Retractable and removable hydraulic bollards fitted with underground receivers suitable for embedding and storage. They provide extraordinary convenience in controlling access to restricted areas. However, they contain mechanical parts that require ongoing maintenance and attention. Especially in the cold winter, the service requirements for hydraulic bollards are very high. Underground receivers may be susceptible to corrosion and/or seizing if exposed to large amounts of rain, snow, ice, and/or de-icing chemicals. A comprehensive winterization process can help prevent this damage.
Retractable and removable hydraulic bollards should be maintained regularly to ensure they are protected from moisture and debris. Ongoing proper maintenance will ensure continued operational day-to-day functionality. In late summer or early fall, preventive maintenance will help prepare your bollards for the harsh conditions of winter. In today’s guide, we’ll show you how to care for your hydraulic bollards during the cold winter months.
1. Keep the receiver free of debris
During the fall, leaves and other debris can accumulate on concrete surfaces. In addition to excess moisture, this debris can affect the functionality of retractable and removable hydraulic bollards, causing them to shift or become clogged, leading to jamming of the posts. Underground receivers should be kept as clean as possible. The floor area should be cleared regularly throughout the year to prevent sand, rocks, leaves, or other debris from falling into the receiver.
When cleaning and maintaining the exterior of your business premises, it is best to use a wet cleaner. Dry vacuum to remove anything that may have fallen into the receiver. Once water is found on the concrete surface around the hydraulic bollards, it should be removed. It is also possible to do this with a wet/dry vacuum.
2. Check bollards
Inspect hydraulic bollards for any cosmetic or structural damage, as these problems may worsen during the winter. Scratches, scratches, and graffiti constitute superficial damage, while dents and rust can affect the structural integrity of bollards. All forms of damage should be dealt with as quickly as possible to avoid further deterioration. For severe damage (such as cracked or damaged components) or missing components, the bollard should be taken out of service until repaired or replaced. Preparing for winter is required to stock replacement bollards and parts Good time.
3. Clean bollards
Hydraulic bollards should be cleaned before winter to remove any accumulated surface debris. Dirt or debris stuck to the bollards may fall into the receiver and should be removed immediately. Regular cleaning also prevents wear and tear and ensures long-lasting aesthetic value. For gentle cleaning, both powder-coated and stainless steel bollards can be rinsed with water and air-dried (in a warm environment, indoors if necessary) or wiped with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. For a deep clean, wash with mild soap and a soft cloth or sponge. To avoid staining, rinse off the cleaning solution immediately.
Regular cleaning is also beneficial as it prevents wear and tear and ensures you maintain your appearance. Some bollards are designed to be low maintenance, but the dust that accumulates during the hot summer months can make your bollards look a little dirty.
4. Remove rust
Hydraulic bollards should be inspected for signs of rust before the onset of a cold, wet winter, which will exacerbate existing corrosion. Not only is rust unsightly, but it can also damage the structural integrity of your bollards if not treated promptly. To remove rust from stainless steel bollards, apply an all-purpose lubricant and scrub the bollard with a synthetic scouring pad in the direction of its grain. For powder-coated bollards, use abrasive sandpaper to remove rust, then seal with exterior metal primer and matching enamel touch-up topcoat. For areas of major corrosion, bollards may need to be replaced or recoated.
5. Lubricate and de-ice if necessary
Even with regular maintenance, trace amounts of moisture can freeze in sub-zero temperatures, causing hydraulic bollards to seize. Seizing can be caused by moisture freezing on the surface of the area where the bollard contacts the receiver (around the receiver collar or inside the subsurface), within the bollard’s internal locking mechanism, or in the keyhole.
De-icing solution or other alcohol-based products (such as hand sanitizer) can be used to thaw and move stuck bollards. However, freezing may still be a problem at low temperatures. Adequate lubrication of the mechanical parts of the retractable bollard with assembly grease will aid performance at lower temperatures.
6. FAQ
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about maintaining hydraulic bollards during the winter.
1) Will the acid, alkali, and salt in the snow corrode the surface of the automatic lifting column?
Snowflakes absorb and dissolve oxides in the air as they form and fall. At extremely low temperatures, these flakes will fall on the surface of the column and stick to the equipment for a long time, causing corrosion to the metal. At present, many bollard manufacturers on the market blindly pursue low costs when purchasing metal raw materials for pillars. The stainless steel material chosen has extremely low corrosion resistance. Whether it’s snow or rain, it can cause damage to uprights.
2) Will the lifting column hydraulic oil become viscous under extremely cold conditions in winter?
Automatic lifting columns rely on hydraulic movement as the driving form. Fully automatic lifting columns can be compared to the human body, in which the hydraulic movement is the heart, the hydraulic oil is the blood, and the hydraulic oil is the hydraulic oil. In the entire hydraulic working system, hydraulic oil plays many roles such as energy transfer, lubrication, anti-corrosion, anti-rust, cooling, etc., thereby making hydraulic movement more efficient.
In the cold winter, whether the hydraulic system can work efficiently is closely related to the type and viscosity of the selected hydraulic oil. For hydraulic oil, viscosity is definitely one of the important factors to consider when selecting oil. Viscosity directly affects the friction and resistance generated by system components and the fluidity of the hydraulic fluid. Only high-quality, high-freeze-resistant hydraulic oils are available.
Only in this way can the hydraulic drive energy be efficiently transmitted to ensure the normal use of the lifting column, and the lifting speed will not be affected by the cold winter. If you only pursue product profits and choose inferior hydraulic oil, the lifting column will not rise or the lifting speed will be significantly slower. Under frequent use, the oil temperature will rise rapidly, causing leakage and other problems.
3) Can automatic hydraulic bollards work in cold conditions?
The short answer to this question is yes. The slightly longer answer is that extreme temperatures can and do cause bollards to operate less efficiently, especially automated bollards that rely on motion. However, we don’t usually see those extremely severe weather conditions in the UK. Even in the colder months, we don’t get warm enough here to seriously affect our automatic hydraulic bollards, which means you generally don’t have to worry about your automatic hydraulic bollards in bad weather.
7. Conclusion
When it comes to security and access control, nothing beats automatic hydraulic bollards. They are durable, long-lasting, and impact-resistant, making them the perfect solution for deterring intruders and unwanted vehicles. Bollards are an ideal investment to protect your property, vehicle, or business year-round. In order to ensure the normal use of all hydraulic bollards, please refer to the above maintenance recommendations.
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