shall be lubricated with chassis lube. Before removing plugs, such as on the steering gear box, transmission, and hydraulic reservoir, the area around the plug shall be clean. Use a cloth to wipe off all dirt from the grease fittings before lubricating. If the fittings are broken, damaged, or missing, either replace or have them replaced by the area mechanic.

Always clean area after using grease gun

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