Dirty Filter

Is Preventive Maintenance (PM) worth the time and effort?

YES! Here’s an anonymous, true story that shows: 1-the importance of PM, 2-how PM can be shown to save money, and 3-how PM systems can work (using the manufacturer’s recommendations, developing operating procedures, and utilizing the PM function in Lodgepole).

“For our Ice Machines, we had one Bi-Annual task to clean the exterior and de-lime the interior (scheduled in Lodgepole).

Luckily while performing the Bi-Annual PM, the maintenance staff person noticed that the machine sounded a little odd and found that the air filter had actually been somewhat ‘sucked’ into the machine and had to be replaced. After removing the filter, the staff person reported that the machine took a deep intake of air. Had the filter not been replaced/cleaned in time that the machine would have failed entirely.

After further research, we found the appropriate model and maintenance instructions and realized that ALL the ice machines have filters and they had NEVER been checked.

It is now a second Monthly PM to have the filter checked (also scheduled in Lodgepole).

I believe it has saved us a lot of time and money to have prevented the failure of these machines just because of a simple filter! The filter is about $40.00. The ice machines run anywhere from about $1200.00 to $1500.00. Cleaning the air filters takes about 10 minutes (except the initial cleaning, once the necessary maintenance was identified, took a little longer). They were pretty filthy and had to be actually washed and dried and then re-installed. It really proves that regular, preventive maintenance is worth it.

and yes, the picture is an actual photo of a dirty filter!”

–Thanks for anonymously sharing your story!