Reasons Why You Should Apply Oil to Boat Lift Cables
Boating is an expensive purchase that costs thousands. For a boat owner, the most cost-effective option is the boat lift. The boat lift makes docks and departures more secure and quicker while also reducing the chance of a damaged vessel. So you do fewer repairs on your boat and you can save a little money over time. It can be done only when the boat is in use. Routine maintenance like applying oil can keep your boatlift in optimal condition throughout the years. We will discuss the reasons why you should apply oil to boat lift cables.
The convenience of the boat lift makes every captain feel incredibly luxurious but only if it is operated. The boat lift must be maintained for maximum effectiveness. Proper maintenance will guarantee your lift’s performance for several decades from now until its completion. It can cause a lift to be damaged or require hefty repairs.
Importance of Boat Lift Maintenance
Similar to boat lifts your boat is considered a valuable asset. Routine servicing helps protect the lift from the preventable loss of function or deterioration. It also assists in the removal of corrosion rust and deteriorated parts and identifies parts requiring repair and replacement.
In addition to ensuring the correct operation and performance of your boat lift, your boat lift must be kept in good health. If your lift is worn out and doesn’t operate properly you don’t have to protect your boat at all. Make sure you regularly maintain your lift for optimal performance and safety.
Check Regularly for Damaged Parts
The boat lift made of sturdy materials can be damaged by water though. This is important because all lift systems must be periodically inspected to ensure the lift is operating properly.
Look at cables in bunk beds and in axle frames to see a visible deterioration of cables in the frame cradle. You must immediately replace any damaged cable. Rinsing lifts with water after use keeps them secure in the air. Verify bolts are tightly tightened to the pulley.
Ensure Proper Pulley Alignment
Unavoidable sheaves impede lifting and reduce lift cables’ life and affect lift operation. Observe the heavens for proper alignment and check for spools, drums, and winders. Depending on your cable, make repositioning adjustments and adjust accordingly if they are not correctly aligned.
Make sure the nuts are tight and the bolt is properly tightened and pressed down correctly. Grease the pulleys once or twice per month to eliminate friction between sheaves and sheaves, which may increase failures.
Always Stick to the Weight Capacity
Boat lifts are designed for carrying specialized load types. The need to stay under limits can cause damage to your boat lift and potentially cause serious damage and accidents. Keep in touch with your specified weight capacity for the optimum operation of your lift system. Check your yacht’s dry weight on a manufacturer’s specification sheet. Add water, fuel, or equipment weights for your total weight. It helps keep your boat safe from being overloaded.
Lubricate Any Moving Parts
Apply regular abrasive oil to the cable of the boatlift to reduce rust and damage. Lubricating the cords prevents friction created while pulling the cord. Lubricate cables more frequently using greased oil. In addition, it is vital to clean the motors of this machine such as bearings and pulling mechanisms. The pulleys and bearings are lubricated every four to three years for proper operation to avoid any damage to the bearings and cables.
Always Remove Cables and Cradle From the Water
While boat lifts are made from materials resisting corrosion, avoid keeping cables out of water for long durations. It protects the cables from deterioration caused by salt water, a buildup of barnacles, and electrical evaporation. In some instances, a boat’s anchor can also be lifted a little higher when not occupied or lower when the anchor returns.
Observe the Weight Warning
All boats have to meet specific requirements which means they cannot be added to the boat lift as they could cause severe damage. The boat lifts are made with a specific hull design and are rated at a certain weight. Hence, adding a boat that wasn’t specifically designed for the boatlift might damage its functionality.
Apply Oil Regularly
Boat lifting cables are constructed in stainless steel. Therefore, penetrating oil must be applied daily and reduces abrasion. The penetrable oil also helps prevent cable cables from rubbing together. When you purchase penetration oils be sure that they contain no grease.
Check Cables for Signs of Wear
It’s an indication you should immediately take care of cable damage. The cable is often not regularly checked and maintained and could be catastrophic causing damages to the boat or its equipment and causing severe injury. The cables can also be corroded or broken.
Reasons for Boat Lift Maintenance
Routine maintenance of your lift can help minimize any risks. Boat lift maintenance is a very important service. completing routine cleaning of your boat lift and knowing what should be looked for is important for your boat lift to run smoothly for a long time.
Lift Cables Life Span
Cable wear varies according to length. Each wire in a winding moves slightly differently. Abrasions on cables occur. The more thread loses the weaker the strands.
How Long Should a Cable Last?
Galvanized cables are advisable to replace at least twice a year in the interests of security. The cable is stainless steel and will last for two years. A common mistake—internal corrosion or rust is easily hidden and does not appear visible to cable users. To determine when it is time for a cable replacement, you can look for signs of cable wear. Keep an eye out for kinks, severe abrasion, or other deformities on the surface of your cable. If you notice your cable is demonstrating signs of wear, you should be sure to schedule a boat lift repair right away.
Often a boat lift cable such as this will not work with the correct instructions. An improper position of a boat can cause waves of shock to your boat when it hits a caster. If it seems to be faulty replace it. It’s incredibly unlikely if you try to squeeze an additional year out with a cheap cable to save yourself from drowning or getting injured.
What Should Be Done?
Steel cable lifts sometimes require squirting oil or other liquid to reduce friction between wires. The same applies to galvanized cables. Lubrication maintains and minimizes corrosion between two sheets. Avoid using sand and rubbing the oil in cables to obtain maximum results. Steel lift cables may be coated by a sprinkling of penetrating oil. These should happen both during the spring and the Autumn.
Apply oil regularly on boat lift cables since they are made of stainless steel, and that’s why you need to apply penetrating oil regularly to reduce abrasion. The penetrating oil also ensures that the cable strands do not rub against each other.
Conclusion
To conclude, we can say that oiling the boat lift cables is extremely important and needs to be done regularly. The whole lift system is dependent on the quality and condition of the cables. Lubricating your lift cables with penetrating oil, such as Cable Fluid Penetrating Oil, lessen corrosion and reduces internal friction. Avoid using grease, because this substance does a poor job of lubricating cables. A light fresh water rinsing will prevent corrosion and rusting. The rinse will also remove any contaminants and dirt on the outside of the cables. Abrasion between individual strands occurs when cables rub against each other.
FootHills Dock & Lift Repair provides a variety of services regarding boats and boat lift maintenance. We are equipped with accurate tools that allow us to maintain your boat lifts with precision. Our services also include dock cleaning, motor replacements, and many other services. Contact us today and book an appointment!
