7 Signs That Your Briquetting Press Needs Servicing

A briquetting press can continue operating even when individual components are already wearing out. This is why a fault does not always begin with the machine coming to a complete stop.

Changes in output, unusual noise or increased electricity consumption may be the first signs that the equipment needs servicing.

The sooner a problem is detected, the greater the chance of avoiding an unexpected shutdown and costly repairs.

Here are 7 signs to look out for.

1. The press output has decreased

The press used to consistently produce, for example, 720 kg/h, but under the same operating conditions, output has gradually decreased.

There may be several reasons for this:

• Wear of working components;
• Changes in raw material properties;
• Problems with the hydraulic system;
• Incorrect settings;
• Contamination or wear of individual components;
• Deterioration of the die or other working parts.

A slight drop in output can easily go unnoticed. However, if the equipment operates several shifts every day, even a small loss of productivity can gradually add up to a significant amount of lost production.

What to check: Compare current output with the figures recorded when the press was operating with similar raw materials and under comparable conditions.

2. The noise has changed or vibration has increased

The operator is usually the person who knows best what the press sounds like when it is operating normally.

If the equipment starts to:

• Operate more loudly than usual;
• Produce an unusual humming noise;
• Vibrate more than normal;
• Make intermittent knocking or metallic noises,

do not wait for a serious fault to develop.

Changes in noise may be related to worn bearings or mechanical components, incorrect adjustments or other problems.

Unusual noise should not be dismissed as something to simply “keep an eye on” for several months.

3. Energy consumption has increased

If the press starts consuming more electricity to produce the same quantity of briquettes, it is worth checking the equipment.

It is particularly important to monitor not only total consumption but also the following indicator:

kWh per tonne of finished product.

For example, if the press produces less output while consuming a similar amount of electricity, the production cost per tonne increases.

The cause may lie in the press itself, the condition of the raw material or other parts of the production process.

An increase in specific energy consumption is therefore a good reason to arrange a technical inspection.

4. Briquette quality has changed

Equipment problems can affect not only the number of briquettes produced but also their quality.

Pay attention if the briquettes become:

• Less dense;
• More fragile;
• Uneven in structure;
• Different in shape;
• More likely to break during handling or transport;
• Different from the usual result despite using the same raw material.

Of course, briquette quality depends on several factors, particularly the properties and moisture content of the raw material.

However, if the raw material and production conditions have not changed but the product quality has deteriorated, the press and its operating parameters should be checked.

5. Oil leaks or other signs of wear have appeared

Regular visual inspections can help identify problems before they lead to a serious breakdown.

Check:

• Hydraulic connections;
• Hoses;
• Seals;
• Joints between components;
• Any oil leaks or other unusual signs;
• The condition of protective components.

Even a minor leak should not be ignored.

A small seal problem today could lead to an equipment shutdown tomorrow.

6. Some components have reached their recommended service life

Not all problems can be seen or heard.

Some components have a defined service life or recommended inspection and replacement intervals.

That is why maintenance should be carried out according to a schedule, not only after a fault occurs.

It is particularly important to consider:

• Equipment operating hours;
• Operating intensity;
• Raw material properties;
• The results of previous service work;
• The condition of critical components.

Replacing a component as part of preventive maintenance is usually much easier than replacing it urgently after production has stopped.

7. It has been a long time since the last service

This is one of the simplest and most common warning signs.

If you cannot answer the following question with confidence:

“When was the press last given a thorough service?”

it may be time to have the equipment inspected.

With industrial equipment, the assumption that “if it is running, everything must be fine” can prove costly.

Regular maintenance helps identify wear in advance, check settings and the condition of key assemblies, and reduce the risk of unplanned downtime.

Why is preventive maintenance cheaper than emergency repairs?

Consider a press with an output of 720 kg/h and a briquette selling price of €250 per tonne.

If production stops completely, the company potentially loses:

0.72 tonnes × €250 = €180 in lost revenue per hour.

Over one 8-hour shift:

€180 × 8 = €1,440.

Over 24 hours:

€180 × 24 = €4,320.

These figures represent only the potential revenue lost from production that cannot be sold.

Additional costs may include:

• Employee wages during downtime;
• Emergency service call-out costs;
• Spare parts delivery;
• Additional transport expenses;
• Overtime required to get production back on schedule;
• Delays in fulfilling customer orders.

Preventive maintenance is therefore more than just a service expense.

It is a way to manage the total cost of equipment ownership and reduce the risk of costly downtime.

What can you check yourself?

Before contacting the service team, operators can regularly monitor several key indicators:

☑ Press output;
☑ Briquette quality and density;
☑ Unusual noise and vibration;
☑ Electricity consumption;
☑ Temperature and other operating parameters;
☑ Signs of leaks;
☑ Control system messages and warnings;
☑ Operating hours since the last service.

It is also useful to keep a simple operating log. Even a few entries per week can help identify gradual changes that are difficult to notice during a single working day.

Don't wait for the press to stop

Maintenance should be carried out before the equipment breaks down.

If you notice one or more of the signs listed above, we recommend arranging an inspection without delay.

RMP provides servicing and technical support for briquetting presses, helping identify the causes of reduced output and detect potential problems before they develop into serious faults.

For existing RMP customers, preventive servicing offers an opportunity to check equipment condition in advance, plan the necessary work and, where required, order spare parts before an unexpected shutdown occurs.

Don't wait for the press to stop. Planned maintenance is almost always easier to organise than emergency repairs after production has come to a standstill.