At your service: 4 signs your wrapper’s due for replacement
While we are all for keeping pallet wrappers on the road as long as possible, there comes a time when an investment in a new machine will ensure a faster, safer, and more comfortable journey.
Pallet wrappers put in many miles at busy DCs and keeping up with regular maintenance checks and servicing will greatly lengthen the lives of these machines. However sometimes it’s a challenge to ascertain when the equipment isn’t performing correctly.
While replacing a machine can seem costly, the ongoing costs of keeping a past-it machine are often greater in the long run. Here are some signs that your pallet wrapper may have reached the end of the road…
1. Your pallet wrapper is often in need of ‘works’.
Warehouses and DCs are tough environments for machinery, with dust in the air and the risk of bumps and dents causing high levels of wear and tear. If your machine is constantly shorting out or stalling, it’s probably time to replace it.
You may also find that parts become harder to find as machines get older, causing repairs to become more costly and time consuming. As a rule of thumb, if your machine is over 15 years old and has a series of issues (think a loose latch on the carriage door, faulty pre-stretch, or roller componentry that no longer does its duty) a replacement is most likely the smart choice.
2. Your wrapper’s been damaged through misuse.
We occasionally hear about wrappers being used for roundabout rides, or workers riding the film carriage. While it might seem like a bit of fun, pallet wrappers are not made for human hijinks.
This isn’t good for the wrapper, and it puts your team in danger too. If your pallet wrapping equipment is showing signs of wear (and weariness), it could be time to 1.) have a word with your team and, if it’s affected vital componentry, 2.) order new parts or, if worst has come to worst, invest in a new machine.
3. Your wrapper is moving too slow.
With shipping demands increasing, many DCs are finding that their old technology isn’t keeping up with the workflow required. When this happens, it can create bottlenecks, which equate to lost time and money, as well as creating potential hazards as pallets pile up.
Well-meaning team members will often look for ways to shortcut a solution to these problems but this can cause a reduction in the quality of the wrap as well as safety concerns. If your wrapper is on the go-slow, often the smarter answer is to start again with a fresh machine.
4. Your equipment doesn’t believe in Health & Safety.
Modern machinery tends to look after the user, with shut-off switches and other features designed to protect from human error. If you have an older machine that isn’t equipped with protection measures (and can’t be retrofitted), it’s best to replace it.
The time and money spent on an older machine is not worth the consequences of an accident if something goes horribly wrong.
Simply put, if keeping your pallet wrapper road-worthy is costing you in delays or repairs, it could be time to park it up permanently.
To find out more about replacement equipment, have a look at our latest Spinny catalogue here or, to book a site visit, email us here. We can review your operation before providing you with the best options to drive your DC forward.
