Building Maintenance & Longevity - John Boleyn, Hog Slat, from the 2020 Iowa Pork Congress, held January 22 - 23, 2020, Des Moines, IA, USA.

1. Building
Maintenance and
Longevity
Feed and Ventilation Systems

2. Feed Systems – Bulk Bins
• Routinely inspect the function of the feed lid to prevent rain or
blowing snow to enter the bulk bin and cause moldy feed and rusting
on interior of tank.
• Routinely inspect ladders for safe operation and tighten loose or
missing bolts
• Routinely inspect the leg bracing, unloader and boots and tighten
loose or missing bolts
• Routinely inspect the unloaders, open doors and clean out if moldy or
wet feed is present. Figure out where moisture is entering and take
care of the problem.

3. Feed Systems – between groups
• Inspect feed pipes between groups. Tighten or replace missing
chains, hooks, etc. This will prevent auger from wearing through
pipes.
• Replace pipe or sweeps that have cracks or have worn through.
• Inspect chains outside of building supporting feed pipes from bins to
building. If chains are not supporting the pipe correctly this will lead
to breakage or failure of the stub tubes on the unloaders.
• Inspect feed tubes and drops and if loose tighten them to prevent
from falling off and dumping feed into the pit.
• Inspect feed drop ropes and if signs or wear replace them

4. Feed Systems – between groups
• Check oil levels in gear boxes and re-fill to correct level.
• Inspect wires in control unit boxes and make sure they are tight and
not corroding.
• Wipe out inside of the Smart IR, Halo, etc to keep excessive dust
buildup from happening and inhibiting the function.
• Inspect and cleanout any debris inside the unloaders
• When power washing try to prevent direct blast of water to control
units, power units, feed sensors, etc.

5. Feed systems - monthly
• Grease anchor bearings on both the exterior and interior of the
buildings
• Inspect switches for the control units and power units for signs of
moisture and replace if needed
• Check settings on Smart IR, Halo’s, etc and adjust max run and delay
times. Longer delay times before the feeders are empty will help with
short cycling the motor and auger to extend life of both. Max run
times will help in the event of a feed outage, bridging in the bins or if
a drop tube falls off and filling the pit with feed.

6. Ventilation Systems - Fans
• Try to not run variable fans below 40%. This will help in keeping the
motor cooler if air is pulled through the shutter and over the motor to
extend motor life. This does not apply to “smart fans” on the market
now.
• Clean pit fans between groups. This will keep the louvers cleaner and
help with fan efficiency and longevity
• Clean wall fan louvers, props and housings routinely to increase
efficiency and longevity.
• Check fan housing and cones for damage from snow or lawn mowers
and fix if damaged. Check bolts and nuts and if loose tighten.

7. Ventilation Systems - Fans
• Inspect fan belts for excessive wear and replace. If the belt is
recessed into the pulleys replace. This will help increase fan efficiency
• Inspect pulleys for cracks or breakage.
• Inspect bearings, tensioners, springs and shafts and replace if broken
or loose.
• After power washing grease all bearings. This will help push water out
of bearings and run the fan for a short time to work grease into the
bearing.
• Grease all bearings every 2 months when they are being used.

8. Ventilation Systems – Curtain and Inlets
• Grease drive block, drive screw and bearings inside machines every 2
months.
• Grease all curtain and inlet pulleys every 2 months.
• Inspect hand winches, cables, lift ropes or cables and replace and
tighten cable clamps.
• Inspect all mounting hardware for hand winches and pulley brackets
and tighten or replace if loose or broken.
• Ensure that lift ropes or cables are able to move freely over pulleys
and are not binding or caught leading to excessive wear or breakage.

9. Ventilation Systems – Curtains and Inlets
• Between groups inspect inlet doors. Run inlets close and tighten and adjust
inlet doors, inspect cable clamps, ropes and springs.
• Adjust counter weights seasonally on counter weighted inlets.
• During winter months break any ice buildup daily that may occur on inlet
doors.
• Inspect snow doors pulleys, cable clamps, hooks, etc for smooth operation.
Inspect soffit from dirt or debris buildup. Clean if nessecary to ensure
adequate air flow into attic.
• During summer months run curtains to close position weekly to keep
rodents from nesting, chewing holes and keep excessive buildup of water
from rain or mister tips sitting in the curtain leading to mildew growth.

10. Ventilation Systems – Curtains and Inlets
• Inspect wind ropes, belting and curtain straps for wear, breakage, etc
and replace.
• Inspect bird wire and ensure that cable clamps are not catching and
tearing the material.
• If curtain has holes either patch or replace curtain to prevent heat
loss or cold spots around openings.
• Inspect curtain pipe and if separation has occurred between pipe
replace and fix
• Inspect curtain stitching

11. Ventilation Systems – Heaters, Backup T-
Stats
• Between groups run heaters to blow out any water from washing and dry
components within heater.
• Before winter take air compressor and blow out any dust and debris inside
of heaters.
• Run heaters, listen and watch the squirrel cage fan for smooth operation.
If excessive noise or wobble fix and replace.
• Ensure there is proper flame on pilot light heaters. If flame is weak clean
or replace orifice
• Inspect gas lines where they enter the building for rusting or leakage. This
is a common place for gas line failure due to moisture because of thermal
transfer at the wall location.

12. Ventilation Systems – Heaters, Backup T
Stats
• After power washing clean the coils of the back up T-Stat to keep
from rusting and ensure better accuracy.

13. Questions? – Thank you